ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8192, 6 August 1912, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

RICKARDS’ VAUDEVILLE. Tho change of programme by the Harry Rickards vaudeville company drew a crowded audience to the Opera House laat evening. Entertainers such as Hr Will H. Fox are rarely to be found, but when they are. plaudits are loud and frequent. Last evening Mr Fox’s comedy trick-playing piano acts provided a funej. of amusement, and it was with keen regret that tho audience had to accept his departure from tho stage. His musical monologue is a singular and extremely clever turn. The seriocomic suavencss of tho as ho recounts numerous humorous stories mac teriallv assists the auditors to keep on laughing. Rinaldo, the "wandering violinist," is easily the possessor of the most comarkahlo musical act presented in Wellington for many a long day. "Binaldo Hag” is what this weird piece is termed, and one is sure that the subject of tho description (a nocturnal reveller) feels very tattered when ho awakes —if ho ever sleeps. Were those persons who are accustomed to moralise on tho ovils of tho "cursed dhrink," but who have not actually experienced first the joyous, then tbo other effects of imbibing, were to hear Rinaldo they would certainly have sufficient ground to hold forth upon. In_ addition to this Bacchanalian recital, Rinaldo contributes selections from musical works, besides snatches of popular songs. Ronald George plays a variety of instruments with perfect technique. Juggling and -balancing of an intrepid nature is indulged in by the Tossing Testros. The programme, whion will be repeated this evening, 09mprises items by a number of other artiste of talent, including the Bright Sisters, Marshall Crosby. Melrose and Menzies. Blake and Granby, Miss Monie Mine, and Walker and Sturm. THE NEW THEATRE. "The Brand of Shame,” a brilliant mod©rn dramatisation, ■was introduced at the New Theatre yesterday afternoon and evening, when crowded audiences prevail* ed. This picture is a high-class work \produced on a, costly scale. The story narrates the career of a medical student who marries a noted, Parisian music hall beauty—Lulu. "The Queen of the Cabarat.” Some time after the student and Lulu have married secretly she is induced by former acquaintances to revisit the scenes of her old-time successes. The glamour of tho Bohemian life ensnares Lulu, who deserts her husband and child. Many years afterwards the hero and has sixteen-year-old daughter, aro walking in the streets of Paris when he is accosted by a woman who is begging alms. She proves to be Lulu, The unhappy woman is next abetted by an evil male associate to blackmail her husband under threat of disclosing her career to their daughter The last-mentioned, however, overhears a conversation which lays bar© the truth and she throws herself into a lake. "The Brand of Shame" Will bo repeated to-day and to-night, when new supporting items will be added comprising "His Lesson" (A.B. drama), "Scenes in Holland/' "Tommy's Geography" (comedy) and "The Painters Ruse" (comedy). THEATRE ROYAL. The old minstrel first part, the .end men and their bones, # tho semi-circle chorus and all tho incidentals that, through custom, have become so familiar to Fuller patrons, has disappeared under the manti'erial edict. "Wo shall have olio." And so it is olio all through, and the rearrangement is delightfully novel and acceptable. The show this week is a splendid one, indeed ono must go back to find a programme to equal that which was Introduced last evening. . There are included four turns of a higher grade, both as regards their individual excellence and collective merits, tnan any lour that have been packed into one evening’s entertainment at the Royal for a very long time. At the head of the list, and something altogether unique in its class, is the turn provided by Herbert Clifton, whom tho official announcement deslg nates "the man with tho £lO-0. voice." Clifton's voice is a really amazing one. and enables him to give . imitations of the leading lady, the comedienne, the sou* brette, and, indeed, the whole imaginary company. He takes extraordinary note* with extraordinary case and, generally, gives a remarkable exhibition. He was applauded with the greatest warmth, and responded with a droll and very laueliable burlesque, A turn of an entirely different class, but ono of almost < equal merit in its way. is that of Phil and Phlora, who show some wonderfully clever tumbling. Phil does things that would bo sheer suicide for the average tumbler to attempt. He leaps into the air, covers half the stage in his flight, turns a halfsomersault and strikes the boards with the muscles of his back, leaping again

with the greatest agility to his feet. A slip or a miscalculation here would prob a lily result in a broken neck, eo that the merit of the performance and the accuracy of judgment and the coolness of nerve which it necessitates can be ap predated. This is only one of the many good achievements of these people, whoso I urn should certainly not be missed, ilau rice Ghcnoweth. a late member of the Westminster Glee Singers, proved to bo the possessor of a tenor voice of unusual quality. Ho was encored enthusiastically, and the audience seemed unable to have enough of him. The Brennans (in new dances). Emerald and Barton. Corrie and Baker, and Mr Tom Lee were among others who gave highly acceptable contributions. The programme will be repeated to-night. FULLERS’ PICTURES. The Skating Rink, Ingestre street, teceivcd a fair measure of patronage last evening, when a new set of Fullers' Pictures were shown. An interesting treatise on the physical drill of a Britisli soldier is well handled in "Making a Soldier." The Kalem Company have made the most of a domestic tale, “The Stolen Invention," in which a villainous speculator sends an accomplice Into the home of an inventor to rob him of the plans of a valuable contrivance The lover of the inventor's daughter frustrates the accomplice's design and the two schemers are arrested. "The Belle of Bettws-y-Cood” is a fine story enacted with some magnificent North Wales scenery as a background. Gladwys Williams. the belle of the village, and Owen Davies, a young farmer, are betrothed, and everything bids Mair on the domestic horizon until the lion. Percy Morander arrives on a motor tour. In an adventure with tramps, Owen assists the Honorable Percy to overcome his assailants, and then the titled tourist realises that he has caused jealousy between tho young couple, and wishing them good luck, continues Ills tour. Tho A.B. comedy. “When tho Fire 801 l Rang.” is a rollicking episode. "A Trip to Tahiti" affords some delightful views of the coral strands of that beautiful island. Tho Edison comedy, "Winnie's Dance,” the Gaumont costume drama, "The Marquis and tho Dancer,” and "Pathe Gazette" are of more than average merit. The programme is to be repeated to-night. THE ADELPHI. “The Bread Carrier of Paris,’’ a. lengthy drama by tho Pathe Company, was tho chief feature of tho new programme of animated pictures shown last evening before a numerous audience at the Adeiphi' Theatre. The plot concerns an inventor and owner of a largo engineering works, nis foreman, and a young widow who Is courted by tho foreman. The story opens with an attempt by the foreman to steal the plans of a. valuable invention belonging to ms employer. The incidents are of a sensational order, and the interpretation is completely convincing. Another attractive study is the Heron Company’s scientific film, “Curious Effects of Vibration.” It exhibits extremely curious effects produced by a violin bow, silver stand, and a metal or glass plate. Sand sprinkled on a brass plate resolves itself into geometrical patterns by drawing the bow down tho side. Eileoia on methylated spirits in a champagne glass are also depicted. A "feature” drama by tho Edison Company, "Tho Mine on. the Yukon,” Is a narrative of the snowolad regions where gold is won from the soil under trying circumstances. Mrs Black and her daughter are loft in straitened circumstances owing to the death of her husband at the Yukon goldfields. The woman places her daughter in a boarding school, and sets out alone to take possession of her dead husband’s mine. At first she finds tho mine unpayable, but afterwards dons male attire and works the claim herself. The woman strikes a rich vein, but is overcome by sickness. Tho claim is "Jumped" during her illness, but on her recovery it Is returned to her as a token of gratitude for saving the life of the man who had seized the mine. John Bunny, the Vitagraph comedian, is very humorous in "His Motherdn-Law." Other entertaining items include "From Orianda to Solmiez" (scenic); "His Lesson” (A.B. drama); and "Dupiu Seeks a New Occupation." The pictures will be repeated this evening. “THE DANDIES.” The change of programme presented last night by "Tho Dandies” In the municipal concert chamber was thoroughly enjoyed by a large audience. Like their namesakes of the Red costumes, the Greens have now become firm favourites witn lovers of clean, wholesome entertainment. Their songs and sketches are bright and up-to-date, with sufficient diversity to please the! varying tastes of the public. The programme of last evening was full of enjoyable items. Misses Dorothy Manning, Tessa Byrne, and Florence Henderson, and Messrs, Millar, Horton, Brennan, and Walton had all to reappear again and again, convincing proofs of the popularity of their icpertoire. MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA CONCERT. Judging by the programme, printed in another column of this issue, the concert in tho Town Hall this evening should prove a strong draw to all music-lovers. The Municipal Orchestra has given many musical treats during the two years since its inception, and the items to be given this evening are as attractive -as usual. The music to be performed is tho wedding march from Rubinstein’s "Feramore," Mascagni’s intermezzo from "Cavallaria Rusticana." Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony" (0 minor), a, work of extraordinary beauty and purity, and three movements from Massanet’s ballet "Le Cid," Costillane Aragonaise Novarralso. Mr Maughan Barnett, the city organist, will, as usual, conduct. Mr Sidney Williamson will sing the aria from Verdi’s "Ballo-in-Mascherio” and compositions by Blumenthal and Landon Ronald. MISS MA.GGIE MOORE. Miss Maggie Moore Is one of tho most popular of Australian actresses. Everybody has happy recollections of “Struck Oil,” and when Miss Moore says that the name part in "Mrs McSweeney” and the play itself are still more to her liking, that is saying a good deal.. It is only a little while since this piece was first produced in Sydney, yet its success has been spoken of far and wide. It is ah entirely Australian play, from an Australian book, with a blend of devil-may-care, rollicking, Irishness runnl#g through it. The season commences on Thursday next. The plan is on view at the Dresden. BENEFIT CONCERT. The concert to bo given 1 on Thursday evening next, in the Town Hall, by the Wellington Liedertafel, bids fair to he a great success, and those who are anxious to assist the relatives of the two tramway men who recently lost their lives in Wellington will ho well rewarded by their attendance at this concert. An excellent programme has been prepared, details of which will be published to-morrow. SONG RECITAL. An interesting and novel programme has been prepared for the song recital which Mr G. H. Stephens will give to-morrow night in the Sydney street hall, assisted by Mr F. R. Johnstone (’cello). Tickets con be obtained at all music stores. The box plan is at the Dresden.