OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1474, 25 July 1918, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

The eighth of the Murphy adventures introduced the Haverley Company in “Muldoon’s Picnic,” a full house on Monday night thoroughly enjoying the potpourri of musical nonsense. Mr. Tom Haverley and Mr. J. P. O’Neil gave extravagant vent to the situations of two inebriated Irishmen, and secured their laughs without any effort. The Kewpie Kids won hearty applause for their clever dancing and graceful chorus work, which proved a most effective supplement to the vocal solos. Miss Merle Stew r art gave a very tasteful rendering of “Hello, My Dearie,” and with Mr. Reg. Moore made a great success of the duet “The World Was Not Built in a Day.” Mr. Billy Maloney was the main leader in “Who’ll Play Puss in the Corner?” and the Kewpies acted up to him with their usual vim. On the first half of the programme the only newcomer was Mr. Carlton Max, and he was readily welcomed as an old friend. His ventriloquial turn with Jerry has a smart naval setting, and Jerry and his master were responsible for a constant flow of laughter with their crisp jokes. Ward Lear in imitations and Toby and Billy Wells in their acrobatic stunt gave variety to the bill. Miss Maude Courtney and Mr. C. reappeared to everyone’s satisfaction. Mr. C. held the stage for some minutes while he related several snappy stories that were received with peals of laughter. Their topical duet, “I Should Still Love You,” was breezed up with new lines that were attentively listened to, and at the conclusion Mr. C. announced a competition from the public to supply verses for the song. Three prizes will be given, and the winning lines will be sung next week. “They must be topical but not tropical,” emphasised Mr. C., “humorous but not scandalous, and they must be of general" interest.”