HIS MAJESTY’S,

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1001, 13 May 1909, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S,

THE CINQUEVALLI-LATONA BOOM. His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, continues to be thronged nightly with entnusiastic admirers of Cinquevalli and the Latonas, who are undoubtedly the big draws of Mr. Rickards’ present season. The interest in Cinquevalli’s brilliantly successful juggling tricks deepens rather than palls upon a closer acquaintance with his wizardlike performances, which seem to defy all laws of gravitation, and to set at defiance the natural limitations of humanity. His manipulation of the billiard balls alone marks Cinquevalli as a pastmaster in the art of balancing,

and surely no one ever handled billiard cues in such seemingly impossible fashion, or turned them to more extraordinary uses than he does. For instance, after balancing a white and a red ball upon the thick end of the cue, he actually elevates the pointed end upon another billiard ball which rests upon a glass, and balances billiard balls, cue and glass upon his chin. And then again there is the equally wonderful manipulation of the glass of water in the wooden triangle, which is twirled horizontally through the air, and which defies all laws of gravitation by refusing to spill a drop of its contents. The balancing of the chair, in which his assistant is seated with a table upon his knees, the whole weight resting upon his teeth, the while Cinquevalli plays ball with a couple of potatoes, is still, of course, the most sensational event of the performance, though other of his tricks are equally marvellous. When, on Monday evening, Cinquevalli, in response to loudly repeated encores, again came to the front and bowed his acknowledgments, the crowd was so insistent that he borrowed a violin from the orchestra and played-a few bars of a well-known melody with all the cunning of the master hand, and then changing quickly to a merry jig was gravely reminded by the leader of the orchestra that he was not playing the music. “ What do I want with music?” Cinquevalli retorted, laughingly. “ It’s no good to me.” “ You had better look at it,” replied the musician, and the book was passed up, Cinquevalli remarking, “All right, I’ll look at it, then,” and this he proceeded to do by poising the book horizontally upon the handle of the violin, which he balanced vertically upon the bow of the instrument, and, placing the bow on his chin, marched off the stage, balancing bow, violin, and music-book in the most perfect fashion possible. The Latonas are still prime favourites, Jen more particularly proving infinitely diverting in her merry moods. She sings with infinite abandon and -vim, and keeps everybody amused. She

is as versatile as she is musical, and may be sure of a great welcome should she ever revisit Auckland. We shall say good-bye to her with regret. The Mackinnons, or “ Scotch Meisters,” as they call themselves, are responsible for some smart comedy work, and their turn is as popular as ever, their singing being remarkably effective. Lawson (trick cyclist) and Namon, with her ball-punching performance, are responsible for a very laughable turn, and one that is justly appreciated. Guest and Newlyn, with their patter songs and dances, give a pleasant little turn. Miss Fanny Powers continues her imitations of leading actresses and dancers, and Miss Nellie Maunsell (contralto) and Mr. Arthur Harris (baritone) sing very accept-

ably, the whole programme being full of interest from start to finish. The Rickards’ season closes on Saturday. A matinee is announced for the afternoon of that day, with a final performance at night. MR. J. C. WILLIAMSON’S ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY. THE COMING SEASON. The recent Wellington season of this justly famous organisation, fully upheld the best traditions of its bril-

liant career as the recognised premier musical company of Australasia. The season will commence at His Majesty’s Theatre on Monday evening next, when “ The Dairymaids ” will be presented for the first time in Auckland. This musical play ran for close upon two years at the Apollo Theatre, London, and has established records throughout Australasia. The Royal Comic Opera Company is perhaps stronger than on any former visit to New Zealand. Amongst the old favourites are Miss Florence Young, the popular dramatic soprano and charming actress who is practically at the head of her branch of the profession in the Antipodes, and Mr. Reginald Roberts, the ever popular tenor. Both of these artists are sure

of a very warm welcome. The cast also discloses such names as Mr. Victor Gouriet the clever comedian, and our old New Zealand favourite, Mr. W. S. Percy, Mr. C. R. Bantock and many other popular performers. Miss Connie Milne, Miss Nelly Wilson, Miss Marietta Nash are also clever and charming actresses who will be favourably remembered, Miss Georgie Musgrove and a galaxy of talented fascinating ladies too numerous to ennumerate. The most important special engagements are Mr. Andrew Higgin-

son a young and highly gifted English baritone, who has become a very great favourite all through Australasia and that dainty English actress and fairy-like dancer, Miss Fanny Dango. Both these artists will make their first appearance in Auckland.

The costumes and stage mountings are said to be a revelation of the splendour to which these features of theatrical production can attain.