HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 911, 22 August 1907, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

RICKARDS’ COMPANY. The popularity of Rickards’ Vaudeville Company continues undiminished, and n ghtly huge crowds assemble at His Majesty’s to applaud the fine performances of the ‘‘stars” appearing there. Last, Monday evening the company presented a fresh programme to a large and enthusiastic audience. Miss Ada Sadler opened the first part with a contralto song, of which only a part could be heard, the major portion being inaudible owing to the strenuous work of the orchestra. Mr. George Dean followed

with his descr’ptive songs, “Heard in Court” and “It’s a Funny Feeling.” They were both good items, and were rendered in the expressive and telling style that is one of Mr. Dean’s best features. He acted the var’ous parts, and his facial expression was just as .good as it well could be. He was enthusiastically recalled. Rochfort and Hart were heard to advantage in “Flow Gently Deva,” and in response to an imperative recall sang the ever-popular “Soldiers’ Chorus” from “Faust,” in fine style. Charlene and Charlene took the house by storm in their musical and juggl’ng act. Charlene introduced several new features into his extraordinary juggling, the most attractive of which were the easy tossing about of silk hats, and the juggling with about half a dozen balls that are finally all tossed high into the air and caught, one after another, in a silk hat. Madame Charlene played a difficult overture on the xylophone, and after many determined recalls was compelled to return and play a fine selection of Scotch airs. Her handling of this quaint instrument is more than remarkable, it is wonderful ; and the encores that follow her renderings are a tribute to the popularity of this gifted actress. Mr. Harry Hart filled in with a very pleasing rendering of “Let Me Forget,” and Miss Cassie Walmer concluded the first part with her character impersonations. Ths first impersonation, “Moving Day,” was most realistically carried out, and to a furious encore Miss Walmer responded with “Don’t Cry Little Girl!” Encore succeeded encore, and a “coon song” was followed by a dance, for which this captivating dusky princess received her full share of approbation. The second part was commenced with the usual lively orchestral select ! on,' and Mr. Harry Rochfort followed with the evergreen “Bedouin’s Love Song,” capably rendered and cordially applauded. Then Mr. Fred Russell appeared with his talkative and critically minded comrade Coster Joe. We must congratulate Mr. Russell for such a complete change from his turn last week. The improvement was novel, clever, and a decided variation from the hum-drum everyday ventriloquical entertainment of the minor stars. The setting and arrangements were mirth-provoking and original, and for the all too few and brief minutes that Mr. Russell occupied the stage we were indulged with a running fire of witty “gags” and funnyisms that made life worth living. We wish to add to our enconuims of Mr. Fred Russell, as published last week; he is an eight-point-ed, gem-set, twinkling star of absolutely the major magnitude, and fit to rank with such delightful planetary personalities as Jove and Bacchus. Following came Miss Ada Sadler again, with; a quaint contralto song that sounded to us someth’ng like 4 “In the Shelter of the Willow Tree,” but that confou—pardon —the brilliant orchestra achieved a magnificent triumph with a display of maritime fireworks that effectually asphyxiated Miss Sadler’s effort. Then King and Benson appeared in their double turn, entitled, “Just for Fun.” The lady in a ravishing frock fresh from London, and looking like Venus escaped from the Venusberg, in spite of her indisposition. No one can deny the popularity of this. pair. From first to last, while they occupied the stage, salvoes of applause rent the auditorium, and the duettists had to return again and again. Of Mr. King’s efforts in vocalisation we

have nothing but admiration ; he trifled with top notes as a gourmand 'rifles with caviare, and his extraordinary voice echoed through the theatre ahead of a l the demonstrative efforts of the “willing” orchestra, that, for once in a way, found itself outrivalled. In the piano passages the singer also showed to advantage, and in conjunction with his “chic” partner, treated the audience to a really delicious interval of refined mus e. As to Mrs. King, or rather, Miss Benson (as she appears on the bills), we can only add that it has seldom been our lot to meet with so natural, so charming, and so entirely fascinating a personality on the stage. As a serio, Miss Benson is entirely in a class by herself, a class that enthralls and delights, and a class, we humbly regret to remark, that is far too conspicuous by its absence from serio business. We know that Miss Benson is a remarkably clever dancer, and we most poignantly lament not having been able to see the little lady perform, owing to her indisposition. Some day we may be gladdened by another visit —but, alas ! it must be a far-distant day, for this popular pair are booked for tours up to 1911. We can only hope for a recurrence of the pleasure now being granted us. George Dean brought the programme to an end with “How They Say Good-bye,” followed by some splendid bioscope pictures, and we quitted the theatre with something like sorrow, wishing, child-like, for more.