AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14446, 12 February 1909, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

" DIAXA OF DOIiSON'S." Tlio second prcsenutioii of "Diana «J DobsonV by the J. C, Williamson Company at llio Princess Theatre last evening was accorded (juito a fluttering reception by an audience the size of which indicated the prc:eneo of a pretty popular anticipation of .-oiuothing good. Aikl this anticipation, judging by the applause and tlio laughter, must l,„ve met. with a full measure of realisation. There is something (listmotly l-cfrosiiiny al; o ul " Diana o* Dobson s, and there is „o reason whatever anyone should not be satisfied with it. he story is perfectly possible in ull uu(] there is notliitj**' extravi>» yam about, it. The ohj,-et of j,j c i. ftUi(m 16 a denouncement of fits sweating evil that, is so loi-rihly prevalent ill London ami other big cities; but it is not. brought, homo forcibly to one- and what the play does coutain'appcrlaim'n" t 0 this breaker of bodies and souls is so "surrounded with light humour us to m«l;c it less convincing than it might otherwise be. However, there is sufficient there to send ona away reflecting, and tlio purpose of tlio play, if such it is, is not altogether lost. Miss Tiltell lirunc, adopting tlm title role, presents tile sort of character one can easily imagine in the circumstances of |he story. She is at- all times natural and convincing, while there aro oceasiona when she gives full <play to her ability to act forcibly, as, for instance, when she discloses iter real position to the. fortunehunting and somewhat brainless and useless captain of the Welsh Guards; and he chides her warmly for her false pretences and bis own discomfort. Mr Thomas Kingston, as Capta in Iho Hon. Victor Brother ton, takes upon himself a big share in the success of flic production, 11s al*o does Mrs Koberfc I'rough. as the talkative Mrs r 'antelupe. Other parts are well filled, and the scenery, particularly that .showing the Thames Embankment by night, is first class. "Diana of Dobson's" will be presented for the last time this pvciiin'g. For the Inst, four nights of Miss Bruno's season two of her most, popular revivals will Ix 3 presented. On Saturday and Monday next "Sumiay" rs fo be presonUxl. On * Tuesday and Wednesday next Shakespeare's historical love story " Romeo and Juliet" will bi presented, when Miss Brune will appear in her sm-orssfnl characterisation of Juliet. Mrs Robert Brough and Mr Thomas Kingston aro also included in the caste of these two final productions.

THE WORLD-WIDE PICTURES. Thel-o was a complete ohange of programme at the Alhnmbra Theatre last evening, when the cinematograph pictures presented comprised romantic, comic, pathetic, tragic, scenic, and incredible views. The opening picture dealt with a romance in which a lover saves the furnituro and home of his fiancee's father from being sold up % creditors, and is enabled to do so by overhearing .1 lueky racing "tip" and thereby winning a lot of money. Of course, the wooer is rewarded with the hand of his fiancee and l all ends happily. The exciting adventure of two precocious youngsters who set out on a railway and sight-seeing excursion caused considerable merriment; and tragedy, the result of crime, was well represented in "The Incendiary." "Hover's Christinas" displayed the intelligence and sagacity of a dog, and serves to exhibit poverty and distress in the home of the rag-picker. " Polka 011 the Brain," "The Aviator," "The Man of Frequent Falls," and "Burglary Up to Date" belong to the series of cinematograph eccentricities which aro intensely; humorous owing to their transparent absurdity. "Peasant Life in Egypt" and "The World's Beautiful Waterfalls" are scenic and lifelike representation*, and' take class as among the best of cinematograph art. " Two Little Woodcutters" and " Two Broken Hearts" are pathetio presentations depicting 111 t.he one claea poverty and philanthropy, and in the other gambling mania and crime. From tho recital of tins views included in the programme it will be noted that the " Worldwide Picture" management- kce-ps strict faith with tlie public when a change oG programme is announced, and that not one picture from the preceding scries of views is reproduced. The same programme will be repeated this evening.

HIS MAJESTY'S. Messrs Maskelyne and Devant's clever combination, now appearing at His Majesty's Theatre, attracted another largo audience last, evening. The illusions which have mystified successive audiences during the week again defied detection Inst evenmg, and at the close of the performance the audience had not the faintest idea whether the man in the chair disappeared! through the floor or de-materialised and vanished into thin air. • Mr K. Barclay Gammon's monolgue proved most diverting, and at times tho laughter of the audience quit© drowned his remarks, and lie had to rcspittd to a double recall. Ginfaro was similarly honoured for his juggling act, and those who have not yot seen this performance will to-night be afforded the last opportunity of seeing it. A complete change of programme is announced for to-morrow, and a matinee performance will, be given in tho afternoon.

GARRISON BAND CONCERT, The Dunedin Garrison Band played at the St. Kilda Rotunda last night to a large audience.. Some difficulty was experienced with the electric lighting at tha commencement, but this difficulty was overcome I>y the kindness of his Worship t-lio mayor of St. Kilda'(Mi- M'Fa.rlane), who kindly procured some lamps from the Drainage Board, the band playing several items while waiting for those." The programme was as follows:—March, "Punjaifb " ; valse, " Soldaten Leider " ; selection, "Lohengrin " ; Beethoven's "Adieux'; "Mil Belle Adoree"; r 'La Serenata ; march, " Prccioia," " God >Savo Ins King." BENEFIT CONCERT AT GARDENS, Attention is directed to the benefit concert to be given by tihe Garrison Band at the Botanical Gardens to-night in aid of Mr B. Collett, a lato member of the band, who has been in Dunedin Hospital for some months. The object should ensure a satisfactory collection.