AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14441, 6 February 1909, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS

"TMF. GIRT. OF Till'. GOLDF.X WEST.'' '•The Girl of tho Golden West," produced last night lor the second time by Mrs Tiltell Hrnne and 11 talented company, drew another large audience to the Princess Theatre. .Miss lirune is so well-known to- Australian audiences that, any play in which she takes a. leading part is bound to ''go." .nid ibis is especially trite of the production under notice. It is, as its tilic suggests, a story of the remote back-blocks of America; if is u tale in which one makes the acquaintance of strong, simpleminded men, and of a unique feminine character, and in which one breathes the atmosphere of a. rough mining camp. In it one sees human nature stripped bare ol artificiality and pretence. Men are manly, and not ashamed of their emotions, while the one woman of the story is of a type so extraordinary that only a. great artist could attempt its portrayal. That Miss Tittcll Bruno scores a great success in the part, is a consummation expected of one possessing her talents, but if the pleasure she gives is to tho audience a foregone conclusion, that does not prevent her from being repeatedly called lo the footlights and submitted to rounds of hearty applause. No Jeos successful is Mr Thomas Kingston iu the role of the hero, the lover, and tho reformed road agent, and he and Miss. Brittle are together responsible for many of tho most touching scenes of the play. Au equally line, and at the same time novel, performance is that for which .Mr Gcorgo llryant takes credit. As the sheriff, cold, sardonic, snllen, mocking, yet "straight," he gives a character sketch that, in some respects is second lo nothing in tho play. There is little tragedy, much pathos, and abundant comedy in "The Girl of tho Golden West," and tho piece, as played, is as far abovo ordinary melodrama as good opera is above vaudeville. The play will bo repeated to-night.

wnmrs CIRCUS. birth's Circus and Menagerie again proved its attractiveness last evening, a very large audience being present. The various animals went, through their performances wii'i marked success, and shared tlio honours pretty evenly with the star members of the company. Taken all round, the show was a really good one, and quite deserved the. continuous rounds of applause which greeted each item. There will be a matinee performance this afternoon, to which an invitation has been expended by Mr Wirth to the children at the various local orphanages, a privilege which will altord huge delight To those to whom this gracious privilege has been extended. :i'o-

night tlie last performance of the season will 1)0 given, after which, this talented company will proceed northwards.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. In view of three theatres being open and a largo circus giving matinco and evening performances daiiv, only a first-class entertainment. can expect to draw good houses in Dunedin at tho present time, and in this respect Maskelyne and Devant's Mysteries, at His Majesty's, have no ri'asou to complain. A look in each evening at this popular placo of amusement shows that the combination of clever artists now performing there receives a full share of public patronage. Mr Owen Clark's mysterious illusions, .Mr Barclay Gammon's 'irresistibly humorous eccentricities, the eineinatograp'.i vic-ws, the illusory sketch, the Witch, and tho Watchman," in which the members of 1 lie comedy company take part, tho balancing feats of (lintaro the Japanese equilibrist, comedy sketches, etc., make up d bright aud varied entertainment which meets with approbation throughout. There is to b» a complete olmngo .of programme this evening, when some novelties are promised, which are said to excel those previously given. The management notifies that bookings will be received at Jacohs's this afternoon and

evening. Till': ALIIAMBRA THEATRE. The second representation of the WorldWide I'icturcs at Ihe Alhambra last evening drew another good audience, when tlio numerous and varied cinematograph views, every one of which is new to Dunedin theatre-goers, were again presented. "Whale-hunting in the South Seas," "The Phantom fillip," "An Electric Hotel," "Tlio Trainin; Shin," etc., are amount tlio best of the principal views, and the humorous items never (nil to create mommerit. Thero will be a matinee performance to-day, ,-111(1 the pictures will bo shown again in the evening.

CAYERSHAM SCHOOL PICNIC. Favoured by delightful weather, some 500 Cavers ham ochool children and their parents and friends enjoyed a most pleasant day's outing yesterday ut Evnnadnle. The kindness of residents had provided abundance of toys, lollies, and prizes, and these were productive of much juvenile pleasure and excitement. The Railway Department had made splendid arrangements, ;md Guard Steuben was consideration personified. Messrs 'i horn. Todd, Brown, and Anting represented the School Committee, and. the entire school staff was present'. There was also in evidence the kindly face of the head master, Mr W. Milne. After a. particularly good timo the train safely landed the excursionists at Cavursham at 7.60 p.m.

THE MALLINSOXS. The farewell Mallinson recital will be given on Monday in the Hums Ilall. A contemporary writes of these artists: — 1 "Tlieir performance was a revelation, and its simplicity lies in ihe most unaffected manner of the musicians, and also in the songs themselves. Those who were fortunate enough to he presetil at the reeilals previously given by these artists listened iu breathless silence to the different juIwpretaiioiis. and only on very rare occasions is il possible lo enjoy such a delightful and wonderful musical treat as is provided by Mr and Mrs Mallinson. Mrs Mallinson ha* a charming personality and a commanding stage presence. and captures the hearts of her listeners by her simple and unaffected manner. In .Mr Mallinson one feels unconsciously in llie presence of great artist, devoid of any slage mannerism or atfcciaiion. Ilis aecompanying is something more than a mere marvellous digital rendering. It is tho performance of one who is in perfect sympathy and accord with Ihe singer." The box plan is on view at the Dresden.

HILLSIDE WORKSHOPS PICNIC. Arrangements in connection with Ihe above picnic, which is hi be held at Waitati on February 15. are now- well in hand. The committee has been fortunate in getting some splendid pri7es. The baby show will be one of Ihe biggest attractions of Ihe day. As a novelty the committee is giving n special prize for Ihe lightest, boy and girl, which should he a large attraction. The committee has made arrangements with llie railway authorities for the train to stop at Dunedin Station, which if will leave at 9 a.m. The C.'aversham Brass Band has been engaged for the day. Piper J. M'Kechnie has placed his services at the disposal of tlio committee, and will play several selections during the day. Toys and a bag of lollies will be given io each child. Tickets are obtainable from members of conunittoe. iilso at Maxwell's, Cargill road.