AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 12606, 11 September 1905, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

AT.TTAMKRA THEATRE. —"Cleopatra" and Others. —

Snakes—speckled, green, brown, and black—snakes twisting unceasingly, snakes coiled threateningly round a sum, lithe figure with flashing eyes, whose lightning fingeus dart here and there, arranging una rearranging her living adornments, whose slippery, writhing bodies and ready fangs each and all demand the undivided' attention of a quick eye and an unfaltering hand. And there were seven or eight of them to be watched and coaxed at once^ — seven of them, and not all of them tractable. The srmke-chaimer, (Jleopatra, makes this the firet part of her act, so one is prepared ior something even, more excuv ing. He is an ugly-looking fellow, this black one that is thrust into the fenced-in arena next. But he is a "star" tu-cn ; he has the stage to himself, save for the charmer. To little flirts of the foot ho pavs no attentiom. Seemingly be is in a state of torpor. Thii chaamer evidently knows better. She approaches him, cautiously fluttering a red cloth in front of bis ugly, sullen head. One has hardly time to realise that he has drawn- back and struck before he is lying motionless at the other end of the ring, and Cteopatra is again for his capture. When he is safely back in his box. it i» explained that he is a Sooth African black anake, rather dangerous'—a bit of an outlaw. Other snakes follow—a constrictor, carpet snakes, an Aroerican anaconda, and then, as a finale to the act, a fair-sized cFOcodite- is cast into the arena.; and after it, two baby ones. The big one, though not actively hostile, looks forbidding enough, and is not pressed to join in the sport. But one of the little fellows waddtei bene and there, permits (under pressure) hks teeth to be examined, and with a queer little flick removes a liaWnrwvhief which has fair tormentor had bound round his jaws. This concludes the star act- of Mr Fuller's second part. Bat there are two others that- deserve to rank as " star" acts. One of these is a "-shooting" turn, put forward by Bonita, a handsome little brunette, who shoots with remarkable precision from any and: ail positions. Her marks are pOTcebnin circles about the size of a piece. Hw first extraordinary feat was the hip shot, without any ■■rigjhtjng at afl. Next she sighted the rifle baekwasds, with the assistance of a small mirror about the sbse of a shilling. Later, lying doubled backwards over a chair, die the bowl of a clay pipe from the hand of her father (biQed as Carlos, the Human Target>. She performed many other remarkable feats of shooting, concluding by picking off a sight about the size of a hatf-crown. from the back of the dress circle. ReaDy a very re xnarkable act. A third act deserves mention. Carl Zeno concludes the programme with a very ckwer and deaoly-executed juggling and balancing act. This performer, following somewhat in the footsteps of Cmquevalli aad Salerno, has yet developed quite a number of ingenious feats of equilibrium, and may be described as being in the first rank of Austranact exponents. His act in itself repays one for a visit to the Albambra. Many other cfever people contribute to the programme, amongst others the Diamond Duo. Saturday night's house was an enormous one by 7.30, when Inspector Donaldson intimated that the sale of tickets must be stopped. Cteopatra and the company supporting her will be seen again this evening. WATKTN MILLS CONCERT. The best house so far of the season was attracted to His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night, and an excellent concert ■ was given, despite the fact that a rthmpp"»"*W"*' awaited: the audience in the amminwsment that the tenor of the company, Mr Harold Wilde, had been mastered by a cold, and consequently would have to content himself with but a small contribution to the programme. The entertainment was divided into two parts—the first of regulation concert pattern, and the second devoted to the song cycle ' In a Persian Garden.' _ These cyoles are an innovation to Drmedrnitos, and it would be hard to say whether or not they will become permanent institutions hi our musical perfoxmances. Certainly ' In a Persian Garden' did not get a fair intiodactaon on Saturday night, as owing to Mr Wilde's indasposifcion the important tenor part was severely cub, and this, of course, was a gssat handicap. The Mhaes Kiriwood and Lonsdale and Mr Mima, however, ww» gaging at their best, and made it plain that the composition contains several harmonious numbers, the Tynrtntff *«y«ran|ty A«wmg nwriaon. A

nsa*. - Vx W*tkin Mißs h«n w»h ■>' spfencßd) rendering of Bwdtfi .'b*F* me! ye winds and waves,' baa rjerfect, inVmiiftf* and enunciation, oainbined with. Mb .mastery- of the breathing tins item a noteworthy one. ' Mr B» later on sang 'ln sheltered vale' (taken modi quicker than usual), Monk Gould's "The harper' foonqmaed expressly for the singer), and gave a seatty starring interpretation of ' Plymouth Hoe' (Leonard). As encores,: he sang those quaint old ditties which he undarssaodn bo veil. Miss Edith Kirkwood gave the waMa song .from Gounod's ' Borneo and Juliet,' which earned a load encore, and nor other numbers were 'Yon and I* (Lehmana), a cradle song which quit* charmed her hearers, end CowdeH*e ' Maytune.' Miss Gertrude Lonsdale gave the aria ' Saftly awakes my heart,' from SaaaVSaens'B ' Samson and Delilah,' and in this the contralto's fine voice and exceßent method were chopiayed perhaps to their bestadvantage. The sdngerjs second selection, WillebVa ' Summer rain,' was beautifully sung, and the lively ' Vanity Fair,' bracketed with it, was in good contrast. Needless to soy, encores followed. In the old-fashioned duet 'lt was a lever and his lass,' Miss Lonsdale and Mr Mißs showed us how this stamp of composition should be sung. M. Eduard Pariovite, besides playing tasteful aooompaiamenis, contributed two Chopin selections, a polonaise and a vatoe, and foe the latter was deservedly and genuinely encored. THE GEORGE WARD BEN 15*1!'. A capital programme has been arranged for the benefit in H3s Majesty-a Theatre on Thursday next, to bo tendered to the veteran" George Ward. Such names »» Messrs Parquhar Young, J. T. Stewart, and W. Stevens (who is contributing&n item by permission of Mr Fuller), Jfliss Jean Dansinuir (who has just returned from Europe), Mias Alison Clark, and others guarantee a pleasurable evening's entertainment to the patrons of the concert. 'Hie Kaikorai and Navals" Bands will also assist, and altogether the prospects of a considerable sum being realised for the aged theatrical are promising. CONCERT AT GREEN" ISLAND.

A benefit concert, under the auspices of the Green Island Bogby FootbeH Club, was raven in the Volunteer Hail on Friday night m aid of the widow and family of the late Mr George Flenxy, who died from the effects of an accident received when playing footbaJß a few weeks ago. A splendid programme of vocal and instrumental i tenia was provided, also duets and step-dances, by the following ladies and gentlemen: —Mrs Bosworth, the Misses B. and M. Hartatway. Fitzpatrick (encored), M'Donald <2), C. ami M. Owens (encored), N. Hacraway (encored), Messes D. Watt, G. Meek, H. Sfcabtw {encored), and B. and J. Clark. A limelight entertainment was given by Mr Gilchrist, but wing to the senseless behaviour of a few persons at the back of the hall the lecturer couM scarcely be heard, unless by those in dose proximity to him. Mr Gilchrist also contributed a solo, for which he received an encore, and Miss B. Harraway gave a pianoforte solo in a manner which displayed marked ability, in one so j-onxtg. The accompanists were Misß Wifiiamscm and Miss R. Harraway, while the dance mnsic was supplied by Mr Claris:. His Worship the Mayor (Mr William Geddcs) occupied the chair. PFJSTNY READINX3S. On Saturday evening in the Lower Choral Hall the weekly penny reading entertainment was held, and, notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, the attendance was the best of the series. Mr T. B_ Dalton expressed pleasure at seeing so many young men present. There was nothing to be gained in aimlessly walking about the streets, but in coming to these meetings they had a real pleasant time, and might hear something that would do them good. Miss M'Gxegor again acted as accompanist, and gave a pianoforte solo. Songs were contributed by Messrs T. H. Dalton, Donaldson, and Blease; recitations by Messrs Cook and Mills; a reading by Mr D. Gain; and a most enjovable talk on the eye by Mr T. G. Carey."

The employees of Messrs Caul Is, Colling, and Co. JieH their first annual social reunion in the company's new premises in Crawford street on Friday night. There was a very large attendance of employees and their friends, and the spacious flat upstairs, which had been artistically decorated for the occasion, presented a brilliant appearance when thronged with merry dancers. Mr J. F. Cotdl. managing director of the firm, in a few well-chosen remark* at the commencement of the proceedings, put all in the best of spirits. Dancing was entered into in no halfhearted fashion to excellent mosic (violin and piano) supplied bv Messrs Sommess Bros. The catering, which was entrusted to Mrs Thorn, left nothing to be desired. During the evening Mr H. Bills neatly executed a sartor's rjornpipe in character, and the following (jontribated vocal items:— Messrs T. C. Cbull. J. Arthur, J. C. Snritn, W. M'Lean, H. Coull, E. Mockfard, and Misses I. Nicholson and L. Goim. Before concluding. Mr Herbert Coull moved a vote of thanks to the Committee.

The fortnightlv meeting of the University DabaAhig Societv was held cm Friday e%cning, Professor Gibay in the chair. There was a moderate afcteniaaee of students. The Chairman gave a \ery intepestinp and instructive tenure on 'Britain nrder the Celts and during the Reman Occupation.' baling briefly wit* iheeany race* of Britain, he then rainnlaly described the Efe. ciatoms, religion, and lnstrtattons of fire Ceta. He then passed oo to the Rwman occapation, the effect it had on Mie life of the Britons, and the traces that tot© now to be found of the Roman dvißaabon, both m Eng&h lawbnwks and ra many institutions, concluding a very enjoyable lecture with a eulogy of the Roman civil administration and law. During the evening Miss Newman gave a aong, 'Life's Epitome/ and Mr Booster a pranoforte solo. A very hearty vote of thanks to the tecfeurer orongirt the meeting to a close.