HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1046, 24 March 1910, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S.

RICKARDS’ VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. To-night (Thursday) the Harry Rickards’ Vaudeville Company will conclude their Auckland season, after a very successful run of ten nights at His Majesty’s Theatre. It is doubtful whether a stronger vaudeville company than the one at present occupying His Majesty’s ever visited Auckland, and in the opinion of the majority of theatregoers the present combination is the strongest that has been sent oyer by Mr. Harry Rickards, which is saying a great deal. With Bob Fitzsimmons and his clever wife,; Miss Julia Gifford, as the star attraction, good'houses have been the order throughout New Zealand, as the fam-., ous Maoriland boxer and ,ex-world’s champion enjoys the .widest popularity ’ from 'one end of the Dominion to the * other. The playlet “A Mian's a Man for a’ that” affords the veteran pugi - list an opportunity of acquainting the audience with ‘ some .interesting sidelights of th’e boxing"' profession. The < broad-shouldered boxer, whois iom' visit to Jack Wainwright’s apartments, explains to Jack’s handsome sister, Vivian Wainwright (Miss Julia Gifford Fitzsimmons) how he came to enter, the fistic arena, his callousness in taking up so “brutal” a profession puzzling her. After hearing his story, which he tells earnestly and frankly, impressing upon her that there are only two kinds of men—“fighters and quitters”—she discovers that she is . confronted by a man whose sense of right and wong fascinates her and he immediately wins her favour. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimmons are heartily applauded for their capable acting, , and are not allowed to go off the stage without being recalled to the footlights. Bob Fitzsimmons gives a particularly fine exhibition of bag punching, raining blow after blow upon the ball in a manner which raises the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Miss Julia Gifford (Mrs. . Bob Fitzsimmons) displays her charming soprano voice to distinct advantage in a couple of popular items, while her imitation of a French actress singing an American song is also greatly appreciated. The acrobatic turn given by the three Trapnell Sisters and their brother George is one of the finest ever witnessed here. These young ladies are possessed of remarkable elasticity and their tumbling and balancing feats are performed with the acme of grace and cleverness. Mr. Franco Piper who is styled the Paderewski of the banjo, is responsible for a wonderful performance of banjo playing, his juggling, spinning and swinging of the instruments whilst rendering a number of popular airs on them being a decidedly unique accomplishment. Vaude and Verne have always something fresh in the comic line, and during the week have been scoring heavily with their original gags and queer drolleries. These two young comedians possess an unlimited supply of funny anecdotes and humorous songs, and their patter on the hotels of Auckland was most diverting. The Wheelers, trick cyclists, gave another exhibition of comedy cycling, being able to do almost anything with their machines, which were

under perfect control. Mr. Fred Bluett kept the audience amused with his budget of comic songs, that of “Shirts” being loudly applauded. An interesting series of bioscope films are presented, that of the boxing match between Jim Jeffries and Tom

Sharkey, for the heavyweight championship of the world, being witnessed with particular interest. Pictures are also shown of the Burns-Johnson fight, and the last five rounds of the Fitzsimmons-Lang contest, fought in Sydney last Boxing Day.