A GREAT OPENING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12066, 23 July 1917, Page 6

A GREAT OPENING.

CROWDS TURNED AWAY FROM HIS MAJESTY'S.

VAUDEVILLE IN ITS NEW HOME,

Manchester Street provided a, glad sight on Saturday evening for the oyc.s of th 0 theatrical manager. Hundreds of people crowded the broad approaches to His Majesty's Theatre long before: the time arrived for opening tho doors, and as the crowds flocked along even more rapidly than the threo entrances could admit them at times, it was early evident that this wa-s a. night for tho display of a "house full" heard. By a quarter to eight ''reserved seats only" was tho doorkeepers' announermoiit, and when tho curtain rose upon the first evening performance of Fullers' Vaudeville in His Majesty's Theatre the building -was fully taxed in all parts. It was a happy augury of success and prosperity in tho new home of vaudeville, which has its thousands of devotees in Christchurch and suburbs. Whilst the Opera, House cannot bo said to bo very far from the heart- of tho city, or far from its m u'n thoroughfares, it is a fact that it is '■ out of tho way," to use a common expression, and ifc has long been fe.lt that, tho Fuller management would hud it profitable to obtain a. more central location. But theatres do not grow on every bush, and this enterprising firm had to await its opportunity. This came recently, when the news was published that His Majesty's lessees would shortly transfer their picture venture to another place. Mr Ben Fuller made a big bid and secured this fine property for his regular vaudeville entertainment, and on Saturday tho transfer from the Opera House was made. Of course, the theatre was not properly ready. Mr Ben Fuller declares that he has never yr>t seen a theatre in proper trim for an opening, and ho believes that ho never will. But there were no noticeable shortcomings The lighting has to he improved, and a .good deal of money will he spent on renewal of the seating in the stalls. A hundred and one other matters have- to be attended to. in order to make the theatre thoroughly up-to-dale, comfortable for patrons and convenient for the artists. Nothing will bz left undone that can in reason be expected to bo done. Meanwhile, regular patrons of vaudeville in Christchurch have nothing but praise for the theatre as it now stands, jind as it is only three minutes' walk from tho general tram terminus —tho Square—the venture should prove a profitable- one. On Saturday the public certainly gave ,a great house-warm-ing, and the Fuller protrietary did their part, too, by staging one of tho finest entertainments ot the kind seen on the Christchurch boards. ' It was a. good move to send tho Walter Johnson Revue Company as tho big attraction on the opening bill. This comapuy has been showing to big business week after week in Wellington, and Christchurch has long awaited its appearance hero. And it has. right from the outs-t. justified the reputation which preceded it. ''The Railway Tangle," produced on Saturday night, was an hour and a half of uproarious hilarity, interspersed with some, capital solo and chorus work, and pretty stage effects. Its production entailed the engagement of a much more liberal cast than is usual in revues, the chorus was stronger and more effective, tho dressing and effects more elaborate, and the dancing above the average. There arc four comedians, and they keep the fun going fioin start to finish, either singly or in concert They are Harry Burgees, Ernest Nashbrook, Jock Kearns and Gus Franks. Some of the ladies sing nicely, too. Miss Vera Kearns, as I'eggy Prydo, was a distinct success in every line of her part, and she firmly established herself in the good graces of her hearers by her pretty singing of !i Ladder of Roses." a prettv effect being produced by the living flowers amidst festoons of roses and coloured tilows. Miss Lola- Hunt lias a, distinct personality, and a good voice as well, whi'-h wa t s In-ard at its best in "Down m Louisville" and "Old Bill Bailey Plays his Likalele." Miss Lydia. Carne sang, " Oh. you Beautiful Baby!" in a fetching style. The chorus produced a novel piece of business, four huge doll cases being wheeled on to the stago and made to produce very well developed specimens of tho genus ehunitf girl ''Hollo, Frisco!" was another good number of hers, with appropriate " business." The piece was well dressed, and kept the audience rocking with laughter throughout tho whole of the second par!, concluding with Scotch dancing and a grand Scotch finale.

The Royal Togos were the strong feature of the first part of the programme, and. :iftor ;i clever display of juggling with sticks and. halls, introducing some new jstufT. the junior partner provided some thrills. A rope had been fastened to the ceiling alwvo the dress circle and to the stage Togo, in his .stockinged feet and with only a sunshade as a balance, walked almost to the top; then, turning, slid from roof to floor amidst the plaudits of the crowd. The astounding feat was repeated with the little Japanese quite blindfolded- a performance well worth witnessing. The Molinaris. already firm favourites with Christchurch audiences, made their reappearance, and in solo work and in duets contributed several very enjoyable numbers, earning a triple recall. Tim and Gertie Moore, a coloured comedian and his partner, contributed a song and patter turn which were smart ajtd effective.

This programme will be repeated each evening this week.