AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16164, 19 March 1918, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Tho crowded audience at the Opera House last night, -when Fuller's Vaudeville Company appeared in a new programme, had no reason to complain either of the- lack of variety or of the absence of brightness and sparklo. Few programmes of the past have outshone last night's offerings, every item boing, practically, a star item. Decidedly out of the ordinary was the act submitted by Marsden and Florence, a pair of daring equilibrists. The male member of the duo is finely-built and powerful, and, standing on an elevated and circumscribed platform, he balances his fair partner in many ways, Fomc calling for the exercise of considerable ,The final portion of the act, with the lady on a ladder, which is supported on her partner's head, brought forth "warm applause. Another somewhat novel turn -was that of the Five Lewins, a company of girls who appear in various striking and beautiful costumes, and sing and dance. The smallest of the five was especially successful in her quaint Hawaiian dance. Winifred and'Lumloy. also newcomers, were successful with their musical imitations, and tho lady danced with grace and verve. Vesto and Jullyan, jugglers and singers, made their first appearance, and created a good impression, their juggling with clubs and "racquets being especially well done. Sergeant Copeland and the Kid again aroused great wonderment, the Kid's description of articles produced by the audience while he was blindfolded, creating a feeling of mystification. New items were successfully submitted by Denny and Dunigan, by McKay and Kelly Hand.Drake,, aiyt- by Golos, the. ban joist. Ted McLean and Genevieve Lee appeared in tho playlet, "Love. Finds a ~Way,"_ which met with a highlyappreciative reception. To-night the same programme will be repeated.

IRISH CONCERT. Tie Theatre Royal was filled to overflowing last night, hundreds having Eb l>e turned away, the occasion beiug the Irish national concert held ander the auspices of the H.A-.C.8. Society. The programme was a lengthy one, and its' enjoyable character was testified to by the invariable demand for an encore for two —which followed each. item. Among the most popular items were the choruses of the combined Catholic schools and the Marist Brothers' boys' chorus. The children occupied tiered seats at the back- of the stage, and looked most attractive, all .dressed in white, the boys with green ties and belts and the girls with green cashes. The combined schools led off ihe programme with a spirited interpretation of "Hail, Glorious St. Patrick," ; and-later sang "Ireland, My Ireland" CPoone),. "o'l>onncll Aboo" (Old Irish), 1 ' -while tneir last item, the finale to the concert. - was "A Nation Once Again," m'Trfrich the entire audience joined. The tuneful two-part singing of the ; MariSt Brothers' boys was so appreciated by the audience that they received •triple, encores. Their numbers were yOffc' in the Stilly Night" (unaccom-

panied) and "Erin, the Tear" (Moore). Mr Farquhar Young quickly established himself a warm favourite with tho audience by his dramatic singing of "The Wearin' of the Green," and on being encored gave ''Father OTlynn" in his inimitable style, and a humorous monologuo about an Irishman's trip to Paris, which, accbrding to the test, "the natives ignorantly called Pareo." In the second part of the programme he sank "Tho Donovans," which was also heartily encored. Another male singer, Mr Heatloy, sebred a success with "The Irish Emigrant," while Mr B. llennell san<r Lambert's "She is Far From tho Land'' with great feeling. A violin solo, '"The Harp That Once Through I Tara's Halls," with variations, was played by Mr Naumann, while Miss D. .Nottingham sang "For the Green" (Hermann Lohr), "Husheen" (Needham), and "A 11 Through the Night" very sweetly. Miss Mary O'Connor, who pcßsesses a flexible soprano voice, chose as her items Molloy's "Kerry Dance" and '-The Old Plaid Shawl," both of which were encored. A diversion was the dancing of an eight-handed Irish reel bv Masters E. Egau, J. O'Loughlin, J. and AV. O'Loughlin, and Misses C. and G. Egan, E. O'Grady, and N. Baxter, while Miss Egan and Master Darragh danced an Irish jig with great vim. At* orchestra of several instruments, under the baton of Mr W. T. Ward, played "Gems of Ireland" and "Hibernia," and assisted in accompanying some of the choruses, while Miss K. O'Connor acted as accompanist. Mr A. P. de la Cour was stage manager. At the conclusion of the concert his Lordship Bishop Brodie, who was loudly cheered, said it was once again his pleasant duty to be among them and to thank those who had. helped to _ make tho concert the glorious success it had been. It was a noble day that they celebrated, and the cause for which tho concert was held—to help the Orphanage of . the Sisters of Nazareth —was a noble cause also. (Applause.) He wished to particularly thank all the performers who had contributed to the programme J,hat evening. To make distinctions | would be invidious where all had been so good, but each and all of the performers deserved their most hearty and sincere thanks. (Applause.)

' I EVERYBODY'S. The well-known novel "My Official ■ Wife" forms the basis of the chief fea--1 ture film at this week, and ' the exciting and original plot carried out on a scale regardless of expense makes a first-rate play, replete with thrilling sensations and tense situations. Clara Ivimball Young, supported by a practically all-star cast, ensures the play being superbly acted. The ,supporting films, which include Part 111. of the History of the "War, are particularly good ones. GRAND THEATRE. A specially good programme Is being shown at the Grand Picture Theatre this week, and the star film, "Outwitshould not be missed. Miss Emily Stevens, who is one of America's most famous emotional actresses, is seen at her best in this thrilling picture, whicjj is one of the most excitinfe photoplays screened for a long time. The supporting films are also decidedly good.