OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 24 July 1913, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

A SUCCESSION OF GOOD TURNS-Straight-out vaudeville is once more the order of things at the Opera House, and patrons are being regaled with a succession of good turns. The magic “circle” that marked ye old-time vaudeville is dead and buried, and no longer yields its spell with its corner men, its burnt-cork brigade, and short-frocked damsels. The public want more for their money and under the BrennanFuller proprietary they get it, good measure.

Jugglers and comedy acrobats are having it pretty well their own way this week, no fewer than four firstclass double acts being presented. The Ridgway Brothers set the ball rolling with their hand balancing feats executed with humour and dexterity, which find expression in rounds of applause. Levarto and Collins -are making their first appearance, and give an act entirely new in the •comedy juggling line, striking the last note in neatness and marvel, and investing their turn with a quaintness that amuses, while it astonishes the crowd. The culminating point is reached when one of the members eleverly balances three small crockery laden tables arranged in tiers and surmounted by a lamp. The Gazzas are another dexterous couple of jugglers and heavy weight lifters, They are in their last week and are putting on fresh turns. Out of the ordinary is Max Duffek, who would not only create a sensation for his contortionist feats alone, but exercises his uncanny powers simultaneously with a musical turn, playing on several instruments artistically, while he distorts himself. The Duckworths wind up the programme with a clever little juggling act, the laughable “business” indulged in by the male member in accompaniment to his really clever feats, being enhanced by the attractive lady who assists him. Slavin and Thompson are back again with fresh jokes and patter, and are meeting with a big demonstration. Miss Louie Duggan, the possessor of a sweet soprano voice, and a very captivating manner is piling up a long list of admirers, while the two Rosebuds, as usual, ride high on the wave of popularity with their spirited singing and dainty dancing. Harry Collins, coon singer and dancer, and Fred Branscombe, the double-voiced vocalist, contribute items that place them in high favour. One of The most enjoyable and artistic turns of the evening is provided by Signor Corona, the clever cornetist. “A Story of the Past,” an original playlet, serves to show what a pastmaster he is in the art of cornet playing and also of characterisation. Vociferous applause is responded to by some ragtime specialties, which, needless to say, are

highly appreciated. Last, but not least, is Van Camp, who concludes a number of bewildering sleight of hand tricks (during which he manufactures a canary, guinea pig, and hen), with an exhibition by one of his educated pigs—a decided novelty even in the vaudeville world. The tiny little pig, who answers to the name of “Tuppence,” is almost human in his intelligence, and goes through his evolutions with a precision and zest that convert the audience to quite a different view of the porcine temperament. His greedy haste for the bottle of milk which Van Camp administers at frequent intervals, is about the only characteristic that connects ‘ Tuppence” with his less educated relations. The same programme holds good till Monday, when a new bill will be presented.

A COMING “STAR,” TOMATO!

Animal acts have been frequent of late on the Brennan-Fuller Circuit, but none have proved quite so popular everywhere as that of the Decars and Tomato. The Decars are Continental acrobats, and Tomato is their educated donkey, Who also acts as clown to the troupe. Tomato is probably the most-travelled neddy in the world. He is exactly seven years old, and during his few years of life has been through Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, North and South America, the Oriental East, and the greater part, of Australia. Tomato is well known to many European vaudeville artists, and every Christmas receives cards addressed to him personally. He is given his orders in the language of the country he happens to be in, and understands perfectly when spoken to in English, French, German, or Italian. The Decars and their pet provide a lively twenty minutes.