AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1913, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

'THE BUTTERIT/lES.''

. an exceptionally successful season at, the Town" 'Hall, that clever company of entertainers who call -themselves "The jßutterflles" opened in - His Majesty's lheatre last, night before a large audience. S" ™ e ' r -new- surroundings The Butted tties have congenial quarters and plenty ? I *° m ln which to* display their charms to advantage, aud the programme they submitted was oue, which met'with the-cordial approval of the audience. The humorists or- the company have already established themselves firmly in popular favour, and the , notable mosicianly talents of Mr jrederick' Dennett,'-'the; pianist of the party, £r,i,n? by n"? vord am <>ng " the theatre-going public Thii items in which "they " were neard last- night served only to strengthen their claims on the affection of the Auck> JSS pe , ople '" Quite'a new feature was a Sr7 • > < -' le Ver . burlesque called - ■'•■Morning irtar.. a kiud of '"potted" melodrama of tne 'Horsey type exaggerated into absurdity. J-he, elaborate" stage' setting and other appurtenances of the drama were an- effective adjunct, to the success of the perform--ance, but the waits between the acts need' 52m -perhaps-;have been quite so-realistic. J-here Is a suggestion of humour which tickles pleasantly as. the curtain drops to show that another thrilling stage of the story has .been concluded,:but the effect is inclined to wear-off if the curtain remains down too long.- Mr Frederick Dennett was ",?£ enthusiastically recalled for his ren(UtiQa. of the "Ithapsooie Hongroise," and Mr Foster Iline,and Miss Ada Smart contributed new solo's with continued success. Miss Cecilia Gold, Miss Marion Armitage, Mr Jack "Waller, and Mr Wylie Watson were "?''. iv the picture with their clever conieJv trifles, and the -Hungarian Bana"-sketcn 'toy Messrs Waller, Watson,, and Dennett took so well that further contributions in .S£>, m S sl « lj; oTelt - v h " ne llad to be given. \r^i B - tt^ es will ' again at His Majesty s this evening. " ■OPERA HOUSE.

A new programme; which : appealed . to ,^ u V- large ' an <K<™*e, W submitted by the Brenuan-Fuller Company at 2_'?S?™. Abuser-lasf night. -Included in v.;,? 1 - l O vei ' e '' " nu hiber .of: new artists, ?-_,(••- y and ol ' ma . who had been advertised to appear, unfortunately: had not arrived from -Sydney. They will, however, appear next week. The Crimson Ramblers commenced their third week, and were' again warm favourites. " They provided the entire first part of the programme,. and tueir performance went with a swing from S A?K rt J 0^ 1 ? 11 Great credit Is due'to Mr. Albert Bletsoe,. the comedian of the happy little-party,-who keeps the audience amnsed right throughout: His/comicality "One of the Deathless Army". created a great deal of merriment, and for' his efforts the corned Uhin. was recalled with much enthusiasm, rue other members of the troupe, Messrs. J.ack Vincent (vocalist), Edward Moran (tenor), Lou Vernon (monolognist), and Misses Bessie Cahfll, Maud Bletsoe, and ■ Blllie ,Wilson," were also successful in their efforts at entertaining. Miss Ruby Dent made a very efficient pianist A very amusing, turn in the second part was provided by Mr. Carl MeSlyu," in his humorous illusionist. act. -.Assisted by '"Archibald," he performs a mifiib'er' of apparently clever feats, and then Immediately— creates a laughable anti-climax.by exposing how his tricks are. done. At the: close of his-per-formance he completely mystifies the audi: ence by his "magic'supper" trick, in whichhe produces his assistant from a' cabinet Slavin and Thompson were again much appreciated, in parodies and patter, and had to put in a re-appearance. Farrel and Verrol, "the three-legged two,"' made their first appearance, and carried' out some song and dance work; ; Farrel, who has only one leg, displayed remarkable agility and nimbleness, which 'earned for him a liberal share of applause.', The Lessoes repeated their clever, novelty sharp-shooting and Joggling turn, and were very successful. ... Items by the Clardys (aerial gymnasts) and Ernest Pitcher (comedian) completed a good all-round programme. WEST'S PICTURES; * '/ The fresh series of pictures i at the Royal Albert Hall last evening is well calculated to maintain the enviable reputation made by West's Pictures, every picture being well worthy of Its place in the programme.- The-principal fllmS is 'a picture entitled "The Power of Silence, which Is of more than usual - interest JPa'the's Australian Gazette,- providing as it aid glimpses of news and views in various parts of the Commonwealth, was one of the most popular features. "The Old Bellringer," • a charming story, had the merit of being founded. on fact. A fascinating film was one depicting the adventures of "Hawkeye, the Detective." Other films of a varied description completes a "programme of real merit. /'-.,. ;„ KING 'GEORGE THEATRE. A new programme of "all-round merit was screened last night ;at the King : George Theatre." Amon-g' the- dramas, the finest film was "The: Virtue of Rags," a-finely-conceived and well-worked-out study. A wealthy man, but. miserly and hard-hearted, who ' owns tenements inhabited 'by the poorest class; ruthlessly, turns any who get behind'in their, rent into the street . After just evicting a poor widow and her "children he goes 'to his club, and the clubmen; liearlng'abaut It determine to play a'trick upon him. The trick, succeeds beyond their expectations, as by its means he is converted,' and. becomes .a sympathetic citizen and benefactor to the poor. '"The Fisherboy's Faith" is a pretty love story, and 'fßetween Love and the Law" is a Western love story,. in which the sheriff determines to do his duty in spite of his love. "The Ogre of the"' Pond" is a very interesting natural history stndy, showing the ferocious and pugnacious nature of the water' beetle. "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness; but " (comic), "A Dreamland Tragedy" (comedy), "Dogs and Cats, in Paris," and "Illustrated Proverbs," and "What Is the Use. of Repining?", (comedies), complete a fine series. PICTURE PALACE. NEWTON. The sessions yesterday at the Newton Picture Palace were well attended, the programme now being presented beinga most popular-one. The star picture, 'The Adopted Son," is a fine dramatic film, full of pathos and interest right through. '•Apache Renegade" is a Western Indian drama; well ■' enacted •" and exciting, and "Dick' Turpin and the Gunpowder Plot" depicts the notorious highwayman and his saving the life of r the king. ■•" "The: Gaumont Graphic," with latest topical items, "Japanese Children" (a very interesting picture), ''Hemprmatipg in the Philippine Islands," and comic and comedy: pictures complete an excellent programme. LYRIC THEATRE. '■'■ The principal picture of the new series screened" at the Lyric Theatre last night was "The Weaker; Vessel,'.'* an exceedingly fine drama. All the features surrounding the film are of the most, fascinating .kind, and pleased last night's audience to such an extent that the applause was unusually enthusiastic. ""Letters -to 'a Princess" is another .' absorbingly interesting dramatic film; the story of which is founded oh the plots and.intrigues surrounding the life of a-princess. ~The humorous items of the programme are particularly funny, "Brains v. Brawn" being'perhaps' the most enjoyable. - "In a Japanese Garden" and .'.Tombs of Former Emperors of Cochin China,"--are two films of exceptional beauty and. educational value. The other pictures,' all of more-than ordinary "merit, are the "Gaumpnf" Graphic,"-"What's in a Name;" "A Signal ■of Distress," and "The . Dandy." The programme will be shown throughout the week: '":".'' KING'S THEATRE. ' -' "On : the Steps of the Throne,"-. telling a story of one of the small principalities of Europe; is the "star" film of the new programme at the King's Theatre. The plot of the story; is of exceptional strength and-in-genuity, and shows in, a most exciting,manner the perilous experiences and ultimate triumph of the Princess, of Silistria. The atmosphereof the picture suggests the popular works of Anthony Hope and other writers, who have given us.some idea of the troubled history of minor European domains. ""The- Ranger'and His. Wife" is a western story of-the most convincing kind, and. "A Marriage of Convenience" is a powerful domestic drama. A decided novelty in pictaredom is ''Phyllis Dare andGeorge Goldsmith,'-' showing the-wonderful , dancing abilities of those popular artists. The hnmorous films are all screamingly I funny, while the "Patbe Gazette" "has its I usual number of interesting topical items. WThe: programme, which' will, be screened ythrqughout',the. week,: "includes other" picj tuxes of exceptional interest*

-OTHER FIGTURB iiNTBRTAINMHINTS. "Kings .of the:Fbresti,",an exclusive {animal study being shown;, at the Queen's Theatre, is a fine specimen of. the moving picture art, and jmeets with the; warm proval of the larg? attendances* at all sessions. . , : ' ... " , „_. , The- Globe' Theatre was well patronised' to-day, 'when the current programme, which, contains many gems, was repeated with great success. , ,::;:::'-j.;.;.r , .:;■. ...;;,.",-.,,c,i;;r; ST. ANDREW'S SOOTETT..- ' A social gathering was'held by -ttte-mein-bers of the St.' Andrew's Society to- th| Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last night to commemorate the, deeds of the Scottish warrior King Robert the Bruce. Mr P. M. Mackay presided over a large attendance, and a very enjoyable, evening was spent. There is something very pleasant about these periodical gatherings of the Society; a genial atmosphere, off riendUhess when- Scot meets Scot to do honour to Scotland's heroes.' The chairman "referred •briefly the history of Bruce and "Bruce Night.".' He also took the opportunity of congratulating Mr McDonald, the champion piper major, wh,o recently annexed further trophies at Paaherstoh North.'. A'number .of Items were given by the. St. Andrew's Pipe Band,' and'the St. Andrew's Dancing Class, which is trained by Mr McDonald, gave" the Highland Fling and Scots "Reel. One of- the niost - popular .items was. the Sword Dance contributed by Miss Maud le HIU a -mite of six years, who had also been trained, by Mr McDonald. ■ At abater stage Piper 'Haddon -also gave the. Sword Dance. Miss Margaret McKenstie sang "Annie -I/auric,"and Miss Bella McNab "I'ni a Scot," while the ladles sang the: duet "Wert Thou in the Ciiuld Blast.'.' Mr H Richards, a tenor soloist who has earned a reputation in Invercargill as a singer 'of more than usual merit, was cordially re-' pelved, in "Mary o' Argyle.'' Mr Charles Hunter sang "A Nameless Lass," and ,Mr E. McCormack "Jessie, the Flo'er o' Dumtilane." The Lyric Quartet gave "Robin Adair." A classic sketch, ' "The Omnium Gathering." met with complete approval. A collection taken during the evening realised sufficient to .pay an -outstanding account against the band uniforms. The Programme Committee, which was -responsible for the arrangements," was King, Mountain, and Robertson.. .- :•" P ROLLER SKATING. A liberal share of patronage is bestowed on the Royal Roller Kink, and last evening a large crowd enjoyed the fascinating recreation. .