AMUSEMENTS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5724, 1 February 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

Blo'din. — What surprises all who see Cheva Her Blondiu's extraordinary and astonishing performances is the easy grace of his motions on that thin white line 50ft. from the ground. No "muse of the nierry twinkling feet " could desire more g 'aceful action or hope for more complete precision of the feet and limbs thau marks the progress of the Chevalier as to and fro he passes along the rope, with the long pole never varying from tho accuracy of a well maintained horizontal equilibrium. No pet of the ballet, not the most accomplished Spanish sarabandist, could on the broad boards of a perfectly safe platform on terra firma excel M. Blondin in the grace of style, the poetry of motion, which marks his every movement on that narrow white cord stretched in mid-air. Those who wish for themselves and their children to behold a performance which has been made world-renowned, and will be somcthiu^to remember and talk of for years to come, should not lose the present and only opportunity Auckland denizens will have of witnessing an exhibition which as far outstrips the ordinary or extraordinary rope-walking of others as the performances of the fleet high-mettled racer eclipses the action and speed of the mill horse. The rain yesterday proved a sad source of annoyance to the spectators who had assembled, and also, we should imagine, to the funambulist himself. The performance, as before, commenced with a slow march across tho arena, with a pause in the centre, at which point Monsieur Blondin stood on one leg. The return journey wa3 executed at a somewhat quicker pace, not exactly to be styled a run, but a uear approach to it. As on Saturday, the next part of the programme consisted of tho Chevalier's feat of standing on his head, with variations in balancing on the rope, such as lying at full length. The method of recovering from the position of feet uppermost, .and from any position in which Monsieur Blondin is off his feet on the rope, is particularly worthy of remark. The right or left leg, as most convenient, is drawn up and placed on the rope — this alone requiring great suppleness -and then, without much apparent effort, Monsieur Blondin slowly rises. L:t anyone try the same thing on fi>rrn, firma, and we are much mistaken if he is able to accomplish it. How very skilful, then, must be the man who simply rises on the rounded surface of a rope, and rises, too, with no apparent effort. It is simply impossible to describe the peculiar ease and grace of motion with which Monsieur Blondin completes all he undertakes, ard even to those who have seen him many times in his performances in the Crystal Palace, and other places in Britain, the acts haTe lost none of their freshness. The actor is still as successful as he was 15 years and more ago. After walking blindfolded over the rope, and threatening to fall j on one or two occasions, Monsieur Blondin gave tho audience an opportunity of tasting his world-renowned omelette, the Chevalier appearing to be in an extra facetious humour. The wet weather was anything but conducive to success, nevertheless the omelette was as well made as ever, and appeared to meet with the approval of those who had the opportunity of tasting it. The rain had now set in — not heavy, but a steady fine rain, which must have wetted the performer to the skin, and made tho rope very slippery. In consequence of this, Monsieur Blondin dispensed with his wonderful chair act, and substituted a run backwards the whole length of tho rope. The performance was concluded by Monsieur Blondin carrying hh private secretary, Monsieur Niand, across the rope on his back. It is with regret that we have to call attention to the advertisement in onr advertising columns, announcing Monsieur Blondin's last appearance to-night. Probably few will ever have such a chance again, as the opportunity now afforded gives of seeing something approaching the eighth wonder of the world, for it is no exaggeration to say that Monsieur Blondin's career as a funambulist has been marked by a success which 13 not likely to be eclipsed, if at all, within the knowledge of the present generation. Prixce or Walt's Tiievtke. — The " iShaughraun" which has enjoyed an unprecedentedly long run at the Prince of Wales Theatre gave place yesterday evening to the great sensational drama of the "Lottery of Life" produced for the fust time in Auckland. The first representation of this play had all tho advantages of a powerfnl ca9te and entirely new scenery, much of which was striking and effective and highly creditable to Mr. Thornton's skill as an artist. This drama abounds in sensational incidents of the highest order. The scene is laid in America. Sir Wilton Downe (Mr. Charles Searle) sets afoot a search for a lon^-lost son, Rupert Downe, alias R >beit Mord.iunt (Mr. J. Sweeney) who has boon entrapped and condemned to durance vile, by the successful machinations of a villain named Allcraft alias Murdie Solomons (Mr. Collur), an utterer of counterfeit money, &c. For the puipose of recovering his lost son, Sir Wilton seeks the aid of a pseudo-detective, Terence O'Halloran (Mr. Charles Wheatleigh) a chevalier de Industrie, and a tool of Mordic Solomon's, and who looks about for some snitible individual to personate Robert Mordaunb to their mutual profit and advantage. By some peculiar piece of good luck ho stumbles upon the ' ' real Simon Pure," but the proofs necessary to establish his identity are in the hands of Mordic Solomon whose object .apparently is to extort money from Sir Wilton. Terence O'Halloran has a wife, a fashionable barmaid, who apparently acts as a spy and general decoy to her husband. ] Amongst the more sensational scenes of the play is one in which the interior of a barroom is shown, with a stage, upon which a performance is given. During this part of the drama, Mary (Mrs. Thornton) and Dummy Dennis (Mr. E. Alexander) sang several songs, and Mr. Alexander's genuine humour brought down the house. The real plot of the play hinges upon a highly sensational plot and counter-plot between Allcraft and O'Hnlloran, in which the latter, by a skilfnl dash which brings down the house, secures possession of the papers necessary to prove the identity of the baronet's son. The necessary concomitant of romance and love are provided by Emily Summers (Miss Lizzie Busche), the inamorita of the baronet s son ; and the comic element is thrown in by Bob Mawley (Mr. R. W. Lawrence) and Miss "Tatter (Mrs. Charles Searle), an eccentric Vermonter. The lights and shades of tho dmmalis perxoniB are Dodgers (Mr. N. H. Thornton), Duffy (Mr. Herbert), Polly (Miss Jennie Nye), Etnilrne Saundera (Miss Nelly Flavel. The grand denouement of the piece is when Allcraft, the villain par excellence of tho plot, has been completely outwitted by 0 Halloran, and when everybody is about to be made happy in the usual conventional style. Sir Wilton, his son, his affianced, O'Hallorau, and others are about to embark in a steamer, when Allcraft comes upon the scene in the style of a. true melodramatic villain of the deepest dye, and, being under the belief that they are on board the steamer, swears to be reyenged, laughs a preliminary "Ha, ha !" and sets the vessel on fire. In escaping he is fired at and wounded, and just as the gunpowder in the vessel goes sky high, Allcraft finds his sup-

posed victims safe on shore, whereat he showq his disgust at the failure of his plans by raving something about " ten thousand iuuds," and so dies with alarming suddenne^. Those who like high-spiced sensation ough>. to go to see the " Lottery of Life.'' «^itv Hall. — The re-appearance of Mr. K. D. D ivies and his varied entertainment at the City Hall on Saturday night attracted a crowded and enthusiastic audience. The programme was, if anything, superior to those given daring his former season. His own " funny folks" seemed inspired by the genius of the day, and their witticisms were relished most keenly by the visitors. Mr. and Mrs. EmpS' >n were rapturously encored in every song they sang. The Brothers Du Ville out-did themselves. Their flights through the air were as daring as they were graceful. Mr. Weightman added to his feats of natation another one, showing how perfectly at home he iB in water. Ho appeared in full evening costume, and thus dressed plunged into his tank. Whilst under water, coat, waistcoat, and trousers were doffed, and he appeared as the " fish with glittering scales" once again. Last night a similar programme was given. The receipts on Friday next have been generously promised to the St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby. His Honor Sir George G>*ey gives his patronage, and has signified his intention to be present. On Saturday afternoon a day performance is to be given to juveniles. On this occasion l,0C3 toys will be given away, every child present being to receive a gift. Such an opportunity for combining business with pleasure the little ones are not likely to let their parents neglect.