OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1495, 19 December 1918, Page 32

OPERA HOUSE.

Walter George’s Sunshine Players have gained a firm hold on Opera House patrons, and attendances are gradually assuming their previous large dimensions after the stress of the epidemic days. “Way Down in Arizona” is the title of this week’s exhilarant, and with an Indian setting and the performers caparisoned to match, the atmosphere is well sustained. It centres around the love of an Indian girl for a white man, and incidental happenings, such as ballets, ensembles and comedy interludes, give agreeable lightening touches. Miss Hylda Shannon was warmly encored for her singing of “A Heart That is Free,” and responded with a dainty crooning song. Miss May Geary and Mr. Holly Leslie gave a pleasurable rendering of “Sloe Eyes,” Mr. Leslie’s resonant bass

voice being also in useful evidence in concerted numbers. Mr. George Storey revelled in the part of Willie Hurry-up, a fearsome looking cowboy, and there were no serious moments when he was about. His song, “Cuthbert, the Cowboy,” was excellently done, and his fooling with the human horse evoked peals of laughter. Mr. Walter George as Arizona Alf and Miss Georgie Martin as Hazel Eyes had a good hearing for their feeling rendering “Laughing Eyes.” Another enjoyable musical item was “My Mississippi Miss,” with solo (Mr. Milton Owen) and chorus. Miss Dulcie Milner was sprightly as ever in song and dance, and Miss Polly McLaren was to the fore in an Indian pas seul. The first part of the programme was given up to vaudeville ; specialists. Murfayne had a flattering .welcome on his return, his mastery oyer the xylophone, which was expressed in operatic excerpts, being warmly acclaimed. Miss Violet Trevenyon was charming in her songs, “Honeymoon With You,” “Drop Me Somewhere in the British Isles,” and “If You Were the Only Boy in the World,” a sweet-toned lad in the gallery taking up the refrain in the latter song. Miss Elsa Brull and Mr. Arthur Hemsley were a sheer delight with their burlesques of the Lancashire couple at the races and the pictures, and the fussy parents at the seaside. Their art is so refreshing that one can see. their work over and over again and find new pleasure. Neiman and Kennedy in their -original Hobo specialty were a scream, and Baron and Nobbier in a yentriloquial hit made up a popular galaxy.

Miss Gertrude Glyn, who was in Australia and New Zealand with the “Gipsy Love” Company, has been married in England to Captain Walter Beresford Bulteel. Miss Glyn was understudy to Gertie Millar on several occasions.