OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 915, 19 September 1907, Page 15

OPERA HOUSE.

(By

“O. P. Cyde.”)

FULLER’S ENT E RTAIN E R S “ It’s an i’l w‘nd that blows nobody any good.” The non-arrival of the Mey-nell-Gunn Company, consequent on ,ne delay occasioned by the Mokoia’s return to Sydney with the disabled Monowai,

means that His Majesty’s is untenanted. As a result, the Opera House has been receiving a double share of patronage this week, and John Fuller smiles the complacent smi'e of serene satisfaction. The company now appearing is one of the strongest ever presented by the popular management. Mr. Po t Mason is a sin-

g.r whose stye p aces him on a plane ail by himse'f. He has a voice of wonderful range and dramatic power, and he puts into his rongs a forceful expression which is altogether original. ‘‘ Egypt” and “Would You Care,” are in a category by themselves, as sung by Mr. Mason, and quite unrelated to the hackneyed versions nevi ably served up as part of the ordinary ballad singer’s repertory. Dun-

bar and Blake are this week making their first appearance in a sketch that is quite new, entit ed, ‘‘Fun in a Spring Garden.” As acroba s they are marvels. They have what is grandiloquently termed a “ tramoplene table.” On this, havng once got up speed, they bounce about like indiarubber balls, turning double and

triple scmersauks, and performing the most extraordinary feats. As an exponent of the black art, Victor the Great is not half bad and some of hi; mystic feats deserve the applause they arouse. His perplex ng chain-making act proves nim to be well up in he intr cacies of legerdemain. The Rose Sisters are always sure of a welcome, since their songs and dance.;, I ke their ??, tune., a «_• .. ...• •

new. As little Dutch vrows, their double song and dance is really cute, and to their cred t be it said, there is never a sameness about their dancing. The Quea ys are back again, and old friends are always delghted to see them. They present a sketch entitled “A Pair of Doves,” and a thoroughly enjoyable sketch it is. It is

■ ny c’.rubtfu 1 . humour, and depends upon the mirth-making procliv ties of the old Pollard Opera artists to carry it through. Mr. Harry. Quealy is immensely funny in such parts as. the ‘‘irascible man” of the sketch under review, while his partner is a. dainty little artist who always wins the whole-hearted appreciation of the audience. ‘‘A Pair of Doves” is well worth seeing. Dalbeanie

is billed as an ‘‘equilibrist extraordinary.” It is safe to say no insurance company wou d issue a 99 per cent, policy on Dalbeanie’s life. He climbs to the top of a 14ft ladder, and trusts to luck and his own remarkable balancing powers to get there. The ladder sometimes sways like a drunken man, but Dalbeanie always

happens to pu 1 it up in time, and accomplishes the maddest and most daring of feats by planting a Union Jack at the topmost rung. His buggy wheel jumping acts are just as extraordinary. Hammon and Wya-.t are al' the rage nere’s no two opinions about that. Their vivac'ous songs and coquettish manner! ms, are simply irresistib e. “Where .he Geegees Run,” sung in their captivating style, quite takes the house by storm. The popular double, Armstrong and Verne, have another really good sketch this week, entitled “Peep into Vaudevillism,” into wh'ch they introduce any amount of fun and c’ever sketch work. Mr. Ern Delavale continues to meet with considerable success a sa singer of descriptive songs. A young artist wi h a bright future before him is Master Norman Mudford, and the clever boy vccalist, is at present one of the firmest Opera House favour tes. Mr. Alf Verne sings a couple of good songs, including a new patriotic composition of Mr. Tom Armstrong’s, entitled “The Country We Adore.” An improvement, however, while singing the song in New Zealandwould be to substitute “Dominion” for “Austra'ia” since having won all he laurels worth winning in hat country during the past season we don’t think the Commonwea’th likely to upho’d the Empire’s glory any better than New Zealand can. Mr. Joe. Woodward celebrates “A Chinese Jubi’ee” this week, and pa‘ters away as unconcernedly as usual. The bioscope pictures terminate a engthy and enjoyable programme.