MAKARAU.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1912, Page 2

MAKARAU.

(Own Correspondent.)

The Elvin-Hooper Variety Com.pany opened th« Season at the Public Hall on Friday Evening tbe 26th inst. and despite the inclemency of: the weather to a fairly good house. As the performers are all amateurs, and as the proceeds are for a charitable object (the piano fund) criticism of a carping nature is rigidly with-held. Every thing passed off very well indeed, judging from the frequent applause of the audience, and if " variety" is charming the name of this locally formed company Js not mis-applied. Nigger minstrelsy, in which Bones and Tambourine made even the proverbial cat laugh. (One that strayed in from tha Post Office). Comedy Sketches, sougs, recitations, break-downs followed in rapid succession and without a hitch save one, when the curtain on one occasion was a.bit slow in rising to the demands of a clamorous encore. Thero was ona amusing unre-* hearsed item in the iast act of one of the Sketches which literally brought down the house. A !ady"m the audience suddenly discovered, to her'disgust, that her husband, one of the principal preformers, had for stuge effect, and against her positive injunction shaved oft1 his moustache! '-Wait old man" she,ejaculated vehemently "uns til I get you homo and there'll be anothrir act " . The effect on the "poor player" was immediate aud startling. For a moment he. faltered in his part but eventually managed to pull through. Kumour has it that the act at home came off all right and with striking* dramatic effect on the part of the variety-artist's better half, Verily the hand that rocks the cradle is more than a match for the one that guides the razor.