OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1294, 11 February 1915, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

RANDELL-JACKSON CONCERT PARTY. With the engagement of the Ran-dell-Jackson English Concert Party for a tour of their circuit, the FullerBrennan management should increase the number of patrons to the vaudeville ranks. Each member highly gifted, the little combination of five gives an entertainment of unusual excellence, imparting an elevating tone that should be deservedly recognised. They are all artists in their own particular line, and also work collectively. As Mr. Jackson says, “each member of the party is a sustaining unit.” The party made their first appearance before an Auckland audience on Monday, and were accorded a gratifyingly demonstrative reception. “Pierrot Land,” by the company, served as a pleasing introduction, other fine concerted pieces being “The Blacksmith’s Wedding” and “The Land of I Dunno’ Where.” Miss Florence West, who has a sympathetic soprano voice, sang with much charm “When You Come Home,” and for an encore “Wake Up.” Mr. Randell Jackson had a clamorous recall for his rendering of “Up From Somerset.” Miss May Windsor, accompanist and monologist, gave a delightful cockney sketch of “The Girl Next Door,” which had an encorious acclamation. Mr. Herbert Winter established himself as a sound humorist, his burlesque of Italian opera causing a riot of laughter, which was only appeased by a double offering. “Piracy” was another screamingly funny item, in which Mr. Winter was abetted by Mr. George Nash. The latter also aired his fund of merrymaking in a fascinating duet, “The Bookie and the Quaker Girl,” associated with Miss Windsor. Altogether the company won golden opinions for striking a new note. Toplining the second half of the bill were the Dental Riskits, aptly named. A man and a merry maid, they performed numerous hair-raising feats with their teeth, presenting horrifying suspension acts with amazing naturalness and enjoyment. Max Martin again made good with ragtime ditties and Hebrew impersonations, finishing off his turn with nimble step-dancing. Welcome re-appearances were made by Mann and Franks in a musical comedy duet of refreshing hilarity, and by the French artistes, Williams and Warner, in their unique musical melange, which made a bigger hit than ever. Variety was lent by Mr. Elton Fox, a cartoonist, who displayed his skill in lightning sketches of Kitchener, Lauder, H.M.S. New Zealand, amongst others of popular taste. Mr. E. J. Burke’s orchestra contributed their quota to an excellent entertainment. Miss Rose Lee Ivy will star next week’s bill.

Mischel Cherniavsky to-day is recognised as being amongst the first three greatest ’cellists in the world. The ’cello in his hands becomes a stringed organ, expressing every gamut of the emotions.

The Randell-Jackson English Concert Company who are now delighting audiences at the Auckland Opera House, have performed at Margate for 12 consecutive seasons. The company was formed by Mr Jackson. He is an old chorister, and was first trained by Henry J. Dutton at' St. Paul’s London, and later by Edwin Holland at' the Royal Academy, and subsequently at Milan. He has fulfilled important engagement's throughout the length and breadth of Great Britain. He is a great friend of Mr Peter Dawson, the well known Adelaide artist, and has frequently appeared on the same programme as the popular Australian. Miss May Windsor, the lady humorist, is the author of many of the concerted numbers done by the artists in their per formances.