OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1579, 29 July 1920, Page 34

OPERA HOUSE.

Many were turned away at the Opera House on Monday night when all-vaudeville had to halve the programme with revue. Mr. Walter George’s Sunshine Players are easily the most popular combination in the revue line, .and their return was most welcome. “The Bandits” was the title of the new playlet, the script of which had been elaborated by Mr. J. Youlin Birch, and there was an abundance of laughable lines to which comedian George Storey gave full value, while musical numbers were freely interpolated. Mr. Storey was a scream almost before he appeared, and the rally he got proved the part he holds in the show. As a tourist captured by bandits he had every opportunity of making rich comedy points. Miss Hylda Shannon’s pleasing voice was heard to excellent effect in “Hush-Bye-Baby” and in “Carmena” with Miss May Geary. Miss Georgie Martin, as another tourist, gave an amusing sketch on burlesque lines, and built up a most laughable scene with Mr. Storey. Mr. Barry Hitchings sang “The Bandalero” in good style. Mr. Walter George as the Cocoa King and Mr. Reg. Hawthorne as Pedro kept the interest well sustained, and had catchy singing numbers that were supplemented by chorus. An outstanding feature was the ballet “Naila.” in which Miss Polly McLaren as soloist danced with charming grace. Miss. Dulcie Milner gave characteristic piquancy to the song, “Who Taught You All Those Things,” and with Mr. Frank Haining sang “Give Me a Cosy Corner.” The

vaudeville section was headed by the Rev. Frank Gorman who added to his success of the previous week in a fresh budget of ballads and stories. “Till We Meet Again,” “Let the Rest of the World Go By,” “The House at the End of the Lane” were amongst his items, and though his was the concluding turn of the first half of a long programme, he kept the audience close to their seats demanding more and more. As a third recall he responded with a tenderly humorous handling of a simple little verse “you Know and I Know.” Mr. Leonard Nelson was in high favour as is customary during his interlude, and his recitations were as popular as his songs. Messrs. Lawrie and Rossie, the “Harmonious Diggers,” introduced themselves acceptably in several songs which they treated expressively. Miss Nora Burke sang pleasingly a couple of musical comedy hits. Hall and Menzies in their burlesque, “I

Can’t Get a Word in Edgeways,” created roars of laughter, the lady . of the party again, showing her facility for low comedy work. Le Mounter aroused special interest in his turn by arranging a weight-lifting competition for local men. The winners of each heat will compete in the final on Saturday evening, the man who lifts a 1001 b. bar bell above the head the greatest number of times to be the winner.