ALHAMBRA THEATRE

Otago Witness, Issue 2949, 21 September 1910, Page 68

ALHAMBRA THEATRE

The blending of cinematograph records with vaudeville turns has already proved a happy venture as far as Messrs Fuller and Sons are concerned. In tho new programme presented at the Alhambra Theatre on the 19th the cinematography is of a high order, and the vaudeville- is sparlolinar, clean, and judiciously sel€cte<-;'. Messrs Fuller are too long accustomed to cater for the public taste to be ignorant of the value of a good orchestra, and this important, though frequently overlooked, component of an enioyable evening is worthily represented by the Symphony Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr F. Stokes. The programme opens with an 'interesting picture of stone quarries, in which the various phases of the industw are shown from mountain to monument This week "The Two Rosebuds" bloom again, and unfolded themselves in several catchy songs and dainty -dances. Tbe Parisian stage supplies a defty-hano'lied picture comedy entitled "The Blind ManV Dog," which is inclined to be emotional without being morbid. Miss Cecilo Stephano, the contralto, who has already established herself as a favourite with many Alhambra patrons, earned an encore with her rendering of "You love me. and the world is ours." How well they do these things in France, the cradle of the cinematograph, is made apparent in " Musette's Caprice." A Parisienne, readv dressed for the ball, discovers that the gr sette who has brought her apparel weeps because her mother is dying in poverty. There being no small change handy, the society woman and the milliner girl go out together. The new ball dress is pawned, and they carry the proceeds to the dying woman. The lady's husband discovers where she has gone, and arrives, 'immaculately attired, just in time to' be set to light the fire, after which operation! ho resembles a chimney-sweep. The moral is that, though both miss the ball, they have not wasted their evening. That clover and amusimg juvenile company of acrobats again finds a place on the bill, and the feats of Rogers quartet rouse spectators to enthusiasm. Pathe Freres are responsible for the presentation of one of the many strange dramas brought into •being by last winter's floods it* Paris. It possesses all the advantages of realism. Mr Jules Garrison and his Roman maids are seen, in a new and a vigorous act, which introduces many of Mr Garrison's latest successes. In "The old actor" and Kipling's " Go, go. go, like a eoldier," Mr Garrison is convincing, and gives play to much of his undoubted histrionic ability A good deal of good humoured buriesqufe is put into the " King of Mandimgo," being the story of the vuait of an African potem* j tat© and his dusky following to the forth- '

coming' coronation. The Roman Maids are blackened, which, however, dees not prevent these energetic young ladies from making the most of themselves. The trio were repeatedly and tempestuously recalled. Iva.-le's performing animals continue to ill! an important place on the programme : .notable among the performers being Jack, who executes some remarkable leaps, and Fritz, the buck-jumping pony.