ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9590, 6 September 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

A GREAT PROGRAMME AT HAY WARD'S. x v

The benefit given by Ilayward's, last night to the MunawatUp Hockey Association was a splendid success. There wa« a packed house, and everyone spent a really enjoyable evening witnessing one of the most attractive pictorial entertainments ever put on locally. As on the preceding evening. Will Evans' ludicrously funny sketch, "Harnessing a Horse," fairly had the "house" rocking with laughter. "Will" buys a quadruped—the dealer calls it an Arabian mare. He then gets friendly witjj a coachman, who gives him some tips in harnessing, all of which he puts down in his notebook. Repairing to the stable, Will proceeds to carry out instructions, or at lw.it makes a I toldattempt to carry them out. The Arab is not having any. though. His pride risents sac}) servile employment as the drawing of traps, but a. contest bel ween equine cunning and human ingenuity ultimately results in the beast's defeat, and. although his harness is not so evenly distributed over him as to deceive the critical eye of an expert ,he is nevertheless "harnessed." Will's trouble* are not by any means over w hen he does so, but the remainder of them can be left to the film to relate. They are all of an immensely humorous character. That "one touch of nature makes the whole world akin'' is beautifully and appealingly exemplified in "O'Hara's Godchild. The film of "Shyiock"' is another triumph of cinematography. Magnificent architecture is ehownm the Tuscan town of Pisa, with its marvellous leaning tower. Very novel and charming are "Dances of the. Ages," for which Mr Cimino has prepared some special music which much -enhances the attractiveness of the picture. On Monday evening, at the Zcalandia Hall Glanmore Jono*, an old favourite in English pantomimes, will make his first appearance in New Zealand, lie only having arrived from the Old Country a fortnight ago. He specialists in songs in character. He is the possessor of a very robust tenor voice, 'and comc« with very high credentials.

DUAL ' STARS'' AT HIS MAJESTY'S.

A very large audience expressed its complete satisfaction with the excellent aggregation of picture plays offered at His Majesty's last night. The .two outstanding features were the exhibition of billiards given by chamfiion Tom Recce, and the moving Vitagraph drama, "A Modern Prodigal," which is quite one of the finest things yet done by this popular company. '"A Modern Prodigal" tells a familiar story in the form of a compelling and powerful drama of real life, which contains that one touch of nature that brings a ihrol) to the hearts of all. After passing through the crucial tests of youthful folly, an only son redeems himself from the fetters 'of vice, and in true prodigal fashion returns to his home and rescues his aged mother from poverty and want. Her faith and love, so characteristic of mothers the world over, are the influences that guide him back to manhood and happiness. Last night this compelling drama held the audience enthralled by its puthos and power, until the happy, denouement brought relief to all. No billiard player should miss the opportunity of seeing so fine a cue expert as Tom Recce in action. A large number of amateurs were present last night, and took much interest in the study of the finer strokes of the game as played by the champion. There are otlier good films—the Warwick Chronicle, "The Usurer's Grip" (Edison drama), '"ln Darkest Africa" (Pathe scenic), "Olaf, the Atom" (A.B. drama), "Puzzled" 'Hep worth d rami); "Escape from Prison" (A.B. drama), and an Ambrosio comedy. Final arrangements have now been made for the complete production of Bizet's famous grand opera, Carmen, in picture fosrn, next Monday, at Fullers' Theatre. The screening of the thrilling; story, one of the most sensational and, withal, human, of the modern classics, will bq accompanied by orchestral selections from the opera itself. Miss Marion Leonard is to appear in the leading rolo of the fascinating Carmen herself. This picture, bj the Monopol Film Company), forms a new departure in cinematograph work. Taken-»jft the Spanish mountains, the scenerjkis true to type, and the acting and staging Mjive nothing to be desired. Pwcea aw aa usual.

THE GREAT McF.WEN. The Great McEwen and company will pay a return visit to Palmerston next week, when they will plav a season of two nights at the Opera House, commencing on Tuesday. An entire change of programme will be presented, and those who did noi take the opportunity of visiting the show last week should make a point of doing so next week.

SCOTTISH SONG RECITAL A Scottish song rcc-itul will be given by Mi* Adelaide Bruce in the Empire Hall, on Wednesday. September 17. Further particulars will appear in a later issue.

BRENNAN-FULHER'S VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. Brennan-Fidler's vaudevillt entertainers will commence a short season at the Opera House on Friday next, 12th September. The company consists of a number of imported artists of no mean repute. The principal hem on the programme wiil be the. royal fianzai family of Japanese entertainers. These people come direct front the London Coliseum. The troupe consists of five performers, and in feats of equilibrium, pole walking arjd risiey work, are said to be the greatest that have ever appeared on the vaudeville stage. The Banzai family appear nightly in a gorgeous setting of fine silk and velvet magnificently hand-embroidered in gold. In every city they have appeared in they have not only broken all records as a theatre attraction, but they have everywhere been written up bv the leading journals as the greatest novelty of the century. The Banzais are supported by the following well known artists:—Signor Corona, late of Sousa's band, is billed as "the man who makes the cornet talk." Signor Corona has just completed a inns* successful season of five weeks in Wellin: t~n The Lyrical Four will present a novel r.nd original drawing-room entertainmeni, embracing vocal quartettes, humorous sketches, bass solos and monologues. Neil Cant, the well-known Scottish comedian, will introduce his latest song successes, "A Wee Bit o' Scotch" and "A Braw Lad Frae the Hielands." Miss Olga Pennington is a talented male impersonator and comedienne. Miss Madge Be resford conies direct from England, where she has lieen appearing as "principal boy" "in pantomimes. Miss Beresford will make her first appearance in this' city in some of her "principal boy" songs, in their regulation costume. Mr Kennedy Black, baritone and composer, pianist, and Miss Cissie O'Keefe, soprano, will complete an excellent, programme;