OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1553, 29 January 1920, Page 36

OPERA HOUSE.

One of the best first-halves seen for some time is a reason .why the Opera House should be crowded every night and matinee this week, Monday night’s large audience demonstrating its keen approval of the vaudevillian fare provided by the Fuller firm. An exhilarating first appearance was made by Preston and Perrin, dancers well out of the ordinary, from the moment of their original entry (in which the tall member distinguishes himself comically on skates) to their final exit, when both give a demonstration of eccentric solo dancing. Their work all through is marked by neatness of stepping and originality« of movements, and they well deserved the hurricane of applause they received. In the first grade, too, were Marzon and Florence, a man of Herculanean strength and a girl who is as pretty as she is intrepid. Some skilful balancing feats on a tall pedestal paved the way for the sensational climax, in which a silver ladder played a prominent part. With the long ladder balanced on her partner’s shoulder, Florence climbed the rings, and perched on the top she

performed some dangerous looking feats with not only the utmost unconcern • but with evident enjoyment. Prolonged applause was their reward at the conclusion. Will and Linda Newman in their skill-cum-absurdity cycling act caused plenty of merriment. The Falvey S'sters had innumerable recalls for their dainty harmonised numbers. Renaux and Arta were again a popular turn, their xylophone offerings including the overture “Raymond,” “Bing Boys,” and a medley of rags and catchy airs. Miss Lillian Fontenoy was heard in a couple of well-suited ballads. Mr. Paul Stanhope’s Revue Company made a merry break with their frivolity in “Bric-a-brac,” which was a pot-pourri of songs, dances and nonsensicalities. In the latter Mr. Stanhope was the leading conspirator, and he was well aided and abetted by Mr. Mark Erickson and Mr. Ernest Pitcher. The Grafters’ Quartette, the Singer Girls, and the soloists —Misses

Maude Miles, Ethel Bennetto and Helen Le Cain—livened up the proceedings considerably, and were responsible for much of the brightness of the show.

A glance through a recent issue of the “South African Pictorial” locates quite a number of entertainers popular with New Zealanders. Allen Doone, after one of the most successful tours any company has ever enjoyed in South Africa, returned to Johannesburg and was playing in “Sweet County Kerry.” Rogers and Rieuse, the French dancers who made such a hit on the Fuller circuit, were making similar havoc with Kimberley audiences. Dan Thomas was producing and playing dame in • the pantomime “The Babes in the Wood,” with other well-remembered Fuller artists in the cast —Miss Naomi McQuoin as principal boy, Miss Nellie Fallon as principal girl, and Mr. George Taylor as the baron. Walter Emerson and Gwen Hasto were on the Orpheum bill, and Sterling and Love on the Empire. * * * * Miss Daisy Harcourt, a well-known comedienne, who has made good abroad, will be the star attraction at the Opera House next week.