ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14927, 27 February 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

"BEAUTY AND THE BARGE."

"Beauty and the Bakge" was played at His Majesty's Theatre last evening by a company under the direction of Mr. Allan Hamilton. It is several years since the attractive little comedy, by Mr. W. W. Jacobs and .Mr. L. N. Parker, delighted an Auckland audience ; and the interval has but whetted the appetite for the good Thamesside joking, with which it is filled. Mr. Jacobs stands by himself as a writer whose works arc bottling up the spirit of the "fresh-water salt," and this comedy is excellently representative of his story-mak-ing. It was produced last night with as good an understanding as Mr. Jacobs himself could desire. The company is not wholly composed of comedians as talented as the play demands; but where they fall short they are not very far from the mark; and the life, humour, and playablencss of "Beauty and the Barge" assist them towards excellence. Mr. 'Jacobs has a great eye for the farcical possibilities of even.the most ordinary people; and thousands of people are convinced that they know the Thames bargeman by heart through the author's witty writings. In "Beauty and the Barge," the skipper of the Heart in Hand lives in the midst of gallant adventures, gently at war with such ill-assorted rivals as a gardener and a naval lieutenant; and the scrapes in which he is involved leave him more and more delightful. The honours of last evening's performance went to Mr. Charles Brown, as the amorous " affable " captain, with his nautical roll, his amazing sailor yarns of no veracity whatever, and his wonderfully versatile affections. Ho was splendidly made up, and he seemed to have secured his comical ways in a block from some cheery old sea-dog. Ho must have won the affections of every lady in the audience; and that he did not pair off and marry somebody or other at the end of the play was tho only disappointment in the story—though the author knew better than to spoil the old skipper's future by such an offering on the altar of the obvious. Then, to go on with the sea-dogs, there was Tom Codd, mate of the Heart in Hand. He chewed tobacco, and wore excruciatingly funny trousers; and his exact counterpart leans upon many a pile-head and over many a bar in ports around the world. Mr. John F. Forde's performance in that part, though brief, was one of tho best of tho evening, and thoroughly accorded with the roystcring humour of tho men created by tho author. Mr. Robert Greig was invested in the loose clothing, the choleric temper; and the fluent bad language of a particularly irascible Major Smedley, and left no one in any doubt that ho was in a furious rage with everything all tho evening. Lieut. Seton Boyne, R.N., was played by Mr. Kenneth Brampton capably enough, except that in his adopted position as temporary mate of the barge he allowed himself to bo rather too good an actor. Thero was no suggestion of the idea that ho was disguising a more or less cultured accent beneath tho roughened vernacular of the bargee. He could, indeed, have, taken some of the exaggerated "culture" used by Mr. Hilliard Vox, who in the person of Herbert Manners had just returned from Russia. Mr. Richard Bellairs failed to make the most of tho part of John Bibbs, one of Barley's rivals. Mr. J. Stuart Clyde was Augustus, third hand of tho barge, and Mr. Wilton Welch introduced a birdlike comicality into his performance as George Porter, landlord of tho Old Ship inn. Ethel Smedley is the principal lady in the play ; and Miss Beatrice Holloway's performance was pretty and girlish, and the daintiness of her acting made a striking contrast with tho rest of the performance, as it was intedded to do. Iter extraordinary persistence in repeatedly jumping into one square yard of flowerbed in the first act, however, would have seemed less unnatural if sho were given the better excuse of a bigger patch to damage. Miss Muriel Dale presented a well-devised portrayal of Mrs. Baldwin, one of the middle-aged darlings of Captain Barley's heart, and her interview with Barley and his rival, the gardener, was most laughable. Mrs. Porter is tho flighty and handsome landlady and barmaid of tho Old Ship, and Miss Muriel Dale carried tho part off to the life. Mrs. Smedley was played by Miss Agnes Keogh. and her niece, Lucy Dallas, by Miss Lillian Lloyd. Several minor characters became thoroughly intoxicated with property ale. The comedy is excellently staged, and the scenery, which includes two particularly good sets, giving glimpses of the Thames, is admirable. "Beauty and the Barge" will only be repeated to-night and to-morrow. On Thursday, the company will produce "Why Men Love Women." QUEEN'S THEATRE. Tho now programme of moving pictures presented by Messrs. MacMahon and Lodder at tho Queen's Theatre yesterday and last evening compared most favourably with previous programmes screened at this popular house of entertainment. The theatre was well patronised at the various sessions throughout the day, while in tho evening standing room only was the order. Tho star picture in the new programme is a drama entitled " Saved From Himself," a story of a man's failure and his regeneration. Tho various scenes are well acted and clearly depicted. ''A Ranch Romance" is an exciting Wild West drama. Tho race for the Auckland Cup depicts the thousands of Aueklandcrs who saw Santa Rosa win tho Cup on Boxing Day. This picture, on 800 ft of film, has proved a great attraction. Patrons of this theatro are reminded that to-mor-row evening is the last occasion on which the race picture will be shown. The comedy side of the programme is well represented by "Constant Percv," "Taking His Medicine," and ArcabMla Joins the S.P C.A." Tho programme will be repeated till tomorrow evening. On Thursday the usual bi-weekly change will take place. NEWTON PICTURE PALACE. The popularity of the Newton Picture Palace was well indicated by the packed house which watched the new programme presented last night. It is a really good programme, diversified and interesting all through, and with every picture clearly presented. Very good'ecenic films are "The Blue Nile" and, "The Crystal Palace and Zoo." Excellent examples of the best typo of picture dramas aro "Capital v. Labour" and "The Broken Doll." But all the programme—a long one—is £ood. FULLER'S PICTURES. The wide range of subjects drawn upon by the maker of moving pictures is well illustrated by the programme which was shown last night, for the first time, at the King's Theatre. Well-assorted ami excel-leiitly-arrangcd, the programme, is one that should please all tastes. Especially good aro tho kinemaeolor films, line examples of tho latest development in kinomatography. .Of these, thero aro five or six in tho programme. Strange blendings of ancient and modern civilisations, and interesting glimpses of lands of romance and other peoples aro shown in " Khartoum, its Natives and Pyramids," and " Modern Rome —St. Peter's and the Vatican." Many of tho colour effects in both are exceptionally fine. Very artistic, too, are "A Strawberry Harvest" and "Changing Guard at St. James's Palace." That the course of true love does not always run smoothly is shown by a dramatic film"Tho Fisherman's Daughter"—in which the story is set in pretty surroundings. But the kinemacolor films aro by no mpans tho only attractions. Interesting, as well as educational, is a series of glimpses of marine life and growth in an aquarium. la a

i similar category is a film showing torpedoboat firing. An ancient legend— story of Androclcs and the lion—but with variations, is drawn upon for the plot of ' "Thrown to the Lions." In this Christians of a Libyan village, who are captured and taken to Rome to provide sport for Nero, l_ av.) saved from being torn to pieces by lions ' by ono of their number having shown kind- ' j ness to a lion before his capture. Two ■'■ . stories of love, hatred, and jealousy are . "Dooley's Scheme" and '* Small Hand: : that Save." How the Coronation of King . George V. was celebrated in ono of the savago portions of His Majesty's dominions is shown by "A Visit to Khama's Conn- ' try." The'comic pictures are novel and 'entertaining. Additional pleasure is given | j by the line musical selections rendered dur- j j ing the programme, which will be repeated J, i to-night and to- morrow evening. NEWBURY-SPADA CONCERTS. At next Saturday's concert at the Town Hall, the exquisite love duct, "Wo Are Alone," from Sir Arthur Sullivan's dva- j malic cantata, "The Golden Legend," will be sung by Madame, Spada and Mr. j Philip Newbury. The first appearance of j i Miss Letitita Gardner is announced. It l i may be remembered that this young lady was conspicuously successful at the recent I musical competitions. On Saturday even- , ing Miss Gardner will sing ''Elizabeth's! Prayer" (" Tannhauser "), Mr. Newburywill sing "Sound an Alarm" ("Judas Maecabams") with grand organ, and' "Come, Margarita" from "The Martyr j of Antioch." Heir Pecholscli will play : the andante and finale from violin concerto i (Mendelssohn) and Mr. Gregson will play ' the great Ftigo in D, of the immortal Bach. | Miss Mabel Seecombe will reappear, and ' . also the popular basso. Mr. Oliver Farrow. j The box plan is on view at Wiidman and I Arey's, and day sales at Hancock's, stationer. Queen-street. THELMA PETERSEN CONCERT. Miss Thclma Petersen, a young New , Zealand contralto, will gin a concert in j the Town Hall on Wednesday, March 6. ! Miss Petersen has made an impression ! wherever she has appeared, and the audi- j ences have been most enthusiastic. Lady j Islington has consented to act as patron". A large and influential committee has been formed in Auckland to assist in the matter, consisting of His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr), Lady Lockhart, Mos- j dames C. J. Pass, Louis Myers, Hope I Lewis, D. W. Duthie, Dignan, Buckleton, I Towle, McDowell, Major, Houghton, Whit- I ney, A. M. Myers, S. Nathan, Savage, Nelson, Coleman, Leo Myers, Finlayson, Devoro, Holgate, de Clive" Lowe, Russell, Vernon Reed, Isaacs, Charles Nathan, L. Benjamin, Ferguson, Wielaert, Aubin Grant, Pechotsch, Napier, C. Phillip, I Ralph, and R. C. Stewart, Misses Ra,gna!l, j Lusher, and Ada. Wood, Drs. Hope Lewis, Parkes, Messrs. C. C. Kettle, S.M., Brett. Arthur Myers, and Lorraine. LYRIC THEATRE. An excellent programme was presented for the first time last evening at the Lyric Theatre. " The Teamster" is a particularly stirring drama, dealing with life in the Wild West, into which a very fine • exhibition of horsemanship is introduced, j " The Now Superintendent" is also a.very fine dramatic item. A new superintendent is installed at a big oil refinery. His methods do not and favour with the men, who set fire to the works. Later, realising that the new superintendent is not such a bad sort of fellow after all', the men become friendly and make him a handsome wedding present when he marries the proprietor's daughter. "A Matrimonial Muddle" proves to be a most amusing film. A picture of considerable local interest is that depicting the jubilee celebrations of the Auckland Bowling Club. "Old Toledo" is a very fine scenic study. The remainder of the programme is made up of excellent examples of moving photography. Suitable items were rendered throughout the evening by a very capable orchestra. In addition to the programme presented last evening a picture depicting the Plunkct shield match, Auckland v. Canterbury, will be shown for the first ; time in Auckland to-night. , . I OPERA HOUSE. Thero was a large, attendance at the Opera House last night, when several new items were contributed by the artists now appearing there. The main attraction is the famous Indian fakir, Fasola, and his novelty company. The magician gave an entertaining programme of illusions and conjuring tricks. At the shot of a pistol a girl, music-stool, and piano mysteriously disappeared. Then the girl appeared again on the stage, and was put feet foremost into a huge cannon, whtcl} wasduly fired. The mystery deepened when tho girl was produced from three roped-up boxes, ono inside tho other. Then an empty platform was wheeled on to tho stage. The curtains were closed, and at the crack of the pistol a bed, with a girl reposing in it, and all tho necessary furniture, had mysteriously filled the empty space. The remainder of the programme is bright and entertaining, comprising music and pictures. The dancing and singing of Miss Dorothy Dix was much admired. A quartette of young lads, tho Westminster Choristers, contributed several part songs. ■ Master Jas. Brennan, a boy comedian, made his first appearance, and his gags and comic sayings at once made him a firm favourite with the_ audience. Several highly-interest-ing moving pictures were screened. The programme will be repeated this evening. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. . The last presentaion of the current programme will be given by Wests at the Royal Albert Hall this evening. The series has proved highly interesting as well as educative, with a judicious blending of humorous subjects to make the entertain, ment pleasing. A matinee and change of programme will be given to-morrow afternoon. The King George Theatre was well patronised last night, and the current programme, consisting of a most interesting series of pictures was much appreciated. There was a good attendance at the Prince's Rink yesterday.