AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 185, 5 August 1913, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Several new artists were included in the change of programme at the Opera Honse last evening, and introduced tarns that contributed to an excellent night's entertainment. The featured attraction te the engagement of the Lrrtcal Four, which includes Iris Edgar (soprano), Cissie CKeefe (contralto!, Kennedy Black (baritone), and tAltford OTKeefe fbasso). The party provide a refined and specially meritorious performance, accompaniments being played on piano and organ. The Leopold Sisters made their first appearance as chair balancers and tumblers, and introduced some clever feats. The turn was made the more interesting by the fact that tbe pair are contortionists as well as balancers. The Brian* Sisters, who came on for their initial bow, created a good Impression with their singing and dancing. Slavin and Thompson again met with a big reception with parodies and patter. ™°fe American trio, Hencbey, Vincetii, and Bush, were responsible for another series of acrobatic turns and talis, with a wholesome admixture of fun. The St. Leonards were seen in chair acrobatics, and good work by their somersaulting dog. The Three Decars, with the clown donkey, filled in an important part of the programme, with particularly good feats. Ruby Wallace, serio and dancer, gave an effective performance. Louie Dnggan contributed more songs from a wide repertoire; George Dean was responsible for a varied selection of songs and elocutionary numbers; and Fred Branscombe, of the double voice, was heartily received. The programme will be repeated this week. KING GEORGE THEATRE. "On the Altar of Death," the star picture shown at the King George Theatre last night. Is a very fine spectacular and realistic drama of American Indian frontier life. The stt>ry starts with a love idyll. A lieutenant woos and wins the love of an Indian maiden, but later on tite arrival of a pretty girl with her motho- on a visit to the fort makes it a case of off with the old love and on with the new. The Indian maid is east off, and she swears vengeance against the white men. She stirs her countrymen up to declare war, nnd later, when the lientenant is iv charge of an ammunition train, it Is attacked by the Indians, and a desperate battle ensues. He is overpowered by numbers, and when extermination seems the only ending, the girl repents, and shows the white men a secret passage through the rocks. To prevent the Indians following, they blow up the entrance, and in the explosion the Indian maid and her faithless lover perish, and thus are united "On the Altar of Death." LYRIC THEATRE. Programmes such as those presented at the Lyric Theatre are usually sore of a good, reception, but last night the big audience j showed its appreciation of the good pictures in no uncertain manner. A film entitled "The Strength of Men" was decidedly novel, in both composition and staging. The story] centres round two young and primitivemannered prospectors, both rivals for the love of the same woman, and both engaged in tbe same quest for gold. To reach a certain claim they race for miles In their canoes throngh rapids and torrents, -and fight their way through overwhelming snow storms and forest fires. The men become deadly enemies, until both are injured, when they agree to help one another to escape death. Two other good dramatic films that were well appreciated by the audience were -The Well" and "A Concerto for ««> Violin." Two distinctly interesting educational films were shown, one disclosing how dynamos, motors, and other electiical machinery are manufactured, while the other depicted beautiful views of La Dauphine, an old province of France, The latest edition of the "Gaumont Graphic," and a number of very amusing comics were also included in the programme. The incidental music by the orchestra was as usual in good taste and well rendered.

WEST'S PICTURES. The principal feature of the change of programme at the Uoyal Albert Hall last night Is an attractive selection of views dealing eiTectively with the exploits of the famous Kelly Gang, accompanied by a graphic description recited by Mr Alf Boothman. In addition there are a number of particularly entertaining films. -The General's Daughter." who is gallantly rescued from the Arabs by a party of soldiers, is a stirring dramatic story. "From Tyranny to Liberty" and "As the Bells Rang Ont," are also excellent stories of dramatic interest. The comic element is well featured. '-Matrimonial Muddle," as the title suggests, makes an appeal to all tastes. "How Aunt Amelia got Married," "Impudence Punished," and "Getting Even,'" provide incidents that create an all-round laugh. The attractions of Portugal, and beauty spots of Vienna, are admirable scenic studies; and a series of views dealing with turtle fishing is interesting on the industrial side. It Is a varied and interesting programme, and will be repeated this week. KING'S THEATRE. The new programme of pictures at the King's Theatre provided an excellent entertainment for a couple of hours for a very large attendance of spectators last night. The management at this popular theatre takes exceptional pains to collect a programme that will sustain the interest of the spectator right throughout, and they succeed in their Intention admirably. The range of subjects is wide, and the items are chosen with good taste and discretion. There Is a flavouring of comedy about the whole which makes a very satisfactory entertainment for an evening's diversion. The picture which is tentatively submitted as the piece de resistance in the new programme is called "The Doll." an appealing sketch of domestic life that touches the sympathies of all by its faithfulness to human nature. A very beautiful travel picture treated of the lakeland of Bavaria, and the ordTnary outside setting of many of the dramatic studies, was remarkable for effective scenery. "State Quarrying" revealed In an Instructive manner the interesting details of an important industry, and among tbe story ■pictures notable favourites were "Groundless Suspicion." "Working up a Practice." "Brother Bill." and "Stolen Glory." PALACE THEATRE. The change of programme presented at the Newton Picture Palace yesterday afternoon and evening was well up to the usual selection of interesting and entertaining pictures shown from time to time at this theatre. The Items- inctade the star plctnre, "The Stolen Symphony." a Terr fine dramatic film. 'The Father" Is also a dramatic ssetch of great merit. The Poacher's Pardon, tbe first of the Kalem films Liken in England. Is well produced and acted "Peril of London Street Traflic" is a very Interesting picture. "The Armadillo" shows the habits of that interesting little animal The programme contains some very bnmorons pictures, which help to comolete an enjoyable entertainment.

OTHE-R PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS.

The current programme at the Queen's Theatre seems to have nrt the popular taste, and Is visits by continuously steady streams of people. At the Globe Theatre a Tery interestlnpicture In the prosrramme Is "The Mouse and the IJon." a detective story in which the timely assistance of a small boy means a great deal. ST. JOHN' BENEFIT CARNIVAL. To-nicht a stating carnival, to assist the rnnds of St. John Ambnlance Brigade win be held at the Royal Rink. Knvber Pass The floral and the fancy dresses promise to e.-lipse any effort made previously for artistic •effect. The floral teams, it is said. will pro, vide a very artistic display of colour: and tbe "Grand Parade" of the skaters is likely to be tbe best of Its ktnd since rotler statin'" became the vogue. A hockey match, Footballers representee Auckland, and Skate players of the rinks, promises excitement, as does a half mile handicap, for which all the cracks have entered. ROYAL RINK. The Royal Rink continues to draw larse nnmbers within its precincts. The school Holidays are causing mothers and their families to Indulge fn the skating pastime In large numbers. The Hawke's Bay Farmers' Meat Com- , party has authorised a Wellington en- ! gineer to prepare plans and. specifications for a freezing- works to be erected at Whakotu. Tho Company experts to com-mence-operations in September, 1014.