OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 925, 28 November 1907, Page 16

OPERA HOUSE.

FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS. For a genuine display of drollery and dexterousness, the turn given at the Opera House by the cyclonic comedy jugglers, Jarvis and Martyn, would be decidedly hard to beat in point of excellence. During the time the stage is occupied by this clever pair, a real variety entertainment is gone through, and that the audience thoroughly enjoys it is easily seen by the loud applause that follows- their efforts. The humour with which the turn is largely interspersed, is entirely different from that found in the majority of comic acts, and is certainly of the most ludicrous kind. The Raccoons deserve the popularity they have enjoyed during their stay at the Opera House, the tumbling display given by them plainly showing that they are two very fine acrobats. One of the many clever feats that they accomplish is to turn a somersault off the ground on to a 2%ft table, a performance which requires a great amount of skill and elasticity. Last evening (Wednesday) the Raccoons made their final appearance in Auckland and they may well be pleased with the sticks that has attended

their sojourn in that city. Miss Ida Ingersole appears this week in song and dance, and creates a favourable impression. The Marlowe Sisters have proved to be two dainty little serios and dancers, and their songs take on immensely with the audience. The appearance of the Stagpooles (Alec, Madge, and Ted) is always a signal for much merriment, and their military sketch, “ Defence, not Defiance,” causes the house to go into ecstacies. Ted is right in his element in the comedy business, and the ■ humorous way in which he poses at times is funny enough to make a cat laugh. The popular trio never fail to meet with a good reception, and so long as they continue to act up to their present standard they are sure to make a great hit wherever they choose to go. Miss Nelly Power continues to sing as sweetly as ever, her songs being of the right kind to appeal to the audience. Once more Mr. Bob Lloyd is able to give Opera House patrons a treat in the matter of comic songs, and though his items this week are nothing remarkable, he makes the best of them. Master Claud Over gives a number of selections on the xylophone, melaphone and dulcimer, and the manner in which he manipulates the various instruments is deserving of high praise. Miss Gertie Everett is heard to good advantage in “ AH Through Riding in a Motor,” for which she is accorded a hearty encore. With the Squires-Burns fight and the Melbourne Cup quite a picture show is given, the films being most interesting. On Saturday evening Barnard and Barnard, the world’s rifle shots, will make their first appearance, while the Cromes (3) will present their musical act for the first time in New Zealand.

A new arrival at the Melbourne Opera House is Thomas G. Finglas, a coon impersonator from England, who dances well, and puts a good deal of originality into his turn, which is well received. Price and Revost, two other artistes appearing at the same place are (a Melbourne contemporary declares) worth seeing twice, once to laugh at, and once to watch the other people laughing, and altogether the programme is unusually good.

“ Mother Goose” completed her journeyings at Newcastle (N.S. Wales) on the 22nd inst., and a record flight she has had. Leaving out the time lost in travelling, the piece has had a total of 334 consecutive performances since it started eleven months ago in Melbourne. To do this it has travelled practically all over Australia and New Zealand, and visited almost every town of any note in both places. It has covered a distance of 15,000 miles by train and steamer, or an average of 45 miles a performance. Its longest unbroken journeys were from

Perth to Broken Hill, from Ballarat to Brisbane, and from Christchurch to Newcastle.

Mr. J. C. Williamson recently underwent a course at Carlstad in company with Mr. George Edwards. The two leading entepreneurs—the one of Great Britain and the other of Australia—were “ snapped” together, and, judging from the photo, they are both in splendid health. It is an interesting record of a meeting between north and south in the theatrical world.

Ada Crossley is now touring the English provinces with her own company for the first time, under the direction of N. Vert.

G. H. Snazelle and J. J. Dallas are appearing in the new musical sketch, “ The House of Lords,” by Harry Greenbank and Ernest Ford. The veteran “ Snazzy” still seems able to stand up against Time.

Hilda Spong, in a vaudeville sketch, is at Shea’s Theatre, Buffalo.

New York “ Variety,” an enterprising paper devoted solely to vaudeville, and the “ Clipper,” the 54 years old stage paper, are at loggerheads. The younger paper seems to have more “ fight” in it, and is apparently making things hum.

Walter Bentley is now devoting himself to dramatic sketches, and has secured several for production during the next few months. The first of these, entitled “ The Ticket of Leave Woman,” was presented at the Victoria Hall, London, recently.

John Fuller, jun.’s, track around the world is marked by a trail of letters, post cards, papers, hotel menus, Japanese comic publications, and other interesting matters. The latest news comes from Nagoya, dated October 12: “ Still having a good time. Off to Kyoto to-morrow, and leave Kobe on October 15 for Shanghai. Been to Nikko. It is a veritable fairyland. Good wishes.”

That powerful play of Alfred Sutro’s “ John G'layde’s Honour,” which deals with the domestic happiness of a money king, whose devotion to business estranges his wife, is already in rehearsal by the “ Brewster’s Millions” Company, and will be done by them before the end of their season at the Theatre Royal, Sydney. With Mr. Kingston, Mrs. Brough and Mr. Gregan McMahon, together with the other members who have done such capital work in the cast, a really firstrate interpretation of the piece may confidently be expected.

Mr. Julius Knight’s company, which opened at Broken Hill on the 18th, will remain there for the remainder of

the present month. Bendigo will be visited for four nights from December 3rd to December 6th, and then Ballarat for December 7 th, Bth, 10th and 11th. One night seaons at Albury (December 12) and Wagga (December 13) will be the last performances before the company return to Sydney, where they are due to open at the Theatre Royal in the anticipated “ Scarlet Pimpernel” on December 21. The interim will, of course, be devoted to steady rehearsals of that romantic drama, the preparatory stages of which have already been negotiated by the company. * * * • On Saturday week (December 7) Auckland Ladies’ Benevolent Society hold their floral fete at Ellerslie. The carnival gives promise of being the best of its kind ever held in Auckland and provided the weather holds good it is almost certain a record crowd will be in attendance. An attractive programme is : to be carried out during the course of the afternoon, in which will be included floral and grand poster marches and quadrilles by comical coons. The procession of decorated vehicles is sure to be a magnificent sight, while no end of interest will be created by the holding of a baby show. * * ? » The many friends and admirers of the Quealys (Harry and Nellie), will be pleased to learn of the successful engagement they have made with the MacCallums, a company of instrumen talists and vocalists from Australia. They are considered to be of the highest standard of artists, and include Mr. H. Scott MacCallum, a talented young violinist, formerly of the Andrew Black Concert Company when on tour in Australia. He is also an accomplished pianist. L. Stuart MacCallum is a brilliant isolo flautist, who is spoken of as a rival to the great Lemmone. Archie MacCallum, an operatic basso, who has gained his experience in America; Miss Flora MacCallum, an artistic mezzo-contralto and accompanist; and Miss Queenie Burrowes, Australian Queen of Society entertainers, who has proved herself a great star in comic opera, as well as drama. In addition to this talented company, it has the support of moving pictures. The Dominion tour commences at Wellington early in De cember next. < « « ' • The Musical Comedy Company have made a palpable hit in Sydney with the all-round excellence of their presentation of “ The Blue Moon” and that bright and merry musical comedy is greeted nightly by the most appreciative audiences, who welcome its music and its comedy alike with every sign , of favour. Already the new members . have become pronounced public favourites, the crispness of Mr. Myles Clifton, the vivacity of Miss Daisie Wallace, the excellent soprano of Miss Amy Murphy, the daintiness of Miss Maud Thorne, all coming in for their deserved ishare of general

praise bestowed upon J. C. Williamson’s new musical organisation.