OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1249, 26 March 1914, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

Mantell’s Marionettes are holding court at the Opera House this week in a unique entertainment. A miniature stage and a transformation scene pave the way for a lilliputian vaudeville bill, in which the actors are dolls ingeniously manipulated by proprietor. Nothing is wanting tocomplete the turn; there are doll audiences in the boxes -aud a doll orchestra, and the performance altogether is exceedingly novel and amusing. The American Ginger Girls are also making their first appearance, and sing and dance with the zest their name implies, bringing down the house. A “lady baritone,” Miss Winifred Stewart, demonstrates her unusual vocal abilities in ragtime songs and makes good. Those old favourites, Phillips and Merritt (of “Come Into the Office” fame), are

back again and scoring tremendously with a new comedy sketch and gags. The three Luxors are again heard to advantage in their instrumental turn, while Brent Hayes, the tan;oist, could have a six-months’ season and still be welcome. Foster, Lamont, and Foster (which includes a pair of pretty girls) perform alarming acrobatic feats with their teeth, and are! received with rounds of applause. The vocal contributions of Miss: Bessie Cahill and Mr. Edward Moran are greatly to every one’s liking and they have to come again. Sharrai and Lang have fresh jokes and songs that catch on, and assist in a bill of fare of more than average merit.