ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15821, 19 January 1915, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE COURT CARDS.

The versatile members of Mr. Edgar Warwick's costume concert party, the Court Cards, met w.th a very cordial reception at the hand;; of a moderately large audience at His Majesty's Theatre last night. The combination comprises eight artists, each of whom has some distinct claim to recognition. What impresses the listener at the outset is the good quality of the voices concerned in the unusually effective opening chorus. Th.s collective recommendation is later found to apply individually, in addition to whicn most of the contributions are new, and as a consequence the evening's entertain ment provided proves entirely agreeable. Three changes of costume are worn by the company—the fancy cuise of knaves and queens from a pack of playing cards ; the attire peculiar to old English dames and squires ; and, finally, scarlet hunting suits and dresses. Sparkle and vitality characterise the performance, and the air of musical gaiety is well sustained.

Miss Maude Fane, soubrette and mezzosoprano vocalist, already favourably known here, is as vivacious and piquant as ever. She has numerous songs, all rendered with the subtlety necessary to give them character and create amusement. Miss Fane is especially good in " Blue-eyed Babe," "Jane of Maiden Lane," and " Sister Susie's Sewing Shirts for Soldiers,'' besides doing excellent service in various duets and concerted numbers. Apart from her comedy, Miss Fane has an exceptionally musical voice, which, she knows how to use expressively.

In Miss Renee Maude the company has a soprano vocalist whose share in the programme is deservedly appreciated. Her t , vocal range is wide, and the quality of' her upper register is clear and sweet. She sings '" A Savannah Lullaby " delightfully. Miss Winifred Mitchell is a violinist of temperament, who plays upon a beauti-fully-toned instrument. Her solos are pleasurable items. Mr. Edgar Warwick, also popular here en a previous occasion, has many new quips, songs, and stories wherewith he diverts those in front. His humour is clean and his style refined. The same may l<e said of Mr. Geprge Titchener, who is a light comedian and a baritone singer of decided talent. His song. "It's Gone" is cne of the "hits" of the present programme. Mr. Sydney Mannering, tenor, renews acquaintance with Aucklanders, and again wins merited applause in a number of songs rendered with intensity and striking clarity of voice. Among.st his best efforts are : " Somewhere a Voice is Calling." and "Drink to Me Only With" Thine Eyes," The basso is Mr. George Graystone, who is well equipped vocally, and who sings the patriotic number Keep the Home Fires Burning" particularly well. There are numerous trios, quartettes, humming choruses, and humorous scenas, in which all the members of the company are in turn employed, and Mr. Albert Keats has an arduous task at the piano, but carries it out well. The same programme will be presented to-night. OPERA HOUSE. A strong vaudeville programme was presented at the Opera House last night. Among the items were several exceptionally attractive numbers, but that of Eddy Martyn. an American eccentric dancer, stood out as the best. Some exceedingly clever dancers have appeared on the Opera House stage, but Martyn proved himself to be the peer of them all. His turn was interesting from start to finish, and his many character impersonations— all performed while his feet were beating a gay tattoo on the dancing boardsaroused the audience to a hign pitch of enthusiasm. He was loudly encored and responded with more brisk footwork. Phil Smith, who toured New Zealand formerly as the leading comedian in one of J. C. Williamson's musical comedy companies, made his first New Zealand appearance in vaudeville. He was assisted by Miss Jessie Barlee, and between them the pair provided ample entertainment for their aditore. Their work was bright and full of life. Phil Smith's various character sketches being particularly good. A story or two, however, might have been omitted. Another first appearance was that of Mr. Carlton Chase, who proved to be the possessor of a mellow voice used with good effect. Mr. Gene Hawkes filled in the gaps with catchy pianoforte items. A cycling specialty was provided by Dangar who raced local track riders on his patent cycledrome, and who claimed to be travel ling on one occasion at 60 miles an hour. Among last week's artists who made reappearances were Clinton and Beatrice, a pair of sharp-shooters, who opened a sharp-shooting competition for local "shots" last night. Mr. Wheeler made the highest score "and, with those who prove the -winners throughout the week, will shoot in the final on Friday night. A rumber of other talented artists also appeared. PETER DAWSON. Next Saturday evening the English Concert Company, with Mr. Peter Dawson as its leading artist, will give its first concert of the season in the Town Hall. The box plan for this and the two following concerts will open at Wildman and Army's tomorrow. Realising the advantages of a varied concert programme to suit all tastes, Mr. Dawson has a number of artists whose talents are said to be unlimited in their respective spheres. Mr. Dawson comes with the reputation of being a tower of strength as a concert artist. His London and provincial successes have extended o\er a period of eight vears, durin-r! which time he has reached his oal and his name is well known in New Zealand. The management anticipate a record season for the talented singer. KING GEORGE THEATRE. The new programme submitted to patrons of the King George Theatre yesterday immediately established itself firmly jin popular favour. A well and tellinglyacted romance, dealing with the Northwest mounted police, was shown in "In Defiance of the Law." This proved to be a most sensational storv, each of its three parts being filled "with thrilling incidents. Another dramatic subject which was warmly applauded was "' The Squatter's Child," The humorous side of the programme is represented by " In Laughland" and "Tomboy Bessie,'"' both of which evoked much laughter. The latest edition of the "Warwick Chronicle" contains numerous interesting features dealing chiefly with the war. Other pictures of merit complete a delightful entertainment, which will be repeated again to-day and to-morrow.

PRINCESS THEATRE. There was a large attendance vesterdav at the Princess Theatre, all sessions bein~ very well patronised. Each item of the new programme met with the cordial approval of the spectators, all the films screened being of great merit. Prominence was given to "The Stepmother," an unusual story which was powerfully acted Judging by its reception yesterday this film should ensure full houses during the time that it is screened. "The American Soldier proved to be another decided success, beini; a topical picture of re>t interest. " Forgetting" is a pathetic story well acted and staged. " Spend in" it Quick" and That Awful Maid" each raised a long and hearty laugh, the former being especially humorous. No programme in these days is complete without a series of war pictures, the latest from the front being shown in the most recent, editions of the " Warwick Chronicle."

GLOBE THEATRE. The usual change of pictures at the Globe Theatre yesterday attracted many people to all the sessions. A thrilling story of circus life was shown in "A

Romance of the Sawdust Ri D |t"i N ' other sensational incidents a xMSS&m fight with an enraged lion A Bc **4 i pictures of Turkey in a state J*"* t of great topical interest. An edn -''*'! film shows how a blast furnace is aSsllll making a decidedly intestine Those who look for humour « *?!**&, gramme will not be disappointed f^l ; ever-popular John Bunny and !!<,'« ****** appear in "The Colonel's Adoptedln** ter." Several other films complex proved to be a decidedly popular* l * gramme. ' e ** Pft. ■ |Jg GRAND THEATRE. '. ■ The continuous pictures at tfj e J2g!s Ibeatr? yesterday attr-uied many Jgj the new programme being every sign of approval. "Ti.e law *** f pictures from the front proved to l* 1 * great interest and included a la» * *?C ber of different scenes. Two ml* s *" subjects were screened, }• >tn of o?*"*s| ing very powerful tales. These* 51 "The Express Messenger" an d •*§ Greater Motive." flu former is ftaii- ■ exciting incidents, whilst the 1.1. . $ episode in a boxer's i.ie, -"iter *? ; episode in a boxers .ie, showfe, ,? triumph of love over tl><- .Wire for i > *<* and fame. A long and heirtr laugES provided by a comedy entitled "¥*l! Horace." 'The same" prc—amm, repeated to-day. L 1 * QUEEN'S THEATRE 'S There was no doubt c? the suows, ■«• the new programme of nt nuous d3L!_ which was screened for the first tar* the Queen's Theatre yesterday. The* standing feature was* a very r^f 5 ?" dramatic si. ject. under t\* title of JSS* Mill, of the Cods." A powerM £ unusual plot is developed :■-. a very' M? manner, the acting throughout £* above reproach. A tnrili ~- <in-n« *!z5 is entitled "The Last V-:,:,„££>+* is sensational enough f.r •>... most crT ing. Humour of the broadest feSf provided in "Cohen Save< the Flac" 11 film which proved to b- ~ certain k-okih maker. The latest scenes from the** of hostilities are shown in an adndnU? series of pictures. Chief amongst'«! subjects in it are glimpses of %M soldiery, about to proceed to Egypt 7 apparent ignorance of the men who iJI waiting for them there. Other flm! complete what is in every respect*: admirable programme. " -vR? KING'S THEATRE. 8* KINGS THEATRE. The new programme screened at !*. Kings Theatre last evening pro Ted to"?' decidedly interesting. A war pictur* 2 exceptional merit shows the Turkish Ana giving the spectator a good idea of al allies' latest foe. In "Shadows of £ Past, a very sensational melodraW occurs a thrilling collision between*." express tram and an automobile. SereS other good pictures complete an admirabk programme which will be screened nighih; ALHAMBRA THEATRE. * The reputation of the was greatly enhanced last night bytk new programme which was submitted to a full house. The war pictures occupy * prominent position on the programmeea. bracing a variety of films. The city d Paris, which has been the aim of'tk German hosts, is shown in a series i* views taken from the summit of the tjfijl lower. Another interesting film skwi the British and Indian troops at the front whilst the Turkish arena is the subjects a further series of views. The war it treated from a novel point of view "The War Map" highlv interesting •nature—and in "Bully Boy's Cartoons," the latter being an exceptionallv clever pi«t of work. One of the features of the pi gramme is a comedy-drama entitled "lis Counterfeiters,'' which shows the fall"of a bogus count and the triumph c! tna love. "The Empty Sleeve" and "D» Countess" are two good dramatic subject!, an excellent programme being cotspkttl by "A Beach Romance." which is » comedy full of genuine humour.

PICTURE ENTERTAESrMteis. ■ At the Lyric and West End TtesAia this week the feature of the projrsanfie is a film entitled, "The Brute." ''"^