OPERA HOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12176, 27 November 1917, Page 7

OPERA HOUSE.

Although a fairly large audience witnessed the change of programme which was presented at the Opera House last evening, the quality of the entertainment merited a much larger gathering. There are several newcomers this week, all of whom being artists above the average variety standard. Chief among them arc l\iio and Helmar, who give a somewhat unique physical culture turn, which is distinctly noteworthy. Their evening's work opens with a number of changing Gneco-Ro-man poses, which are in every way equal to anything of the same nature which has been seen here before. They then give, an exhibition of their wonderful muscular abilities, and many of their efforts in this direction aroused great enthusiasm among the audience last evening. The apparent ease they show in accomplishing the most difficult of tasks added considerably to their performance. Dozey-Doira. one of the leading members of the famous ''Five Manchurians," in the costume of his native land, presents a. very alluring turn. Not only is he an acrobat of great agility but he is also a juggler, who does a number of extraordinary feats in a finished manner. Marie. Bucher. who is also appearing for the first time, has a very pronounced American accent, which, however, only adds to the charm of the many dainty voca.l numbers, while her reoiting of "You'll Never Be Missed" was easily the best of the items she gave. Sydney Jones, a clever English comedian. ga.ve another example of what' a versatile artist be is. He presented two very clever burlesques last evening of. a conductor and of a. melodrama, the latter'with the and of a piano. His song, " A Farmer's Boy," made an instant appeal to the audience, who were also captivated with the vocal work of Agnes Raines, who assists him to make his turn the success it is. Ernest Pitcher has still a number of quaint, humorous stories ileft, a.nd he had to respond to a. number of encores. Lew James gave a Hebrew sonir, and a boisterous parody on "Who Killed Cock Robin," while.

with his partner, Reina Selma, he presented a delightful dancing scena. Gois Blake and Maud G-rnr.by. an a sketch called "The Clarinet," were quite as successful ns in their previous week's playlet, while the Coleman Sisters, in songs and eccentric dancing, were as pleasing as ever. The programme will he given again this evenina-