AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15716, 8 September 1911, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. “ NICOLA.” Nicola, who appeared for tho first time in Christchurch at the Theatre Royal last evening, was somewhat bold to describe his feats ns “ original.” Many of them are not, but most of them have the saving grace of boing presented in cloaks that are not’ worn. Nicola is typically American and is very clever. He palms things and jumps out of boxes and makes jokes and does other things wonderfully well, nnd in addition to being an illusionist ho is one of those fearsome persons who aro described on daybills as “ Handcuff Kings.” Last evening ho enticed a miscellaneous collection of detectives, citizens and other believing persons oil to the stage, and when they had snapped all sorts of irons on his wrists and ankles he went into a cabinet and climbed gracefully out of his encumbrances. Thon he put a young lady into a coat belonging to a member of the “ committee,” tied her up in a bag, and put her in a box. When the curtains of tho “mysterious cabinet” wore withdrawn and tho box was unlocked, Nicola himself stepped out and handed the coat to its owner. Astral brides floated dizzily in space; tho audience had its finger-rings shot into space and returned with a ticket on each one; canaries were taken out of a cage and restored by no apparent visiblo means, and packs of cards ran up and down Nicola’s urns and sorted themselves into all sorts of combinations at will. One of the most mystifying of the feats was an illusion called “An Appointment,” in which Nicola and a young lady wero put' in a cabinet and then ran on to the stage/from the audience. Tho whole of the programme was carried out in a very smart maimer, and a number of the tricks wero now and interesting. Nicola was supported by Fern and Mack, two balancers of more than average merit, and a very capable comedy juggler, and was assisted in his illusions by two young ladies. The magician will appear again this evening. FULLER’S PICTURES. The new programme presented at the Colosseum last night was in all respects an excellent one, and, judging from the reception it received, was much to the taste of the large audience. “Making an Aeroplane” was a picture of an entirely new industry, and showed each stage in the construction of the latest means of locomotion. Two interesting animal studies were presented in “ The Home of the Seal ” and “ Dinner Time,” the former showing a rough piece of sea-girt land inhabited by dozens of seal, their peculiar habits and groat natatorial powers being well depicted. The other film dealt with a zoological garden at lunch time, the feeding habits of tho various' animals and birds affording much amusement. The “ Pathe Gazette” showed several happenings of universal interest. Tho dramatic portion of tho nrogrammo was provided hy “The Cardinal’s Edict,” “His Mother,” “In the Days of ’49,” and “ The Still Alarm,” the last-mentioned being a stirring picture of fire brigade life. Some fine mountain scenery was shown in “Bergen,” while “Bunco Game at Lizard Head”'and “ Tontolini Finds Help,” two comedy films, completed the evening’s amusement. Tho orchestra played some excellent music, Beethoven’s “ Moonlight Sonata,” and the “Bohemian Girl” overture, being perhaps the best. The same pictures will be screened to-night. WE ST -HA YWA R 1) PICTURES. His Majesty’s Theatre was almost full last evening when the Bathe Pictures were again shown. The programme wns, as usual, both varied and educational and met with tlie hearty approval of the audience. The orchestral selections were a feature of the programme, which will, be repeated , this evening. OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House was well filled last evening, wlion Fuller’s Vaudeville Company again presented its current week’s programme. The star item was that of Starr and Leslie, American comedians, and their clever work met with the hearty approval of the audience. The same programme will be presented this, evening. OLYMPIA RINK. All sessions at the Rink yesterday were well attended, a lavge number of juveniles taking advantage of the school holidays and tho facilities offered them by the management to attend the morning session. The Rink will be open as usual to-dav. SYDENHAM PICTURES. Tho popular programme at the Sydenham Picture Palace drew a good attendance last night. The dramas “Was Ho a Coward,” ‘Cl'ho Assigned Servant,” and “Tho Deputy’s Honour,” were accorded tho most applause. Tho orchestra played appropriate music. To-night the programme will be finally shown, and a new series will open at the matinee performance to-morrow.