OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1475, 1 August 1918, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

A vaudeville bill of undoubted excellence is being offered to Opera House patrons this week under the Fuller guidance. An important new act was presented in Auckland for the first time on Monday night, when Mr. Murry Livingston in a protean specialty made a deep impression with his art in characterisation. Introducing himself in a few lines on “Life’s Dreamers,” ■ delivered with rare elocutionary finish, Mr. Livingston retires behind a full-stage curtain, making an aperture just revealing his head, and while continuing his monologue his fingers (not visible to the audience) are busily occupied changing his raiment, and, hey presto! he is transformed as if by a magic wand into another character. His impersonations included an Italian vendor, a man about town, a pawnbroker and a miser, supplemented with visualising verse, each a little classic in itself, quite apart from the amazing rapidity of the changes. At the conclusion of his artistic and noyel offering Mr. Livingston received the tribute of a special round of applause from all parts of the house. Another excellent turn was that provided by Aubrey and Riche, two bright-faced girls who kept the audience entertained with their songs and dances and pretty dressing. Demure grey frocks in which they made their initial bow were a camouflage for flowing draperies in goblin blue and old rose. and. fripperies of floral ninon. Next, one revealed a shapely figure in white satin tights with narrow bandings of black fur, and the other in a lovely frock of old gold lace with discreet touches of red tulle mounted on satin and picture hat to match. Their concluding number, which occupied full stage, had a Venetian setting charmingly set off by the girls in appropriate dresses, and affording them a chance to display their dancing abilities. Miss Maud Courtney and Mr. C. had a riotous reception for their co-opeartive song, “I Would Still Love You.” and the inclusion of verses sent in by local competitors added zest to the number. Carlton Max and his “doll” Jerry supplied an acceptable ventriloquial interlude, and Ward Lear, in a grotesque “get-up,” got plenty of laughs from his admirers. Mr. Tom Haverley’s company held up the second half of the entertainment with the ninth of the Murphy adventures, which they styled the “Ponsonby Cup.” and judging by the shrieks of laughter attending Mr. Haverley and Mr. J. P. O’Neil as they discoursed on the “favourites,” it is the most popular of the lot. Mr. Billy Maloney scored tpp honours with his breezy singing of. “Good-Bye-ee,” and the Kewpie octette backed him up in graceful movements. Miss Merle Stewart and Mr. Reg. Moore were heard to effect in “Beneath Thy Window,” and a floral ballet by the Kewpies was prettily done. “The Man in Black” will be revived next week for the farewell performance.