OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 29 May 1913, Page 20

OPERA HOUSE.

OLD AND NEW FAVOURITES. Packed houses are the order of the evening at the Opera House, and that the vaudeville bill of fare submitted by the Brennan-Fuller proprietary meets with approbation, is manifest by the generous applause meted out to the artistes, both old and new. Prominent amongst the newcomers this week is Murphy, the Yankee juggler, who departs from the stereotyped custom of silent juggling, and punctuates his dexterous balancing acts with monologues that prove as diverting as they are novel. With a quaint humour of his own, the juggler-comedian invests his dual turn with an originality that tickles the. audience hugely, and earns for him deafening applause. Those old-time Pollard favourites, Harry and Nelly Quealy, are back again after some years’ absence, and are adding to their popularity in an amusing sketch entitled “Fun in the Kitchen.” With a song or two, a dance (in which Mrs. Quealy excels) and characteristic funnyisms, the pair succeed in putting everyone in high good humour, which culminates in a regular hysteria of laughter when the couple wind up with their boxing match. Mrs. Quealy proves herself no mean exponent of the pugilistic art, and delivers some blows that would do credit to a “white hope.” And it was flattering to the lady that Harry Quealy’s invitation to the audience to take his place, was not accepted! That their turn meets with hearty applause goes without saying. That exponent of refined work, Miss Violet Carmen, is charming all with her dainty interpretations, which are enhanced with the sympathetic playing of her com-poser-pianist, Mr. Alf. J. Lawrance. These finished artistes give a cultured turn that indicates the new era of vaudeville. One of their features this week is Mr. Lawrance’s song, “Come down the Wanganui,” which promises to make a hit with the topical words and haunting refrain. It could have no more winsome exploiter than Miss Violet Carmen. Miss Gertie Johns sings and dances again to the accompaniment of general satisfaction, and meets with the usual penalty. A new artiste, manifestly in high favour, is Monty Walker, the breezy Lancashire comedian, whose ' songs and jokes are seasoned with traditional vaudevillian spice and win a triple recall. Last, but by no means least, in the head line section come the Stagpooles, who provide a fitting finale to a bright entertainment. “Potted Pantomime” is the subject of their sketch, and the fun waxes fast and furious, the outstanding feature being Mr. Ted Stagpoole’s amazing comedyacrobatic feats, which bring down the house. In addition, the sketch is a study in lighting effects, and is an innovation in vaudeville work. But the Stagpooles are nothing if not enterprising. A storm at sea, a beach scene, and surf bathing by the quartette are realistically represented, and add another triumph to the progress of vaudeville in general and the Stagpooles in particular.

The Crimson Ramblers are in their last week, and are making good their claims to popularity with a refreshing budget of songs and choruses, one of the best items being a humorous and melodious sketch, “At the Seaside.”