AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 201, 22 August 1912, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

jLAStGABET COOPER. : Miss Margaret Cooper, who commencet tier Auckland season at His Majesty's do Saturday night, comes among us well heralded. But, by grace of the gods of always vouchsafed, she is also deserving of her fame (says a -writer in the "Sydney Morning Herald"). That fact Is worth something to us. Her art is of its own order. It Iβ j«t>t great art, but it is delightful art It has its due place. And cosy and -comfortable enonjjh may one find these tiny out-of-the-way corners of art accomplishment. The aciilevement of a Watteau l.« not U\r achievement of a Rembrandt, but for all that, it Is consummate expression, l'resently we shall be hearing in •'Trtstnn and Isolde' , what is probably tiie greatest emotional utterance la the whole Tange of ■mnsic. Bat the songs of Brahms or Schumann are not the less fine art because com* pared •with that husre and tempestuous canvas they are th« merest hairbrush nrlniiitnre. Nay, one has heard sometimes a light strain from the musical comedy and em the music-hall stage -which, by Tirtue of Brace, and charm, and debonair phty of spirit, was in iie way a perfect tiring and undoubtedly art. Brief and evanescent, of cams*, this art-expression: of a Margaret Cooper, but ■worQiily etrrvtrtng, neverOieless, in face of symphonies, and mnslf! dramas and opei»s, grand and otherwise, and tibe -whole penjamirnm of niiaUc-inakcrs downwards, from Isoldes, and Bnmnhildes, and orchestras, and condTictore, anj chonises, and exponents of this ■and that A trickle of "tone from n piano, a lifiit lyric, a rapid play end counterplay of heirt and face end ■voice —that is all. But It-ettf-flew. I . ; : OPERA HOUSE. * '~.,

The PecMlll Troupe of six Chinese acrobats continue to create a sensation nightly at the Opera House. This star torn is responsible for crowded houses. •

"THE DANDIES." That the popular "Dandies" are still hold-' ing their own with the tueatre-golng public was fuily exemplified last evening, when; towards the close of an, exceptionally long ran, there -was as large and as enthusiast}* an audience as any at the commencement of the season. Clande Dainp-ler, appearing solo, seemed to be the particular fa-wrarlte, , nt tihe raising almost hysterical mirth with his clever ekits.

WEST'S PICTURES. A- programme of exceptional interest •■ i* being shown at the Kjoy-al Albert Haiii do> Ing the current week, the first matinee pte ,- sentation talcing place yesterday afternoon. As is the custom at this theatre, nearly the -whole of the second part was taken, up with a eiogle picture—this time a splendii effort in the way of photo-plays, entitled ■•In Deadly IVril" or " Twixt War and the Girl.'" The story is of -.1 young German engineer holding an appointment In. AlsaceLorraine. 'He falls in love with a French girl but lias to leave her on the declamtloß of wax. He reappears as officer hi charge of a recontiaisajiee. His party is cat. t* pieces, and lie himself imprisoned. H'3 Bweetheart helpe him to escape, and he returns with his troops, overpowering the French, gnards. The girl is shot in the melee ,but not fatally, and the story end* happily. The story is brimful of incident "As Pate Decreed" Is a strong drama. A young .monk leaves the monastery, and: becomes successful In the game of life. At last, however, he meets with reverses St every turn. His wife and child die, and to his old age he returns, a pauper, to tie monastery be deserted as a. youth. The usual budget of oomtai are Included, and travel subjects are supplied by Patne'e Gaaette and ""Through Asia Minor." A clever vaudeville torn is also depicted.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Judging by the crowds that daily atterrf the Queen's Picture Theatre, this place <& amusement is by -no means decreasing la popularity. The programme shown for the first time this morning i v quire up to ti» usual standard. A representation of tie famous drama. "East 1-ynne." is Included to-day, but will be replaced to-morrow by an adaptation of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair," a picture which promises to be of unsual interest. ■•The Way of a Man Witt a 'Mnld" Is a pretty little story, pointing the moral that the course of true love neTCT runs smooth. Owing: to the lover's excessive devotion the girl becomes bored and indifferent, until lie adopts a different course to arouse her jealousy and renewed love. "A Beast at Kay" is an intensely PXrftlnj; picture detailing a convict's escape. He commandeers a motor car and a girt *° drive it, ami .her lover follows in a railway engine. An excitins chase ensues, ana after many adventures the convict Iβ brought to ibay. A number of comic Items of a high order complete the programme. wM<-n. will be continued until Wednesday night.

OTHER PICTtJUD DKTWRTAINMENTS. The ehanpe of programme at the King* Theatre to-night will include '-One Thouaina Miles Through the Rockies" and "A Trip Tlironsdi Bermuda."' two travel picture* and '-Wo.cot Coorobs." U;r plipnomenal dear itutl blind boy. "Wrongly Accused," an intnnsely ■reallS' lie Frpjich drama, is a notable feature or the present programme at the Theatre. A change of programme will be presented to-dny at the .Newtou H<-rure Palace.

SKATIXO KINKS. Tup carnival at lie Prince's rani yesterday evening was a great access, aid "■* rink floor 'presented a very Bay and * m ' mated appearance. A clever cduWtwn of fancy skatinj aud hoping oil skates «*■ given by the I- I'arko.*. Prises mit» various <-omi>Pt!L'ons were won as Knio»»; Best fancy enswtne, lady Miss Mage" (squaw plrli. gentleman Mr F. D:i!ey <W™ Georjre): best-smsialned o.haraKr-r. Mr w»™ momaii); most, biindsome poster, lady »" ■McDoueall (Rerkltts hln«*l. sontlemHn *" F. r>ak>r (Oporce Coiirti: most .-onitoal «» tiime, Mr W. Wylle (the irisSmnn); erietaal costume,' Miss Dawes (EuedilCDa*