THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 863, 20 September 1906, Page 16

THE OPERA HOUSE.

FULLERS’ ENTERTAINERS. There was a large audience at the Opera House on Monday evening to witness the change of programme, and the items given were capital ■throughout. Mr Frank Crowther’s Orchestra played the curtain up with a lively overture, and the Company gave a good opening chorus. The Two Starrs, who first took the boards, gave a bright little singing and dancing sketch “That Candy Girl of Mine,” which showed 'that. they are making steady headway with their work, and we shall expect to hear more of them before very long. Mr Aubrey

Douglas made a hit with his coon song “There’s a Ch'cken Dinner Waiting For Me,” and was prompt!, recalled for another item. Miss Stella Vernea was heard to good advantage in the pathe.ic ballad “When My Sweetheart Answered Yes.” Her voice shows marked improvement and the song was given with considerable feeling. Mr Carl Collier drifted onto the stage as lightly as gossamer, to the accompaniment of growing hilarity, and very quickly made the fun fast and furious. His ‘pat’ delivery of comic songs, and wild eccentric dancing always makes a great hit, and on Monday evening as usual he was recalled to further orders. Miss Dorothy L’Estrange was warmly applauded and recalled for her rendering of the soprano song “Oh How

Delightful,” and her clear full notes made one think of grand opera Miss Clara Keating gave a serio and dance very bewitchingly, and finished it off with a dainty dance under the limelight that earned her hearty applause and a recall. The first half concluded with a couple of films by the bioscope that were much appreciated by the audience. Part two ushered in by Mr Frank Crowther’s Orchestra, commenced with a bright little triple song and dance by the “Three Starrs,” that went well and earned them applause and a recall. The Power Brothers x gave a very graceful and finished exhibition of tight wire balancing that earned hearty applause at the hands of the audience. They performed some exceedingly skilful evolutions on the wire, notably the changing of places, and the act in which one of the two stood on the shoulders of his partner. Their turn is an excellent one, the only thing that struck us being that a finer climax might be substituted, as their leading work appears to demand that the finish should eclipse it. Mr Vai Newton was very fine in “The Skippers of St. Ives,” his rich mellow voice and clear enunciation giving a capital rendering of the song. He was warmly applauded and recalled for his efforts Monaghan and Sheehan

were as delightful as ever in their musical turn, a pleasant feature being the singing of the lady performer, whose voice is a very sweet one. The cornet selection was specially good, and the piccolo playing was a treat. Miss Dorothy L’Estrange sang “For Old Time’s Sake,” the song being illustrated with a series of fine pictures. Miss Clara Keating gave a couple of dainty serio items, for which she was warmly applauded and recalled. Loydall and Berry made a great hit with their clever sketch “Acting on the Brain,” which caused great hilarity and loud applause. Loydall’s work is neat and finished, and has a breeziness about it that is irresistible. The lady’s work is delightfully fresh, and between the two of them they quite captivate the audience, whose spontaneous applause proves the success scored by these versatile performers. Our old friends the Driscolls created roars of laughter and applause with their clever sketches, and their turn went as pat on Monday evening after their prolonged stay at the Opera House, as it did on their first appearance. They never give stale items, but believe in something fresh every week and herein lies a large measure of their success. The evening’s prformance closed with another series of pictures by the Warwick Bioscope that caused great amusement and applause.