AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8, 9 January 1917, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE; The large audience which attended the Opera Honse last evening thoroughly eojoyed a programme that was superior, on the whole, to any given for along time There were no less than four turns new to Fuller's house in Auckland. Alsace, surrounded by the prettiest of stage scenic effects, presented a charming harmonic act. He is an instrumentalist of versatile ( ability. The violin soli "Fantulsia Rlgoletto" and "Traum der Sennerln" were skilfully executed, the undulating passages of the latter item being noticeably well brought out. He also played "A Perfect Day" on the 'cello, and sang "The Garden of the Gods." Then was introduced the Alsacephone, a combination of violin and, ; horn attachment. This novel instrument. . played like the violin, gives delicate tonal ' ■ tune, which the auditory was not slow to I appreciate. Scott Gibson, hailing evidently I from "the land o' the Leal," appeared in I, appropriate garb, and quickly established j his popularity. In breezy Scottish dialect - he joked and sang. "The Man that Wrote Annie Laurie" and "I Must be Haine for New Year" were his best vocalisations, j while he humoured his hearers with patter and stories, many of which were quite new. "The Three Ruddles"—two girls and a boy—were a welcome trio, and their performance was vivacious and good. They are happy acrobats, the girls being exceptionally clever. The younger gives a fine ! , exhibition of her natural physical elas- . tlcity, while her sister is apparently endowed with more than the customary amount of female strength. The boy, as a ' jesting Charlie Chaplin, shares in the gymnastic work and tumbling, and his antics are most amusing. He also delivered a dress impersonation of Hazel Morris . in active ragtime melody. Probably one of the smartest offerings of the evening , was that of James Duun, starred as one of America's foremost imitators. The designation can certainly be well applied to his New Zealand advent, for he is a master : of vocal mimicry. From the crying babe ; and the singing girl, through an extraordinary variety of animal and bird-life calls and peculiar sounds, down to the Imitation of string instruments and the squealing pig, the performer had patrons fascinated and applauding him to the echo. He is an adept in his art. Dunn smilingly accomplishes his imitations with no trouble whatever. He is likely to prove exceedingly popular here. The Two Devons again gratified those present with gay song and fancy dances. Reg Newberry, the youthful singer, gained a good deal of demonstrative applause for his efforts. The flexible voice of that graceful Ingenue Ada Russell was heard to distinct advantage in some of her best songs. The comedy duo Edwardes and Parkes, as usual, were favourites with the audience. Mr. ' Edwardes' comic recitative "The Tramp" being received with spontaneous acclamation. The De Bakees, a pair of statuary artists, presented some fine poses with lightning effects. The representations included "The Love of Psycho," "In Spite of All" (from the famous French picture), and an original patriotic production entitled "The Trial of the Anzacs." The acrobatics of that muscular pair the Flemings again riveted attention. Burkes Orchestra dispensed some capital music, of which the entr'acte was a feature. The same programme will be repeated this evening. KING'S THEATRE. The entertainment during this week at the King's Theatre is the powerful social ! drama "The Christian," which depicts in four vivid acts the clash and eventual reconciliation of members of the theatrical and clerical profession. L-RIC THEATRE. "The Eye of the Night," a stirring story : of England as it is to-day and of the application of Christian principles in modern life, holds pride of place in the first-class programme now showing at the Lyric. A splendid orchestra materially helps the. entertainment. j TITOLI THEATRE. -rr, l ~ft c :s_«_ mS.,XSS* ..,"Jhe' Red! Widow,'. with...tha£ .prince-, io£., somedi_n»i. John Barrymore In the leading role, is--the j' feature of the entertainment. Other good films support.

GRAND THEATTfB. The current feature at the Grand 1b a most thrillingly interesting Triangle photoplay entitled "The Eye of tho Night." A particularly strong series of supporting Items are also In evidence. KING GEOBGE THEATRE. Hobnrt Bosworth, featured in the five-act Red Feather photo-play "The Target," la the principal attraction on this week's bill at the King George picture house. PRINCESS THEATRE. A very fined ramatlc story is unfolded each day and evening of this week at the Princess Theatre, where Emily Stevens and Frank Mills play the leading parts In the feature fllin "The Wheel of the Law." STRAND THEATRE. To-day and to-night at the new and up-to-date Strand picture palace may be seen Robert Warwick in that most stirring five-act American money-drama "Friday, the 13th." A strong supporting series flllß the remainder of the programme. QUEEN'S THEATRE. What gives every promise ■of being a strong draw at the Queen's pictures during this week is the vivid society drama "The Question," featuring Marguerite Leslie. Another Instalment of "The Mysteries of Myra" Is also screened. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Charlie Chaplin, the laugh man par excellence, is very much In evidence at Everybody's this week, where his entirely characteristic impersonation of "The Count" sends the andiefice spasms of laughter. There is also showing a Vltagraph dranin, "The Making Over of Geoffrey Manning." ROYAL THEATRE. Lionel Barrymore, of "The Yellow Streak" fame, shows this week at cue Royal Theatre in the Metro feature, "The Quitter," which is accurately described as a iive-act masterpiece with strong and stirring action and an appeal that is irresistible. A bright programme of music is also' presented by n skilful orchestra. ARCADIA THEATRE. The feature at the Arcadia pictures this week shows Mary Plckford, the universal film favourite, playing the title role in "Madame Butterfly." A good entertainment also Includes "The Garden of Lies." GLOBE THEATRE. "The Morals of Weybury," now featuring at the Globe Theatre, is a photo-play which shows up In very strong colours the cnaracter of a hypocrite, which class, alas, is becoming all too common in these days of ultra-civilisation.