OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1418, 28 June 1917, Page 30

OPERA HOUSE.

A packed house on Monday night proved the strong popularity of vaudeville under the Fuller regime, and a bunch of new artists infused fresh blood into a first-class bill. In the front rank was Armand Triller, who struck quite a new note in offerings. With nimble fingers and a pile of old rags as his stock-in-trade, he deftly constructed pictorial views which at once took the eye and the fancy of the audience. A turn of unadulterated merriment was presented by Celere, French eccentrique, who in weird habiliments and unexpected actions kept the house rocking with laughter. In spite of his clever nonsense, he proved his ability to extract melody from a table full of discs and bells, and secured a reception worthy of his diverting methods. The Musical Ibsons —two attractive-looking girls and a man —also enjoyed star prominence. Opening with an agreeable selection

on violin, flute and piccolo, the trio later on demonstrated their mastery over the saxophone, their united efforts calling forth vociferous applause. A vocal duet, in addition, proved the Musical Ibsons have every right to the qualifying adjective. Mr. Baron, an English ventriloquist, was another newcomer who justified his claim as an entertainer. Through the medium of “Nobby,” his life-like dummy, Mr. Baron demonstrated his ventriloquial art with a skill that enables him to give points to a long line of Valentine Vox followers. His business, too, was in excellent taste, Mr. Baron’s sense of discrimination and humour precluding him from introducing any “blue” gags into his patter. Nobby was soon on terms with his audience, his master’s cute manipulation giving him a realistically chummy attitude. The three Paulastos, a sure team of laughmakers, afforded an uproarious few moments with their nautical sketch, which embraced comedy and acrobatic feats out of the ordinary. Miss Maud

Fanning and her quartette of daughters brought down the house with their whirlwind of dancing, the agile mother having a special ovation. The Tiny Tots received a furore of applause for their clever acrobatic display. Geo. Wheeler, in his original musical conception; Walter Emerson and Miss Gwen Hasto, in a breezy telephone sketch; and George De Alma, in popular banjo selections, concluded a diversified and acceptable programme.