AMUSEMENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10966, 5 January 1912, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

BRENNAN'S HUGE ATTRACTION. There need be no scepticism in regard to the quality. ; "o£; -the - artists who will appear with Brerinari's Entertaining Company at: the "Municipal Theatre on Saturday night. Anyone- who is familiar vwith the names of the leading amusement folk in the' Old World and America, will know that such people as Jordan and Harvey/ Johnson and Wells, Eva Mudge, Les Petits Totos, Archie Glen, Nelle Kolle, and the. rest are in the first flight iii their particular lines. Featured on its bills-this Company has Prince Charles, and Prince" Charles is" a very remarkable individual. He is really an orang-outang, but in almost everything but: speech he resembles a human" being . with ' great nearness. Charles care skate as well as the best rinker; he can dress and undress himself with easy carelessness, lie cooks and eats his "own meals in the most gentlemanly way, lie rides" a bicycle, steers a motor-car, and does a great many other things in a very wonderful way. Of the human members of the: Company, "Jordan and Harvey are special favorites. They are Hebrew character specialists of the first water. . Being Jews themselves, they make no technical errors, and added to exactitude of delineation they have a fund of hilarioiis humor such as is the gift of few comedians. The laughter that they provoke is not spasmodic—it; is long and continuous. Miss Eva Mudgei is s a, charming disciple of the fabled sea god Porteus, and, like him, she is capable of the most bewildering transformations imaginable, but, unlike him, she-sings charming songs with, each change'of character. Archie Glenis the singing comedian of whose, work it has been said that there is a laxigh. in every line. He has. captivated Australia, 'to say nothing of his conquests further afield, and he is sure of a wel-. come in Oainaru. Johnson and Wells are two - coloried people who come-witli a brilliant American reputation,-and are said to be the finest coon singers, •harmonists, cracker-jack- dancers, and- specialty performers that we have-yet- seen., Les Petits Totos, "The Darlings of Paris," are two French boys who perform • astounding acrobatic feats and. balancing acts. Miss Nelle Kolle is "the girl who reaches your heart-,'' and lier singing of--appealing songs is said to he a very special treat, while at the piano her entertainment- is quite remarkable. Mr Charles 'Horward is ail excellent baritone, and there-are others of various talents. The box plan is at t-lie Dresden. "THE SPECKLED BAND." J. C.' Williamson's specially .selected company of dramatic .stars"are to ;:produce Conan Doyle's latest dramatic.success- "The Speckled "Band" for-one night- only in the Opera House on. Wednesday next, January 10th. . The adventure of "The Speckled' Band" is already known in narrative form to the enormous circle : of.-readers who have eagerly followed fhe. career of Sherlock Holmes, and while tliey may derive a particular pleasure from seeing the story brought to life as it were, it is perhaps the best proof of the exceptionally satisfactory maimer in which a. story has for once been turned-into a play that no such • previous acquaintance with the plot is implied in the work of the ,draTrtatist. If one had never heard of Sherlock Holmes before it would' detract nothing from-the value and interest and excitement of. "The Speckled -Band'' as it is developed in the three acts of the drama. It-is absolutely. and entirely dissimilar to. any Sherlock Holmes play -that has yet been presented,- and is undoubtedly an improvement on the class of play to which it belongs. The -box plan is to be opened- at the Dresden tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. ; - ' . HAYWARDS PICTURES. The -entertainments now being given, at the Picture Palace are rapidly rising into popularity. Last evening ' a large audience witnessed the change of pro-, gramme. The list opened with a highly instructive industrial film which-showed the growing of tobacco,, the manufacture of cigars, and many interesting views of the country and natives of the Malay Archipelago. - Then followed . the drama which was described in yesterday's, issue, "The Lure of the City," and a-fine "production is.proved to be. Another excellent dramatie is "The Kid from Arizona," -a stirring; story of the Wild West. "The Vagabond," a touching, photorplay, and: "The Roman's A wake 11 ing" • are others in the dramatic portion: "Turtle '.'Catching," . "Shooting Egrets, Africa," and Cats" arc also extremely interesting ■ pictures, /and the comedies, which do not fail to cause laughter,- are :• "ABunch of . Flowers,''"Tweedledum,'.' and "Wiffles Jn a-Panic." The-pro-gramme will ;be repeated -this evenings

UNIVERSAL PICTURES.

The Opera House held another, large; audience last evening, when:-; ."Captain Starlight" was again screened. The film is" undoubtedly one. of . -the / best Spencers have produced. The acting and effects are excellent, and the wild Australian bush scenery ' adds greatly to - of the picture supporting the subject. Last evening there were, many first-class picture plays.These : included- "Barriers: Burned Away,", a g@od dramatic picture, the work of the Altigraph Co., "A Little Rebel,".- another- good drama, "Johannesbury,'' an -interesting; scenic,.'"The Coupon Maniac," an 'irresistible comic, interesting views: of the great Camorra trial at Viterbo, and other- pictures of: an amusing and entertaining nature. A feature of the : programme was the excellent ' music of the Pathe Orchestra, which was. specially - enlarged. -..-.The pictures will not-appear on Saturday, \ as the theatre •is engaged; ' ■ - -