ENTERTAINMENTS,

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 236, 29 June 1908, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS,

RICKAItDS'S VAUDEVILLE. It will be a long time beforo Wellington forgets the performance of tho Klos Sisters. It is one of those "turns" of a vaudeville programnio that stand out as individual performances, landmarks and standards to gauge others by years afterwards. 1 Tho overflowing houso 011 Saturday night fairiy rose to the occasion, and singled out each successive act of feminine musclo and acrobatic skill for renewed applause. Such a combination of agility and sheer strength is rare indeed, and tho Sisters combine with it a pleasing exterior and an original comcdy touch that ■ aro quite refreshing. Scai'cely loss wonderful is the "comedy-bar" performance of the Artois Brothers. At first you think that the emphasis is on tho "comedy," then that it is on tho "bar," ai)d finally tho conclusion is arrived at that the performers are both acrobats and comedians of tho highest order. Mr. Leonard Nolson, who appeared in the Theatre Royal some time ago, is a much improved and improving comedian, but his work needs "cutting down" and compressing; that is to say, there js too much of it. ■Ho has given much attention to character work, and his John Chinaman impersonation 011 Saturday night was very good. Ho discounted it "by following up with a drunken man scramble— ancient business rather badly done—and recovered some of the lost ground with a song and dance of the "jack-in-the-box" order, novel and bright. Mr. George Dean brought some now and clever songs—tho songs rather newer than tho singer, but both good standard. Miss Lottio Kay's singing confirmed previous good impressions of her vocal gifts and, taste, and the Miles-Stavordale Quintet (banjos and harp) played some fine things, notably "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes." Miss Alma Gray scored with a Bondigo mining sketch, and ttie Collier Sisters gave somo good samples of song and dance business. Tho new programme is well worth seeing. THEATRE ROYAL. , . Tliero were interesting " changes " at Fuller's on Saturday night. The popular Bob Lloyd made a reappearance) and kept the house simmering with laughter with his topical hits, in which he is particularly clever. His re-appearance is to bq for short period, only. Mr. Tod Calloway, another quaint comedian, also put ; in an appearance on the boards, and had the 1 public laughing from tho moment ho arrived. ' .He brought with him a fresh stock of items. .Miss Nellie Power, in new dresses and new songs, seemed to strike the popular taste, being several times recalled. Carlton and • Sutton made two appearances, first in song and dance, and on tho second occasion in some amusing quips. Miss Beatrice Butler and Madame Blancho Carelli, both sang' pleasing ballads that were above the average. Mexican Bill lass'ooed dexterously, and Miss Dorothy Swift sang and danced prettily.- Bryant, the knife and axe swinger, made his last appearance, the Arinon Bros, amused with their 1 musical eccentricities, while the Swifts were as clever in their playlet, _ " Convict 89," as ever. Biograph views included a depiction of the recent Maori football match at Sydney. ORGAN RECITAL. On Wednesday overling next, Mr. Maughan Barnett will give his weekly organ rccital. Tho items on tho programme aro such as are always appreciated by ,his audiences; somo aro: "Revo Angeliquo," by Rubinstein, "Fantasio on National Airs," by Maughan Barnett, Good Friday music (Parsifal), Wagrier. OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. Tho popularity of.rinking at tho Olympia continues, .Saturday's attendances being excellent "at all sessions. The first game of tho polo tournament will bo played to-night, and. a challongo gamo between 1 a . team from tho Morris family and the Wellington representatives will bo played on Thursday. , "THE PRINCE CHAP." ; No s one who lovos a good play could fail to bo interested in tho first appearance of Mr. H. R. Roberts, at the Opera Houso, next Saturday, in tho latest London success, "Tho Princo Chap."' It is only recently that Mr. Roberts concluded a long and successful 6oason with this play in England, which began at Sir, Charles Wyndliam's Theatre, where it ran for 150 nights. Tho fact that Now " Zealand theatre-goers are boing presented with this attraction beforo it has appeared in Australia is mainly due to the fact that Mr. Roberts is. a Now Zealandcr—born in Duncdin—and that as a matter of,sentiment ho-desired to be'first seen 'in - this' country in tho piece in which ho has made his narno. "The Princo Chap" is a comedy drama in throo acts. Mr. Roberts is described in,a lotter from tho author, Mr. E. H. Peple, as a man jwhose. personality and temperamont were so eminently in accord with that of tho character that "had I called upon you 'originally as a model for tho man himself I could not have been moro accurate in portraying tho and individuality of my hero." Among tho imported London and. New York artists who will support him aro Mr. Frank Lainb, a noted A.meriban comedian who plays Runion, and Miss Mary Keogh, who comes from New York to play Puckers. Mr. A. E. Greenaway, who will bo seen as tho Earl of Henningford, is , an old favourite, having been-' a leading man during a former tour with Miss Tittell- Bruno. Tho box plan will bo opened at Holliday's on Wednesday, and tho season which commences on Saturday is limited to seven nights.