ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8363, 25 February 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

THEATRE ROYAL. If there were any in last night’s audience at the Theatre Royal who imagined tnat the superlative in slack and- tight wire work had been previously presented at that house of entertainment they met with an agreeable surprise. Paul Gordon, “the king of the silver wire, starred as an artist without an equal m his particular line, is certainly a marvellous performer. There appears to . be no limit to his capabilities on the wire. The tentative hesitating start, the prudent placing of the feet, the cautious slide, and the jerky method of propulsion so beloved of the average wire perfoimer find no place in the category of Gordon’s tricks. He mounts the wire with almost a leap, and in a moment has attained a perfect equilibrium that permits him to face the audience erect and motionless. Then he set«*. out and travels briskly up and down the wire. It appeai-s to be a matter of supremo indifference where he places his feet, and the audience wonders dimly how it is he never misses. With the wire slacked right down he swings (standing) until he attains almost a horizontal position. He places a ladder on the wire, mounts the ladder, and. standing astride of the top of it, maintains a perfect balance for some minutes. Then he places a barrel on the wire, gets into the barrel, and per medium of a series of short jumps moves along. How he contrives to prevent that barrel (and himself) from falling is a question which the audience gives up trying to solve. Ho completes the turn with a sketch wherein he gives a representation of a drunken man. All through his turn is the work of a master. It is finished in every detail, and is one of the best things presented under the Brennan-Fuller management for a long time. Another new corner is La Prance, who, besides presenting an acceptable musical turn, contrives, with lighting effects, to give some beautiful poses. Hassan, the Indian -Fakir, has no difficulty'in thoroughly mystifying the audience. and Art Slavin and'Lily Thompson are interesting and amusing right through their turn. Others who contribute t<3 the programme are Violet Elliott. Arthur Elliott, Maud Fanning, Ernest Pitcher and Pedrini (whose now turn is even more sensational than his last). The house was packed last night and the audience was most enthusiastic. The programme will be repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY’S. Included in the new series of films displayed at His Majesty’s last evening were several dramas of more than ordinary merit, and the long programme found instant favour with the spectators. The ‘’star’’ item was “Sweet Nell of'Old Drury,’’ which had such a successful run at the theatre a few weeks ago that the management decided to accede to a request for its repetition. The play is splendidly acted, and the incidental music is a powerful aid to those who have heard the dialogue. No recounting of the story is needed, and lovers of the cinematograph who have not yet seen this fine photo-play may well be advised (» renew or make acquaintance with the inimitable and lovable orange-girl. Incidentally, the film gives an instructive insight into costumes and courtly life of the times of the Stuarts, and the human interest in the production is enthralling. “Sunshine’’ is a remarkable drama, in which a young man, doomed to death for murder, makes a confession of his story to the minister who watched over his life. Years ago, the youth's mother had died, leaving to his charge an infant daughter. The child bloomed into an attractive girl, and each day met her brother coming from work. One day he missed her; and found a note that she had married. Search was unavailing for years, till eventually he saw his sister about to throw herself over a bridge. He takes her home; the photograph of her "husband’’ falls from her, and the brother recognises him as a slimy scoundrel who had led the girl astray. Horrified at the life she had led, the brother searches out the scoundrel and kills him. While the prisoner tells his story, a highly skilful series of “memory’’ pictures is telescoped, with unique effects. The doomed man, too proud to confess his motive to anyone hut the minister, meets his fate next day- “Good-for Nothing” was another fine drama, in which a supposed wastrel makes his fortune in regalvanising a newspaper. “Wonders of Harmonic Design” was a very clever production of symmetrical figures produced by the swing of pendulums of different amplitude, highly novel and instructive. Other films were: “A Feathered rade” (study of a magpie). “The Gaumont Graphic” (fine topical), and His Father’s' Choice” (comic). Commencing on Thursday, the Panama Canal pictures will Idc reproduced for three mghts &xid a mat THE EMPRESS THEATRE. A lengthy dramagraph, “The Oath of Stephen Huller,” takes up considerable space in the new programme of the impress Theatre continuous pictures, which was introduced yesterday The story, which is a sequel to Th° Unwritten Law,” deals with the experiences of Stephen Huller, who took an oath m the prison cell as he bade his father farewell, that he would never marry. Stephen is now a man, and one day he finds two drunken men jostling a pretty girl who is a neighbour. Stephen throws the drunken men aside and escorts the girl to her home. Their friendship develops into love, and they marry. A musician, who is injured in a street accident, is taken bv Stephen into bis house to recover. The musician repays this kindness by making love to Mrs Huller, who .reproaches him. She reports the behaviour of th.o musician to nor nusband, whose jealousy is aroused. He seeks satjsfaction at the point of a revolver, hut

the musician protests that much as h« loved Mrs Hufier she had scorned him. The musician recognising the futility of his love commits suicide, and peace and happiness is restored to the Huller fireside. The A.B. exclusive drama “A Call for Help” is a startling experience of a young doctor who is attacked by a demented man armed with a revolver. When it seemed as though the madman was overpowering the doctor help comes from a tramp who had been befriended by the medico. The excitement is well worked up and the climax is thrilling. A grand parade of elephants before the bomb was thrown at the Viceroy of India constitutes the leading event in “The Gaumont Graphic,” A real live snaks which bites viciously takes a prominent part in the very laughable A.B. comedy “The Bite of a Snake.” Another hilarious conception is “Funnicuss Boatbuilder.” The winner of the ‘'Christopher Columbus” essay competition is Mis# Margaret Cochrane, Normal School, Wellington. RICKARDS TIVOLI COMPANY. Quite an array of high-chws vaudeville artists, it is said, is included in . the Rickards Tivoli Company, which is to appear next Thursday for a brief season at the Opera House. In previous tours it has been the custom to send through one or perhaps two “star” features, but in the present instance all the artists have wide reputations in the world’s chief centres. To quote Mr Hugh Mclntosh s words to an interviewer prior to the company’s departure for New Zealand,. “The respective salaries paid He Bi.ere and Nella Webb are well nigh double the amount paid the Prime Minister of Australia.” and goes to prove the vast proportions the vaudeville business has assumed in recent years. “Refreshingly original and fascinating” is the phrase applied to the demonstrations of De Biere by the Sydney “Herald." Do Biere is described as being not only an illusionist, for his superb impersonations in the art of substitution, free of any mechanical effects, make his predecessors' efforts appear primitive. Miss Nella Webb, who seems to have carried her triumphs to ’ Auckland as elsewhere, will be heard in a budget of her captivating songs, which have won her such fame in London recently. Other attractive new-comers are Taylor and Arnold, rag-time monologniste, Minnie Eaufmann (a noted tnck cyclist), Chinko (a clever exponent in the art of balancing), and Alberto Marini (a tenor who achieved distinction with the recently departed Quinlan Opera Company). Seats may be reserved at the Dresden. THE NEW THEATRE. The change of programme at the New Theatre continuous pictures last evening was headed by a Nordisk ladies' drama, "A Man Without Conscience.” The story ia of the fascination a talented violinist exercises over Mrs Tang, a beautiful society woman. They meet clandestinely, and eventually the woman deserts her husband and their little son to accompany the musician to Paris. After a while the man leaves Mrs Tang to pay his attentions to another. Mrs Tang is befriended by a dancer, who obtains for her a leading position on tho stage. A wealthy Count is attracted by Mrs Tang, and while having supper with him in a cafe she meets her husband. Kecognition is mutual, and Mr Tang leave the place in disgust. His wife toliows him and implores forgiveness. At first tne husband is adamant to her entrearies but the sight of the photo of their child causes him to relent. Other -objects comprise “A Husband’s Conscience. ‘Lieutenant Daring and the Pigeon,” “Which is Which. Through Greece,” and others. THE FOLLIES, The municipal Concert Chamber was again packed last evening. The amusement loving public are good judges of merit, and that is the reason why the hollies are accorded such liberal patronage and such generous praise. The company is numerous, versatile, and clever, and the show is as bright and entertaining as could be wished. 'The company will appear again to-night. PEOPLE’S PICTURE PALACE. An 1 excellent change of programme w*. ma4e at the People’s Picture Palace yesterday, and the pictures were enjoyed by crowded houses. "Strength and Cunning” was the title of the chief picture. Being on the watch for victims whom they can rob, two adventurers named Hesperia and Adolph, meet with Count Tosco, a rich young nobleman, who is travelling for pleasure. The count becomes susceptible to Hesperia's charms. Finding Hesperia bound 6n the roadside one day Count Tosco sets off with her in his motor-car in pursuit of the supposed robber. The supposed thief is overtaken, and while the count and the stranger are discussing the matter, Hesperia disappears with the count’s valuables. The trick is discovered, and Ingram Strong, a well-known detective., is allotted the duty of apprehending the real thieves. Adolph and Hesperia belong to a mountain gang, and off they hie themselves to the mountains with the stolen articles. Hesperia hides the valuables ia her room. Two tramps, a man 'and a woman, are hospitably treated at the robbers’ mountain camp, but little do the criminals realise that the two strangers are detectives. The female finds the valuables and makes off through a window with them. Ingram Strong eventually appears, and many exciting incidents are witnessed in the concluding stages of the picture. Xu “Plot and Parch’-’one sees a very clever skit on the melodrama which reeks with gore, muxder, and the villain who meets with well requited revenge. * ‘The Struggle of Hearts” tells how a minister, who has fallen in love with a girl, makes a sacri fice in favour of a reformed convict, wJk also loves the same girl. Other gooc films are “The Mother of the Ranch ‘ and “Manufacturing Bombs at Oyonnax. France.” The programme will be repeated to-day and to-night.