ENTERTAINMENTS VAUDEVILLE AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 28, 1 August 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS VAUDEVILLE AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Two especially ■ notable specialty turns axe included in the eminently bright and snappy vaudeville programme with which the Harry Rickards Vaudeville Company opened at the Opera House last evening. The exponents are Will H. Fox and Rinaldo, "the Wandering Violinist." Mr. Fox is an entertainer who, while on the stage, spends his time between recounting good stories' and doing trick work at the piano. Mr. Fox, who might well be designated the "red (ov is it magenta?) raconteur," possesses a quaint art and_ an engaging manner, and obtains his effect easily and assuredly. That he has music in his "sole" he proves by supplying the treble to a pianoforte solo with the heel of his red boot. To give both his right hand and his right foot a rest, he picks out a melody with hk nose. Most disingenuously he passes from the story of a fiineral march, "adapted" ' from "There'll be a Hot Time in the Old To\yn To-night," to one of a widow inducing a rap.id growth of grass on her late husband's grave. His stories, all snappy and all wholesome, are told well, and a playlet, wherein Mr. Fox represented three individuals while the pia-no told 'the s^ory, made the large audience all close friends. This entertainer certainly has "a way with him." Rinaldo, as he presents himself, is something in the nature of a "freak" instrumentalist. Dressed in gipsy-like garb, with a theatrical Napoleonic forelock that, under stress, foil emotionally between the eyes and was as theatrically blown or thrown back — an artful touch — Rinaldo's appearance immediately suggests the unconventional. His opening number confirmed the suggestion. It, was Suppe'e "Poet and Peasant," and, after the quaint and melodious opening movement, the violinist, with artistic savageness, and an abandon that demanded considerable physical force, fairly tore the music from the strings. He retired to a furore of applause. More conventional in "Killarney" and "Annie Laurie,"^ Rinaldo became "the Wandering Violinist" opce again in an impudently clever -and original trifle entitled "Rinaldo Rag" — musically illustrative of an "alcoholic embarrassment," as Blake (of Blake and Granby) has it. For 6heer musical description of hiccoughs, swaying steps, and general inebriecy, ' the fancy was hard to fault. Rinaldo demonstrates a remarkable skill and intimacy with his violin. Another item that caught the audience was an adaptation of "My Hero," from "The Chocolate Soldier. ' Blake and Granby played a clever comedy sketch with fine spirit, and Mr. Ronald -George, an instrumental specialty artist, showed his versatility on various instruments, beginning with the cornet and ending with the xylophone. The Bright Sisters are two bright eoubrettes, and the Tossing Testro* and Walker and Sturm present attractive specialty turns that the audience liked well. Miss Monie Mine, of English reputation, ought to, and can do, better than she did last evening. She has certain ability, but a more refined choice of items would have pleased patrons to a greater degree. Melrose and Menzies fill a niche with their patter, and Marshall Crosby sings baritone songs in an excessively robust fashion. Altogether, the entertainment goes with commendable swing and sparkle. It will be repeated until further notice. THE GREEN DANDIES. The Green Dandies like their predecessors The Reds are proving • a big draw at the Concert Chamber of the Town Halll Brightness and variety characterise their performance. Such items as "Devil May Care" by Joseph Brennan, "Tommy Atkins" by Florence Henderson, "Tom O'Devon" by Renn Millar, "Sing Yeo Ho" by Herbert Walton give some idea of the versatility of the company. . FULLER'S PICTURES. A programme of all-round quality provides capital evening entertainment at the Skating Rink, Ingestre-street. Among the items are "At Scroggins's Corner, a Vitagraph drama of topical interest with, the comedian John Bunny in a new and interesting role. Of special interest to the large spoiling community is "The Royal Ascot." A number of other excellent items fill the bill. THE' KING'S THEATRE. Tho feature items iv the bill at The King's Theatre is a powerful dramagraph, "A Woman's Way," which shows the high degree of excellence the dumb show of the moving picture may reach in the delineation of character, incident, and passion. Another excellent picture is the characteristic American pathetic play, "At Scroggins's Corner/ with the well-known figure of John 'Bunny in a serious role. The programme will be repeated to-night, and on Monday next a special dramatic study entitled "The Snalso Dancer" will be screened. It is ono of the exclusive series of films secured by Mr. West in London. THE NEW THEATRE. . " Love in the Tropics," one of the best of the famous Nordisk productions, has proved a great attraction at the New Theatre this week, and yesterday afternoon and evening there were crowded houses at all sessions. The picture will be shown for the last time to-night, tomorrow bringing the customary change, for which tho management will announce special features. On Monday will be presented another of the splendid dramatic films in which the New Theatre is specialising. This picture is entitled'"The Brand of Shame," and is the production of the Continental Biograph Company, a German firm, which has adopted the new school of exact delineation and realistic acting pioneered by the Nordisk Company. " The Brand of Shame" is a powerful and absorbing psychological tragedy, beautifully staged and mounted. THE ADELPHI. Among the entertaining series of pictures figuring in the present programme at the Adelphi is a special feature in the Pathe Gazette, which gives an excellent view of the King on his birthday in various public capacities. His Majesty is seen at Harrow-on-the-Hill visiting the famous public school, at Windsor taking part in the miniature parade, and at Ascot during the race meeting. The programme includes also a fine drama entitled "A Shattered Life." coloured views of "The Port of Marseilles," "Summer Pictures," and "Matrimonial Squalls." Tho orchestra is also quite a special attraction in the quality of the music. ■♦ , STAR PICTURES., The present programme of pictures at tho Star Theatre, Nowtown, features "Nemesis," a thrilling drama of the ' retribution of destiny in rt.be deep-laid schemes of men. It Is a production of tho well-known Vitagraph Company. "Archibald Chubbs and the Widow," v society comedy, and "Matrimonial Squalls" furnish a complement of fun, while the topical is depicted in the Australian Pathe Gazette. ST. THOMAS'S HALL. Pictures at St. Thomos'K Hall, Nowtown, continue in popularity. There will bo v complete ckmgq of programme to-nightj,

THEATRE ROYAL. Zomah, the thought reader, has created a great impression at the Theatre Royal. Her methods seem past finding out, and the audience is mystified nightly by the facility with which Zomah exposes the workings of the mind in those around her. The clever clog dancing of the Brennans is an exceedingly popular turn. Emerald and Barton (in their musical duo), Stella Reid and May Lewis (the Australian serios), Peggy Roma, Edith Harmer, Tom Lee, and other artists all contribute to the slightly successful vaudeville programme at the Theatre Royal. SHORTT'S PICTURES. A full and varied programme of pictures is Ehown continuously through the day at Shortt's Theatre, Willis-street The star item is tie American Biograph Company's dramagraph, "The Lesser Evil." Other pictures of merit are "The Quaker Mother" (a Vitagraph play). "The Mad Woman of'Ponmarch (an example of the Pathe school), "Nulty's Game" and "A Would-be Star" (comic sketches),' and two beautiful panoramas of "scenery, "Waterfalls of Elf Garlo" and "Winter in Finland." The- Gaumont Graphic gives glimpses of the latest and most important public happenings in the Old World. KILBIRNIE RINK CARNIVAL. The Kilbifnie Rink was a. scene of gaiety last evening, when the second carnival of the season was held. On this occasion the function took the place of a "Black and White" carnival, which, like its predecessor, proved a great success. All the seating accommodation was occupied, and throughout the evening the floor was crowded with gaily attired skaters. A varied programme of skating events was got off, and credit is due to the management and staff for the excellent way the function was carried out. The proceedings opened with the grand march. The men's two mile championship created great excitement. It resulted in a dead-heat, and the race will be re-run on Saturday evening. The other events also proved interesting. A special committee, comprising Messrs. Hall, Bernasconi, Bevan, and Miss Pratt, judged the events. The following are the results: — Best ladies' fancy dress, Mrs. W. Nation (New Zealand Times). A special prize was presented by the judges to Miss Mear6. Best ladies' poster dress, Miss Moys (Mazda Lamps) ; best fancy drees (men), Mr. Main (Knave of Clubs) ; beet poster dress (men), Mr. Higgins (Ladies' Furs) ; most comical character, Mr. N. Cook (Nobody Nose) ; best sustained character, Mr. Beale (Chasing Burglars) ; two mile championship North Island, Mi-. E. Young and Mr. Archer (dead heat) ; Maranui school boys' championship,' Master Geo. Lang 1, Master W. Solomon 2 ; most graceful lady skater, Mrs. Prichard ; couples two-step competition, Miss Alabaster and Mr, M'Cluskey; couples musical squares, Mies Arthur and Mi. M'lntosh ; novelty race, Mr. A. M'Donald. The prizes will be presented on Saturday evening next, and a fancy dress and masquerade carnival will be held in a few weeks. shakesp"eare club. A very enjoyable evening was given by the Shakespeare Club last evening in the Photographic Society's -rooms, on Lambton-quay, which took the form of an open evening, a pleasant innovation. A large number of people were present, who expressed their appreciation of the excellent programme provided iv no measured terms. The room looked most inviting and cosy, carpeted in red, the stage being decorated with greenery. The programme opened with a pianoforte solo, Scherzo, "A Midsummer Night'e Dream," and the "Torch Dance," "King Henry VIII," played with artistic charm by Miss Valeric Corliss. One of the most enjoyable items on the programme was the little scene from "Two Gentlemen of Verona," cleverly given by Miss Maltby and Miss Stella Putnam. The play scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream,'.' another capital item, was given by Mr. Nicholls; it was very well done indeed. An interesting rendering of the revel scene from "Twelfth Night" was given by Mr. W. R. Bock as Sir Toby, Mr. W. G. Wickham as Malvolio, Mr. E. S. Baldwin, as Sir Andrew, Miss E. Purdom as Maria, and Mr. W. Godfrey as Feste. The performere -were warmly applauded. Miss Hardinge-Maltby earned hearty appreciation for her really artistic recitation from "King Henry V." (the condemnation of the Rebel Lords), and Miss Flux gave "Queen Katherine's Defence," from "King Henry VIII." Songs were contributed by Miss Dall, and Messrs. Carr and Leo Buckeridge. Other good Items were given by Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin (scene from "Macbeth"), Mr. Shorney and Mrs. Dowling (scene from "As You Like It"), Miss M. Sievright (sleep-walking scene from "Macbeth"), Mr. Tanner (recitation, "Gratiane's Philosophy"), Miss V. St. John (recitation ("Soliloquy on Ceremony"), and Mise Speed (piariSforte solo). During the evening Sir John Findlay, first president of the club, gave a short speech. Mr. Horace Hunt/Mus. Bac. will give an organ recital in Trinity (Methodist) Church, Newtown, to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. The organ has just been thoroughly renovated, and tbe recital is a reopening. Admission will me free, but a collection will be taken up in aid of the renovation fund.