AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14511, 1 November 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

pANQQHHBD. Haqco. the adept handcuff mnnipuls° T > failed alter a two hours’ struggle last night to escape from rope bonds affixed by two youths. In addition to the rope, String or twine was used ip a process which we understand to be known as “seining,” and the fingers of ono of Hanco’fl hands were tied together with string. One hand waa'boxmd behind his hack, and the other over his breast. When the trussing was completed the bonds did pot appear to the inexpert eye to be nearly fo formidable sp others' from which Banco bad escaped, but ae the minutes passed and he railed to make any impression upon the knots, though exercising every expedient within his knowledge, it became obvious to the large audience seated in the Alhambra Theatre that there was scant hope of his securing his release. After the first hour Banco weakened perceptibly, and even from the back of the circle it could be seen that his wrists, hands, and forearms were painfully bruised, while the color of one hand denoted constricted circulation. By twelve o’clock, two hours after the ropes were placed round him, Banco had made very little progress, and it was evident that the affair had already passed from the realm of possible achievement to that of hopeless endeavor. For some minutes later, however, he struggled stoutly, and then suddenly abandoned it as, hopeless, with the exclamation ; “ I give in, then.” It is necessary to say, with great regret at having to do so, that the attitude of a section of the audience towards Banco during his plucky fight was anything but chivalrous. Indeed, that is a very mild way of expressing it, and it were truer to say that the taunts levelled at the man by a few persons were most vicious and cowardly. On one occasion one of the youths who had secured Banco came forward to demand fair play for him, which showed a most propeir spirit, though it ought not to have been necessary. _ It is not to be supposed from these strictures that the majority of the audience took part in the baiting of Banco. On the contrary, it was only a small section, but unfortunately that section was offensively clamorous, and the right-spirited section silent. So much for an unedifying spectacle! For the rest, the programme was a splendidly diversified one._ Carden Wilson submitted a fresh series of mimetic impersonations, giving a particularly fine imitation of Mr Hawtroy in ‘ A Message from Mars.’ Cecile Stephono sang ‘My ain folk’ very beautifully, T. Vivian scored with baritone numbers, Harry Sadler evoked boisterous laughter with his comical specialties, and Pearl Hellmrich in serio songs was appreciatively heard. The pictures, too, were admirable, the best probably being ‘The Face at the Window’ and ‘Stuff that Americans aro Made Of.’ Mr Stokes and his orchestra had a heavy night, playing without break from 9.15 p.m. to 12.15 a.m. This and every evening the present programme will be repeated. Net Mortday the famous comedian Nat Clifford makes his appearance.

FULLERS’ PICTURES. The permanent picture show at the Princess Theatre is now an institution in this City. People who have a night at their disposal and a desire to be entertained go to the Princess as a matter of course, knowing that they will not be disappointed. The pictures on the current programme are very fine. Among the most interesting are tho'se showing the funeral of Florence Nightingale and incidents in Dr Charcot’s Antarctic Expedition. The pictures are all interesting or amusing, some of them both. HAYWARDS’ PICTURES. Messrs Hayward’s new programme was presented for'thc second time at the Burns Hall last evening. The pictures are excellent. This is the testimony of a correspondent, who writes:—“ Allow mo to express my extreme pleasure and astonishment at the beautifully screened pictures of Messrs Hayward. I am a hiograph operator, with many years’ experience in Australia and New Zealand. . . . The illumination, definition, and steadiness of picture, with absolute freedom from flicker, was a treat to see, and has awakened mo to the fact that I have still something to learn in the art of animated projection. Wishing this enterprising firm the succors worthy of such fine pictures—l am, etc., W. MTver.” OPERATIC FESTIVAL. His Majesty’s Theatre was well filled last evening. The stallholders report that business continues good. The choir sang ‘ The bridal chorus’ from ‘Lohengrin.’ The tug-oi-war was continued, and in the first pulloff in the second round the Waterside Workers pulled the North End Boating Club team over the mark in 4miu 14sec. The second pull, between Speight’s and the Police, was also decided in quick time, Speight’s pulling their opponents over the mark in smin 12sec. Owing to the Drainage Board No. 2 team and Shiel’s lieing in each pull, it was decided to let it count as a win for both teams, and a fresh draw was taken for to-night’s contests. The Drainage Board No. 1 meets the Drainage Board No. 2, and Shiel’s meet Barningham’s, while the Milburn Lime and Cement team has a bye. A good programme is announced for to-night. NORMAN CONCERT COMPANY. Considerable interest has been evoked in musical circles over the opening of the Norman concerts at the Garrison Hall tomorrow night. With such artists at the head of it as Miss Amy Murphy and Mr Walter Whyte, the organisation which Mr Charles Norman has brought to the Do minion appears a particularly strong one, and the programme announced for Wednesday night could hardly be more attractive, not alone to the musically initiated, but also the public at large. There is to be operatic music, solo and concerted, of the best and most popular, some of the latest songs, also the oldest ballads. The operatic duets and quartets alone should be well worth hearing, and it is long since such an entertainment of such promise was projected. Many are looking forward to tho reappearance of Miss Nellie Black as violinist as well as vocalist, and it is reported that Miss Mabel Fowler, the Tasmanian dramatic soprano, has a voice of remarkably fine quality. Seats may be reserved at the Dresden, and tickets are also obtainable at Jacobs’s. SCHOOL CONCERT. The members of the Wakari School Committee arranged a most successful concert on Friday evening, in aid of a fund with which to provide a piano for the school. Mr J. K. Wilson (chairman of the Committee) presided, and the concert, which was held in the school hall, was largely attended. The Committee were fortunate in having tho services of Air D. Cooke and others from town. Mr Cooke gave a pianoforte selection, and acted as accompanist. Miss Burke played a violin solo. Air D. White gave a musical monologue, and songs were given by Ajessra G. Roach, White, Ibbotson, and Alias Violet Watt. Quartets rendered by Alessrs Hale, Hopcraft, Ibbotson, and Cooke were features of the evening’s entertainment. Votes of thanks were accorded the performers and to Air G. Thomson for kindly lending his motor car to convey them from and back to town.