AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 15478, 28 April 1914, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS

PRINCESS THEATRE. With the idea of maintaining the attractiveness of vaudeville, the management have engaged new turns for this week wMch are sure to catch on. A large audience assembled last night, and the verdict was decidedly that of approval. What makes the present programme peculiarly attractive is its diversity. All tastes are met, A first-rank item is that given by Brent Hayes, ban joist. In the hands of Mr Hayes the banjo is an instrument of pew powers- The effects produced are quite new. He does not attempt any aprohatic feats with the instrument—simply relies upon musiciaidy effects. His interpretation of the ‘ Miserere ’ scene from ‘II Trovatore’ was masterly, and as a contrast ‘ Annie Laurie ’ was most effective. But all Mr Hayes’s woVk was superior, and his contribution alone should ensure good houses during ,the week. The Lee Chandlers are two American young ladies full of go. They give quaint dances successfully, and sing” songs wMch would be better appreciated if they were only more distinct. Their “ business ” is novel; and bn the whole the turn is a good one. The Three Luxors are expert performers on the hand bells, suspended bells, xylophones, and dulcimers. An agreeable item in their part is that ail numbers given are placarded , legibly. Audiences like to know the title of pieces performed for their benefit. Miss Winifred Stewart, described as a lady baritone, took well with the audience. Her voice is of peculiar quality, and she imparts a lot of “ life into her work, which makes it very acceptable. Tom Leonard scored with Ms absurdities. There is nothing much in them, but they are amusing. Mantell’s Marionettes are decidedly clever. _ The ingenious mechanism of the show will appeal to adult minds, while the effects produced must please the younger generation. A miniature stage, orchestra, and several reserved boxes are shown, and trapeze acts, nigger minstrel turns, and dancing items are gone through in a marvellous manner when one considers that they are watching lifeless performers all the time. Millie Doris scored another deserved success with her really funny business. She is a refreshing artist, with a taking style all her own. The foregoing strong list is supported by Little Mollie, the. Strattons, Carlton and Sutton, and Weston and Hill, and last, but not least, the orchestra lend great aid. This week’s programme is a good one at the Princess’s. GEORGE WTI.T.nn-'-rmv DRAMATIC COMPANY. Popular drama at popular prices will bo presented at His Majesty’s Theatre by th© George Willoughby, Ltd., firm next Saturday night. The piece chosen for the opening performance is the latest London, Sydney, and Melbourne success, ‘The Beggar Girl’s Weddinsr,’ by the well-known author. Walter Melville. This powerful domestic London drama abounds in comedy, with many sensational incidents, being composed of four acts and numerous pretty scenes, and will be staged on the same lavish spectacular manner as in the otehr large centres of Australia. ‘The Beggar Girl's Wedding ’ will be interpreted by the strongest company ever sent on tour by Mr George Willoughby, and a glance through the bill will be quite enough to convince the numerous theatregoers of this town of the very high standard of the company. Mr George Cross, who is the leading gentleman of the combination, is undoubtedly the greatest favorite on the Australian stage to-day, and needs no further recommendation. He is weJl supported by th© young and beautiful actress, Miss Vera Rome©, in the pathetic role of the Beggar Girl. The dialogue is very smart, and a good deal of real genuine comedy runs throughout the piece, which is in the hands of Miss Fanny Erris and Mr Arthur Albert. The box plan will open to-morrow morning, at the Dresden. Popular prices will prevail throughout the season, which is limited to seven nights.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The large audience who witnessed the pantomime last evening were clearly delighted with the entertainment' provided., ‘ Aladdin ’ is certainly a bright, picturesque, and amusing production, and those who- have not yet seen it should make a point of doing so. 1 —The Tango Teas.— The second and last tango tea by the ‘ Aladdin ’ Pantomime Company took place this afternoon in His Majesty’s Theatre. As interpreted by Mr Fred Oswald and Miss Margot Maurice the tango is a refined and graceful dance, entirely lacking in reckless abandon and grotesque posturing. In addition to the dancing an excellent entertainment was provided, clever songs and sketches being given by various members of the company. FULLERS' PICTURES. Those who patronised tne King’s Theatre last night to witness the screening of the current week’s bill were rewarded for their visit. In every detail the new programme was excellent, and the orchestral music, which is an sutertairtment in itself at this popular theatre, added greatly to the night’s amusement. ' Brothers at War,’ a drama depicting a tale of tne American Civil War, figured prominently on the programme, and it is sufficient to say that the audicnoe were not slow in exhibiting their approval. The unveiling of the first part related the incidents surrounding the severance of Major Adams, of the Northern Army, and his brother-in-law, Major •Chase, of the Confederates, when hostilities are entered upon. Shortly after the commencement of the war Adams learns of the serious illness which has befallen hia sister’s little child, and ho at once makes an effort to gain an opportunity to visit her, In this mission he succeeds, but his presence is soon found jout by Major Chase, and a very hurried escape has to be effected. Eventually, after a few thrilling adventures, he rejoins the ranks of tho Northern Army. The next, part tells where Adams is seriously wounded, and has to be conveyed to tho military hospital. Major Chase rejoices on learning of this happening, but thei concluding scenes show how he, too, is wounded and taken to the same hospital. When they come faoe to face with each other the bitter feeling between them has still unchanged. With a magnificent plot and handsomely staged, the drama loses nothing in its pictorial telling, aiid throw’s a vivid light on the feeling of hatred which existed between North and South during those troublesome times. A mirth-provok-ing comedy entitled ‘ He Would a-Hunting Go’ was very much appreciated. A count, who is of very stout dimensions, is bent upon a hunting excursion. However, his trip terminates abruptly When he nervously falls over a cliff. His amusing ad-veiitm-es and ultimate rescue at the opportune moment are told in a series of wellacted and interesting scenes. An informative study is provided in a film ‘ Tar Burning in Westerbotten,' and an interesting budget of news is expressed in the new edition of the ‘ Gaumont Graphic.’ The latter includes a few incidents relating to the arrival in London of the deported Labor leaders from South Africa. Excellent support is given by a few more items—‘The Half-breed’s Crime’_ (drama). ‘The Mauicure Girl,’ and ( His Majesty the Baby’ (comics!. The same programme will be screened for the remainder of the week. ‘ NAPOLEON BONAPARTE/ _Th9-best film ip a fine series of moving pictures shown by Messrs Hayward the Gotagon Hall last night was that which deplete with reasonable fidelity to the, I acts of history several phases of the wonderful life of Napoleon Bonaparte. The company who produced excellent film have spared no expense to make a success of their production, and it cap be admitted at _ once that th?ir work is a triumph. Historians would possibly challenge some of the .pictorial details, but it is not necessary to apply too severe a test tp an. entertainment. The film is ne-’r perfection as a cinematograph production, -although it is defective as a picture of Him

Who in our wonder and -astonishment ! Has built himself a. lifelong monument. Prom first to last the film holds the attention of spectators, and arouses their iwagination, . . The brightest and the bleakest phases of Napoleon’s career are depicted, 'imu to %ronafcion. as gmperor of IVanoe to his crushing exiled death at

St. Helena. During that period the “ farbeaming blaze’’ of his power and majesty shone'over Europe like the sun; often he enjoyed the nectar of success, but aa he gulped it men were making for him a brew whose bitterness was yet to break his great heart. He* is shown at ; first riding from triumph to triumph until his mind warred with the universe and cent him on that supreme folly—his Russian campaign. The retreat from Moscow is the finest picture in this remarkable film, ■and conveys to the imagination much of the suffering that fell upon Napoleon’s Grand Army. Then comes the beginning of the end—Waterloo—failure —banishment—bitter deatll. The various scenes are portrayed with splendor and with grimnesis according to their actual nature, and spectators are conscious throughout’ that they , are seeing a film in ten thousand. .The supporting films are even better than usual. A magnificent picture is entitled •Modern Flowers.’ The programme as a whole is of the first class. It will be repeated to-night. PLAZA PICTURES. The current programme at this picture' house is meeting with popular approval, ,ths powerful and sensationed film depictingl the San Francisco «athguake proving a great attraction. QUEEN’S PICTURES. This week’s budget of animated pictures is proving a great draw, and the leading production, ‘ A Woman Pays,’ is being favorably commented upon by patrons.