AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16238, 23 November 1914, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

HUGARD'S ENTERTAINERS. There opened on Saturday evening, at His Majesty's Theatre, for a season oi seven nights, a. variety company of, in several respect?, considerable merit, and presenting some novelties. It hae, however, to bo admitted tnat the company is not a very uniform one, the performers certainly not being equal in ability to entertain. lhu,t is trequently the case, and therefore this, the most recent claimant for pubiio favour, is very much on even terms with a g°"U many of its predecessors. Iu certain directions the company is fctrong,. but there are not wanting instances in wnich it ialls far short of a. high standard. The- company is introduced to the publio under the title of "Hugard's Happy Hours Entertainers," and at the head oi it is Hugard himself. Hugard, both in his manipulation of playing cards and his daring—daring so far as the audience is aware —rifle feat, provides one of the two prominent features of tiio evening , . In his hands playing cards dieappear and reappear, become existent or non-eiistent, in a way that is astonishing. It is very plain that Hugard is a past master in the art of sleight of hand, and, as far as card tricks are concerned, oan do as much as probably anyone seen here before. Thorn falls from him, the usual running commentary on himself, his trick methods, or on any other subject that can be turned to account to divert attention, and there is a good spicing of .humour in it all. It is, however, in his phenomenal and decidedly startling rifle feat that he scores best. The one thing has been seen so often, and its undoubted cleverness docs not save it from being placed in comparative obscurity by the rifio act. The other is eomething fresh, and is so sensational and so mystifying that it claims epecial attention at the hands of an audience. The process is that Hugard has on tho stage three youth, uniformed in khaki, and armed with the regulation rifle, who, presumably, belong to the Territorial forces, and also a member of the audience. The rifles are examined, Hugard produces a packet of what he announces to be regulation ammunition. Three cartridges are selected by the member of the audience; these are handed round the audience, and both shell and bullet are marked and returned to Hugard. The only thing he apparently does with the cartridges before they are placed in the breaches of the rifles is to dip the bullets in a powder, wheh he states is chalk, and the committeeman on the stage verified the truth of the statement after taking the'somewhat novel method of testing the powder by placing a fairly ample quantity of it in his mouth. It was perhaps the comedy part in an otherwise serious act. The marked cartridges are then placed in the rifles, the three men leave the stage, take up u position at the back of the stalls, and at the word of command fire point-blank at Hugard as he stands at the back of the stage, holding a small square of some fabric across the heart. A tin plate is held a little lower down, and, simultaneously with the report of the rifles comes the rattle of the bullets as they fall into the tin plate. The fabric appears to receive the impact of something directly the rifles "are discharged, and Hugard shows three chalk marks upon the fabric, claimed to have been made by the chalk-marked bullets. The bullets in the plate and the shells in the rifles are examined, and found to be marked identically with those handed round the audience for examination and marking. Hugard invites anyone to do the shooting , , stipulating only that the rifle and ammunition shall be of regulation military pattern and make. Some of "the gods" evidently considered that such a man as Hugard would be invaluable at tho front from the remarks they made. There is, however, a world of difference between doing things off and on the stage. It is to be assumed that, if only two of the three riflemen fired, 'three bullets would be found in the plate all the same,, unless the worker in magic was quick enough to notice that two rifles alone had been diecharged. The trick is, however, a really clever and astonishing one, and must require considerable nerve-to carry out when the possibility of tho manipulation of the cartridges going wrong js considered. The performance of Ching Sung Loo and his lady assistants, whose contribution to the work in hand consists in handing- the juggler such articles as he requires—that is, as far as the eye can distinguish—was another prominently good feature of the entertainment. Ching introduced a great number of illusions, produced animals in a most extraordinary way, grew flowers in flower pots in the space of a second or two, and proved in an immense variety of ■ways that, so far as the stage and the human eye were concerned, ex nihilo nihil fit had no truth in it. Ching did not perhaps present much that was very new, but his performance was none the less clever and entertaining from that fact. Miss Myra Errington proved herself to be an expert xylophonist, though the "Poet and Peasant" selection might have been improved upon. The music, at no time easy, would probably be especially difficult on the xylophone. Miss Errington also sang. Clivalli gave a very good turn, in which his dogs had a large share. The other performers were Mr Ted Allan (comedian), the Franklins (comedy duo), and Mies Millie Clare (comedienne). Madame Carroll, at the piano, directed the orchestra, and provided good music. ''Hugard's Entertainers" will appear again this evening. FULLERS' PICTURES. A new series of special war pictures will be screened at the King's Theatre in conjunction with the new programme this evening. " The German (Jecupaton of Louvan ,, is full of interesting scenes showing the German entry into the town and other details of'the destruction. The Pathe War Gazette is of more than ordinary interest, and shows very vividly " tho trail of the modern Huns." A particularly strong programme of supporting subjects has been provided. Heading the list is the Kaleni drama entitled "The Treasure Ship," a picture full of exciting incidents. There will be other excellent films and a laughable comedy- by the celebrated Keystone Company entitled "The Great Toe Mystery." The pictures will be screened as usual at 6.30 p.m. and 8.20 p.m. HAYWARD'S PICTURES. There were large audiences at the Octagon Theatre on Saturday, attendance in the evening being extremely gratifying to the management. The fine historical film, "Sixty Years a Queen," which was exhibited for the last time, again met with great appreciation. The! management an ; nounces that a splendid new programme, in •which the two star subjects are produced by all-British companies, will be presented. W. W. Jacobs's comedy " Beauty and the Barge," in wheh Mr Cyril Maude takes the principal part, will be a feature, and the other will be a patriotic subject, "The Boy Scout Farm in Sussex." A special war picture of the German occupation of historic Louvain will be screened first. The latest War Gazette gives many interesting snapphots of happenings in England and abroad In the dramatic and comic portions the programme is also excellent. PRINCESS THEATRE. There , was a large audience at the Princess Theatre both at the matinee and evening performance on Saturday, when the programme for the current week was enjoyed by those present. This evening and during Show Week Miss Carrie Moore—perhaps the most popular artist on the musical comedy stage,—who has entered into a contract with the Fuller-Brennan management to appear at the different theatres throughout New Zealand and Australia, will appear in Dunedin to-night. This lady's abilities need no comments, suffice to say that she is sure of a great welcome. Miss Moore will be assisted by the full strength of the artists at present at the Princess. In spite of the expense attached to engaging Miss Moore, the management hae decided to retain the usual popular prices. Seats may be rcBcrved at the Dresden.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

The Queen's Theatre was patronised by the usual good Saturday attendances. Today a really good programme will be shown. A fine budget of war news will depict the German occupation of Louvain. The picture is a very complete one, every aspect of tho eubject being dealt with. The principal dramatic subject will be "The Angel of Contention," love and life in a mining camp of tho West. The supporting films ■will bo of the usual well-chosen variety.

PLAZA PICTURES.

Tho new programme at the Plaza is one that will appeal to all tastes. The chief item will be, of course, the beauty competition, of which the second series of >photographs of six entrants will be ehown! The star picture—"The Bolted Door"—is said to be a beautiful story splendidly mounted and portrayed by some of the most famous picture artists in the world. The story, in brief, details how a deluded wife discovers that her husband married her for love, and not for her money. The biograph story, " The Country Wife," is well above the average; and the war views depicted will comprise pictures of the Belgians marching out from Antwerp to man the forts, irophies captured from the Germans, digging trenches, and other interesting events. There will be other entertaining films.

MR ARTHUR ALEXANDER. Next Thursday, at the Burns Hail, wjll probably be the last occasion the Dunedin public will have of hearing Mr. Arthur Alexander, as ho will shortly be returning to London to resume his professorship at the famous Matthay Pianoforte School. Ofting to tho war Jais projected tours in Germany and Austria have, of course, been abandoned; but his concerts in both countries during the season of 1912 met with great success, especially in Vienna and Berlin, where he was acclaimed as a finished and mature nrtist. This is all the more remarkable when one considers the difficulty an English artist has of obtaining a favourable hearing in the latter city. Mr Alexander proposed giving recitals in some of the larger Russian towns towards the end of 1915, but in the present unsettled state of Europe it is doubtful whether these concerts will take place. BARTON BROS.' CIRCUS. Barton's Circus and Wild Australia should provide an interesting entertainment for iocal and visiting amusement-seekers. _ A complete new company has been organised, embracing 40 artists, including Mr John M. West, the upside-down phenomenon. The St. Leonards will appear with their troupe o' trained French poodles, the Five Lessos (acrobatic team), Roy Barfon (premier jockey), the Alton Trio (comedy acrobats), Fred Carlson (eccentric musician), the Waldorf Troupe, Miss Ethel Ashton, Wislang Bios., and" Master Lindsay. The Wild Australia Company includes a number of talented horsemen, including "Queensland Harry" (the recognised champion of the world's buckjump riders), also Billy Wack and Jack Morrissey, whose exhibitions of horsemanship are said to be sensational. Another prominent exponent of horsemanship is Mr Thomas Ryder, whose performance is said to bo one of the most hazardous accomplished by any horseman. Ryder allows himself to be bound to any outlaw of tho worst type procurable, and frees himself whilst the animal is plunging. Altogether the circus is said to be replete with all the latest acts and novelties. OEOHESTRAL SOCIETY. In the Garrison Hall to-morrow evening tho fourth "concert of the twenty-seventh season of the Dunedin Orchestral Society will be held. The programme to be submitted to subscribers has been selected with excellent judgment, and a musical treat may be looked for. The soloists are Miss Waters, -who -will sing "May time," and "O Wondrous Mystery of Love"; and Mr J. M'Grath, who will sing "Claude Duval" and "Son of Mine." The final rehearsal wll be hold in the Garrison Hall to-night.

[Published by Akrangembnt.]