AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 14555, 2 May 1911, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

FULLERS’ PICTURES. Failing to see the new programme initiated at tho Princess Theatre last night, the" patron of pictures will miss one of the finest series tho Fullers have presented for some time. There is only one film that is not a prizelaker in its class—namely, ‘ Zaza,’ a poor travesty of the very powerful drama which Nellie Stewart introduced to Australia ten years ago. Tlie. other dramatic subjects were magnificent. There was, for example, the merry affair of the two Windsor wives (Mistress Pago and Mistress Ford), with tho vainglorious Falstaff, “in waist two yards about,” which has formed tho basis of so many modern comedies. Tho audience followed with ill-suppressed hilarity the inglorious termination of his passion for the two women’s money-bags; saw the wives knocking their wits together for revenge, and Falstaff, in the giddiness of his new-fledged conceit, .falling into the trap that led to his immersion in the buck-basket, “stopped in with stinking clothes that fretted in their own I grease.” It was a merry drama indeed, | acted with the nicest discretion. And, again, there was tho story of David Copperfield and Agnes, introducing the irrepressible Micawbor, the snaky Uriah Keep, and all the characters invented and filled with the breath of life by the genius of Dickens. On the anecdotal side of the programme these were subjects of sheer delight. And in more serious and informative vein were two significant pictures revealing the heroic measures adopted in the German Army to lit tho units of that magnificent lighting machine for Iho next national encounter. 'Their gymnastic Paining is all calculated to fit the possibilities ! of battle. You see, lur example, man j after man thrown over a high wall by half a dozen of his fellows, and landing like a cat on the other side. It is a picture to make you think. ‘The Carrot Caterpillar’ is a lino example of tho educative influence of the cinematograph assisted by the microscope. In as many mimitco as Nature takes months to effect tho audience saw tho caterpillar become a chrysalis, and the chrysalis a gay butterfly. On tho purely scenic side a lihn disclosing tho country surrounding the Swedish Alps gavo a highly interesting view of rushing mountain streams, lumber work in the rapids, and mountain stretches of imposing grandeur. These arc but a few of the new subjects, which are helped by the splendid music of a strong orchestra. On Thursday there will bo a complete change, when ‘East Lynne’ will ho (he headline film. BAR FOLD'S DOGS, Barnold’s animal actors appear at His Majesty’s for the last time to-night. Their popularity is undiminished. Breathless Interest was taken in their performance last night. That dumb animals could he taught to do so much was plainly a puzzle to some people. But there wore wise ones who had an explanation to proffer—which, however, fully satisfied only themselves. Besides tiie dogs there wore tho usual vaudeville performers, who appeared in new turns. Daly and O’Brien presented an Irish sketch ‘Tidings from Home.’ The piece was well received, but it did not suit Mr Daly a.s well as previous turns ho has appeared in. There was too much strain after pathos and 100 little humor. Harry Sadler sang several songs of tho kind that he is famous for, ami was recalled and loudly applauded. The Scott hrothens, Emmie Hat-die, Lilian Loftus. Nellie Leslie, Nellie Searlc, and the Williamson girls wore seen in now turns'. Charles Heath was encored for his singing of ‘Thur.i.’ A series of pictures of scenes at a military school were a. decided addition to the entertainment. HAYWARDS’ PICTURES, The pictures which are beingthown at the Burns Hail this week are notable for variety and quality. Among the most attractive j are ‘ Shooting Rapids m Japan.’ ' Nomads of I Morocco,’ ‘A Westerner’s I Fay,’ ‘Drum- } sticks,’ :uid ‘Gauinont Graphic.’ The comic films arc particularly good this week An excellent programme all round. THE .SKATING RINK. The rink at the Masonic Hall has already achieved popularity, thanks to a good floor and efficient management. The'rink will he open this evening from 7.30 to ton. A LHAMBRA THEATRE. Tho vaudeville company who have boon appearing at His Majesty’s Theatre return to tho Alhambra to-morrow night. The company will bo strengthened by the Slaig troupe, motor cycle riders, who are said to perform some extraordinary feats. HYDRAMYTIIICUS EXHIBITION. A descriptive competition in connection with the freak foal now being shown at 123 a George street is advertised. Two local gentlemen will act as judges, and tho result will bo posted at the exhibition an ■Saturday. The exhibition is .still being well patronised. NORTH-EAST VALLEY RINK'. Roller skating has met with favor in North-east Valley, where, in the Town Hall, thoro is a rink offering every facility to skaters. Tho rink will be open to-mgiu. ‘SEVEN DAYS.’ Hugh J. Ward and (Miss Grace Palotta form the double head of a sort of theatrical comet. They sweep through the country every now and then, dragging a tail of laugiiing gas behind them. There will be a gap in the system when the heads separate and attach themselves to new centres of control, which happens shortly, for this is Mr Ward's farewell visit to Dunedin, as ho enters into partnership with J. (.'. Williamson, Limited, and will live in Sydney. Miss Grace Palotta returns to Europe, to take a long holiday. In ‘Seven Days’ the farce comedy they” present at His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow evening, Mr Ward and Us company are, said to bo placed in most congenial environments. ‘ Seven Days ’ haß°been described as a “joyous whirl of fun,” brim full of merriment from the rise to the fall of the curtain. The box plan is at the Dresden.