ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14536, 25 November 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

l WONDERLAND ARRIVES. 5 ' — AN AUSPICIOUS START. "Is Wonderland going to succeatl in Auck- [ land?" The question has repeatedly been 2 asked of late by the people who look up from 5 lower Hobson-street at the tower and tearooms and other structures that have raised ■ themselves so suddenly on tho elevated site overlooking tho harbour. It was plain that ; a large amount of money had been spent, [ an pooplo were curious to know whether L a sufficient return was likely to como back . fi-om the public, whose great collective judg- > nient in a matter of this sort is the deter- ) mining factor. If t.be attendance last ovenl ing at tho opening of Wonderland is a coni ' elusive test, then this ambitious undertaking isi in a very fair way to success. At the • busiest stage of the evening the grounds were quite full; had there been any moro people it would have been uncomfortable. Those present included both sexes and all ages— timidly adventuring upon tho ! mechanical side shows, youths encouraging » them,' paterfamilias with his family (an expensive but important item), and various units attached or unattached. Tho first side show as one enters the ground is the helter-skelter, a spiral slide descending from tho tower which forms the main architectural feature of the establishment. Tho helter-skelter is like life itselfthere is an awkward turning, and if you negotiate it cleanly you end neatly on your feet; if you don't, you sprawl. The redeeming point is that some of those who sprawl look oven more happy than some of those who end on their feet. In the ease of the helter-skelter a mattress or something soft is spread for those who sprawl, and in that respect tho analogy with life is departed from. Only a few ladies ventured on the helter-skelter, and some of these were so expert that one fancied that they must have shot this rapid before. Then there is the cake-walk. This is art elevated way, which is agitated by electrical motive power so that it jerks vio; lently up and down, and the venturesome passenger does a veritable cake-walk. Liko other similar devices, and like dancing in some cases, the motion gets into the blood, and once people start hclter-skeltcring or cake-walking there.is no stopping them so long as the money lasts. It is dangerous to tread on ground sacred to the medical profession, but one fancies both these exercises must be good for the liver. So far only two of the side shows have been referred to, but there are a number, and the sensations are legion. There is the merry-whirl, and in this case what rather added to the enjoyment of the occasion last evening was that the public got the better of the machine.. It being the starting night, probably the power was not equal to the full load, and the people who got on the revolving disc remained —despite the efforts of the crowd to dislodge them—and were not moved off by the high-speed centrifugal force as they should have been. From the merrywhirl one passes to the electric fishing pond, a little farther on is the shooting gallery, the skittle alley, the laughing gallery—a whole entertainment in —and the department of automatic machines with a full battery of mutoseopes. In the centre of all are the tearooms, which did a thriving trade last evening, and outlying from them is tho skating rink (not yet ready for action), a promenade overlooking the harbour, and seats where the contemplative may rest and view the madding crowd. In the skating rink is a band rotunda—flanked by fountains —and here the band, specially selected, discoursed music suitable to tho festive occasion. It only remains to be added that the management has attended to one very important detail in a pleasure-nlaoe of this description— lighting. Numbers of people in Hobcon-street seemed to be content simply with looking un at the hundreds of electric lights that lined the front of the grounds and buildings. The management, however, is satisfied on this point, relying on the magnetic influence of Wonderland. Certainly there is a wide range of variety, and the start is admittedly a highly promising one. OPERA HOUSE. A crowded audience witnessed the change of programme, the pictures > for which arrived by the R.M.S. Mongolia on ednesday, at the Opera House last evening. The pictures are all of a high) order of merit, and proved very interesting, especially one showing some of the results of the revolution in Portugal. " A Modern Prodigal " was a very _ good dramatic .film, giving a modern version of the story of the Prodigal Son. A film showing the Bartel Sisters, two European vaudeville artists performing some wonderful gymnastic _ feats was also well received. In the comic section, " Mr. Tweedledum's Itching Powder" proved a side-splitter, while "Turning the Tables" was also very funny. The remainder of the programme is oomprised of excellent scenic and dramatic films, all of which are equal to any previously shown at the Opera House. WEST'S PICTURES. A crowded house, including many visitors from the country, viewed the fine selection of piotures presented by West's at the Royal Albert Hall last evening. A new picture, screened for the first time, entitled *' A Broken Symphony," was received with great pleasure, the story being a particularly interesting one. A complete change is announced for the matinee to-morrow afternoon. AMERICAN THEATRE. The Friday-Saturday programme at the American Theatre this week includes a picture specially attractive to school children — " The Annual Celebrations of the American School Children of Newark, New Jersey." The star picture, however, is the " Tragedy of Belgrade in 1903." _ There are eight pictures in all, including "In. the Days of King} Gearge," a dramatic historical presentation. TTVOLI THEATRE. An appreciative audience attended the Tivoli Theatre again last night, when the items submitted by Fred. Jiollins's entertainers met with a warm reception. The present programme will be given for the last time to-night. ROBERT BURNS. On Wednesday evening the Somervell Memorial Church at Remuera was well filled with a decidedly Scottish audience, who listened appreciatively to a lecture entitled "An Evening With Robert Bums," delivered by Mr. Harold T. Peat. The leoturer described the life, history, and work of the Ayrshire bard. Recitations were rendered by friends, several of whom had to respond to encores. The proceeds are to be devoted to the piano fund of the church. A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the singing of Burns' immortal song, " Auld Lang Syne." "DICKENS RECITAL." The inmates of the Institute of the Blind last evening listened to an interesting recital on Dickens, given by Mr. Horace H. Hunt. There was also a, good attendance of visitors, a limited number of tickets having been sold in aid of the institute. Mr. Hunt's rccital was highly appreciated by those present. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Hunt at the conclusion.