AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 69, 21 March 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

WIRTH BROTHERS' CIRCUS. That all people love a good circus was | amply demonstrated by the large attendance last uigiit at Wlrth Bros." Mr show, | near the city hatha at the foot -».* Hobson I Street. Long before tne ipesioi-mance | opened the seats were well filled, and by j eigut o'clock the monster tent bad within !it a gathering that must have deugbted tne I proprietors. The admlraule opening nrogiaiuiiie was repeated iv its eu*---:>\ and It Is quite sate to state that tue pertormance ' o£ Captain Hiding's seals was a revelation Ito all present, as to the capability of training, and tie wondertul patience that | must lijivc been possessed by their owner. | The riding feats of the Wirth family were of exceptional excellence, and the Cossack cavalry riding of Musso Mamlev was souieI thing unique. The horizontal perform- ! unce of the Loretta Twins was very fine, and that of .the human aeroplanes, Ernestoulan aud Novikoff, at the close ot the performance, was a -oil or timuiug work. Captain Liwlo's performing lions were watched with great interest, and, although one of the animals appeared a little restive, the trainer handled It so that at length the act was properly performed. Miss .May Martin Wlrth, who gave a fine display of bareback riding, put on a fine climax by performing a double somersault and landing on her feet ou the back of ncr steed. Auother .performance takes place this evening. KING'S THEATRE. An excellent series of motion pictures appeared at tne King's Theatre lust evening, with the change or programme for the current week. Tne star mm. " uladlola," is a very fascinating -one. The title role is played with great success by the charming cinema actress, Miss Viola Dana, whose aoting ln the difficult part allotted to her is cieVer aud creditable. The story of tht .picture Ls an appealing, one. showing how a country child is lureS away to the city to marry a moneyed idler, who it later turns out, has already a", wife living. The two women meet, and the husband is exposed ln his true character before the eyes of the Innocent country girl, who flees back to her people. On the death of her 'Digamist husband, -she finds a pro-, teeter for herself in Ab. a raltnrui edition of the £ 'dealtas with the structive film Is that de»»«g , fl anll THE ROYAL STROLLERS. TShe forthcoming season of the 'Royal I nffie "company of entertainer- «* i „„M. «f the seasons had to be nouDieu. The Strollers clata that the* entertainment s "jsuk "par anas comedian of the Strollers. Mr James possesses nil the qualifications of a successful entertainer, good -tenor voice, «»e,*Bc prt«encc. keen sense of humour, combinedwith a high artistic temperament, and be Is said to be a splendid nilmlc.J.i Meligbtrnl whistler, and as a VClrt lJ^ u -has the finest of reputations. Sh Madeline Rosslter is a most versatile lady, and is the principal comedienne and dancer, n'nd she is also an accomplished pianist; and violinist, Mr G. W. Desmond(comedian and dancer). Miss Connie Milne (sonbrettol. Miss Gwcn Lewis fin songs at; the piano). Mr George G-rnvstonc (bnssoV Mr Cyril Northcote (comedian), and Mr Arthur Frost fsolo pianist and musical director! contribute individually and collectively to the enioyment of the entertainment. Messrs .1. and X. Tait under whose direction the Strollers are appearing, announce popular -prices, and the box ninn will open at -WUdmiin aud Arey's on Thursday next. OPERA UOL'teE. Apart from the excellent fare submitted by the Blctsoe Revue Coinpauy, the programme at the Opera House last night was one of no mean merit. The Revue •Compauy continued their successful season with the presentation of "Palmistry Up-to-Date." 'Like its predecessors, It contains many entertaining yocal Items, bountifully studded with v hilarity. The scene of the revue is Madame Crystal's reception room. The part of Madame, a tinder of affinities, was capably portrayed by Miss Ivy Davis, wJio sang several delightful solos. Her numbers "The Heart That's 'Free" and "Sympathy" were especially appreciated. Roy .Rene was very -successful lv the role of Solomon Sixpence, a young gentleinau who made successive visits to Madame to obtain courage,. nerve, and his affinity. Albert Blctsoe excelled, as Mick Alncek, demonstrator at Madame Crystal's rooms. The duet by Roy Rene and Mr ißletsoe was exceedingly humorous. The remaining members of the company all appeared to advantage In their respective roles.- There were several new performers In the first, half of the programme. Miss (Lydia Came, as a character Impersonator and mimic, adopted as her subjects {performers well known to Aucklandcrs, and wns most successful. Her imitation of Miss Daisy Jerome in "rull for the Shore" was received with much applause. The LittleJohns appeared in a skilful juggling turn Other successful performers -were the Neanolitans and Harrlmrton 'Reynolds and Co. The latter apneared in a tabloid comedvdrama. "The ißurglar," adapted from "The 'Rosary, ' in which Mr Reynolds has previously been seen to advantage? THE LYRIC. When the American moving-picture Lakers set themselves out to do a big thing they do It well and with a fine dl£ regard of cost. This was never bettS exemplified than In the dramatic film "The •liiseernnut" Aw being shown at the" Lyric Theatre. In line particularly tense scene £n™ ama With sensation, a whole S2S s * mln ' e P'Blne, carriages and van, crashes through n trestle bridge, which the race for dividends, coupled with conterapt hi* n»rmuT ? D J? f he of the public had permLted to become as rotten as the !?n U .?» of w »lch controlled the line. The crash through the bridge-Into the. river below, the blowing up of the SffiSSi"* '»'"• »«• asonlefs of the lmpiisoned passengers, are vividly pictured In ft scene which cost, so it is reported a matter of £10,000 to prepare. The wb'ole drama forms an impeachment of the American system of private ownership of railroads, and in which the safety of the users of the lino ten very minor consideration by the side of the dividend coupon. It is splendidly acted, under the lead of Anita Stewart and Earle Williams, who need no commendation to Auckland picture-goers, and concerns the lives and loves of a railway president wbo neglects his duty to users of the line, and of a friend of hie boyhood days, who is compelled- to fight him in order to bring about a better state of things. The supporting programme Is entertaining, one of Its chief features being a .iuiißle comedy, in which the famous chimpanzee Napoleon the Great performs a number of wonderfully clever tricks. The eighth ot a scries of animated cartoons, in which the freak drawings in which Americans delight come to life and do all sorts of funny things, caused no end of amusement, while a visit to Volendam displayed typical Dutch scenes In Interesttug fashion,

•- " ARCADIA THEATRE. Wie programme submitted to the many patrons of the Arcadia Theatre last night was • most entertaining one. "The Martyrdom of Nurse Cavell," depicting the selfsacrifice of England's young heroiue. was witnessed most sympathetically. Another attraction was the World Film feature in five parts entitled "The Man Who Found Himself." The drama is a gripping one. Additional interest is lent by the appearance of Robert Warwick in the leading role. The supporting films contribute' to a most enjoyaMe programme. GRAFTON THEATRE. The Grafton Theatre, which recently changed hands, and was acquired by the Dominion Pictures- Company, reopens on Saturday next, and will be under the management of Mr. William Sutton. OTHER PICTURE SHOWS. "The Imposter," a World Film release at the Princess Theatre, features Miss Jose Collins and .Alex. B. Francis. "Gladiola," a charming drama showing at Everybody's, depicts Viola Dana in the leading role. The programme at the Grand Theatre includes an emotional drama, "The Easterbrook Case." A story of the Kentucky hills entitled "An Idyll" of the Hills" Is the star attraction at the Kins George. Among a fine series of films showing at the Queen's Theatre is a powerful drama, "The Reaping." A very humorous comedy, "Mrs Black is Back," is causing much merriment at the Globe Theatre. A sensational drama, "A Fight to Death," is the film at the head of the bill of tn» ■Palace.