RICKARDS' VAUDEVILLE COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8498, 30 July 1907, Page 5

RICKARDS' VAUDEVILLE COMPANY.

A SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT.

Mr Harry Rickards' touring Vaudeville Company opened a two nights' season in the Mastertcn Town Hall, last evening, and was welcomed by a very large audience. There was not a dull moment in the varied programme, which was quite in keeping with Mr Rickards' reputation as a theatrical entrepreneur. The bill provided was such as would suit all tastes, and an enjoyable addition was that the waits jetween the "turns" were not drawn out. The programme opened with a song by Mr Harry Hart, who is the possessor of a pleasing tenor voice, which he uses with good effect. His song "Down Where the Swanee River's Plowing" was deservedly encored. Miss Ada Sadler came next, and delighted the audience with her effective contralto voice. Mr George Dean, who is an old favourite with New Zealand audiences, showed himself as clever as ever with his humorous descriptive songs. He had to submit to a vociferous recall. The first of the "star turns" was Mr Fred Russell, the ventriloquist humourist. He is described on the programme as "a truly wonderful artist," and justly upheld his reputation. Unlike other ventriloquists, Mr Russell only uses one figure called "Coster Jot," who is made to give out many smart sayings which keep the audience in roars of laughter. Mr Russell was encored, and gave further proof of his powers as a ventriioquist. A burlesque sketch entitled "Just for Fun" was given by Mr King and Miss Benson, and the artists were warmly applauded. The sketch was shortened somewhat owing to Mr King suffering from a slight cold. Miss Benson sang two additional humorous songs, which greatly pleased the audience. Mr Harry Rochfort, a baritone singer, sang "Off to Philadelphia" in good style. Miss Ada Sadler opened the second part with a pleasing ballad which earned for her we'l merited applause. Mr George Dean reappeared in two humourous songs, one of which was given as an encore. Charlene and Charlene proved themselves entertainers of the highest order. Monsieur Charlene went through some extraordinary feats of balancing, while Madame delighted the audience with selections on a xylophone. Towards the end of the "turn," the I stage was darkened, and while MadI ame played a melody on the xylophone, Monsieur held the audience spellbound with a daring exhibition of juggling with three lighted torches. One of the best items of the evening was the rendering of [that well-known duet "Excelsior" by Messrs Rochfort and Hart, and an encore was demanded. Miss Cassie Walmer, who has a powerful voice, was heard in three songs, one of which was a coon song. She made herself popular with the audience, not only as a singer but as a dancer. In the latter capacity, she introduced the novelty of dancing on one foot for some time. An excellent programme was concluded with a short series of moving pictures. This evening the combination will make their final appearance in Masterton, when a complete change of programme will be submitted by all the artists engaged. It is generally admitted that Mr Harry Rickards has never sent such an excellent vaudeville organisation to New Zealand. There should be a large audience at the Town Hall this evening. Mr Harry Rickards prides himself on the absolute refinement of all the artists engaged by him.