ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7023, 11 January 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THEATRE ROYAL. Fuller's new shaw is good, and as many people as could cram into the Theatre itoyal did so last nignt to see it. Among the novelties is the remarkably clever acrobatic comedy turn of the Duckworths, people apparently constituted of weUiseasoned indianujbber, and who perform innumerable rew feats, highly entertaining, not only for their cleverness, but for their comicality. There is nothing fresher or more exhilarating on the programme than the brisk juggling turn of the Levartes, whose art in the manipulation of common things, Irom plates to overcoats and from wax matches to dining tables, must be seen.to bo believed. There is a rich vein of silent comedy in their business which is most appealing. AH they do is varied, crisp and new. Lerone is a trick cyclist who is apparently as much at home on one piece of a bicycle as another, in the limited area at his disposal he makes a bicycle do several things not hitherto suspected of even the most educated wheel. Miss Priscilla Verne and Tom Armstrong havo a new sketch, disclosing their tribulations in a telegraph office. The office offers a good excuse for their characteristic songs, and there is the element of human attraction which seems to belong more to the performers than to their art. Heath and Lamb, the Newcastle miners, are, happily, still included in the company. They are robust and finished vocalists. Their appearance in working clothes with Davy lamps is an attraction, and their art is certainly very fine. The Scott Brothers patter away much to the merriment of the people, and the three Starr girls do clever and picturesque songs and danc&3 of the transplanted coon variety. "The National Duo" are a tiny boy and girl, both finished acrobats. Joe Lamb sings hymns with a fine chorus "behind" to help him, and this turn, although strange to vaudeville, is exceedingly well received—and deserves to be. Miss Nina Gonzales is a good dancing serio, and Miss Nellie Leslie introduces dance novelties. Miss Meryl Laurence appeared for the first time locally, singing choice soprano songs. The programme is particularly rich in novelties, which are highly appreciated by the audience. OPERA HOUSE. "The Flag Lieutenant," which was again presented by the J. C. Williamson Dramatic Company at the Opera House last evening, received well-merited patronage. A remarkably fine interpretation of the play is given by this clover company. The last, two performances of "The Flag Lieutenant" are announced. . On Thursday evening the sterling melodrama "The Silver King" will be revived for the last three nights of the season. Mr G. S. Titheradge will appear as Wilfred Denver, the role of which he was the original exponent in Australasia.. Considerable interest centres in the event, and old playgoers will no doubt be present in force, whilo the occasion will also attract the younger generation to whom it is known that Mr T'itheradge's impersonation of Wilfred Denver did so much to popularise the famous melodrama in this country. The supporting cast will include Mr Harry Plimmer as the Spider, Mr Redge Carey as Henry Corbett, Mr Fred Camboume as Elijah Coombe, Mr Cyril Mackay as ' Geoffrey Ware, Mr Eardley Turner as Jaikes, Mr Gregan McMahon as Mr Parkyn, Miss Nellie Calvin as Olive Skinner, Miss Emma Temple as Tabitha Durden, Miss Elaya Harvey as Susan, Miss Ethel Gordon as Mrs Gamage, Miss Lily Aldridge as Cissy, and Miss Ethel Warwick as Nellie Denver. CARTER, THE MAGICIAN. Cartor, the magician, who appears at the Opera House for a limited engagement, commencing on Monday next, brings with him multitudinous encomiums from the press of the world. Some of his illusions are said to border on the supernatural and to quite confound his auditors. In this age the work of the ordinary magician has about •it little" of that charm that was sup.posed to surround the conjuring conceits of the magicians of the days of old. Carter's entertainment, however, is distinctive in the fact of his doing more ..than at first blush seems possible. At 'his b°hest prepossessing young ladies .from the heart of the Punjab, in India, •defy the laws of gravity aud float through space; spirit forms appear and .shake hands with their friends, beautiful flowers are materialised and mysteriously passed to ladies in the audience by hands plainly seen, automatons think and calculate, human forms appear and disappear at will, insensate pieces of •wood pass through a sea-change into live guinea pigs, live gec«e come from apparently nowhere, money showers out of the air, auditors' chosen playing cards dance frolicksome antics, and the bowl of Cleopatra chances from one place to another at the will of the conjurer.