PRINCESS THEATRE

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 69

PRINCESS THEATRE

The complete change of piogiprunie. with its host of new contributing aitists, must surely have far exceeded the highest expecta^ tions of the large audience that filled the Princess Theatre on Saturday night. Among the new arrivals were some of the most: talented artists that have been seen on the vaudeville stage here for a very long time, and as a consequence the programme was an extraordinarily good and entertaining one, A truly delightful ev«nt was the appearance oi the Musical domes^ a lady and. two gentle>

men, whose repertoire is an extensive one, Consisting as it does of selections on tht iylophone, hand and other bells, violin, and, |n fact, quite a host of musical instruments. Every item was executed in a delightful manner, and in a way that indicated talent ▼«ry much above the ordinary. There was the hallmark of excellence and finish about their performanoe, and the audience was only too ready to accord them the very warmest Applause. A most interesting and novel act "ires that of Miss Eva Lee and her picanBlinnies, two of the quaintest and most precocious little children one could well set eyes upon. Together with Miss Lee they indulged in the true eccentricities of the coloured race in a manner that was inexjpressibly funny, for they are picaninnies from iiead to foot. The main part of their performance is a boxing contest between the two children, whose antics cause the audience to fairly shake with laughter.^ The extreme humour and the intense quaintness of it must be seen to be appreciated. The toleens also made their first appearance. They are two young ladies who with a very great measure of success go through difficult leats on the tight wire, and also perform some clever things in the sharp-shooting line. Their turn is not devoid of certain daring, and is throughout pretty and effective. Still ■another new arrival was Miss Gertrude 'Emery, who excelled in a clever and finished on the trapeze. Master Charles Hayes is aptly described as the human bending marvel, for, though a very young boy, tie does some extraordinary things in the ■way of bodily contortions and twistings. These were the new artists, and it is safe fto say that not one of them failed to make ithe very best impression on the audience, And in no case was the entertainment presented dull or uninteresting for a single tooment. Among the other artists of the company are Miss Brightie Smith (a charming soubrette), Denis Carney (character comedian), Miss Gertie Everett, Mr Harry JMwards, and Lesseo and Eexo. The bioBcope pictures were full of interest. The performance as a whole had not. a dull spot in il, while some- of the individual artists •r« alone worthy of a visit to the theatre. With such a strong combination, big houses are practically assured for the whole of the present week.