OPERA HOUSE.

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

OPERA HOUSE.

FULLERS’ ENTERTAINERS

The programme at Messrs. Fullers’ still keeps up to a pleasing standard, and each night well-filled houses assemble to witness the performance. Mr. Carlton Cooper, the lightning ventriloquist, provides some genuine amusement with his family of dolls, and the rapid way in w’hich he changes his voice is particularly clever. Mr. Percy Demon, who makes his last appearance in New Zealand to-morrow night (Friday), has been in general favour with Opera House patrons, and his comic and other songs have always been well received. Raleigh and May appeared this week in their slack wire-walking act, and met with a good reception. The Maynards are seen in some pleasing song and dance work. Mr. Joe Woodward’s plantation sketch is a rather unique turn, the singing of the coon melodies producing a most realist! effect. Mr. A. L. Cropp sings the “Clang of the Forge,” and as an encore his fine bass voice is heard in “The Rebel.” Hammon and Wyatt, the Sandow girls, make a great hit with their Mexican specialty “Pepita,” wh’le their singing of “Algy” fills the audience with delight. The Ahlbergs are here again, performing acrobatic feats which require no mean strength and dexterity; the turn is intermingled with a good deal of humour. Mr. Clarenec Tisdale’s pleasant tenor voice finds full scope in “Silver Whispers,” and on being recalled he sings “Love Me and the World is Mine.” a number in which he excels himself. In the sketch “200 Wives,” Mr. Tom Armstrong and Miss Priscilla Verne are seen at their best, and roars of laughter and applause greet the clever pair for their successful efforts. Mr. Armstrong is responsible for some excellent singing which helps considerably in making the turn the enjoyable one it is. The biograph p’c ures show-

ing a torpedo attack on H.M.S. Dreadnought are of a high standard, and only arrived by the last English mail. ■ Last night a biograph film depicting the race between Webb and Towns for the sculling charripionsh p. of the world was shown, and will continue for a number of evenings. On Saturday night the “Robing of the Gods” will again be seen in Auckland, the season being limited to one wees.

Messrs. Musgrove and Anderson ane reported to have entered into partnership for the production of comic opera. * * * *

Percy Denton, who is one of the greatest favourites on the Fuller circuit, will! join Messrs. Anderson and Musgrove’s New Comic Opera Co. at Sydney next Christmas. Mr. Denton will be missed by his numerous admirers, who are at the present busily engaged in making redemands nightly for “Oysters,” a comic song that the singer has popularised here. This week Mr. Denton is singing a song of his own composition, entitled, “Oh! Ain’t it Cold!” His first part in the new opera company will be the Baillie in “Les Cloches de Cornville.”

“Little Lord Fauntleroy” is to be included in the repertoire of Allan Hamilton’s Dramatic Co. “Little Baby Watson” will essay the title role, and to quote George Carey’s letter to Mr. Hamilton “You have certainly found an ideal Fauntleroy in this child, who rehearses the part admirably.”

There are signs of a “boom” in theatrical matters next year. Attracted by the prosperity in Australasia any number of new attractions are arriving from England and South Africa. There is not an available “date” to be had in 1908 in one of the leading centres of Australia or "New Zealand.

The Musical Comedy Company finished its fortnight’s run of “Lady Madcap” at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, last week, the final fortnight being distinguished by large audiences most appreciative of the unlimled fun of that gay and festive piece. For the remainder of the month Bendigo and Ballarat are to have “the benefit of their services,” the former city from August 19th to 23rd, and the latter from 24th to 29th inst. A three weeks’ season will commence in Adelaide on August 31st. The company were rehearsing right up to the day of their departure from Melbourne, with the ■result that “The Three Little Maids ” was “tuned up” to the stage of a fulldress rehearsal, and will be performed for the last night in Ballarat, while considerable progress was made with the preparation of “Kittty Grey,” and that piece will probably be staged during the Adelaide season. With these four pieces, all of which are entirely new outside Melbourne and Sydney, the company’s touring repertoire is undoubtedly a fine one.

Herbert Flemming has left for England, and will return with an entirely new company in time to open the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, on Boxing Night when “Olivia” wkill be produced. The Melbourne season will be under the direction of Allan Hamilton.

The other night an enthusiastic Irishman, who had been born within a mile of Kilkea Castle, startled the audience at Her Majesty s Theatre, Melbourne, by standing up and cheering vociferously when the curtain rose on Mr. Coleman’s picture of it in “The Ragged Earl.” On another occasion the horses employed in the last act ate up nearly all the property ivy, and then not satisfied w'th that tried to devour the tainted imitaion on the next set, with the result that they were very sick and sorry for it next morning.

Miss Maud Hildyard, supported by Meyneil and Gunn’s Dramatic Co., w : ll commence her New Zealand tour in Auckland on Monday, September 16. Her repertoire will include—‘“The Great Awakening,” “The Beautiful Fiend,” and “A Warning to Women.”