Clover & Opera House: Friendly rivalry

In the ’50s and ’60s, stage shows were in vogue. The two top theaters in Manila were Clover and Opera House, along Rizal Avenue. Clover was at the foot of Jones Bridge, while Opera House was several blocks away, right after Azcarraga (later Recto) Avenue.

Clover and Opera House featured top singers and actors, and even foreign entertainers.

But let it be said that the two engaged in friendly rivalry, with Portuguese Don Jose Sarah as Clover’s producer-director and Van Ludor (Lou Salvador Sr.), Opera House’s Master Showman.

The newspaper ads of Clover and Opera House in 1961 bannered their headliners.

Clover had singing sensations Diomedes Maturan and Manding Claro, with the sultry Mercy Oria and blind songbird Norma Lapuz. The array of supporting players included German (Moreno), where he started his showbiz career. Music by Prof. Ping Joaquin & His Band. Featured movie was the Audrey Hepburn starrer The Nun’s Story.

Opera House trumpeted Madrid-Paris at Night! Sex Kitten from Gay Paree Leila Kashim. From romantic Spain Srta. Elvira Real and Srta. Lolita Moral and Sr. Antonio Lorca. The local performers included Toto, Dely, Gloria Selga, Rogie Rama, Riz Ortega. Onscreen was Flame Over India, with Kenneth More and Lauren Bacall.

Big names who performed in Clover and Opera House were Katy dela Cruz, Bobby Gonzales, Pilita Corrales, Conchita Peñalosa, Cenon Legman, Ric Manrique Jr., Rufina Esperancila, Pepe Pimentel, Mercy Molina, Susan dela Victoria. Oftentimes, they switched from Clover to Opera House. And vice versa.

Even classical singers Conching Rosa and Don David performed at the ‘classier’ Opera House, whose lobby had a fountain.

This columnist watched stage shows at Opera House more often than Clover as it was very near the family-owned Dolor Pharmacy along Azcarraga. Like Clover, music at Opera House was live. No minus-one or lipsynch during those years. —RKC