ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1205, 14 August 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NICOLA. , Tho various tricks ami illusions submitted each Light at the Opera House by Nicola continue to mystify patrons. On Saturday night Nicoia was challenged by a number of young men to release himself from several handcuffs and leg-irons. He was securely manacled by the handcuffs, and then retired behind ;i curtain, quickly to return wilh tho fetters unlocked. After this test Nicola was squeezed into a. wooden trunk, which was locked, and a canvas cover placed over it. The cover was laced up, tied securely, and then sailed. The box was moved into an enclosure, erected on the stage. In what seemed a very short time he reappeared. Tho box was then taken; from the- enclosure, and it was found that none, of tho_ knots had'been tampered with. Nicola and his popular company are to put on a grand change in their programme to-night, when a score of new and startling illusions and a hundred new surprises will bo introduced for the first time. To-night Nicola will take up tho challenge of the British and Continental Piano Company, in which he will be soldered and screwed up in one of their imported piano cases, from -which ho proposes to extricate, himself without molesting or interfering with the fastenings in any way. This is a wonderful test, and is likely to attract a largo house. Nicola's farewell performance is announced for Wednesday night, when a challenge which is said to be of a thrilling and dangerous nature will be taken up.

THEATRE ROYAL. The exceptionally fine "turns" that aro being presented at the Theatre Royal at present have been, responsible for big houses nightly. On Saturday evening every seat was occupied. Tho PottcrHartwejr trio, in its originality and comicality, is one of tho cleverest combinations that have been seen here for some time. Tho Kavanaphs (jugglers, etc.) aro also very good. These aro tho "star" items of an all-round strong programme, HIS MAJESTY'S. The programme now being presented ut His Majesty's Theatre has much to recommend it to the atteution of those who like an instructive a.s well as an interesting programme of moving pictures. A fine dramatic study, and perhaps the most popular one of tho present series, is entitled "Mother," and shows how, through a mother's love, her son is saved from the scaffold. Other pictures worthy of special mention include "The Panama Canal," . "Tresses and Curls," "Opium Smugglers," and "What Happened to Auntie." Tin's evening's programme will include a Selig masterpiece entitled, "ZuMand," which deals'with the experience of pioneer settlers in Zululand. including a bis fisht with the natives, and some very exciting adventures with a lion and lioness. The wonders of the Panama Cana.l will a,lso be exhibited in picture form for. a few more nights.

THE NEW THEATRE. It was difficult to obtain oven standing room at the New Theatre on Saturday evening, so popular has this picture resort become. The films were all interesting, especially "The San Marino I?o----public," with its quaint, old-world scenes, a "Trip from" Montreal to nongKons," and "Dan, the Sioux Scout." The programme will bs repeated again this evening. THE KING'S THEATRE. Both performances of West's and Royal Pictures at the King's Theatre on Satur T day were v;ell attended. To-night a new programme will be submitted, when films specially selected by Mr. T. J. West in London,. and arriving by to-day's mail, will bo shown. A feature of "the new programme will be the number of scenic subjects displayed. Worthy of special mention is the "Launching of H.JI.S. Mew Zealand," and another.of West's and Royal Pictures's local series "Fancy Skating by Madame Read, of London!" is a picture of interest to skaters. The dra-matic-section is also very strong, and will include the Edison picture "Tho Quarrel .on the Cliff," a picture abounding in sonsationa.l and beautiful scenes ami .the rescue from the blank wall of a cliff.- Tho comic element has not been neglected, as some of the finest kinematograph comedians will appear in this programme. A special feature of to-niglit's programme will be tho rendering of Koler Beta's ''Lustpiel" by tho King's Orchestra.

"JACK AND THE BEANSTALK." The box plans for, the first six nights anil first two Wednesday and Saturday matinees of the pantomime "Jack and tho Beanstalk" oponwl at the Dresden this morning. From the point of vit>«- of vocal items, it .would seem that the pantomimic extravaganza which is to be presented here by Mr. J. C. Williamson's company on Thursday nest, is more than equal to its predecessors. .Many of (.ho songs are likely to Ire utilised by tho boy in -the streets as whistling 'solos. "I'm Looking for a Sweetheart" and '"Tim Garden of Roses," two of th* best nf Miss Mabellc Morgan's contributions, are. sure to become popular. Miss Mario Eaton, as "lanthe," the Fairy Queen, has a flue number in "If I Were King," while tho "Aeroplane Song," -with its alluring refrain, sung by Miss Dorothy Firmiu, is an exceedingly catchy contribution. Of the comic vocalists, Mr. Jack Cannot, an Dame Trot, has many opportunities—"Ts That a Fact," "More Like a Friend Thau a Husband," and "La-La-La"—an irresponsible piece of lyric nonsense, in which the whole, house invariably join in—aro anion;,' tho more important. King Stone}--brokish (Mr. Rupert Darrell) has an exhilarating song, "What's the Matter Willi Father," and the Doherty Sisters, it is said, create boundless amusement by their clever travesties and humorous vocalisation. A series of incidental ballets aro accredited with being on the usual Williamson scale of roagnilicnnce. They imcludo "The Ballet of the Beanstalk," in which many beautiful floral effects are introduced; the "All Nations' Military Ballet," in which the uniforms of various countries, including Britain, Russia, Germany, Framee, Austria, Spain, etc., are shown to advantage, and "Thi! Grand March of the Wines," the magnificence of which must appeal to all. The turn presented by the Pantzer troupe o f acrobats, is said to bo extraordinary—a combination of strength, agility, uad humour. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Maughaii Barnett's weekly recital on the Town Hall organ on "Saturday evening was characteristic of tho high artistic standard and representative selection which have set the city organist's programmes so high in public 'favour. Smart, one of tho best-known English organists of a previous generation was represented by his imposing "Festal March." In the rich cadences of the music from Sceno 3, Act 1, of "Tannhauser," tho genius of the great Wagner was given adequate expression, under' the organists capable interpretation. Bach's magnificent "Prelude and Fugue in G," in its contrapuntal brilliance and dignified pomp, fittingly represented tho greatest master of fugal music. In Mendelssohn's "Spinning Song" ami Rubinstein's "Melody in F," Mr. Barnett's audience wero treated to two charming idylls, which, from their position on the programme, furnished a striking contrast to the majesty and brilliance of and Bach. Gounod's "Fanst," arranged as a fantaisio for tho organ, was included on the programme by special request To thos<! _ familiar with the bright and sparkling music of the. famous Frenchman's gay opera, such an. "cneoT<>" request may be regarded a perfectly legitimate one, and the natural and spontaneous expression of fervid appreciation.