AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 145, 18 June 1912, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

BirXr KERSANIVS MISSSTBBLS. The American dark minstrels, led by Billy Kersand, -who are occupying His Majesty s Tthearxe. turned oa a new programme yesterday ev-ening, and the ■performers in their new .turns were no whit ie-ss pieasdng than in their first week bill. The members of rhe conventional circle, with its pleasing unconrventionalisni in orchestral arrangement and accompaai-ment, were throughout received with the greates.t of cordiality, which sh-o-ws that the audience appreciated the broad, tuneful melody and the. iync and tup-dancing eeceutriciries which in the up-to-date minstrelsy fill [he time of ilie vocal

"rests" of the song-;. There Is. however, just a tendency to rush th» tempo by the singers (probably iv order to get i:: the aforesaid eccentric interludes) that might ■with advantage be sufficiently restrained to enable the audience to catch the words and understand more fnllv. Of the vaudeville section ot tfie bill, those which pleased most were rhe male qnartet, and Mil. Tolliver, the eccentric monoioguist. Pearl Moppin, the liooponotist, aud Arthur Maxwell. coloured trick cyclist. The concluding farce was full of rollicking fun. This programme will be put on again to-night.

OPERA HOCSE.

The new programme submitted at tne Opera .House last evening before a crowded audience was an exceptionally good one. Several artists made their first nppearance, and met with a flattering measure of success. One of the most clever conjuring turns seen here was Hint of Wong Toy Sun, who performed an astounding scries of tricks with the utmost nonchalance. Flags and ribbons and other articles materialised ln all sorts of unexpected places, and from a cabinet which somewhat represented a miniature Noah's Ark a small sucking pig. rabbits, and a variety of poultry were mysteriously produced. Another turn, of quite a different nature, bin equally clever, was the performance of llanley, Marguerite and Haulev. Their acrobatic work, which was of a decidedly novel description, was little short of amazing. The troupe includes an .Amazon-like lady of remarkable strength, wbo, aided l.y the male members of the trio, did some very clever and very strenuous head-balancing. The farcical coiuedv. "Hedfellows," played by Miss Beaumont Collins anil her London West End Company, greatly amused the audience, the acting of Furreu, the man -servant, whose part wi. played by Mt David Bai.-rt, being extremely funny. Ihe comedy was a striking contrast lo the heavy tragedy the company produced last week, and demonstrated their remarkable versatility. The King's College Boys sang a number of part songs iv excellent harmony, and were recalled several times. Four youthful Chrissies were decidedly successful in some acrobatic dance work.'which was well received. Harry Stmms. in his London chorus "bits," and Laurence Barclay, a very entertaining comediau, proved very' popular, and both had to occupy the stage for a lengthy period before they were allowed to depart, leggy Roma, a dainty little singer, was enthusiastically received, and llettvPeel, Beryl Nicholls, Mamie Elljs, and Maurice Cbenoweth all provided acceptable item?:.

To-night the same programme will be repeated.

KING'S THEATRE.

The new programme, submitted to a large audience last night ar the King's Theatre, was a really admirable one, every dim shown being of an excellent type, while the subjects were ns varied as they were interesting. A historical war film. 'The Victoria Cross," depicted in splendid style that stirring event of rhe war with itu'ssla. at which

"all the world wondered." nanielv, the charge of the Eight Brigade. This undoubtedly rauks amongst Uie Unest films yet shown in this city. The colonel of ihe regiment is first shown in his home, telling a young officer that he must first win his spurs before he secures consent to receive the hand of his daughter: At that particular moment a message is handed in notifying mat war has broken out with Russia. Soon afterwards the scene is transferred to the Crimea. The (laughter arrives with Mks .Florence Nightingale's bund of devoted utirses. Ncit Is splendidly depleted the frightful storm which wrecked the British encampment. The famous charge was a thrilling scene, more especially as o.very now and again the co.onel's daughter Is shown with binoculars welching the career of her relative and her lover during that dreadful time. The young officer wins the Victoria Cross and also his wife by saving the colonel's iltc. A line scenic film was "Seville and its Gardens, ' while ill lighter vein were "Gingerbread Cupid," "Oil, Those Eyes," nnd "Torn Tilling's Baby." each of which had the special merit of being amusing without absurdity. "The Ace of Spades'' was a fine dramatic scene, illustrative of the trials of a prospector, who is taken down for his claim by a gambler. The latter, upon arriving on the] ground, is challenged h_r the wife to again cut cards. She draws Ihe ace of spades, while lie only gets the king, and honourably bauds hack Ilie claim anil assists ihe prospector. In "Father aud Son." a t hina-mau Is preseuted in the unusual rule of ihe hero. He adopts a white baby at the request of the dying white mother. The child is carefully attended to. well educated, and later on, as a leading lawyer, saves his fostenfather's life when in danger ou a fals? charge of murder by telling his story to the court. -'His Daughter" was another effective drama, in which a father, who has run away from his home and ultimately becomes a head waiter, saves his daughter from the machinations of a villain, who intended to trick her Into a bogus marriage. LY-lUCruKATRE. A large attendance was present ai Hie Lyric Picture Theatre Last evening, when the weekly chiinpe of pro;rrn-mi__e took place All the pictures were quite in keeping wirn tbe reputation of the theatre, and Uie management have undoubtedly exercised taste and judgment in their selection. The item meeting wilh Uie most marked approval of the audience whs a drama entitled "At the 1-olnt or the Sword.." The slory is of the (laughter of a nobleman in love with a young cotiiil with whom her father will hare nothing to do, having iv his mind an old friend. The pair try to circumvent them, :» ; id after a series of romantic adventures the wedding comes off in peculiar circumstances. "The Cowboy Damon and Pythias" was perhaps next favourite. This VV'estern story is more than usually interesting and uealLstie, and. taken iv the -most impressive scenery of the (irand Canyon of Colorado, is quite out of the usual run. The story is oue of wrongful suspicion and a man's sacrifice for his friend. The villain in the piece repents at the last moment, and all is put right. An equally good story is "The Ace of Spades." A prospector iinds gold, hut iv desperation gambles tbe claim with a.noth»r man .md loses. The gamblrr is. however, met on his way 10 the claim by the owner's wife, who Insist* that she has an equal right to the claim. They ajso play fcr ii. and this time she wins. The only other dramatic on the programme is that entitled -'Those Eyes." the story of a burglary. Comedy Is well represenled by ■'Hianioud Earrings." "Tim and .lira." and "lie Wanted to Propose." "The Ciirn.vni at Nice" is a very interesting subject, although, being ;-n aminal function, it has before been seen by New Zealand audiences. Another item of never-failing interest is the "Gaumont Graphic." "New Zealand's Rhine—the Wanganui River," is a beautiful specimen of local nature and art. and cannot fail to interest New Zeal.-indcrs, whether or not they have seen -the original. Needless to say, the most beautiful portions of th" Tiver have been selected for showing on the screen.

RING CKOiUIK TUI.A'I ;

A new ■programme was put ..-i a- id a. theatre last .night, and prov-d <»f a highly attractive and interesting ciiaracler. "From Death to Life." a story of ancient times, tells how an Uiehemisr bccnuies so absorhcil in his studies that be neglects his young and beautiful wife He discovers a liquid that has the properties of turn Ing all things living into stout-. A friend, taking advantage of the husband's neglect, makes advances to the wife, who, In repelling his overtures, talis into a pond into which some of the liquid has been thrown, with the re-1 suit that she is turned to stone. The husband has ber placed upon a pedestal in his gartlen as a statue. Soon after living things that he had formed to stone come to life again, and Bmlbig his discoverr has hnti only a temporary effect he zoo's Into the garden to find his wife also showing of returning life. His wife tells him what has happened, and hs takes Die lesson to heart and becomes a devoted husband. "Tbe Dong Road" is a story with a moral showing good returned for cvi,. __ c comic element is well represented in "The regressive Book Agent," "Fickle .Bridget " and 'The Jug of Ruin." The programma will be repeated to _i__t and to-morrow

PrCTTJjre PALACE, NEWTON.

The sessions yesterday at the Newton Picture Palace were well act Ended, the programme now being presented being a most popular one. The star picture is the drama entitled "Lieut. Daring in a South American Port." showing the lieutenant chastising a Spaniard for insulting a young lady. "Seminole's .Sacrifice" is an interesting and exciting Indian drama. "Plans or the Fortress" depicts tbe selling of fortress plans to a spy. The plana being missed, the employment of a detective aud his tracking down the real culprit makes it very exciting. The Pathe Gazette shtiwi many interesting topics—the opening of '"<* bopping season in Kent, the champion Association football match in I'.ngland. great review of ;he Krcuch rlcei at Toulon, etc. 'Ilie humorous pictures, "Professor's Ward," "Tontolini Sad." and "Poo-ls-head between Two Fires" created much merriment. "A Great Engineering Feat" Is a very interesting and instructive picture showing the makinir of reservoirs and dams for the water supply to New York Cto. The programme will be repeated to-day and tonight. OTHER PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The current programme will be screened ar rhe Royal Albert Hall for the last time this evening. To-morrow afternoon at tbe matinee West's will present -'Redeemed by Fire." a realistic fire scene. T_e film is 2500 ft. long.

The thousands who patronise the convenient all-day entertainment at the Queen's In Lower Queen-street are shrowing mnch appreciation of tbe present excellent bill. Ar the Windsor, Ponsonby, the change of programme includes a record long film of 3500 ft. called "The Fait of Troy." which, is n triumph of the cinematographic art. There is a specially fine programme arranged for the mid-week change at the Adelphi. Newmarket, to-morrow.

RIKKIXO. The special feature at the Itoya! this evening is a waltzing competition. Prince's rink continues- to provide excellent amusement for its m\ny patrons. The Glideaway's tip-top matai floor is a strong attraction at this bandy rink.