AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 71, 23 March 1908, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S * THEATRE. Carter, the magician, concluded a successful season at His Majesty's Theatre oh Saturday night last, -when there -was a good attendance. .' MACMAHOjSI'S PICTURES. V The' departure, from Sydney of the s.s. -Victoria -having been delayed four hours, the-management, rather than jeopardise the perfectness pf the first performance, have reluctantly, but advisedly postponed the opening until tomorrow evening, by 'which time the-new pictures will have arrived. Considerable local, preparations are needed for-, the proper presentment of. these novelties, which are thus arriving direct from Europe, and accordingly ,the theatre will not be open to the public to-night. OPERA HOUSE. There was another' crowded audience at the Opera House on Saturday night to witness the weekly change of programme. Several new :artists made their appearance. Kodamo, a Japanese, plays with a barrel in a manner that is little short of marvellous; The loleens are a cUjver pair of artists, who as wire-walkers and sharp-shooters provide a very interesting entertainment. Anew comedian, in Mr. Denis Carney, made his first appearance, and met with a good reception. Professor Davy's marionettes, caused: no end of fun, and the mechanical working of the tiny, figures was ireally clever. The musical Cromes made their final appearance on Saturday evening,, and were recalled again and again, prolonged applause following the termination of their musical act. Miss Eva Lee and her picaninnies continue to enjoy popular favour, and the antics of the Juvenile coons aroused the audience to a pitch of enthusiasm. The Banvards, .eccentric comedians, and acrobats, put on ah original turn, which sent the house into peals o! laughter. A full company included othei clever artists in , the Franklins, singers and dancers; "Williamb and Bonetta. musical skech'artists; Miss Jennie Johnson, soprano vocalist; Mr. Rud Peterson descriptive vocalist; and " Miss Connie Soloman, soubrette. The . biograph pictures include several bow- films. PICTURE POPS. " • :; .. The first of a series of "shilling pops" was inaugurated at the Federal Hall on Saturday- night,: before a thoroughly appreciative audience, by the talented MacCallum family of entertainers. ' In Australia this style of entertainment has been a tremendous success, lovers of musie~"eagerly seizing on the opportunity for cheap yet profitable-amusement. The MacCallums presented a really first class programme on Saturday evening last. Mr. •H. Scott MacCallum is a talented young violinist, who has jiist completed an Australian tour with Mr. Andrew Black, under engagement to Messrs: J. and N. Tait. The solo "Hejre Kati," by Hubay, performed' on a rich toned Stainer violin, was played in a masterly style. Mr. A, MacCallum is the possessor, of. a.fine bass voice, and his rendition of Petrie's popular composition, "Roll On," was excellent. Miss Flora MacCallum possesses a singularly sweet voice, and her contributions of popular melodies, were very well received. Mr. Leslie MacCallum's flute solos were encored again and again. A quaint child singer, Miss Ruby Dudjy, also assisted in the musical part oi ho' programme. The bioscope pictures* re all new, and cover a -wide scope, the fhole entertainment being bright, intructire, and interesting. ' .•. WiKTH BROTHERS' CIRCUS. The annual visit to Auckland of Wirth Bros.' huge combination of seven shows has been looked forward to with more than ordinary interest. The opening light has been fixed for Tuesday, March 51st, in Freeman's Bay. For five nights only two performances •will, be given daily, afternoon at 3 p.m., evening at S p.m. New features. have been secured for ithe circus, menagerie, museum, vaudeville entertainment,' and hippodrome, and there is also the large, herd of elephants, and a "grand Oriental parade." Jt is stated that there will be several items whichl' in themselves should be well worth witnessing, and which in the South have been referred to as novel and astounding. The star item of this attractive entertainment"is Hagenbeck's jsensational wild animal act, which consists of six full-grown lions performing together with a numjber of leopards, ibears, and a coupleof boar hounds, forming a wonderful tableau and a most exciting and mixed-up finale. The company aflso includes Mr. 'John "Webly Cook, the jockey-act rider; Sampsie Osado, Japanese-contortionist; Mons. Marco, lion a«d tiger trainer; Capt. Rose, animal trainer; Senor Don Herbertino, champion table and barrel manipulator; Fraulein Hertzog, " equestrienne (from Eentz's Circus, Berlin); the Ossapardi Trio is what is described as a most sensational acrobatic act in a dog-cart; the Flying Herberts; Miss Phillipina, Miss Marizles, Miss Cook, Eddie and May, the children's circus, Capt. Burrows and his trained elephants, etc. The vaudeville, a new feature of the entertainment, consists of a potpourri of acts, in- which will be seen Spanish dancers, musical comedy acts, wire-waiting, balancing on trapezes, aerial Roman rings, and dozens of other acts performing simultaneously in a bewildering jumble. ; '