OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1540, 30 October 1919, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

Hundreds were turned away from the Opera House at the afternoon and evening performances on Labour Day, no place of entertainment being more popularly patronised. Mr. Walter George’s Sunshine Players put on a picturesque musical piece ’ called “In Sunny Japan,”. the title being well sustained by the well-organised coterie. Miss Hylda Shannon sang with much sympathy “Poor Butterfly,” and with . Mr, George was responsible for a most successful number, “Why Do You Keep Laughing at Me.” Mr. George Storey found a happy outlet for his drolleries in the role of a waiter, and he was always the signal for chuckles of laughter. Mr. Reg. Hawthorne, whose fine voice is a decided asset to the company, made a hit with his solo, “Tip Tung,” supplemented appropriately with a bevy of giijs- Miss Polly McLaren was a ..central figure in her hornpipe dance, her dainty movements being heartily applauded. All the other members lent their aid to capital effect and combined towards a thoroughly pleasurable offering. Vaudeville occupied the second half of the entertainment, Mr. Barry Lupino taking the lead in his pantomime specialties. His dame interlude kept the audience in screams of laughter, and he wound up with his humorous version of “Chrysanthemums,” which he gave in Auckland five years ago, his wrestling with the floral word

while “under the influence” being cleverly done. Signor and Signora Molinari gave another artistic song scena, the Italian tenor captivating everyone with his forceful interpretations, while the Signora’s cultured voice was heard in sympathetic harmony. Campbell and Mayo in a potpourri of magic, song and dance, and the two strong men, Carr and Manley, added to the variety of a good programme. The Camille Trio, the outstanding specialty of last year’s J. C. Williamson pantomime (“Dick Whittington”), made their first appearance at the Fuller houses on Tuesday night, in an act that speaks the last word in acrobatics. When you’re not holding your breath at their death-defying acts, you’re convulsed with laughter at their unexpected antics.