OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 885, 21 February 1907, Page 16

OPERA HOUSE.

FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS

A smile of complacency wreaths the countenance of the Opera House management these times. Good business, and

steady business, has been recorded, and nightly big crowds fill the theatre from top to bottom. An almost entire change of programme is being presented this week, no less than twelve new artists taking the boards. Miss Lorraine Tansley’s rather pleasing contralto voice was heard to advantage in “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.” In response to an encore she sang “The Banks of Loch Lomond,” and received a good reception. Maxwell and Roberts, two handsome artists, are making their first appearance, and bid to become very popular. Their singing is good, though a little more unanimity of action in their dancing would be an improvement. Mr Larry Herz was encored for his singing of “Floradora.” “Have You Seen My Soldier boy” was coyly sung by Miss May Wallace, who received an emphatic encore. The fun and humour of the first part of the programme is in the very capable hands of Messrs Sam Wilson and Harry Linden, and these artists, both corner comedians of the first water, are responsible for a good deal of laughter making. Miss Ida Berridge is a very clever little artist, and her items were encored again and again. “He Kissed I

Once,” though a repetition of last week, was well worth listening to again, and deserved the applause it aroused. “Matrimonial Bliss” is the side-splitting comedy "presented this week by the popular duple, Mr Fred Graham and Miss Nellie Dent. It is a piece of Mr Graham’s own composition, and has some decidedly clever situations. Mr Wiggins, as the man with a motto that ’tis human to err, returns home in a more or less—principany more —intoxicated state. Mrs Wiggins sets about establishing a permanent cure. The completeness with which she attains her purpose forms the theme of one of the brightest and cleverest sketches this renowned combination has put on since their appearance at the Opera House. Mr Graham, besides being really funny, is decidedly good in the character of the inebriate. As a, rule the part of a drunken man is not one that can be made to appeal to the audience. The usual stage drunkard is. badly over drawn. Not so Mr Graham; his portrayal of the wine-bibber was perfect, and he was really so very comical that the degrading element was never once uppermost. Miss Dent was equally good in the part of Mrs Wiggins, and the suicide scene was almost painfully ludicrous, to such an extent did it provoke insuppressible laughter. “Matrimonial Bliss” is well worth seeing. Miss Lilian Loftus is making her first appearance this week, and received a welcome which should make her feel at home at the Opera House. Shaw and Gilbert, as loose legged comedians, are more original in their antics than they are in their jokes. , Nevertheless their boxing act won for them a good round of applause. The Bicknells are back again, and received a very warm welcome. Their' eccentric dancing is always attractive, and they can invariably be counted on to provide an interesting turn. Mr Bicknell sings a good song and dances nicely,' while his companion easily holds the premiership of any dancer Auckland has seen, and is an established favourite as a pretty and clever terpsichorean. The Herz Bros., a musical trio, appeared in a farmyard medley ; some of the imitations were rather' good, and a representation of the Scotch bagpipes was excellent. Rex, the human conundrum, continues to

tie himself into extraordinary knots, and general y convince people that he is made of iridiarubber. Next Saturday sees a number of new. artists make their appearance:' .