OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1349, 2 March 1916, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

BLETSOE REVUE COMPANY. The Bletsoe Musical Revue Company ushered in a season of laughter to a big audience at the Opera House on Monday night, “Fun in a Sanatorium” proving no empty title. Consequently the whole of the second part of the programme was given up to merriment, fast and furious, the interludes being only taken advantage of for musical offerings. The production, as indicated by the title, reveals the doings of a band of attractive nurses with whom all the patients have fallen in love, and as there is an actress with nerves, not to mention a couple of weird doctors, who speed up the action of the piece, fun is kept at fever point, and every item is gone through with refreshing vim. “Six Little Nurses” made a sprightly opening for a favourable impression, which was never allowed to wane. Miss Maud Bletsoe used her expressive contralto voice to excellent advantage in “Visions of Dreamland,” the effect being heightened by the chorus and subdued lighting effects. Other attractive numbers were “Shores .of Italy,” by Miss Eileen Barnsley (who made a graceful matron), a military scena, “Tommy and Jack,” spiritedly sung by Miss Carrie Franks (the nervy actress); a rag duet, “A Little Farther,” by Mr. Albert Bletsoe and Miss Maud Bletsoe, who also scored well in “Ab-dab Honeymoon”; and “An Old-fashioned Mother,” by Mr. Horace Mann, aided by a tableau and the harmonious Bletvue quartette. Mr. Roy Rene revelled in the part of the eccentric doctor and was soon in high favour with his Yiddisher jokes, quaint songs and dances, his character song “The Mountaineer” making a big hit. The radio ballet, a bevy of pretty girls, dispensed brightness to the sanatorium with a number of spectacular dances, which were highly appreciated, rhe revue is well staged and mounted and Mr. Albert Bletsoe’s experienced hand is seen in its direction. Contributing to the first part of the evening were Mabie and Ralfe, in classical and burlesque dances; Kip and Kippy, in jugglmg specialties of an approved order; and Ted Stagpoole, in a novel tumbling and dancing act. Miss Violet Trevenyon made her re-appear-ance and again sang herself into everybody’s hearts, while Armitage and Hine were, as usual, the signal for uproarious applause with their musical sketch.