AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16150, 2 March 1918, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

OPEHA HOtSE

After many weeks of -revue, the return to an all vaudeville programme at the Opera House last night came as a welcome change. The house was a verj good one, and the programme fulij justified the interest taken in it, "praeticaily every turn being of a very high standard. Ivc.lly and Drake, an Ameii'can duo of high calibre, were to [have oponedlast night, but they missed theii connexion at Dunedin, and the veteran tenor and head of the Fuller firm, Mi John Fuller, senr., stepped into the breach and contributed a couple oi songs, "Come into the Garden Maud," and ''Good-night, Beloved," with all his old-time sweetness of tone. The .-fuclienctf gave him an enthusiastic reception, ia:id were loth to let him go. An exceptionally neat, clover, and clean turn was submitted by Denny and' iJunigan, an American pair, who sang and danced well, and scored a particular success with their version of "What do you want to make those eyes at me for?" to which thoy gave a distinctly original and novel atmosphere. The male member of the duo, although he did not give much demonstration of_ his terpsichoroan powers, gave the impression that he is an eccentric dancer of 110 mean order. Bonita and Leo, a pair of entertainers of the Wild West circus tvpc, gave a. wonderful exhibition of sharp-shooting, whip manipulation, and rope twirling, tho shooting of the lady and the hair-raising feats of Mr Lee tvith tho whip, such as flicking a handkerchief from his partner's breast pocket, lassooing her round the neck, etc., rousing the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. "Tho Pictorial Littles" submitted a melange of painting and vocaiism which was much appreciatbd, the male artist executing lightning pictures, while his partner sang. His portrait or England's heroine, Xurso Cavell, illustrated by an appropriate song by Miss Little, made a decided unpression on the patriotic feelings of the audienco. A novel upsidcilown dancing turn was submitted by Walsh and Walsh, who scored a decided success, though their turn would not lave suffered greatly had they confined themselves to dancing, and not essayed natter. McKay and Graham made a Tory welcome reappearance, and both verc in good voice. Mr McKay's fines voice was heard to much advantage n "A Sergeant of tho Line," "Till the Sands of the Desert Grow Cold." and -lie ever-popular "Floral Dance." An>thor musical treat was provider! by the 'Trio Classique," while the De Beovicrs, n classical posing, and Bickey and lose, juvenile dancers and singers, completed the excellent programme. The is'tal Saturday matinee will be held this ifternoon. when Colos. the well-known ocal banjo expert, will make his reropenrancc, and to-nicrht, in addition to ho other artists. Kelly and Drake will iiake. their initial appearance. BARTON'S CIRCUS. Another large audience witnessed last light's performance of Barton's cncus, 'ne clever work of the acrobatic vioiinsts was greatly admired, while the teeplechase caused much excitemont. 'o-aay tho circus will hold a matinee or the children, and prizes will be prcented to the best girl skipper, and the oy who stays on tiie buying oonkey jngest. The final performance will be iveu this evening. CHRISTCHURCH MALE VOICE CHOIR, Tho recently-formed Christchurch lale Voice Choir, under Dr. J. C. iraushaw, in its canvass ior subscribers, as met with great success, nearly 500 aviug been secured to drUe, representig a:; audience of lOOD people. As uriher subscribers to the series oi' conarts, shortly to begin, are coming I'or•ard daily, thedilliculty will be to secure

a concert-hall large enough to aceommodatp them, -with the large section of the public who prefer to pay for admission at the doors. The committee has under consideration the advisability of repeating each entertainment,-.thus allowing for. an increased number of subscribers, who will have the option of reserving their seats for either performance. STRAND THEATRE. The Olga Pctrova picturo, "The Law of the Land," will head the new programme to be screened at. tho Strand Theatre to-day. Mme. Petrova, speaking of this film, says:—"This is the strongest, most powerful drama I have ever portrayed on the screen. I really lived this picture." •