OPERA HOUSE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14971, 19 May 1914, Page 8

OPERA HOUSE.

There was a crowded and 'enthusiastic audienco at the Opera House'to witness the new programme presented by tho Fuller-Brcnnan Vaudeville Company. The star turn was that presented by Juno Salmo, ''The Devil Dandy," who is described as the greatest contortionist oi the presont day. He thrilled tho audienco with his marvellous balancing feats while swinging on a trapeze, winding bis india rubber-like body into the most gruesome forms. Ho twists his head and shoulders in the opposite direction to his legs, and turns completely round, so that the audience can see him on all eides. Phillips and Merritt, who appeared in Christchurch about eighteen months ago, presented a very entertaining tango dance, together with a number of ragtime songs. It is their intention to teach tho public of Christchurch the tango, and they will hold free classes, as they did in Auckland and Wellington, at the Opera House, every morning, from 10 to 12. Another good turn was that provided by Dorothy Harris, "the ragtime streak," who gave a rn+\v meaiiing to ragtime, and had tho audience with her all through. The talented Russian singers, dancers, and instrumentalists, the La Stella. Trio, presented a novelty in music hall entertainments, with their dwarf-like walks, quaint Russian songs and dances. Jolly Marie,, "the stagestruck maid," mado her first appearance here, and proved herself a popular comedienne. Tho reappearance of Edward Moran, Bessie Cahill, and Margaret Caraher, the talented vocalists, was received favourably by the audience. William Sumner again had to respond to a number of encores, his ragtime items being a special feature.