OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 936, 13 February 1908, Page 16

OPERA HOUSE.

FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS. ,;A particularly strong combination of artists are making their appearance at the Opera House this week, so that the programme presented is a highly attractive one. The popularity enjoyed by the clever pair Mr Fred H. Graham and Miss Nellie Dent is still further added to by their able representation of the one-act comedy entitled “A Bachelor’s Dream.” The act, which possesses a number of entirely new features, is one of considerable merit, and of the kind calculated to keep the audience. in a merry mood from start to finish. In the role of bachelor, Mr Graham has a difficult part to enact, but the talented comedian simply revels in his work and comes through the piece with flying colours. Miss Nellie Dent appears in four different characters, in .all of which §he displays her marked abi’ity to decided advantage. -Another great draw at the Opera House is' Mr Allan Shaw, styled the Emperor of Coins, whose sleight of hand tricks with coins are carried out in a most remarkable manner. No matter where Mr Shaw wishes to find a coin he has only to move his hand in that direction and the money is immediately forthcoming. He also places coins

in his hand and to all appearances tosses them one by one up into the air where they are supposed to mysteriously disappear. He then shows his empty hands to the audience, after which he holds out his hand at arm’s length and one by one the lost coins find their way into the clutches of his fingers. A most creditable feat performed by Mr Shaw is to work a coin backwards and forwards along the back of the fingers by means of bending the knuckles. He also gives a worthy display of card manipu ation. The two Prices (Viola and Lilian) are seen in a charming little sketch, and the combined efforts of the dainty artistes meet with no small degree of success. The Price Sisters are also heard in a couple of song items, which are fol owed by a graceful exhibition of dancing. Stewart (Charles) and Lorraine (Rene) are delighting audiences with their banjo, bell, aluminium organ, and pipe playing, the air being filled with the chimes of most enchanting music. The Twin Sisters Lucas p ease the audience by prettily singing an attractive item, while they also furnish evidence of their wonderful dancing powers. Watts (Joe) and Lucas (Madge) appear in a budget of Irish gags and drollery, with which they make a favourable impression. Miss Madge Lucas is responsible for a number of most creditable contortionist act's, while Mr Joe

Watts comes in for much applause as fhe result of his clog dance. Ziska, the beautiful model, is seen in several charming poses, while the pictures shown on to her by the biograph render a really pretty effect. The absence of any movement of the head or shifting of the eyes would, however, give a more realistic effect. Miss Gertie McLeod is gaining much favour nightly with her Scottish songs and dances, which the little artiste so cleverly carries into execution. Mr Rud Peterson scores heavily with his vocal items, his splendid voice being heard to no mean advantage. His reciting of “ The Tramp’s Story ” is deserving of high praise, and the audience did not fail to show their appreciation of this pathetic piece. The Vantells, triple bar performers, are appearing with as great success as ever, and are always sure of a hearty reception. Master Rupert Christie has a couple of good songs in “ Tatters ’’. and “ When I was a Boy at School,” in-both of which he finds full scope for his rich soprano voice. The biograph pictures depicting the “ Romance of a Singer,” are of more than ordinary interest, and contribute to a good evening’s entertainment. On Saturday night, Mr Tod Calloway, comedian, makes his appearance.