AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 144, 18 June 1906, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

v i 9 ftretotxs noticed about the more recent pantomimes—that they tend to get further and further from Christmas, and nearer and nearer to ordinary ouriesque. Neither of these tendencies" greatly matters: the first is inevitable, the second is the stern will of the Great Public- And after all, since we Britone cannot present a fairy tale with the quaint tenderness, the romance and the humour of the French, we may just as well acknowledge the fact, and give ourselves a vaudeville entertainment (with a connective tissue of burlesque plot) instead. Mr. Anderson's latest pantomime—which is precisely as figured in the second clause of the last sentence—is a thoroughly good and up-to-date entertainment, -which has the supreme virtues in this class of work of constant movement and constant variety. Then the- staging is always most effective, and sometimes luxurious, the acting is even at its worst rather good, and the whole entertainment is clean and ■wholesome enough for the most inno« cent (whereas some pantomimes reek with coarseness even for the moderately tough). The work is of the usual kind, but rather more original, and far less luxurious in those horrible end-rhymes that usually make a pantomime one long jingle of bad verse. The patter is often fresh and witty, and it was the better that it had two capital comedians (in Mr. Fred. Graham and Mr. Harry Quealy) for its employment. As the widow Sinbad Mr. Graham showed to excellent advantage. While displaying much of his old and always clever method, he nevertheless contrived to sink his personality in the character of this very plain and unattractive old dame. Perhaps his best achievement was his "Man" song, -with its really smart between-verse patter. Mr. Quealy as Hindbad, was very quaint with his ludicrous make-up and his ready wit. He was especially good in his description of a certain dinner-" table. Miss Marie Campbell was a charmingly fresh and engaging Sinbad, and acted with real brightness. She sang her "Jack Tar" song -wiith much spirit. The Zoe of Miss E. Maitland was responsible for a very pretty rendering of a love song. Her voice is above the level usually reached in pantomime, and the companion character of Badoura was very prettily taken by Miss Celia Mavis. The other characters -were mostly notable for the part they took in the vaudeville side of the performance, but reference may now be made to Mr. Tod Calloway's performance as an unemployed sailor. In this character Mr. Calloway was responsible for some clever gags and a couple of good songs, but one of his references might be cut out. It is not for Mr. Calloway to publicly assume that because the colonies were moved by the introduction of Chinese labour on the Rand no more contingents will be sent to the help of the Mother Country; and the argument may very well stop short of such an unpleasant and uncalled-for conclusion. Otherwise Mr. Calloway was both, good and void of offence. The remainder of the characters in a long cast went through their work admirably, and the only point of criticism is that the chorus might put a little more vigour into its singing. The variety items were most delightful. The Bicknells are well- j known and tried artists, and, "their either of its novelty, its vigour, or its extraordinary neatness and accuracy. Some marvellous acrobatic ■work was done by Morris and Williams and by Lennon, Hyman, and Lennon, the latter troupe in particular doing some amazing feats of parlour gymnastics. The musical Gardners were exceedingly clever on each of a number of widely differing instruments. The March of Nations was a really beautiful item, crisp and full of colour; while the Demon Act was a distinct improvement on the ordinary use of the trap door in these plays The transformation scene, From Flowers to Fairyland," was especially handsome, and the whole of the mechanical effects, the staging, and the dressing were thoroughly effective and almost lavish Altogether the production was a most creditable example of up-to-date pantomime.

OPERA HOUSE.

Fuller's Minstrel and Vaudeville Company presented an almost entire change of programme on Saturday. The house was well filled. The first part opened with a chorus, "The Best Girl in Town." Miss Clara Keating was repeatedly encored for her song and dance items. Master Fred Byron made his last appearance, and by special request sang "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" with great success. A coon song by Miss Violet Frawley was well received. The reappearance of Mr Lai Logic was welcomed with delight, and numerous encores were demanded from him. Miss Violet St. Clair made her first appearance, and sang a quaint little ballad, "Sometimes, Dear Heart," for which she was vociferously encored, and responded with "Bid Mc to Love." Mr Ward Lear still remains as popular a favourite as ever, and it was only under protest from the audience, and on the distinct understanding that he would again appear in the second part of the programme, that he was' permitted to retire after giving no less than five items. jMiss Phyllis Fay, a clever serio and dancer, contributed items that won unstinted applause. The song and dance items by the Rowell Sisters met with general approbation, and the whimsicalities of the two Kranks in their trick wheel act kept the house in perfect good humour. Miss Pearl Lovell made her first appearance and delighted the audience with "Jack Tar," "Daddy's Dialects," -and "I'm Going to Get My Own Back." She is a charming and vivacious scrio.. and her songs, which are well chosen, admirably suit her rich soprano voice. Mr Marschel and Miss Irene Carlyon, in their novel sketch, "A Field of Clover," proved themselves to be humorists, elocutionists, and dramatic artists of consriderable ability, Jack Hagan provided a good deal of amusement with his songs, "Father Keeps On Doing It" and "A Picture No Artist Can Paint." Mr Frank King's songs were much relished. The extraordinary contortions of Ajax, aptly named the human crocodile, created an uncanny sensation.

BOSTOCK AND WOMBWELL'S CIRCUS. Messrs Bostock and Wombwell's circus concluded a highly successful season on Saturday, when three performances were given, in the forenoon, afternoon, and evening. At the invitation of the management the children of the Orphan Home -were present at the morning performance, the little once greatly appreciating the treat. Ai the afternoon

performance the priaV m^,^" lerslie School, 1; Desmonde^L 2 ? * 13,GraftonSchool,3. Ck ßß n.l&. t » age 11, Grafton School, l f r \aT- ,"* age 11, Grafton School, 2.-" %%**&* Avrill May Briggs, age street School, 1 ; Jame* Papatoitoi School, 2. V May, age 7, Tamaki West Sewf* Joseph Walker, age 7, School, 2. Messrs R. B. S f«* E. Mines, and G. L. as judges. After the pre^uS** 4 J. Wooller, secretary of the 'Sft Headmasters' Association, thanffi? 4 proprietors for their ttberahtvi^J* , viding the prizes. The feature i:S evening performance was the awiuJ of Mr. S. C. Williams, the hpS JS" ject of Professor Bonner, wnfS £ buried about 6ft underground Tuesday. When dug out, Mr. Sβ was carried on the stage, and aftS* little time he was awakened anneS none the worse for his lonp'rest^Tw l circus left for Hamilton by apedaiWwhere they open this evenmT I**"* , they visit the principal inland cenKj