AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 164, 11 July 1907, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

OTSEILL'S BUCKJUMPERS.

AN' INTERESTING EXHIBITION.

One of the most novel and interesting shows ever witnessed in Auckland jsvas seen Last evening, when the O'Neill Bros, opened their season with their buckjnnipers and trained horses. The large and comfortable marquee in which the performance was given was crowded, math, an enthusiastic audience, who were rewarded with some exceptionally clever exhibitions of rough-riding by the members of the company, who, one and all, showed themselves to be at the top of the tree in their business. In order to thoroughly test the merits of the performers., the management invite anyone possessing an outlaw, to bring him along and give them an opportunity of ghowing tiieir abilities. The opening event on the programme. a steeplechase, served to introduce the company, and some amusement was caused by the performance of one of the lady riders who did not seem altogether in sympathy with, her mount- Mr. fcidney O'-veill was seen to advantage in the next item, with the notorious bucking pony, Silver Prince. "With his ilea* to the pony's tail and his legs nround his neck he role the pony several times around the ring over several flights of hu_-_.es, and it was altogether a clever display. Mexican Bill gave a splendid exhibition of lassooing, catching a horse in all the different styles known xo cow&oy-, while he seemed almost as expert iv manipulating the lassoo with Shis feet as with his hands. He concluded his performance by forming (with, a 70ft. rope the old-fashioned, crinoline. The management announced lhat £ 1 per minute would be given to any amateur sitting the buckjumpers and several aspirants for the sovereign. r__je forthcoming, but they all failed te maitain their seats in the pigskin for anything near the time stipulated, _and the unseating of each was a cause pi considerable amusement to the crowd. The O'Neill Bros, subsequently rode the same a-iimals successfully. The next item, the performance of the pony Sandow, gave a really splendid idea of what a dumb animal can be taught, and it did practically everything but talk, and even this it attempted to do by shaking its head for -Yes" and "No." Joey the down, provided amusement for the audience with his donkey '"Janey," which V-as forced to burlesque "SandowV turn in a rather clever manner. The exhibition of high-jumping by the horses, Huby (deschibed as the champion highjumper of New Zealand) and Whataroa was little short of marvellous. At 6ft. 6in. Whaiaxoa stopped, but Ruby managed to raise the bar to 6ft. 9in-, which considering the state of the take off, was _. wonderful performance. The horses were ridden barebacked by the O'Neill Brothers. The programme, which was most interesting, was brought to a dose with "Fun in the Stockyard,'' •winch served to show the love of the colonial small boy for the horse. - When a.n invitation was extended for boys to come into the ring to ride the horses, there was a wild rush, and for about ten minutes a scene of confusion existed, horses and boys being mixed up in. all manner of shapes. It certainly caused amusement. A competition will be held on Saturday evening for the best amateur rider, for which a, handsome silver cap will be presented.

JULIUS K-aGHT SEASON.

To-night the farewell attraction of ' this brilliant season is announced—the play is the ?2__ favourite, " Monsieur Beaucaire,"' ■______ will be staged tonight, to_non___r and Saturday. It is doubtful whether Sir. Knight, among his many successes, has achieved any more perfectly artistic triumph than in hia impersonatkm of the debonnair, courteous, vivacious Due d'Orleans, who masquerades as Beaiicaire, the ambassador's barber. Mr. Knight is an ideal Beaucaire in every respect, and it would be hard to speak too highly of his admirable portrayal oi the difficult chaiacter. Miss Elbert-Orton will appear as the. haughty beauty of Bath, " Lady Mary C___y_e," who gradually melts and unbends beneath the hot but tender lovemaking of the French Prince. Miss El-bert-Orton is said to play the part very acceptably. The performances of other members of the company in the long cast are pronounced quite up to, and in some instances higher than the sLaadaxd 'of previous productions of this altogether ___.r_.i_gr play. So the last three nights of the season should- and probably vcDl see three bumper houses at 3__S Majesty's Theatre.

" MAKCTAXA/'

Tor the second production of Wallace's delightful opera " Majdtana " by iite St. Patrick's Operatic Society there was a crowded audience at the Opera House last night. Long before the rising of the curtain the stalls and gallery were packed, and the few unreserved Beats in the orchestral stalls and dress, circle were occupied at an early hour. By eight o'clock every seat in the thear tre -was occupied, _.__ the curtain rose before a packed house. The performance passed off verysuccessfully a__d was in many respects a decided impro*-___ei_-on that of the opening night; which, to amateurs, is naturally a somewhat severe test. Miss Rosina Buckmann, in the title role, was again very happy in the part, and Miss Madeline Knight as Laz--__i_lo, gave an artistic interpretation of the character. Tie fine solos associated ■with the tenor part were sung by Mr. Crabiree in a manner that elicited warm appreciation, and others of the principals also secured a degree of success. The choruses on the whole went very weD indeed, and the dancing, arranged by Miss D. Knight, was pretty and effective. To-night the leading role oi "Maritana" will be taken by Miss L. Knight, an Auckland lady, who is said to have displayed oonsiderable aptitude for the part. Miss Rosina B_____aa___ will resume the part again to-morrow night, when, among others present, will be members of the Buller football team. A matinee performance will be given on Satarday afternoon next, when the Bon will be concluded.

ME. MUSGROVE'S GRAND OPERA COMPANY.

The particular, published in our adTertising columns to-day, dealing with the Auckland season of Mr. George Musgrove's season of grand opera will be perused with the greatest interest. The inaugural performance has been arranged for Monday, July 22nd, and the season will be continued till Saturday, iAngust 3rd; in all there will be twelve of seven operas, and in Addition two matinee 1$

to be noted that' the management has arranged to play_ a different piece each night of the first week, th© operas selected including (in the order of presentation), Wagner's "Lohengrin," "C_woie f" Wagner's " Tannhauser." Gounod's^ Romeo and Juliet," "The Flying Dutchman," and Gounod's lJurrng the second week of the season au ot these compositions, with the exception of "The Flying EKrtcfainaa,'' will ne played, an additional number heina Barber of Seville," a famous opera by Rosam. Fourteen principals of high merit are engaged in the work o_ret__> dTKing these magnificent operas, which wdl be staged with the greatest attention to details, and without alteration many essential feature to the arrangements made for the Australian n_rformances. A special announcement as to booking and prices of admission is made in to-day's advertisement