AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14785, 18 March 1910, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

PRINCESS THEATRE

■ The weekly change of programme attracted a- large audience "to Ul2 lneatre last evening. These bios'-ov picture entertainments are now many people as being distinctly instruct iv* in a nigh degree, and as such they literally to those who'can appreciate- tiie ' rouble expended in provkiin rr , t!io h.ms which troiv go !o inai«s un .1 i>iah". ciasj bioscope interlainrment. Some strikingly novel pictures were iihown, Jas:. cTeh* nig depicting panoramic views of Pari?, as «eeu from the famous Eiffel Tower.' I' lolll .this height the French capital is seen extenaing for miles in all directions, ami ine. Kiver Seine, the charming boulevards and fcarks. magnificent historic buildings and crowded ' thoroughfares are seen to advantage, and the opportunity is afforded to those who have never vi?iteil "Gay Pares" of seeing ihe great city to the best- pictorial advantage. The' devotees of society are morcfelv pillorie-1 ill a series of intensely dramatic pictures entitled Through the iirflaliors/' which show how a fashionable vouirg couple have tneir happiness nearly 'wrecked throiMi the illness of their only child and the mother« love of gaiety. Theiv reunion through grief makes up a powerful tlienii', which 15 well told pictorially. "The Heir to Claremont" shows tome lino staging and dramatic situations. A band of adventuiers having obtained by - fraud admittance to the castle, are feasted royallv, and in the - night, _ whilst the household are asleep, tiiey seize the c-astle and ransack it in search of secret, treasure. Enraged at their noiif-uiets-, the brigands murder the heir, and are about lo murder ths grandsire, when retribution overtakes them in , a ([idle supernatural way. A really magnificent picture is '"Lim. Rose. n..V. and the Robbers of FingaH's Cave." Thi-i 15 a naval series, and opeiid with a scene on ihp Dreadnought and the engagement of the lieutenant to an heiress. Her carriage gets captured by the Pingall gang, mid the _ Irairess is held to ransom, and some thrilling events follow, ai:<l provide enough excitement to satisfy any ordinary mortal. This is a "star'' series, and is quite, one of the fet, o? its km<l vet Deduced. and the hair-raiting lata wiiicli overtakes the brigands must ire teen to lie appreciated. Some reaily beautiful scene-; were shown last night of watui-fslU on the llhine. and these fairly captivated the audience, and some line views of the city of Brussels were shown. Another series were shown of Tirmona, iir Bulgaria, and the urta and craft; of the sami-bar-barous Kabyles gave the audience glimpses of people w'so are known to us i-hieHy through their association with bloodshed and massacre, As usual, some amusing films wore shown, and although several were really funny and clever withal, they were tame as compared with the adventures of "Peddling Peter," as the- result of a. raid oir some poultry. . Last night's audience filled the theatre, and. it lairly let, itself go over this cue and enjoyed itself amazingly. Mi Martinolli'.-i orchestra discoursed 6ome dainty incidental music, and the only discordant, notes throughout a most enjoyable entertainment arose out of the big hat nuisance. The ?ew female.; who insist 011 wearing huge liats at these entertainment?, should bo suppressed with firmness.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE. Vaudeville at. the Alhambra, as presented by the Empire Company, is never allowed tc grow stale: Weekly changes of programme and artists provide against, f hat. The current programme and the present combination of performers combine to produce a good entertainment, and the liberal patronage accordc-d nightly by the public is a good index of popular favour. Comedy and farce uie represented strongly by Priscilla Verne and Tom Armstrong," Charles I'aning, and Joe Kox; the Newcastle vocalists, Clias. Heath and Jce Lamb, with Miss Lawrence, are a strong trio; Nina Gonzales and the little National Duo dance well, and the latter are also clever acrobats - and the biograpli, shown at intervals, adds its quota to the entertainment. The same programme will bo repeated to-night. \

tills, or because it was a very popular demonstration in celebration of Si. Patrick's Day, but, most probably because of the exceptional talent engaged, Ihc resources o{ ihc large 11:11! wore taxed lo pruritic accommcoaiion for the very large audience tluiP assembled. 'i lie committee had been wry loriunale in its selection of artists, and an cnlertainnieut that, might have pleased'a very captious critic was .submitted. Mis 11. llitds:u, jun., and Messrs James Jago and J. M'Graili are well known locallv in connection with these concerts. Miss Violet M'lntosh and Mr J. ]]. Brennan made their lirst appearance at a St. Patick's Night concert. The lonuer, though only a short time in Dunedin, has.proved herself a decided acquisition to the music-loving portion of the community, and last cvenin"she did much to conlinn first impressions!. Her programme numbers were "Kathleen, Marourncvii" and "The Irish Emigrant" and, enthusiastically recalled, she was heard to greater advantage in "'Sleepy song" and "Lilies"—particularly the latter." Her splendid contralto, her clear enunciation, and her artistic idea of expression were' favourably coinmeiilid oil. Mr Brc-nnan's elocutionary gifts arc too well known to need more than passing rofersnce. Mis items were "To Be Continued in OurNext" unci '"King Claudius 011 Repent-, ance" (both encored). Mrs Hudson mado a reappearance at, a St. Patrick's concvrt after some years, and her sympathetic singing of .the national songs of.lreland won for her the hearty goodwill, of her. Img« audience. She sang "The last, toko of summer" and " Tile ninepemiy lidil," and was twice recalled. Mr M'Grath also, with "bearing 0' the green" and "A nation onco again," succeeded in movingpatriotic lfbhmcn In an unusual degree. Ho was applauded at the end of each verso and peremptorily readied at, the conclusion of each song. Mr Jago went to the muchbeloved Irishman .Moore foi his lirst number, "The minstrel boy," and his second,' . Connemara." was even more distinctive in character. These facts, added to the more important fact, that it was a trivd artist of Mr Jago's exceptional ability who sang tho songs, accounted for their warm reception,' tho spontaneous applause, and tho insistent; encores -to which Mr Jago successfullv responded. St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir, Under Mr A. Vallis, and tile Kuikorai Baud, under Mr G. B. Laidlnw, rondcred excellent. service, and contributed some' accept-: "'■pie. selections. Mi's J, Woods and Mr A. Vallis acted as accompanists.

OPEN-AIR CONCERT. On open-air concert under tho auspices of the Green Island Lawn Tennis Club Was held in tire tennis court last evening, and was a great success, thero being a largo attendance. A strong committee, under the direction of Mr William Martin, left nothing undone to make it a success. Tho pavilion was tastefully decorated with Chinese lanterns, etc., for the occasion, and' tho largo serial room of tho bowling green pavilion 1 was also beautifully decorated and furnished with tables laileu with a plentiful supply of refreshments. The Mosgiel Band was present, and contributed several selections. during the evening. A most attrac-' tivo programme was prepared, several of the contributors fc-aing vociferously applauded. Mr J. Lindsay occupied the chair. Tho following was the programme Song, Mrs Fuller; duet. Mr and Mrs Mirams; song C'Monu"), Mr 11. Miller; comic song, Mr A. Blackwood; trio, Miss B. Walters aw! Messrs \V. Watters and L. Miller; song (selected), Mi-s Clarksoir, piano duet. (" Storm King "), Misses Jeannie and Jessie Miller; song ("Tho bugler"), Mr W. Walters; recitation, Miss Mills; comic song, Mr A. Blackwood; quartet—Mrs 11. Harraway, Miss Watters, Misses 1,. Miller and L. Tweed; song, Mr Finlayson; song, Miss A. Walker.

The committer, through the chairman, thank;d those who assisted' in making the enterprise so successful, especially the band, which is always willing to assist anything in Green Ttlmul; alss, those ladies who. played the accompaniments. and Ihose who assisted at tlv» refreshment tables and in disponing of the on the ground. A bar or two of "'God save the king"' brought a vory pleasant evening's amusement lo a close.