OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1486, 17 October 1918, Page 32

OPERA HOUSE.

Notwithstanding the fact that Messrs. Ward Lear and Walter Emerson —the principal comedians of the Minstrel Show —were unable to appear on ’Monday night owing to an attack of influenza, the bill went merrily along, thanks to the joint efforts of the remaining members and the interlocutor, Mr. Ernie Delavale. By the Seaside” made an effective staging and a breezy opening, and in quick style followed ballads by Miss Marjorie Alwyn,' Miss Ruby Kennedy, soubrette numbers by Miss Gwen Hasto and Miss Winnie Lumley, stepdancing by Mr. Burns and Mr. Charlie Delavale, reuartee intervals with Mr. E. Delavale and Mr. Lumley, and chorus songs by Miss Lily Vockler, “The Red Cross Nurse” being most popular. The second half of the entertainment was one of the best that has been presented for some time. It was headed by the Gilfain Trio, two girls and a man—the girls in pale pink tulle evening frocks with crystal cmbroderies —who made good immediately on their entrance, and built up prolonged applause for their excellent abilities as entertainers. First a trio which gained the good graces of all; then a clever imitation of different nationalities of waitresses by the fair-haired girl; next a “Dancing Lesson,” cutely given by her colleague; and then followed the “Miserere” duet from “Il Trovatore” by the man and his singing partner. This gave place t o an Irish scena, in which the girls made charming colleens, and with their associate sang “Aileen Allanah.” Then Mr. Gilfain made a big success by his stirring handling of a Canadian war song, and the finale was reached in a medley of Scotch airs by the trio in costume. It is a turn that stands by itself for novelty and merit, and at the conclusion bursts of approval came from all over the house, the versatile trio being recalled again and again. Another newcomer of star rank was Miss Bessie Lester, an American comedienne, who ingratiated herself into the favour of all by her air of goodfellowship n o less than by her dialect stories and ragtime songs, and in her diversion from gaiety to pathos in a sympathetic rendering of a New York war ballad, “A Baby’s Prayer at Twilight,” she made just as emphatic a hit. Mr. Wallace Brownlow won flattering tokens of approval for his artistic singing of “Queen of the Earth” and “Come Back to Erin.” Mr. Hughie Ogilvie had the house in roars of laughter with his comic songs and jests, and he will be sadly missed when he goes off the bill. Mr. Syd. Jones and Miss Agnes Raines concluded the fare, and it says much for them that they can hold interest to the end with their amusing musical melange. Next week Walter George’s Sunshine Players will open their revue season in “A Dutch Legacy.”