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Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18229, 17 January 1931, Page 16 (Supplement)

appeared successfully on the R.K.O. theatrical circuit in the United States. Mr Hopper’s last New Zealand appearance was in the Williamson “Aladdin” pantomime, when he presented a novel act, El Radiant Electrical Marionettes as a specialty, and also played the Genius of the Ring. During the past five years the New Zealander has been playing the R.K.O. circuit in America, in association with Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson, two celebrity performers who are doing pictures, and upon the completion of whose $ film contract Mr Hopper is returning to rejoin them. Mr Hopper is perhaps the only New Zealander xyho has played the Palace Theatre, Broadway, four times. This is .the ace vaudeville house of- the R.K.O. Mr Hopper brings back news of artists not unknown here, including Leyland Hodgson, a former Williamson juvenile lead, now acting in pictures; Estelle Fratis, who was last here with Santrey’s Band; Claude de Car, juggler; Ngaire and Tointon (formerly of Humphrey Bishop’s company) ; Odiva and her seals, Paddy Saunders, Estelle Brayden, Alex. Kelleway, May Wirth, and others. May Wirth and Phil Wirth were doing a fine act on the P.K.O. circuit with six people and four horses; during the summer Miss May runs a free circus for the children at Coney Island. The young New Zealander will return to America early this year-to rejoin the Olsen-Johnson team. He states that the only difference the