ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17454, 22 June 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

JOSEPH BLASCHECK. Mr Joseph Blascheck, the eminent humourist and elocutionist, gives an entertainment which Is quite distinctive from anything wo have ever had before. Chracter sketches, humorous songs, stories and monologues, dramatic recitations, and caricature studies follow each other in rapid succession. No performer that has ever been to this country has received such unstinted praise from the critics. Miss Austin, who supports him, is a charming vocalist and entertainer, and she too is an artiste of exceptional merit, “There is no fuss, no posing for effect (says an old Australian playgoer), but the two artists secured the interested attention of the audience imme. diateiy by a witty little duet touching upon some of the peculiarities of a concert and concert-goors. It would take too long to enumerate in detail the feast of good things that were put before us. The programme included, on the evening I refer to, Blascbcck’s marvellous study of an old Justice of the Peace, a wonder, ful representation of an east-end coster, the charming story of “The Little Red Ribbon (all written and composed by the performer himself), and the most drama* tic and original rendering of Marc Antony’s oration over the body of Julius Ceasar that I have ever heard in my life. What a range of subjects. What an extraordinary exhibition of versatility! Yes, the men it a genius: there is no other word that describes him.’’ The box plan is at the Bristol and day sales at Miss McLcnnan’s.

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. The usual change of programme at the Popular Picture Palace last evening was made before a fairly large audience. The drama which bulk’s largest in tho new scries is a production entitled “The Bail of Death,” the scenes of which are laid in Romo. As set out in the synopsis, tho story is briefly as follows; —The amusement seekers of Rome are excited by the announcement of a wonderful performance by a beautiful markswoman, Ascania, and an equilibrist named Paqulta. The two whose feats are causing so much attention are engaged, and are perfectly happy until there appears one night at the circus Baron Kraemar. who becomes enamoured of Ascania. The Baron obtains an introduction to Aseaitia in her dressing room, and makes violent love to her. She screams for assistance, and a violent scene ensues. Plans are then made to abduct Ascania. Tho night of the abduction arrives, but Paquita manages to circumvent them, and Ascania once more escapes the baron. Another plan is entered into, which, if successful must end in the death of Paquita, but lie is rescued. The two villains are thus defeated, and are finally arrested by the police. The supporting numbers include two presentable dramas entitled “Her Sister” and "Tho Enlisted Man’s Honour,” while the topicals and comedies include “With the Russian Army,’’ “Topical Budget,” and “Business as Usual.” Tho programme will ho produced again this afternoon and evening.

THE LYCEUM. Tho new series of pictures shown last night at tho Lyceum Theatre were viewed with pleasure by largo audiences. The star drama “The Lost Lord Lovell, ’ produced by tho Majestic Company. The heroine is Molly, the hardworked little servant in a New York boarding-house. She is engaged to Herbert, the butler, next door. To the boarding-house comes an Impecunious Englishman who, from his likeness to the newspaper portraits of “Tlie Lost Lord Lovell,” immediately becomes a centre of interest and admiration, Especially is lie admired by the “star” boarder of the house, an actress, who promptly takes charge of him, and very quickly succeeds in getting engaged to him. When, however, tho impostor begins to draw crowds by appearing on the stage as the "Lord Lord Lovell,” tho real lord thinks It is time to intervene. This he does most effectively. “The Pas-ser-by,” is a pathetic Edison drama, in which an old and broken man tells tho story of his life. The Vitagraph Company provides a stirring western drama entitled “A Close Call.” The title of a most popular Keystone comedy in which Mabel Xormand and Charles Chaplin are the principal figures, is “Getting Acquainted.” War subjects arc the theme of a clever series of moving cartoons, and of the “Topical Budget.” The pictures in the Budget come from Aldershot London, Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, and other parts. These pictures will be shown again this evening.

PULLERS’ PICTURES. A large part of tho now programme submitted last evening at the Zoalandia Hall is taken up with “Shannon of the Sixth.” a Kalem melodrama of the Indian mutiny. Its principal characters are Lieut. Shannon and Dora, the daughter of General Kimber. Typical scenes at the outbreak of the mutiny are depicted, and tho treachery of the mutinous natives shown. Shannon, with a relief party, is sent from Calcutta to Delhi, and barely manages to escape with his life, after blowing up a building which the natives had captured. Dora is treacherously handed over to a native prince, and is thrust into his harem. The man who is commissioned to rescue her chooses to rob treasure from a temple instead, but after several dreadful adventures Dora is finally snatched from the cannon’s mouth, and saved by Capt. Shannon. The Gaumont Graphic is, as usual, full of most interesting war news. Many of its pictures are taken in and about Bombay, while others show heavy Preach artillery on the road to tho front, French villages destroyed by the Germans. the damage wrought by air raids on Paris, and other similar subjects. In a picture entitled “Australia Will Be There,” are some excellent views of the departure of Australian troops for the scene of action. A very amusing little comedy produced by the A.B. Company is entitled “The Fashion Shop,” dealing with a pretty woman’s flirtations with tite handsome models, and a jealous husband’s wrath to say nothing of a fat lady and a policeman. “Doctor Smith’s Babv,” is a comedy that amuses. The baby belongs to Dr Smith, but tire wrong Ur Smith has to care for it until the right Dr Smith is discovered. Maurice Costello and Mary Charleston are the leads.

BELGIAN RELIEF FUND.

“LITTLE NELL’S SURPRISE

PARTY

The pupils and ex-pupils of St. Catherine’s convent intend giving an entertainment in tho Municipal Theatre on Wednesday, the 30th inst., tho proceeds to he devoted to the Belgian Belief Fund. It is some years now since Iho pupils of tho Dominican nuns presented an entertainment to the public, and on this occasion theatre-goers may be sure of an excellent and pleasant evening. Lewis’s famous cantata, “Little Nell’s Surprise Party," will be the principal item. Tho following synopsis of the operetta will be read with interest. Mr Grant, who went abroad three years before tho story begins, hoping to retrieve the fortune he had'lost. and whose ship was wrecked at sea on the homeward journey, had before his departure left all his business affairs in tho hands of Solon Grled. Mr Gried, although he declared that the property left in ins charge was barely enough to meet the claims on Mr Grant’s estate, has somehow become a prosperous man, and. lias not only extended his business, but has bought lands and houses of considerable value, and Mrs Grant and her little child are now living in one of his tenements. They are very reduced in circumstances and realize that they must remain friendless and penniless unless Mr Grant returns soon. At tho opening of tho operetta, Mr Gried, the miscriey landlord, comes and claims his rent, taking Mrs Grant’s last shilling in payment, in spite of her pleading, and the poverty of her surroundings. Mother and child tire now in sore distress, but just as they are trying to become reconciled to their misfortune, a knock at the door Is heard, and in rushes a surprise party of about twenty of little Nell’s happy school companions. They try to make Mrs Grant and little Nell forget their sorrow, by living little Nell just what she has been wishing for a party. They bring her a party dress, gifts, and many dainties for the table, and prepare for a really pleasant time. While Nell goes away to prepare for the party, the surprisors play one of their tavourite games —“The Waking of the Flowers." In this each child r presents a sleeping flower, for the winter, during re-

turns and little flowers, fairies, and chcfrus - slng.ers, awaken the flowers in turn, who then tell their own stories. Little Nell reappears, dressed In .her party dress, and is crowned queen by her kind friends, after which they adjourn for their tea party. Mr Grant returns suddenly and unexpectedly, finds the room empty, but is soon discovered by Emma, one-of the party, who has come In to hide a thimble for a game,of “Blunt the Thimble.” He asks Emma to hide him, so that lie can surprise Nell and party when they come in to find tho thimble. Ho is hidden away by Emma, and is found shortly afterwards instead of the thimble, for which the party are hunting. He tells them of his travels and adventures. They in turn entertain him witli singing and dancing. Just as they are in the midst of fun and happiness a loud step is heard —presumedly that of Mr Gricd. Mr Grant retires to a place of hiding within hearing of the demands of this hard-hearted miser, which demands arc the more rigid and stern since ho perceives that Mrs Grant is apparently able to give such a grand party. He is just handing- her an account, ami insisting on immediate payment of same in very severe tones, when suddenly Mr Grant comes out of hiding, slezcs tho miser firmly, and asks for an explanation of such treatrne.uk.. The more he trios to explain away nis hypocrisy and greed, the more is he confounded and straightened on every side. He is utterly bewildered knows not what to do is as weak and cowardly now, as he was before strong and bold. He is finally treated according to his deserts, whilst tho merry party, ignoring him, proceed with their merriment. Mr Grant has a grand surprise in store for all, for with the wealth he lias acquired, he has bought back the dear old home, and there everyone goes to enjoy the rest of “Little Nell’s Surprise Party.” The full programme will be inserted in a later issue.