ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1236, 19 September 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE GAY GORDONS." Clarko and Meynell's English Company appeared again last evening in "Tlin Gay Gordons" before a largo audience, which thoroughly enjoyed itself. Jlr. Frank Lincoln, as Angus Graeme, is notably good in everything he docs. He has snap and "so." and a bright, likeable personality behind it which gives his performance strength and elasticity. Miss lmeson, as Peggy Quaiuton, is another bright spot in the cast. Tho conifdian-in-chief, Jlr. Tom Graves, is a capable laughter provoker, but occasionally oversteps the mark of good tas& iu his jokes, which is quite unnecessary in a role which gives the performer's talent such latitude. The. comedy is well-mounted, and tho uniforms of the Gordons, together with the presence on the stage of members of the Wellington Band has an exhilarating effect during certain passages of the play. "The Gay Gordons" will be played again this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. Novel indeed was the turn which the Vagges, expert ball-punchers, submitted to a large audienco at the Theatre Royal last night. Ball-punching for the purpose of training the eye a-nd developing the muscles of tho 'modern boxer has grown into something picturesque and graceful, but in proficiency of vision, rapidity of touch, and bewildering operations simultaneously performed, the Vagges certainly bear away the prize. The appurtenances of these specialists consist of two frames, from which punching bags are suspended from tho top horizontal, and tho perpendicular supports, while captive inflated balls are below. Each performer has also a wooden disc resembling a target, with a ball elastically_hung from the ccntre. The work of the Two performers was, without doubt, clever-and neat, and as the balls rebounded from gloved fists, elbows, head and knees, tho sound resembled that of a highspeed cleetrical machine at times, and then a moving train. At the climax of the turn, theso artists held in rapid motion no fewer than seven balls. Th.cv received quite an ovation. Anita Diaz again amused tho audience with h«r troupo of well-traineed monkeys. Theso littlo animals act throughout tho piece in tho most finished style. Delavale and Gilbert, patter comedians, presented a new turn entitled "The Boys Who Will Argue," and introduced their original melody "In theTwilight." Both were successful in individual efforts on the first half of the programme. Miss Lily Vockler, motto vocalist, is an undoubted favourite, and slio was warmly applauded for her singing of "Mother. Put a Card in the Window," "William," and other numbers. Harry Sadler, the popular comedian, was called on for. the usual budget of songs, and was on excellent terms with tho audience when he retired. Other contributors to' the programme were Jliss Dolly Courtney, soubrette; Ndlie Searle,. serio; tho Gambia Sisters, song and dance duo; and Loslie. Shipp, comedian. There were also pictures by the British biograph.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Boisterous elements did not have tho effect of spoiling the attendanco at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, when new films were put on. Perhaps one ol the most interesting pictures of the present series is. a historical subject, eutitled "The Stone of Sconc." As is no doubt generally known, this is tho celebrated "Stono of ..Destiny" which plays so notable a part in the crowning of a British lung. According to the legend which was screened last night, the patriarch Jacob, wearied after tending his flock, rested his head on this stone. It was, in after years, regarded by the ..Israelites as a sacred symbol, and was carried by them into Egypt. It subsequently camo into the possession of the l'linroahs, and was ultimately presented by one of them to a Greek prince. About the year 600 8.C., it was brought to Ireland, and one of the kings had it placed on the. hill of Tara, and declared that, in future, all Kings of Ireland must bo crowned on it. About the year 700 A.D., it was taken to Scotland, and placed in the Abbey of Scone, .where it lay until it was carried off bv Edward I of England and placed in Westminster Abbey. This is really a splendid picture. "The Cow-Puncher" is a rollicking story of the Wild West—a themo which generally proves acceptable to picturo lovers. This week's Pathe Gazette is a purely Australian one, and illustrates many of the recent happenings in tho Commonwealth. A fascinating dramatic study, entitled "Her Brother's Photograph," narrates how, after many trials, a young man wins tho hand .of the girl lie loves. Other items screened include such capital pictures as "Law and Order on Bar L," "Smiler • Takes Up Jiu-Jitsu," "A Winter's Day 1 on Splurga Pass," "Servants Superseded," "Jim Crow," "Building a Coronation Locomotive," and "Pussy's Cousins." The management announce that, on Thursdaynext, a remarkable film, entitled "Tho Crusaders," will be presented. THE NEW THEATEE. The New Theatre proved a cosy retreat yesterday afternoon and evening, when the current programme was shown for tho last time. To-day's new programme includes a stirring Western drama,. "Musical Ranch," by the Lubin Company. Ranch life is a popular themo for moving picture stories, and the Lubin people have made tho most of a clever plot. . The S. and A. Company are responsible for another Western photo play, "Tho Cattleman's Daughter," in which love is tho mainspring of the romance. Travel scenes provide an endless source of entertainment, and in this respect "Massafra," a compilation by tho Cines Company, is of striking merit. . Tho Bison exclusive drama, "Tho Foreman's Bride," is a cowboy episode, in which this company's trained team of jiders figures prominently. Among the "star" subjects is an American Bio Company frontier .adventure,. "Fighting Blood,' in which an old American soldier trains and disciplines his twelve children with that spirit of patriotism peculiar to veterans. The narrative of this picture is thrilling. The new series will be shown from 11 o'clock this morning till, 11 o'clock tonight. KING'S THEATRE. Due bi-weekly, the customary change of programme was presented at the King's Theatre last evening. The new series contain pictures to suit varied tasks—thrilling dramatic studies, stories of adventure ill tho Western ranches, interesting glimpses of foreign countries, and the inevitable "comic." There was one dramatic study screened last night which is particularly interesting in these days of strikes "and loek-outs, and incidentally opens up a problem—whether a man who was one of the riugleaders in a big strike is justified in going back to work while, the strike is in progress, in order to save his wife anil family from starvation. This picture is entitled, "Tim Mahotiey, the Scab." Mahoney is one of the_ principals in bringing about a strike. When it has been iiTprogro-s for some.time he returns one day to find that his wife has been compelled to pawn her wedding ring to keep herself and her children from starving. Torn with conflicting emotions, the man finally decides to return to work, believing- that his first duty is fo his family. He and hi> children are subjected to insult, and none of his erstwhile friends have a good word for him, all regarding him as "a scab." After the men .have resumed work a fire occurs in tho factory. In endeavouring to save a comrade's life Mahoney is burnt to death. His fellow-employees, now fully realising tho predicament which he was placed in, make due amends to his wife and family. "Winter Day on the Splurga" is an exceptionally pretty scenic film, illustrating the sports and recreations common in countries with a heavy snowfall. "Smiler Takes up Jiu-jitsu" is an extremely ludicrous picture, describing the troubles of n man who, after witnessing an exhibition of this method of self-defence, takes to practising it indiscriminately on passersby. Other pictures presented include:— "The Rose of Old St. Augustine," "l'athe Gazette," "Van Bibber's Experiment," "The Scoop," "The Nitrate of Soda Industry," "Servants Superseded," and "Tontolini Takes a Hand with the Ball."