ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 751, 25 February 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE EOYAL. .. ' . The programme at the Theatre Royal last evening was strengthened'' substantially by the ingenious' and quaintly beautiful act of Beave's Manikins. It is really a perfectly-appointed marionette show, tho manikin figures of which provide quite a vaudeville entertainment on a; little stage of their own, complete with peopled boxes, orchestra, footlights and changing scenery. A tiny gymnast does a marvellous horizontal bar act, the tiiiselled'sonbrette sings of home and mother in manner familiar, a coon pirouetted, nnd a talkative clown revels in tho old harlequinade, business. The show within a show, concludes with quite a briiliant transformation scene, in which the audience is led oh through scenes-of dazzling splendour to the.grand finale, which is really wonderfully stage-managed. The Manikins should attract large audiences whilst in Wellington. An undoubted favourite is Miss Maud Hewsoii, a cultured contralto, who sings with excellent taste, bhe sang Tosti's',"Good-bye" last .evening,-which is' written for a' florid soprano rather than a subdued contralto, but she sang "Ben Bolt" acceptably. Other contributors were:' Samsou and J «?°. I'rank Yorke, Bartlett, Jack Russell, Miss Gertie Johns, and the Martin bistorg. ■ ■ ...

■ "THE ALL BLACKS." .. The audience .which gathered at the Opera House last evening to hear'the musical All Blacks were rewarded, by an excellent entertainment, which was quite up to what was promised by the company.' The versatility of the'combination is one of the: most striking features of tho : entertainment.-.'-Hiss > Nellie : Black, who is practically the star of the troupe, ..made - excellent use of her fine contralto voice, and the tone and technique of her violin playing were admired by the audience. Trick playing.was also a, strong point m her performance. 'Miss-Elsie" iJlaok made a decided impression by hoi , clever dancing," flute, mandolin, and piano playing_. Mrs. John Black and .Messrs. Bert and P. Black also contributed ■largely, to the success of the evening. Mr.' Herbert Carroll, society entertainer, and Mr. Parry Spencer,, comedian' and. instrumentalist, were also successful with their contributions. The- duets, quartets, etc, and. the art pictures combined to make an exoellent evening's entertainment. "The last, nights-: of the company are '■ an.nounced.. On Sunday' evening "The All Blacks" will give a sacred concert'in the Town Hall. ' . ■ '. . .

-;. PISK JUBILEE SINGERS.', ■' ■' Last ovening the Fisk Jubilee Singers treated' their 'audience at the■''"Concert .Chamber, Town' Hall,' to a, complete change .of programme,: every item of which was thoroughly enjoyed, and encores were frequent. : The new. programme is generously representative of tho old"- plantation .songs and tuneful negro choruses; while items 'of , a 'more olassical kind are not wanting. ■, r - : '

."'■• VAXDEVILLE '" ; ; - .. ... COMPANY. ;..•.■...■ ;■ ;A- good deal of interest' centres in, tlie first appearance in Wellington of Mr. ' Harry Tlickards's 'Vaudeville Company, wlncji -\yill make its' first appearance in Wellington in the Opera Houso to-inorrow evoning. Of'all .tho companies Mr. Eickardshas sent to the Dominion'tho , : present ono is, said, to- be the most successful both artistically., and --financially.'' The seasons in Dunedm and Christchurch have been record ones, and on many nights would-be patrons could hot ob'tain admission to the theatres in consequence, of thb sale of tickets having been stopped long before the.' rising of the curtain. , Judging by .tho advance salo of reserved seats at the Dresden, a large house will greet tho company to-morrow evening.-With the names- prominenttv featured, such as Mr. and Mrs. Hobert ?l<itzsiinmons. Hiss' Julia Gifford: Mr J-'ranco. Piper, The Three- Sisters Trapnell,, Mr. -Fred. Bluett, ■ - Vaucle 1 • and Vomer. and the Wheelers,, ah , enjoyable entertainment ,should be/.submitted.:;; , ■: ;■ ','" .'. STAB'PICTURES: '-':'- ''-X~ Good .-patronage 'still continues at; ; St.' : Xnomass Hall. Tho programme now boforo the public; is.one of tho .best specimens of animated art .yet put forward. lhe story-;.of Dumas' ''Merciless 'liargnente -is an .exceptionally fine 'picture; offeot rea * Bh P ° int of drama tic . . ■;■ •.: ME. ENOS BACON.- '■:'■'■ ■■ ; are to-. havo. a treat to-mght at Godber's . Kooms, -'■•■ Cuba Mr. Enos Bacon; the Yorkshire p Nightingale,' will meet his fellow . /ountrymen, Mr. ! Bacon, who .has V just finished-a successful ■ tour of the' South'' Island, is going to: give a typical York-: shire programme. Though it is. under tie auspices, of the Yorkshire Society, it is free, to- all Yorkshire - folk and theirfriends. ..... . .; "