AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16239, 24 November 1914, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. lIUGARD'S ENTERTAINERS. Tho llugard awl tilling ttung Loo Company of variety entertainers gave a pleasing repetition ol their opening programme 111 His Majesty's Theatre labt evening. Tho audience was thoroughly appreciative, ami wits quick to acoord tue heartiest of applause when due. llugard again lived up to his excellent reputation, and his various skilful exhibitions aroused spontaneous admiration. His ability with tho ordinary "pack of cards" cannot be gainsaid. Hugard is rio less a marvel m his daring shooting act, which again evoked impressive attention and applause. Three of tho University Territorials assisted with this si nsational trick last evening, and, despito tho lact that the cartridges they brought for tho purposo of firing at the performer wero not used, yet it is claimed that Hugard utilised similar regulation ammunition. Hugard has an appropriate stage appearance, and ho carries out the act with a degrco of professional confidence that makes the act all the more mystifying, llugard challenges patrons to bring their own rifle* and ammunition, and also invites them to load the riHes themselves. Clivalli's work with his clever collie dog—a welltrained animal which appears to fully understand what is demanded of liim as an " article of balance " —was another diverting item. Miss Brrington and the supportin tho direction of cheerful comedy, were heard to advantage. The, entertainment will be repeated this evening, and a change of programme will bo submitted to-morrow or Thursday.

BARTONS' CIRCUS. Barton Bros.' Circus opened a short season of lour nights last evening on a vacant plot situateu at tlio corner of Cumberland and St. Andrews streets. The locality ot the circuc nail to be changed at short notice from its usual placo at tho Oval, but, notwithstanding the delay, the management was ready to commence the performance at the advertised time. '1 lie circus band paraded the streets and attracted large numbers to tho entertainment, and tho tact that a circus was ifear had evidently spread rapidly among the children in tho vicinity, wno wero present in force. Nearly all the seating accommodation in tho tent was talc en up by 8 o'clock. It is about 18 months since Bartons' Circus last visited Dunedin, and during that time a large number of new performers have joinod the troupe. The present company is a very strong one, with a wide rango of specialties, wnich held tho interest ot the spectators throughout, and is worthy of patronage. Tho first performers wero Miss Lea's troupe of fivo little white Frenah poodles, wilich did all sorts of cunning tricks, waltzed, walked on their hind legs, jumped through iioops, climbed ladders, and slid down a chute. Another little dog of a different breed was the staj performer, however. It balanced itself very cleverly on its foTelegs on its master's thumb and performed other balancing feats of like delicacy. Francis Roy Barton next made ills appearance and won hearty applause for his bareback acrobatic riding and management of three galloping horses. Miss Ethel Ashton is tho undoubted star of tho company. She was first of all seen in a somewhat sensational aerial act, during which she gave a fine exhibition of trapeze feats, tho most notable of which, perhaps, was a "double dislocation," while hanging suspended by her arms. Siho also performed on a loose rope, and later accomplished some remarkable weight-lifting fea*s by ments of her teeth- A member of the audience, weighing about 13st, was hoisted into the air in this manner. Miss Ashton further demonstrated her vorflatality by performing on a tight wire. Her performances were greeted with hearty rounds of applause. The St. Leonards, lady and gentleman equilibrists, showed themselves to be accomplished in the art of balancing on chairs. As a conclusion to their turn, the iady supported herself by means df a chair at each extremity, and demonstrated her strength by holding without apparent effort two chairs, with tho maio performer balanced on top. Mr J. M. West, described as the "Upside-down Phenomenon," contributed an excellent turn. He performed feats of balancing while upside down, which can only be described as extremely clever. They included the balancing of a lighted lamp on his head while in an inverted position, and a slide to the ground from a platform on his hands, witJi his feet in midair. Among other excellent items were those presented by Mr Fred Carlton, instrumentalist and vocalist, and the Maldorf Troupe, comprising six lady and gentlemen acrobats, in costumes made to resemble white statuary, who performed some very effective poses. The equestrian acts wero worthy of any circus. The beautiful and highly trained Hungarian pony, Silver King, went through a number of difficult tricks. Many of the -boys present availed themselves of the invitation to ride first a little donkey and next a pony. Few of the youngsters managed to retain their seats for more thana few seconds, and their efforts to "stick on," and the inevita.ble failure to do so, evoked roars of laughter. The show concluded with a thrilling back-jump-ing exhibition by Queensland Harry and his colleagues. Bie horses ridden showed nasty tempers, but the performers proved themselves to bo capable and fearless horsemen. The programme, which is an excellent one : from first to last, will bo repeated to-night.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The Management of the Princess Theatre has made a special effort to make its Show Week programme attractive, and has succeeded so admirably that crowded houses are assured for some days to come. Most

of tho residents in Dunc-din have bad the pleasure of listening to Leslie pierotteß, and will be euro to take their country cousins to enjoy their performance. Tho members of tin; company have voices, and know how to use them. They also powers tho good taste not to let comedy kill music, but blend the two arte in a manner not cltcn met with on the vaudeville stage. I'heir clforts were Juily appreciated, and the patnot.'c tone introduced was .specially approju-iatQ. 'it:e final Uibloaux, with, Britannia in tho ba^'kg.round, gavo a fitting liniah to a pleasant hour. Amongst tho new items in this week's programme the reappearance of Miss (Jarrio Mooro is tho special feature. Jlcr reception was a cordial one, and her songs and recitations •were given with all tho sparkling vivacity and appropriate action for which she is famous. Iter soug, "l'oolieh Fashion," waa full of humour, but tho greatest success was in giving a song composed by herself, to tho tun© of tho patriotic song tliat is so universally popular a.t the present time. Miss Moore, s version begins, "It's a long way to the front." At its closo sho invited tho audience to join in the chorus, and tho request was heartily aocedod to. Amongst tho newcomers are Ben&on and Bell, who proved themselves to bo very clever singers and (lancers. Tho lady is well favoured enough to take t.he part, of principal boy, and donees as gracefully as a columbine. Her costume is that of a ballerina, in which fill" looktj charming. Mr Benson sings several songs in charactur, arid aJso assists the ladies' pirouetting as cleverly as a harlequin. The Princess conrpany is also strengthened by the engagement of Les Bates, who is every inch a eomique, and there are a good many inches of him, for he stands over 6ft high, and adds to his stature by wearing a very tall hat. Ilia songs and patter are of a, dry nature, but Dunedin audiences aro

"food at the uptake," though fcicotch, and therefore enjoyed his jokes. Amongst those who did not make their first appearance last night were Brown and Sorlie, who successfully demonstrated that they had not outtheir last week's welcome. Mies Rosa Loader, as on former occasions, added materially to tho enjoyment of those preT)ie same special attractions will be continued during the week.

HAYWARD'S PICTURES. There was a fair house at ''The Octagon " last night, when an entire change of programme was presented. The pictures make up a really line entertainment, and should enjoy good patronage throughout the rest oi the week. The war pictures, of course, demand first notice. The Gaumont Graphic contains, among other interesting items, views in connection -with the defence of Paris, artillery on the way to the front, Glasgow trainwaymen enlisting, French sailors in Paris, departure of the London Fusiliers for camp, etc. Then there is a tine film, " German Occupation of Louvain," which shows various parts of the city, with the German guards and marching troops and other matters incidental to the altered conditions of life since the arrival of the invaders. A drama that will appeal especially to ladies is that entitled "Oar Mutual G ; rl," -which displays quite a number of the latest fashions. " A Day on a Boy Scout Farm" is a fine picture in colour, and " The Toy Shop" a romantic little story in which a clever child actress takes a prominent part. " Across the Burning Trestle " is also a fine drama. " Beauty and the Barge," one of W. W. Jacobs's popular stories, is presented in a film featuring Mr Cyril Maude and Miss Lillian Logan. The various scenes are well presented, and the atmosphere has much of that particular quality that Mr Jacobs has rr.ade so much his own. Those who know Mr Jacobs's writings and understand his particular humour will probably appreciate the picture better than those not familiar with him; but in any case it is a story that muet be enjoyed by any who see it. The usual comedy number is present in " Bill Takes a Lady Out to Lunch."

FULLERS' PICTURES. A budget of war nerws now forms an ' essential part of any picture programme that may hope to succeed with the public. A generous instalment is provided in the new 1 programme presented for the first time at the King's Theatre last evening. First there is the "German Occupation of Louvain." The photography in this is very clear, and a fine idea is to be obtained of what the outward life in the city now is. One of the ever-brilliant Pathe Gazettes follows, containing several features that make a strong appeal to British patriotism and 1 Belgian sympathies. A fine view is given j of our plucky little allies throwing a pon- ! toon over a river and then crossing in force to attack the enemy. Some of the " sentinels" of the North Sea, with their unceasing watch, are also shown. The chief dramatic film is entitled " The Treasure Ship." The captain of the Golden Clond.

wrecked on an island, finds » bat tiutt hm evdently been occupied by castaway®, and containing a dead body with a paper si its side with directions as to where to find certain hidden treasure on the vessel front which tho first castaways came, and containing a bequeathal to the man that give* his body Christian burial. He carries out tho instruction, and secretes the treasure i& a model ship that h© constructs. Ultimately ho reaches home, and finds that his wifo has died and his boy is leading a well life. He relieves the boy from his difficulties by selling one cf the diamonds, but the eunoeitv of tho buyer of the diamond with which this is done is aroused, and by foul means he gets a plan of the Golden Good. A fruitless treasure search follow)?, and the story ends with the cap-1-ain's daughter and worthy lover ultimately becoming possessors of the wealth, the secret of the model coming to their hands. " Life's Lottery" is another excellent drama. A partictdarly fine scenio is presented in " Ruius of Ancient Rome."

QUEEN'S THEATRE The variety of interests that is introduced in t/he new scries of pictures screened, ye*tcrday at the Queen's Theatre should make the programme extremely popular with all sections of the community. Large audiences were present at all the sessions yesterday, and the audience was frequently inspired to a high pitch of enthusiasm— especially by the war pictures. Of these "Tho German Occupation of Louvain" proved particularly interesting, and must be r;iji Iced as one of the beet pictures from tho front that has yet been mown in Dunedin. The town is seen after the German artillery has wrought havoo with mapy of its noble architectural edifices, and a vivid picture is presented of the damage, done to other splendid buildings, many centuries old, while over all is apparent the grim ruthlessnees of war. "The Angel of CSootention" is a strikingly human story of life in a mining camp. Nettie, "tie wellbeloved," refuses a big jovial miner named Magoon for a young Easterner named Colter, and in the course of time the former bccomes a sheriff, while the younger maw is unjustly accused of murder. ( Through tho instrumentality of Magoon, ) Colter is saved from any unpleasant consequences, and the tangled threads are unravelled. "Laughing Gas" is a oomedy by the famous Keystone Company, and as a mirth-pro-voker it promises to be as successful as any of its predecessors. 'The Voice of Silence" is an Edison drains well acted, and telling a good story, wiile "Colonel Heesa Liar's Adventures in Africa" is another rollicking comedy. Several other films, all of a high standard of merit, complete the series which will be shown till Thursday.

PLAZA PICTURES. A three-reel drama entitled "'He Baited Door" occupies pride of place in the new series of pictured presented at the Plaza Picture Palace yesterday. The story is concerned with the ior tunes of a young man named Brook Harriott, and Natalie Judson, a saintly belie, each of whom is distinctly related to a wealthy old man. The old man dies leaving a will which provides tLat his fortune is to be divided between the young people on the condition that Uiey marry. 'lnis course is at first distasteful to both, but through a friend they are eventually brought together and finally persuaded to marry. After marriage they proceed to folkxw their own inclinations, independent of each other. As time passes, however, they begin to grow more accustomed to each other's ways, and a feeling akin to love makes its appearance, although neither acknowledges it. XVlatters are eventually brought to a head by the arrival on tile scene of a young man, who proceeds to pay attention to Natalie. This stirs Garnott to action. Natalie's jealousy is aroused and she finally decides that she has no mind to lose her husband. The realisation that tihey love each other threatens to be shattered, however, by unforeseen circumstances, but disaster is averted and the ooncluding scenes show the young couple happily unified "The Country Wife" is another interesting drama, showing how the suspioion* which have arisen in a woman's mind in regard to the faithfulness of her husband are swept away. "Easy Money" and "The Chief's Love Affair" are two amusing comic scodies, and "Travel and Sport in India" (No. 3 series) contains many pleasing scenes of topical interest. The new Warwick Chronicle contains views of the Belgian troops leaving Antwerp to occupy forts, Belgian artillery in action, preparing trenches in Belgium, and a German gun captured by the Ist 'battalion of LinocJm. The second series of six competitors in the beauty competition were screened last night. The pictures will be exhibited again today.