HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 957, 9 July 1908, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

THE HARRY RICKARDS’ VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. That Aucklanders dearly love a good vaudeville entertainment was amply demonstrated on Monday night, when His Majesty’s Theatre was simply crammed with humanity to give a rousing welcome to Mr. Harry Rickards’ Vaudeville Company. This well-known amusement caterer always sends round something good, but on this occasion, so far as the principal turns are concerned, he has excelled himself. Nothing better has ever been seen on a variety stage here than the three Sisters K.os. Indeed, some of the feats performed one would imagine to be impossible but that it is done before one’s eyes. Done, too, so gracefully and with such apparent ease that there scarcely seems to be any effort in their accomplishment. For instance, one of the sisters hung from a rope by one foot in the meanwhile extending her arms at right angles to the body, and on these the other two did some clever horizontal bar work. This, it is almost unnecessary to say, fairly took the house by storm, there being a perfect whirlwind of applause. Another remarkable feat was one in which while one sister hung head downwards by one foot, she held the other two by her teeth, they in the meantime doing some gymnastics. The turn is, however, difficult to describe, but it was wonderfully clever, and was, withal, carried out so daintily by the three sisters, who all, by the way, have more than their share of good looks, that it -is easy to understand how Mr. Rickards came to think it was the most popular engagement he had ever had anything to do with. The Miles-Stavordale Quintette was a refreshing original musical turn. The four banjos used were so skilfully manipulated that the effect was almost that of the human voice. This, with a harp accompaniment, was really beautiful, and the party were encored again and again, the extra number, “ Come Back to Erin,” being a perfect gem.

Another star attraction was that of the Brothers Artois in a strikingly clever comedy bar act. The work on the horizontal bars by one brother was quite brilliant, while the amusing performance gone through by the other

caused roars of laughter. The turn was one of the best of its kind seen here, and the huge audience was quick to appreciate its merits, judging by the heartiness of the applause. Miss Lottie Kay, who was described on the programme as a brilliant Yorkshire, soprano, was found to be a very winsome singer with a voice which, although lacking in power, was wonderfully sweet and pure withal. Her ren-

dering of “ Spring is Coming” and “ Annie Laurie” was quite a treat, but one could not help regretting that her repertoire did not include something a little more modern. We have all heard those two songs hundreds of times, and are, perhaps, beginning to weary a little of them. Our old friend Mr. Leonard Nelson made a welcome reappearance, his “ mendicant” song and gags in the first portion of the entertainment being in his best style. The “ Melbourne” song was somewhat spoilt by the audience insisting on applauding the accompanying views of Victoria’s capital city. Miss Alma Gray, one time known here as a clever child artist, made a reappearance. She is a dainty little Australian, who can dance with the best. The Australian bush setting to the turn and Miss Gray’s bushranger get-up proved very effective. The Sisters Collier gave the usual song and dance which seems inseparable from all variety entertainme' 1 but they introduced a few novelties, notably in the “ Where I Met You” song, Mr. George Dean sang a number of new songs of a more or less amusing nature, while the entertainment closed with bioscopic views of the Grand Prix Motor Race. This was the only item which was not up .o the Rickards standard, for the pictures were badly shown, and have been seen here before.) Very large audiences have been the rule during the week, and for the three remaining nights it would be well for intending patrons to book their seats to prevent disappointment. The show should most certainly be seen.