ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 95, 19 October 1909, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

♦ OPERA HOUSE. RICKARDS'S VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. One time, one cynic remarked that a woman preaching was like a dog's walking on his hind legs : it was not done well, but one is surprised to find it done at all. In the days of its creation the mot had point, but in ' the days that contain Mdlle. Rosina Casselli and her bunch of midget canines of the Chihuahua breed, the simile is worthless, as all who go to the Opera House may see. Walking on hind legs is an amusement Mademoiselle's dogs leave to puppies : as for themselves, they are the Cinquevallis of the race. Ihe present show, which opened at the Opera House last/ evening, compares more than favourably with the best Mr. Harry Rickards has yet sent us, and he has sent not a fevr good ones. The bill contains at least four "star" items by specialists, and the other items are, in varying degrees, quite worth while. It is safe to assert, and without fear of libel, that during the company's season in Wellington more people than usual will be "going to the dogs" : the wonderful Chicnuahua dogs, of course, and with no hurt. They are small to a diverting degree, and astoundingiy intelligent. When all their almost human performances are gone through, one would not be surprised to be stopped in the street by the cleverer ones and asked for the loan of a tram ticket. So far have their intelligences' and a woman's guiding hand brought them. They arrive on the stage crowding a diminutive motor-car, like men, and like men scramble out and scale the platform for their trick-playing. Silently, imperturbably, and with no word of command from their mistress, they swing on trapezes, perform on the triple bar, push, pull, and fool seriously, more like four-legged boys than anything else. And to see them manipulating an allegedly broken-down motor-car across the stage, one small quadruped pulling in harness, and a bunch of canines on hind legs, pushing desperately, is a killing sight. The tricks of these animals are something out of the ordinary. AH are participants, there are no "passengers," and the work done is done with marvellous ease and dexterity. None speaks out of his turn, and, in fact, the deportment of these Mexicans is enough to make , any common or garden pet canine simply go into a decline with sheer envy. It may be noted that Mdlle. Ca&selli's animals are not the only acrobats. For there are the Kremka Brothers, a pair of athletes whose feats have not been excelled in this country. The familiar business is of no use to them, and their turn, carried out in a breathlessly fast fashion, is simply a succession of surprising achievements done without a slip. The audience asked for more, thunderously, for a full five minutes, and was hard to satisfy. The Kremkas acted up to their reputation. Another duet, a racquet-spinning one by Walker and Sturm, is an artistic and novel turn, wherein the two juggle with bedizened racquets in a way Norman Brookes or the Doherty Brothers never dreamed of. An elegant musical interlude is supplied by Florence and Lillian, who play trumpets, cornets, the' violin, and grand piano with equal facility and success, being enthusiastically recalled. Graham and Dent, two old favourites, put up a laughable sketch, entitled "A 100 to 1 chance." Messrs. Rochfort and Hart sing pleasantly, the two and a quarter Donnellys (the quarter is a dainty mite) dance excellently, and the Mallow Sisters and J. V. Gibson also appear. Tho company appears until further notice. A special matinee is announced for Saturday next. THEATRE ROYAL. The new programme of pictures at Fuller's Theatre Royal attracted a. numerous audience last night, and the subjects were worthy of the commendation bestowed upon them. The picture of His Majesty the King reviewing troops at Knowsley is a splandid film, and thf one of Aviation Week at Rheims is of unfailing interest. The scenic and industrial subjects are also interesting, and the comic section well up to the average. The programme will be repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S. To-night will be the final opportunity of witnessing the. current programme of the Royal Pictures. The weekly change will be made to-morrow evening, when an entirely new selection of subjects will be presented. STAB PICTURES. The large attendances at the Star Pictures in St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, must be encouraging to the management. Last night the first change of programme was made, and the list included some of the latest cinematograms, amongst which was a beautifully-colour-ed and well-arranged "trick" film entitled "The Potter's Dream." "A Greek Slave was also seemingly much appieciated, as was "The Martyrdom of Louis XVII." Another picture (coloured) gave peeps at pretty Italian lakes, and there were films depicting other scenic spots on the globe. The remaining subjects^n the programme were all interesting, and many were instructive and humorous. The same list will be exhibited again this evening, but tomorrow night, the hall being otherwise engaged, no pictures will be shown. SAILORS' REST. The Wellington Catholic Seamen's Conference entertained a large gathering at the Sailors' Rest last night. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent listening to musical items by Misses F. M'Carthy, N. Bell, M. Frith, A. Frith, Bishop, Mrs. Mitchell, and Messrs. Flanagan, Eller, Murphy, Bonner, Andrews, Kain, and Rowand. Misses F. M'Carthy and M. Frith played the accompaniments. MISS MERCER'S CONCERT. This evening Miss Beatrice Mercer will give a concert in the concert chamber. Miss Mercer, who is the possessor of a pleasing contralto voice, brings a good Australian record. Her songs will include "Still as the Night" and "Like as the Hart." Mr. Ernest Parkes, Mr. J. F. Carr (vocalists), and Mr. F. Johnstone ('cellist) will assist. Mrs. M. Williams will recite. The concert is under the patronage of Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. Seats may be booked at the Dresden. NO-LICENSE MASS MEETING. The No-licfense Party will hold a mass meeting on Friday evening in the Wellington Town Hall. Tho object of the meeting is to ask for better legislation, the inclusion of breweries in the nolicense vote', the abolition of the- locker system, the rule of the simple majority, a Dominion vote in addition to the local vote, on© license one bar, the abolition of bottle licenses, and other minor demands. Advantage will also be taken ofythe occasion to ask for the annulling of wholesale licenses issued in the King Country. MILITARY TOURNEY ATPALMERSTON NORTH. All branches of the Royal Navy and tho New Zealand Defence Forces will bo teen in competition at Palinsrslo»

North next 9th November, on the occasion of the military and naval tournament promoted by the defence authorities of that town. Feats with • sword, lance and bayonet will be seen, and the displays should provide excitement and entertainment for the numerous patrons of these annual displays. The New Zealand physical drill and bayonet-fighting championship events will be contested by a large number of infantry volunteer teams, including the present Wellington City champions. , Last night a concert was given at Roseneath by the Dominion Boy Scouts. Dr. Makgill was in the chair. Items were contributed by Misses Herd, Cederholm, Benge, and Lennox, and Messrs. Jentke, Digley, and Harlen, and some of the scouts. At the .New Century Hall, Kentterrace, last night a concert and drnice was given under the auspices of the Children's Lyceum. Mr. Miles, superintendent, presided. The programme included songs, recitations, and dialogues. Mr. Harry Phipps, of Wellington, will be the principal tenor at the performance of Haydn's "Creation" by the Musical Union in the Town ' Hail next Tuesday. Mr. Phipps won the Chester Eisteddfod in 1907.