ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15717, 18 September 1914, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HARRY LAUDER,

For years an idol of- British music-hall patrons the famous Scottish comedian., Harry Lauder, is now concluding in Auckland what w 0 are told has been quite a triumphal tour of New Zealand. His first appearance at His Majesty's Theatre last night attracted a very largo audience, which included numbers of Scots, several being members of the Caledonian Society. L'auder, therefore, faced a crowd, the personnel of which was well-leavened by his own countrymen, and whilst lie held the boards during the last hour of tho entertainment, tho proceedings bocame much like tho "woo family gathering" tho comedian declared it to be.

To his brethren of the farian kilt and sporran Harry Lauder appeals as tho finest portrayer of the Scot in humour and the Scot in sentiment whom tho age has produced. It is but natural that in him they should be able to discern no flaw. His phenomenal success, however, has not been achieved solely because of that. Tho secret of it is his ability to amuse, beguilo, and interest those with never a drop of Scottish blood in their veins. Ho is an artist to tho finger-tips, versatile to a degree, gifted beyond the ordinary in character--1 acting, and possessor of a voice which, without being great, lias yet a quality that commends it. Lander's GO minutes' entertainment shows him in so many and so varied moods that, though he goes on with scarcely a break, boredom does not intervene. His whimsicality and his infectious laugh soon put the audienco into a merry frame of mind, and in the end he has the majority of those present singing with him. Short in stature, but sturdy and thick-set, he presents a comical figure in his broader comedy studies, and his art extends to his make-up, wherein ho excels. Lauder can wear the kilt with dignity, and he can wear it with grotesque effect. Which way he chooses to wear it depends upon the* song he is singing. Of his numbers be it said that all, though made familiar by would-be imitators, are enjoyable, and throughout . them and the accompanying patter there is not so much as a trace of vulgarity. Another of his strong points is that Lo is able to hold his listeners' serious attention as easily as he is able to excite their risible faculties. Pew comedians can do this.

The budget presented from his repertory last night by Lauder included the droll " Tobermory," introducing a verse of "Rocked in the Cradle of' the Deep," and "She's The Lass For Me." "I Love a Lassie," with its haunting air, was very popular, and mirth was general as the result of his laughable by-play in "She's Ma' Daisy." In "Softest of The Family," the comedian was seen and heard in his. most subtle work, the characterisation here being remarkable for its blend of the ludicrous and the pathetic. "A Wee Deoch and Doris," with the audience as' a full chorus/' made a 'tuneful and appropriate finale for the visitor.

The supporting company comprises several talented vaudeville artists, who provide the whole of the first part of the programme. ■ They are: Jack Ark, a clever diabolo . expert; Sehvyn. Driver, light comedian and monologue performer; Ernest Sewell, a neat conjuror and living marionettist ; ■ Irene Bercseny, cymbalist and Yoska- violinist, in a delightful musical turn; the three Hassans, intrepid tight-wire aorobatists; and Kitty Ryan, a pleasing singer of ballads. Harry Lauder and his company will appear again at matinees to-day and tomorrow, and . nightly until Monday, when the season ends*

; ; ', ,: "THE SMART SET." Mr. Edward Branscombe's talented costume company of artists continues to delight large audiences at the Town Hall concert chamber every night. Every item is followed by unstinted applause and an emphatic demand on the part of patrons for more, to which the clever performers invariably 'accede. There is not a dull moment from curtain-rise to grand finale. The entertainment is brought to a conclusion by a cleverly-thought-out miniature musical comedy. • / '■ "..

'•'..'■,..;> OPERA HOUSE. , . Another large and appreciative audience attended the Opera House last night; The bill being presented by the FufierBrennan company ': contains some highly dherting. and clever turns.

,V .QUEEN'S THEATRE. , Comedy pictures are increasing in popularity with picture-goers, and the new programme at the Queen's Theatre features a comedy which would cause the most serious-minded person to laugh. "The Awakening of Snakevifle" is the title of the film, and it sent the large audiences away yesterday in' a very happy mood. The chief drama is a sensational production called " A Race for an Inheritance." A scenic picture of more than ordinary beauty gives "Views Along the Rhine." " Boom's Dream Girl" is another frivolity which was very well received. This attractive programme will be shown at all sessions to-day. - ~.,,..,

• PRINCESS, THEATRE. ■ "The Midnight Strike" heads a new and meritorious series of films at the Princess Theatre. It is a drama of pow<ir, and is staged and acted in a highly satisfactory manner. " The Way of a Woman" is an original dramatic study of the fairer sex, which cannot fail to appeal to the sympathy and sentiment of all who see it. A film of great educational value depicts "Life at the Bottom of the.Sea." The comedy .section contains " Tweedledum's • Short-sighted Chauffeur-" and "Misplaced Foot/' both of which were responsible for a great deal of merriment yesterday.

GLOBE THEATRE. Large aydiencis attended all sessions of the Globe Theatre yesterday, when a new programme was submitted. The principal attraction is a stirring drama entitled "The Governor's Double." • The plot turns upon the remarkably exact resemblance between the Governor of a State and a convict in the State prison, and many exciting scenes ore introduced. Australia's war preparations are portrayed with commendable exactness in the " Australian Gazette," and another drama, "The Judge's Story," is a production of absorbing interest. The comedy element is well represented with " Any Port in a Storm" and "Simple Simon's Vow." KING GEORGE THEATRE. "The Course of Justice," a drama replete with sensation and sentiment, takes premier place in the new series of pictures presented yesterday at the King George Theatre. "Winter Sports in Holland " shows the audience some of the delightful recreations indulged in by the Dutch people. The programme "is completed with three entertaining comedies, Fritz Noodle's Hunt for Wealth." "Turtle Doves," and "Pimple Turns Honest." THE ALHAMBRA. The current programme at the Alhambra Theatre is attracting largo audiences nightly. "Absinthe," featuring Leah Baird and King Baggot, is a drama with a powerful plot and an impressive moral. The , supporting series includes comedy, scenic, topical, and educational films, and the orchestral accompaniments add to the success of the entertainment.

NEWTON PICTURE THEATRE. An attractive bill was submitted for the first time yesterday to largo audiences at the Newton Picture Theatre. A sporting drama called "The Filly" is the chief attraction. A happy love story enhances the value of the film, and a sensational climax is reached when the right horse wins the Donnybrook Steeplechase. A long series of comedy and educational films is also shown.

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. " Adventures of Kathiyn " continues to be popular at the King's Theatre. ' The current programme at the Lyric and West End Theatres is headed by an appealing drama .entitled ii Th© Heart of Midlothian."