ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3378, 20 November 1911, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

YHE HARRY RICKARDS’

COMPANY.

A HIGH-CLASS VAUDEVILLE > SHOW.

Possibly no class of ontertainmeaifc appeals to a wider circle - of theatregoers as that, wlhich is presented on the vaudeville stage. That this is 'so in Gisborne as elsewhere was proved by the. packed house which filled' His Majesty’s Theatre in all parts on Saituaday night,. to witness the opening performance of the Harry Rickards’ combination, of star artiste.

From till© appreciatory reports which had preceded the company, a class of entertainment a igood' way ofi> the beaten track was looked for, and it nfuist be at once admitted thiat realiisatiioin eveirn moire, than: exceeded expectation. The combination consists of some seventeen artists, eaahione of whom, is •in the front rank. Variety is the keynote of the entertainment, whicih' is judiciously l balanced. Humor ripples through the entire programme like a sun-lit brooklet, and 1 so highly amusing were some of the turns that not a few at other times staid 1 and 1 decorous members of the audience laughed out loud at the fun aind frolic provided. The programme opened' with l a clever monologue entertainment by Mr'. Sydney Bach, who also proved himself a capable pianist. He finished off an original perform amc© bv playing a popular air on the keys of the instrument with liiis nose. The Marlowe Sisters at once gained the approval of the audience by the dainty manner in, which they pre- . seated the : song. and d’ancei, ‘ ‘Our Miss Gibbs Has Come tie Town,” a repetition being demanded. “Up in My Aeroplane” Was charmingly sung by Miss Fanny Powers who was compelled to reproduce the tongue-twisting patter of the concluding portion befor© the audience were appeased. Mr Alt Holt considerably astonished everyone by his marvellous powers, as a mimic. Anything Mjd! everything under the sun, from the syren of a leviathan steamboat to the exquisite trill of a nightingale was reproduced with wonderful fidelity by this clever artist. The audience could not have enough of his mimicry, and be had tio, reappear several times. One cf the most admired turns of the evening was that of Aloide Capitaine, the lady equilibrist, who for upwards of ten minlutes charmed the entire house by flier graceful and daring feats on the flying trapeze. No cleverer work has been witnessed here, and time and a,gain hearty applause broke - from . the audience in recognition of her ski ful display, which was marked throughout by the perfection of grace. Messrs Clarke and! Most© 11 caused keen enjoyment by their bright quips and quirks, and their clever dancing quite took the house by storm. Miss Camille Cornwall, who possesses of soprano voice of good range and excellent quality, provided a rare treat by tlie sweetness with. l which she rendered tlie popular song “Killamey.” In response to a warm recall “Annie Laurie” was sung with exquisite feeling and expression. Mr. Carlton Max proved l himself one oU’the best ventriloquists who have happened along this way for many a long day, and he and his automaton, “Jerry,” vastly amused the house during their occupancy of the boards. Mr Godfrey James,,-, the singing Collier, is the nossesor of a very fine tenor voice, and bis singing of “Nirvana” and “I’ll Sing Thee Songs of Araby” stamped him as a vocalist of high attainments. Messrs Binns and Bmns, by tlieir •bright comedy, and musical sketch, “The Vagabonds,” had the audience in one continuous, roar-of laughter., with their clever ’ fooling. In the midst of the most absurd situation® they would seize a weir'd instrument' and l play ‘ ‘Ah ohe la. rnorte,” or seme equally beautiful air with a.delicacy of expression which stamped them as musicians of the front rank. Their performance wound up with a splendid imitation of a church organ, produced from a couple of accordeons, from which: “The Lost Chord” was produced with wonderful, organ-like effect. Mr. Torn, Dawson is a clever comedian,, and! his song, “Girls, Wives, and Kids;” caused much merriment. Some clever impersonations of wellknown, stage favourites.wer© given by Miss Fanny Powers, and the Marlowe Sisters delighted' everyone by their graceful dancing. Tlie performance concluded - with an eccentric turn by Miss Merle and ; Mi*.! Pastor. The. former. was recalled fon her singing of the ooon song, “Put Your Arms Arodnd Me. Honey,” and' the latter performed a number of wonderful acrobatic feats:

The staging and management of the performance was of the best. Tlie turns succeeded each other with startling rapidity, and there was not a dull moment throughout -the evening. All who enjoy a refined, highly entertaining., and most artistic vaudeville show should make a point of hearing the Han-v Rickards’ Company. Tlie Company will give their second performance this evening, when, an entire change of programme will be submitted, and will conclude. their Gisborne season to-morrow evening.