OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1473, 18 July 1918, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

In spite of wind and rain, there was the customary crowded audience at the Opera House on Monday night, and they signified general approval of the various turns submitted by the Fuller Proprietary. An agreeable return was made by Miss Maud Courtney and Mr. C., the two artists who make such a hit everywhere with their singing topicalities. Their latest version of “I Would Still Love You” went bigger than ever, and at the conclusion Mr. C. expressed his appreciation and promised further new verses as the week progressed. Miss Winifred La France arrested attention in fresh songs and dress creations; one, a tight-fitting tunic of peacock blue sequins skirted with an upturned frill of wired lace and head gear followed out in the same lines. The other was a becoming wrap in a warm shade of rose bordered with white fox fur. “The Siren of the Deep” specialty was an effective finish to Miss La France's act. Ward Lear re-appeared in a whistling and comic turn and had a hearty reception from his old friends. Toby and Billy Wells introduced themselves in an acrobatic and Roman ring turn and performed some skilful and daring feats with ease. The Haverley Musical Farce Company were seen in “Murphy Marooned,” a burlesque on “Robinson Crusoe.” The Kewpies were again features of the production, and they had to take encores for their graceful work in “Hawaiian Butterfly” (Miss Merle Stewart appearing to good advantage in the solo), and “Pretty Baby,” with Miss Claire Lloyd as soloist. “Dixie Land” was another effective ballet to give the Kewpies an opportunity, and altogether they form an enjoyable part of the show. Mr. Tom Haverley and Mr. J. P. O’Neil, as Murphy and Casey, kept the laughs going with a will, and Mr. Billy Maloney did his share. A bare-foot dance by Misses Laurel Barratt and Rosie Flood was another sample of how the Kewpies excel.

Their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and the Countess of Liverpool were present at “The Bing Boys” last Thursday evening. * * * * Mr. Clyde Cook and Miss Male Baird get tremendous applause for their dancing turn in “The Bing Boys.” Later on Mr. Cook does some clever eccentric stepping that gets him a big hand. * * if * The English Pierrots have just done an eight and a-half weeks’ season in Wellington.

Mr. Frank Levy has re-joined the managerial staff of Allen Doone and arrives in Auckland shortly ahead of the Irish actor. The Dominion tour opens in Auckland about the end of the month with “Lucky O’Shea.”