ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

RICKARDS VAUDEVILLE CO.

A BRIGHT AND VARIED PROGRAMME. The vaudeville stage has been so persistently exploited of late years by producers of musical comedy and pantomime that variety artists with real claims to appreciation have become a little scarce. It is a pleasure therefore to find that in the Ricardian combination presented to an overflowing audience at His Majesty's Theatre last night, where many hundreds were unable to obtain admission, are included several whom the "legitimate" stage has yet to capture. Few of the companies sent to New Zealand by the same management have given so genuinely bright, clean, and talented a performance as the one under notice. Though none of the "turns" have been " starred" many of them would have justified such prominence. The selection of the artists, however, has been carried out on the judicious principle that it is better to amuse and entertain the public all the time than to bore them some of the time. Hence we have a programme that opens merrily and holds the interest to the last. The items are varied enough to ensure an appeal to individual tastes, and, without exception, they have commendable features.

Future audiences, like that of last night, ; will be charmed with the graceful gymnastic act of Alcide Capitaue, an American lady who has reduced the athleticism of the swinging trapeze to a fine art. During her performance she displays the utmost sangfroid. She is adept, skilful, remarkably strong in the arms, and intrepid to a degree. Many of Alcide Capitaine's feats are watched with bated breath, particularly that in which she walks head-downwards along a shining bar from one trapeze to another. She has a 'mm and dainty figure, and a feature of her work is her grace of pose and poise. This captivating artist received a very hearty welcome last night. .Novelty is the keynote of the music-cum-comedy turn " submitted by Hinns and Binns. Their playing on various instruments will delight the musically-inclined. in their comedy they utilise several n.inor mechanical effects that are both clever and original, besides which their "gags'* and " business " are not hoary with age. It is a decidedly amusing quarter oi an hour which these two artists provide. ' Refinement is by no means the only good quality characterising the little entertainment given by Mr. Sydney Bach, a young Welshman. Aided by vn agreeable personality he at once makes friends in front. Having introduced himself in a few jokes neatly turned, Mr. Bach proceeds to call in the assistance of his piano, whereupon it is soon realised that musical monologuists of the past have not shown us all that may be effected in conjunction With the useful instrument. Mr. Bach, who has a voice of nice light quality, creates speedy merriment in a series l of imitative efforts. His proficiency as an acrobatic pianist is incidentally made evident. hirst he plays an air with one hand and his nose. Later he stands with his back to the piano and in that awkward position, by stooping forward and reaching in the opposite direction, he plays the accompaniment to that beautiful song The Rosary," acquitting himself well in the voice part. . Finally he plays a livelv dance tune to which his feet meanwhile perform the necessary terpsichorean measure. The turn is wholly enjoyable. Two English artists, finished in their comedy and astonishingly smart and nimble in their dancing, are Messrs. Clarke and Mostol. Their introductory "patter" is refreshingly new, and really funny. Nothing so up-to-date in. the way of step-dancing has been seen on this side of the world, their double song and breakdown being quite surprisingly clever. Both indulge in lightning-like movements, almost impossible to follow. Their efforts kvst night fairly brought down tho house.

,-' Mr. Alfred Holt, a genial and talented American, provides an interlude during which he imitates most of the birds and animals that Noah sheltered in the Ark, ani imitates them well. He also whistled* better than other whistlers, and concludes an entertaining performance by providing a first-rate dog-fight without the dogs. Mr. Carlton Max, though showing little that is "new in his art,' succeeds nevertheless in mating his ventriloquial sketch pleasurable and amusing. Miss Fanny Powers, the. gifted young Australian, imitates stage favourites with wonderful faithfulness, and is altogether dainty and refined in all her work. Mr. Godfrey James, possessor of a fine robust tenor voice, is responsible for an exquisite rendering of " I'll Sing Thee Songs of Araby," and Miss Camille Cornwall proves herself a well-trained soprano vocalist in her ballad contributions. The Marlowe Sisters, serios, submit excellent songs and dances, and display taste in costume. The broadly comic element is safely entrusted to Mr. Tom Dawson, whose fame as a vaudeville comedian has previously been recognised in Auckland. Pastor and. Merle, though occupying the last place on the programme, are worth staying to see in their eccentric acrobatic and musical "turn." The bright entertainment will be repeated to-night and for a limited season.

ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Horace Weber, who is the organist of the Anglican Cathedral at Napier, gave an admirable recital on the new three-manual organ at Pitt-street Methodist Church last evening, in the presence of a large and highly appreciative audience. Mr. Weber as an executant is remarkable for the clearness and distinctness of _ the musical thought he places before his hearers. His programme last evening was so selected that he was given opportunity of showing bis command over the technical complexities of the new instrument. Ho did justice to himself in this regard, and also to the organ, which he speaks of as a remarkably fine instrument. PRINCE'S RINK. The Prince's Rink was well patronised yesterday by large crowds of holidaymakers.