OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1452, 21 February 1918, Page 32

OPERA HOUSE.

Features by star artists make up a bill of superlative excellence at the Opera House this week, Monday’s large audience showing that it met with their generous approval. Looming on the horizon as a dancing genius, little Verna Bain made- her first introduction to Auckland, and amazed everyone with her interpretative gifts and sense of rhythm. Her toe work was faultless in the daintily executed “Rose Dance,” and her own conception of the “Dying Swan” revealed that she is not only a dancer of exceptional talent, but a young artist able to express her feelings through the poetry of motion. A Russian dance concluded Miss Bain’s offering, and evoked tempestuous applause. Mr. James Bain, Verna’s father, who has not been in Auckland for many years, had a warm reception from old friends, both on his own behalf and his clever little

daughter’s, and with song and mimicry he passed a pleasant interlude for everyone, exercising his talent for creating laughs. The three Carrs, juvenile entertainers, made a first appearance, and scored largely in their offering of song and dance. Miss Maud Courtenay and Mr. C. were a riot as usual, the lady making a hit with her invigorating solos, and her partner having the house in shrieks of laughter with his racy stories. The touch of sublime was given to the bill by Mr. Philip Newbury and Miss Amy Murphy in grand opera selections. Miss Murphy’s numbers included the “Jewel Song” (“Faust”), and Mr. Newbury gave a fine delivery of “On With the Motley” (Pagliacci), both these popular singers receiving an ovation for their artistic harmonising in “The Keys of Heaven.” The Bentleys met with a hurricane of applause for their brilliant xylophoneselections. As manipulators of their particular instrument they stand unrivalled. Private Robert Bell gained an excellent hearing for his songs, of which “Fiona” perhaps was the most acceptable. Mr. Sidney James and Miss Agnes Raines, who have gained a front place in favour, supplied an amusing quarter of an hour. The five Lewins made an effective break with their prettily-dressed singing act. Mr. Ernest Pitcher got on terms, as always, with his confidential song and music offering. Vaude and Verne, patter kings, were to further strengthen the week’s bill on their arrival from Sydney.