ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7047, 8 February 1910, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE OPERA HOUSE. Tho J. C. Williamson Comic Opera Company produced the favourite “King of Oadonia” again at the Opera House last evening, tho performance being appreciated by a largo audience. It will be played to-night lor the last time during tho present season "HAVANA.”

To-morrow night, the new musical comedy “Havana” will bo staged for the first time here. "Havana” has been pro. dnotive of. paeans -of praise from th© public and press of Australia, and from all accounts theatre-goers are /in for something quite out of tho ordinary in the musical comedy line. Tlio libretto and lyrics are said to be humorous to a degree, whilst the music has the reputation of being bright and catchy. The libretto is the joint work of George Grosamith, junior, and, Graham Hill; tho lyrics emanate from the combined stylos of Adrian Ross and Georg© Arthur, and Leslie Stewart, composer of "Fioradora,” is responsible for the music. It would be strange indeed if such a team of versatile geniuses could not evolve something very much above the ordinary.

The oast of characters is an exceptionally strong one. First, there is Mr Bert Gilbert, as the boatswain, Nix. An old favourite will also appear, 'in the person of W. S. Percy, as Reginald Brown, the yacht's boy. Miss Olive Godwin, another favourite with local theatregoers, will also make her first appearance this season, and will be seen as Consnelo. The other members of the company aro -said to be well placed in their respective roles. ''Havana” is ■understood to afford exceptional opportunities for elaborate dressing and scenery, of which, it is superfluous to add, full advantage has been taken by the management. "Havana," which should undoubtedly prove a trump card, will be played for six nights. Tightness, brightness and brilliancy are said to be the principal ingredients < of ''Havana," which bristles with musical features calculated to drive frantic the boy in the street. "Hello. People," "Cupid and Telephone," by Mr Greene and "the Flappers": "Denmark Hill," by Miss Sargent and Mr Percv; "A Scupper-table Laid for Two," by Mr Clayton and Miss Stevenson: "How Did the .Bird Know That?" and "Smile," by Mr Gilbert; "The Cuban Girl." by Miss Godwin and chorus; .and the dashing motor song by Mr Clayton and Flappers, are amongst some of the many attractive musical numbers. THEATRE ROYAL. Good vaudeville ie a form of entertainment which never lacks in interest, and the diversity of the various items submitted by Fullers' Vaudeville Company is one of the secrets of the success of this company. Last evening a com* plete change of programme was introduced, and the general excellence of the bill was responsible for numerous encores. The Martin Sisters, song and dance artists, created a very favourable Impression on making their first aptpear*nce. They are a natty duo, who looS well, sing well and danc© well. Their " flirtation song " in the second portion of the programme was quite artistic. The descriptive vocalist has become almost as extinct as the dodo, but in Mr Jack Russell, there reappears a fitting example of this type of entertainer. He was compelled to sing no loss than five songs, " Call Round Any Old Time," " White Man." " What You've Got, Look After," "Poverty Stree," and 4t Don't Take M© Home." " A Toast to Doar Old Erin " was sung Ijy Miss May Narelle with agreeable effect. Miss Bella Berman's latest Dutch character song and clog dance is a distinct reminder ot the ability of this clever performer. Miss Berman's serio song and dance was another enjoyable feature. Mr Wollie RloaJdo scored well with a companion song to " I'm Afraid to Go Home in the Dark." Mr Charlie Smith's " X Don't Want No One" was vociferously applauded. The acrobatic feats and ground, tumbling by the Castellee would compare favourably with any similar act that has yet figured on the local stage. A serio song and dance which the audience thoroughly enjoyed was Miss Nellie Leslie's "Mississippi Mamie," followed by one of her neat clogs. Miss Bobbie Burns, who is just as much at ease in serio-comic work as in Highland dancing, "vas responsible for "Sadie," with a smart buck dance. The Scott Brothers fire well established favourites, •and their comedy work keeps the audience in a happy mood. Mr Will Roby also has ingratiated himself by his comic items, which possess an undoubted merit in being quit© now. The performing cockatoos,. educated monkey and trick dogs of Professor Godfrey are a chow in themselves. The birds especially are unusually well trained. Alberto, the magician hoodwinks_ the audience in a barefaced manner, while his humorous patter serves to add to the fan. The programme will be repated to-night. HACHENSCHMIDT. George Hackensohmidt, "the Russian Lion," again exhibited his enormous strength, agility, and bodily beauty to a very large audience in the Town Hall last night. He and the fine company with him succeeded in thoroughly entertaining the people. In the wrestling bouts with Gunner Moxr, Alex Bain and another, ho succeeded in demonstrating the persuasiveness of his skill and force, Bain putting up a particularly vigorous defence. The biograph record showing the great wrestling mdteh between Htfckenschiaidt and Rodgers, the American giant, is interesting, for it is. possible to follow quite clearly the historic struggle. The Japanese athletic pictures are good, as is a film depicting the Burns-Moir fight for the world's championship. . Miss Blanche Carelli carols delightfully and is much encored. Clifford Eskell s magical entertainment is neat and artistic, and .Mr Mark 'Osborne continues to do his monologue entertainment. The posture-posing of Ilackenschmidl is one of the mo:-t popular items in a good programme.

THU CORNISH PIXIE. This extraordinary marvel of mankind, whoso weight is 9*lb avoirdupois, is announced to make his first appearance iu Wellington i:o-morrow afternoon at 3.30, in his reception-rocon at fcho corner of Willis street and Chows lane. The Pixie's appearances in the South Island have been attended by crowds of visitors, who have been astonished at the sight of a full-grown and perfectlvforrned man weighing less than 101 b avoirdupois. The age of this'singular handful of humanity is unknown. It may be anything between thirty-six and fifty years of ago. His height is 25iin, and ho has the gestures of .a man of mature age, and a slight knowledge of the French and English languages in addition to his own guttural tongue, which cannot at present b? fully understood, Receptions are announced to be given d^ly.