AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 17, 20 January 1914, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

• OPERA HOUSE. .•_'... ' A crowded audience at the Opera Boose applauded every item ..on the most Interesting. .vaodeviUe programme that nae been provided for this week. It is very obvious that the public of Auckland Is keenly appreciative of tbe efforts made by the Bren-nan-Fuller management to Keep on the Opera House stage a constant supply of -tbe newest and best tn vaudeville. This week, for; Instance, two of the torus hate been brought direct to New Zealand even before the more insistent demands of Australia have been attended to. The Rondas Trio, who made their first appearance last night, presented to AucHnnd the bicycle act, which they made snch a feature at the Empress Theatre, New York. Two ladies and one man, they present what is certainly the most original and attractive, as well as the most daring, b.'cyde tarn that has been given In New Zealand. The introduction of the Mexican costume, and the characteristic mandolin of that country, as a side issue to a rushing cycling act, was both novel and interesting. The Guxmani Trio are a party of celebrated Spanish acrobats, who have the added lustre 'of Having appeared' l>y ."commend before Kins Alfonao. .Their turn comprises amazingly difficult feats of acrobatic balancing, in conjunction with complete mastery of the equilibrist skill required to negotiate any sort of feat on the -big spheres used by experts in this class of work. Delmar and Cassandra presented a turn on the slack wire that surpassed any- \ thing of the kind that has yet been seen in Auckland, while Carlton and Sutton, reappearing after a three years' absence, fully maintained their deserved reputation of being two of the cleverest patter comedians that have entertained people in Australasia. Special mention should be made of the very dainty and beantiful torn .presented by Edith Mote, an artist in pretty cowns. quick, changes, and character eougs. In addition to the new turns there are items by the favourites of last week, the, Carpos Brothers, in particular, appearing in new sensations. - - ._, ... ; KING CEOBfiB THEATRE. The change of programme yesterday at the King George Theatre contained a flnelystaged drama, "A Throne at Stake," "concerning the succession to a foreign throne. The theme is pathetic and tragic, and arouses sympathy for' the lovers, whose love so strong and trne defies both state and death. The trouble Iβ caused through the elder brother -and heir to the throne being killed by an accident,.* The younger brother, happily engaged, thus becomes heir to the throne, and his marriage t* the one of bis choice is forbidden. Two other fine dramas are "The Cloak of Guilt" and. "Fate, and ,the Man," both worthy to be classed as star pictures, rSweeney end the Fairy" is an flmtintng comedy, a local picture of the Te Kao boys, who walked 325 miles to ..see the Auckland Exhibition, shows them in their native costume giving a Maori welcome, canoe poi, haka, and war dances. ■' ''.""- " v ; :' " i KINGS THEATRE. A feature of an excellent programme submitted at the King's Theatre last evening was the gazettes of topical views from the United Kingdom and -the Dominion. An emotional drama produced by Gaumont followed "Suzette's Search for a Vocation." Suzette loved dancing. At one stage of her life she Was convinced-that ehe Jtoved it more than, anything else. In a vision she was thrown into the society of a famous ballet dancer, and incidentally into -the society of the dancer's friends. JSumette is made" much 'of by a count, but-ahe falls during a dance, and is so seriously injured that the doctor threw ont small hopes of her recovery. She is Immediately deserted by the dancer's friends. Suzette emerges from the vision determined to take an interest in the'better things of life. "His Lordship Billy -Smoke" followed the doings of a cowboy, who assumed the title of Lord Fognoodle, and visited his lordship's mine. A enall, its life and habits.'provided anvinterestlng subject for a picture study, and", was followed with the closest .interest. The programme will be repeated this erenlng. " • LEEIC TTTWATMB The excellence of the new programme shown at the l»yric Theatre last evening indicated that very good judgment had been* exercised in the choiceof films: Prom the point of really good acting and artistic treatment, the mystery dm ma, "A Student of Prague," which occupiee chief place on the bill, compares favourably with anything that lias come along tn moving pictures for some time past. Tbe story tells how Balduin, the .student, makes a bargain with Satan whereby he sells the reflection of himself .shown by a mirror. Incidentally, it is noticeable that Mephisto does not .appear, .hi his customary appendages of horns and scarlet cloak, but comes in the guise of a curiously foppish old gentleman. The young man is relentlessly taunted by his own image, and all his-attempts to enjoy the fruits of .his .money are baffled. The weir-i story is brought to a ollnwx when Balduin watches his. own . image km a man whom he hn<] eworn not to injure. The picture is convincing proof of - the wonderful adaptability of motion photography, and although the burden' of the acting is thrown on one man, who appears in two parts simultaneously., .Interest in the story ntTvor wanes for .a moment The other pictures shown are "A Doll for Baby," "Beauty in a Sea Shell," and "Rose Carnival at Christehurch." ROYAL ALBERT HALL. At the Royal Albert Hall last night a change of programme was made. "The Keeper of the Secret" possesses a great deal of dramatic interest, and has a strong tvuin of sentiment funning through 1C Other pictures have scenic interest, and are attractive as dramatic or humorous studies. NEWTON PICTURE PALACE. . A new programme of pictures was shown at the Newton Picture Palace yesterday, and good attendances were present at th« afternoon and evening sessions. The leading picture is "The Engine of Destruction,' a story of a young engineer's invention. WEST END THEATRE. A complete change of programme wai made at the West End Theatre last night "The Student of Prague," a piece of work of psychological interest, 1 the chief .picture in the new series. Th< other pictures' cover a wide -range o interest. OTHER PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS ' At the Queen's "Theatre '"Chivalry Out I»wed" is the name of the principal pic lure of the,new programme. . - * "Widow Moloney's Faith" is the -mos popular "picture in the current prpgramm at the. .Glo.be. Theatre. ■ "'"". v I In the programme at the Priace* t I.Theatre an interesting ' picture *twy - i a. J entitled "TheV'Ctown and the "Prim