ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15594, 28 April 1914, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The production of "For the Term of His Natural Life," at His Majesty's Theatre by the George .Willougbby Company, is proving to be a decided success. Another crowded house witnessed the performance last night, following with great interest the unfolding of the plot. Real touches of humour, which relieved the dramatic situations, were keenly appreciated. The same piece will be staged to-night and to-morrow night. On Thursday evening the George Willougbby management will present Walter Melville's immensely successful melodrama, "The Bad Girl of the Family" for tho final three nights of the season. The new piece is said to abound in exciting and stirring incidents, particularly in the sensational bedroom scene, whilst the' laughter provoking situations are said to be many and varied. OPERA HOUSE. One of the most remarkable contortionists who have ever visited Auckland mado his initial appearand at the Opera Houso last evening. He is known by the name of Juno Salmo, and goes through his act disguised as a devil, complete with horns and tail. Added realism is lent to the act by a gorgeous setting and by startling electrical effects. The performer, in addition to balancing himself in all sorts of impossiblelooking positions, seems to posses the knack of being able to tie his limbs into inextricable knots and to twist his arms and legs around his body in coils that a python would not be ashamed of. The climax is reached when, suspended from a trapeze by his arms, he causes his body to revolve through and through his arms at a rapid pace. This act, which certainly stands unique among its kind, was received with prolonged applause. Another new act, and one which should suffice to draw a full houso for many a night, was provided by La Stella Trio. Tho two men and one woman who compose this troupe first of all demonstrate their capabilities as musicians on various stringed instruments and a flute. The offect of this part of their turn is enhanced by a picturesquo stago setting representing one of the Venetian canals by night. In conclusion, the trio indulge in somo remarkably vigorous and eccentric dances, tho steps performed by one of the male members of the party fairly taking the houso by storm. Sidney Bach was another newcomer and, with the aid of a piano, he kept the audience in a perpetual state of laughter. His medloy of songs, consisting of a lino or two from each, were particularly entertaining. The two Waldrons made a decidedly successful first appearance with their humorous patter and by-play. Billy Watson, a London comedian, and Agnes Rawes, a young soprano of promise, wore also well received on their initial appearance. Several of last week's artists gave fresh items, tho most popular of theso being that provided by Carlton Max, whose clever ventriloquism convulsed tho audience. The Era Comedy Four, the National Duo, clever child acrobats, Lavinia Tyson, contralto, James Opie, an Australian baritone, and Welch and Carbasse, in a clever sketch, all contributed towards an excellent evening's entertainment. The same programme will be repeated nightly throughout the week. THE LYRIC THEATRE. The management of the Lyric Theatre made a new departure last night, when numerous patrons were asked to decide by ballot which is the most beautiful of the various suburbs of Auckland, after having viewed a number of them through the medium of cinematography. The counting of the votes in this novel competition, which is to be continued each night this week, has been referred to the scrutiny of two suburban councillors. The suburbs figuring in this exhibition of favourite beauty spots include Ponsonby, Pamell, Devonport, Northcote, Mount Eden, Birkenhead, Mount Albert, Newmarket, Grey Lynn, Remuera, Takapuna, and Epsom. The change of programme introduced a drama entitled " The Filly," which concerns intrigues of the racecourse/ interwoven ' with a love story. Other films of dramatic interest were entitled, "Innocent " and "The Two Slaves." The note of comedy was struck in "An Unintentional Hero" and "The Flaming Heart." Tho topical budget was interesting, as was also a nature study, "The Marine Shellfish."

KING'S THEATRE. The history of the daughter of the master thief of France, as told by the wellknown play "Leah Klcschna," is matter that can be readily understood and appreciated by, young and old. The pictorial reproduction which is being shown at the King's Theatre cover the story in a comprehensive manner, and should prove a popular attraction during this week. The actress who takes the part of-the young French heroine makes the best use of her opportunities, and portrays the character with vivacity. "Caught" Courting" and "Mabel's Strange Predicament" arc two laughable comic studies. The beautiful city of Venice is the subject of a scenic film, while a picture of local interest gives some views of Oamaru and its surroundings. ' QUEEN'S PICTURES. The good name which the Queen's Theatre has made for itself by the quality of its films is well upheld by the programme which was shown for the first time yesterday. The principal attraction is entitled "The Forest Dwellers." Tin's is a stirring drama containing numerous incidents vividly depicted, showing the result of the cupidity which actuates a villain in perpetrating crimes to secure for himself a hidden treasure.. The rightful owner of this is a little child. The humorous side is well attended to, there being two comic subjects, "A Stage Door Flirtation " and' "Ono Round O'Brien in the Ring Again." The Queen's Chronicle includes some interesting pictures of local happenings. "Picturesque Greece" is the title of.a beautiful scenic film, which shows many scenes of historic interest- : 7 •#' GLOBE THEATRE. ' The new programme at the Globe Theatre features a film entitled '"The County Seat War " In it are detailed the adventures of a young girl named Elsio Gordon, who falls in love with Rodney Gilbert, a captain of militia. The extreme methods sometimes resorted to by politicians in America to defeat their opponents are also shown. Gilbert's rival, Zeigler, who is a villainous politician, nominates Elsie's father to stand against him for the county seat. Gilbert is successful, but Zeigler then leads a gang of men to raid the courthouse and steal the county rocords. After a desperate battle between the raiders and Gilbert's militia, the former surrender and are put safely under lock and key A unique picture is one entitled "Dances of the Age," in which a remarkable series- of views of various styles of dancing from B.C. to the present day arc shown. A film of local manufacture presents some excellent pictures of the recent Avondalc Races. WEST END THEATRE. Beauty spots in Auckland and district were reproduced in pictorial form in the new programme presented last night by oho management of the West End Theatre. A drama of the racecourse, entitled " The Filly," disclosed sensational scenes which well sustained the interest of a good attendance. The- world's news in brief was presented in the ever-accepc-ablo Gaumont Graphic. Humorous subjects included "An Unintentional Hero" and " The Flaming Heart," and there was an interesting nature study, NEW ALHAMBRA THEATRE. •The new Alhambra Theatre, Karangabape Road, will be opened on Saturday night at eight o'clock. The new picture theatre has been fitted up in a most elaborate manner, and the seating accommodation has been so arranged that the spectators may have an uninterrupted view from any part of the building. Special efforts have been made to secure pictures of the best type. The box plan will open on Thursday, at 10 a.m. at Mr. George Le Petit's, bookseller, "Victoria Arcade.

7 : KING GEORGE THEATRE. . i "In'the Midst of the Jungle," is the title of an unusually attractive film which is the chief picture on the new programme at the King George Theatre. Colonel Jackson, a sporting farmer of Northern Rhodesia, organises a big hunt and starts on an 80 mile expedition into the jungle. Disappearing over a neighbouring hill, a fine view of his procession is seen on the sky-line. By a mischance a girl member of the expedition becomes lost in the wilds of the forest, the home of the fiercest of animals. The other members finally give her up as dead and trek for home, I*or three years, however, she lives in a. deserted hut, with only a leopard cub as a companion, and in constant terror of the lions, jackals, and hyenas which prowl around the slender walls of her primitive home. Even in the crock from which she obtains water, crocodiles are often seen, from which sho narrowly escapes. The colonel one night has a dream that the girl is alive. Immediately ho forms a new expedition and, after many experiences, the hut is found, just at a time when tour huge lionesses are trying to break into it. A film of special interest to' footballers, shows some exceedingly fine and complete views of the match "All Blacks" versus America, played at San Francisco, the greatest rcatch of the tour. PRINCESS THEATRE. One of the most realistic pictures of big-game hunting that has yet been presented to an Auckland audienco is at present being screoned at the Princess Theatre. The early arrival of tho film enabled the proprietors to include it in Saturday's programme, and it at once scored a noticeable success, the theatre being crowded at every session. It remained tho feature in the change of programme yesterday, and was again the medium of attracting many hundreds of people. Many varieties of wild beasts are seen in their' native haunts, and the photographs must have been obtained at much risk. On ono occasion a combat is seen between a beautifully marked leopard and a hyona, and after a remarkable struggle tho big cat is victorious. Another fine film is" Tho Yellow Jack," a cleverly mounted _ drama, whilst "Harnessing a Horse" is a comedy sketch of exceptional merit. The usual topical and scenic films contribute to a programme that should havo a successful season. NEWTON PICTURE PALACE. A lengthy and interesting new programme was submitted at the Newton Picture Palace yesterday, and was witnessed ty continuous streams of peoplo throughout the day. It is headed by a drama of much merit, entitled " -convicted," which depicts in an appealing manner the vicissitudes in tho life of an honest workman, forced into crime to save his mother's life. To those who enjoy the thrills of a detective drama "The Diamond Crown" will prove very acceptable. ROYAL RINK. The coming of winter is apparent from tho increasing number of skaters visiting the Royal Rink in Khyber Pass Road. Music supplied by an orchestra is an additional inducement to skaters to join in the I popular pastime.