AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 14495, 21 February 1911, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

FULLERS’ PICTURES. —Fine Film of Ranch Life.— A magnificent subject, reproducing vividly the manly, martial life of the old-time, picturesque cow-puncher (the last cavalier, os he has been called), eclipsed every other offering on Fullers’ new programme at the Princess Theatre last night, fine though some of these others were. Wire fences and the iron road have pushed the cattleman further and further into the past, and it is now in books and pictures only that we can regain his nervous, resonant company and hear his lament that— Times aren’t now as they used to be, When gold was flush and the boys were frisky. And a man would pull out his battery For ■ anything; maybe the price of ' whisky. The vivid picture at the Princess, indisputably the most enthralling of its gems that we have seen here, showed how tho cowman takes his dangerops work in the spirit of a pure frolic. The audienc* saw tho picked “roper” of the world throw his steer and tie him in 14i second* | witnessed an extraordinary exposition oI horsemanship first on an untamed broncho, and then upon a wild steer; and finally were given a graphic illustration of that most dangerous pastime known as “ bulldogging ” steers. Tho manner of it is this: a cowboy gallops his pony Tongsids a steer lumbering along at full pace; h* leans over, catches the steer by its branching horns, flings himself clear of his horse, and, using all his weight to turn the steer’* head round (as a wrestler effects the halfnelson), throws him to the ground. Several nasty spills showed how risky this game is. The very large audience disclosed by vehement applause hotv highly they thought of this film, which certainly would repay ono for a visit, though the rest of the programme were poor. And. as a matter of fact, it is so far from that as to be perhaps the best series the firm have projected. Space does not permit that exhaustive review of the remaining subjects which is their due, but a notice would he incomplete without some comment on two or three. Thus, the ‘ Opening of the Prince Albert Yachting Club’ (Sydney) was a striking picture, which stirred the audience to enthusiasm, ‘ Raslia to forte ’ was remarkable for llie extraordinary stereoscopic effect of depth in the scenery, and ‘The Last of the Masons,’ portraying the love story of Harold the Saxon and the historic battle of Hastings, was a most ambitious and carefully-schemed film. Amongst others—all good—were ‘ The Silk .Moth,’ 'The Artist’s Ruse,’ ‘His New Lid,’ ■ Waterfalls of Bohemia,’ 'Not so Bad as it Seemed’ (a. highly original comedy), and • Avc Maria,’ llie'best point of which wa» Mr F. -Martinelli's fine rendering on the violin of Gounod’s ‘ Ave Maria’ and the intermezzo from ‘Cavalleria Rusticana.’ This and to-morrow evening the same programme will be screened.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE. Messrs Hamilton and EarJo and Miss Jolly Coleman were the new artists that appeared at the Alhambra Theatre last evening, when the weekly change of programme was made. Miss Coleman is an accomplished performer on the trapeze; Hamilton and Earle sang a duet, ‘The battle eve,’ and were very well received. Carlton and Sutton, clever dancers, sang ‘Lulu,’ and in the second part the humorist of the pair kept the audience laughing with some clever and original patter. The Two Rosebuds danced as charmingly as ever, and also sang a pretty little hive, song, ‘Can you keep a secret?’ Kttie Williams and Geo. Jones, in humorous song and in a sketch entitled ‘The Taming of the Shrew,’ entered upon a new period of popularity; and Mr Jos. Mullaney, endjnan, has also improved upon further acquaintance. Tom Vivian appeared as a coon singer, and had to give an cncor« number for his ‘Horae ain’t nothing like this.’ The Seytler Twins are a very clever pair of dancers. George Dean has a fresh scries of songs, in which he seeks to combine humor, tragedy, and a philosophy of woman. He gets a liberal share of applause. The same programme will be repeated to-night. HAYWARDS’ PICTURES. The picture programme which is being shown at the Burns Hall this week is suie to attract large audiences. The best advertisement for a good picture is the picture itself. ‘The Array Manoeuvres,’ ‘A Tour in the Alps.’ ‘Broncho Horse-break-ing,' ‘An Algerian Stud,’ and ‘The Message of the Violin’ are among the best of a well-assorted series of films. CONCERT AT PUKETERAKI. A verv successful and enjoyable concert was given at Puketeraki by the Maori pupils of Mr J. H. assisted by Mrs Hutton, on Saturday, before a large attendance. Mr Ellison was chairman. Violin solos were given by Miss S. Woods, Messrs G. Harper and N. M'Donald; a violin trio bv M. Parata, E. Ellison, and X. M‘Donal«i ; mandolin solos by Messrs J. Harper and Rang! Ellison; banjo solo by E. Ellison ; piano solo by A. Ellison ; piano duet by L. and T. Apes. Two orchestral selections. ‘Qui vive’ and ‘Christy Minstrels,’ created great applause, and Mis Hutton’s singing was much enjoved. The evening’s entertainment was concluded with a dance.

‘THE DOLLAR PRINCESB.’ On Monday next will appear here, under the J. C. Williamson management, probably the most important comic opera attraction that has been submitted to Dunedin for manv years. It is doubtful if at any time the principals of the New Comic Opera Company, that will be seen In ‘ The Dollar Princess’ 1 at H.M. Theatre on Monday, have, in point of ability, been surpassed. It is stated that the phenomenal success of ‘Our Mlm Gibbs’ in Sydney is in a measure responsible for this. There being no part of sufficient importance in ‘Miss Gibbs’ for either Miss Florence Young, Mies Ivy Bickford. Mr Reginald Roberts, or Mr Langford Kirby, these art L(« have been transferred to the New Comic Opera Company. An aggregation is thus arrived at that is of an uncommonly high standard indeed. ‘The Dollar Princess’ will open, the season. This charming musical play is by Dr Leo Fall, the eminent Viennese composer. It is spoken of as being the most musical, the most elegant, and altogether far and away the beau ideal of modern musical pieces. Also includrd in a lengthy cast will be Messrs Herbert Clayton, Frank Greene, W. S. Percy, Victor Prince, Charles Albert, EolstH Hogue, Bert Gilbert, Mieses Olive Godwin, Lottie Sargent, Vera Collins, and Alice Mitchell. Mr Fritz Hart will conduct an orchestra of grand operatic proportions. The box plans tor ‘The Dollar Princess,' which will be played for the first five nights, will be open at the Dresden on Thursday. During the season will be given ‘ A Waltz Dream.’ a revival of ‘The Merry Widow, 1 ' and ‘ A KiSghi^oir* t 'De^