THE LORGNETTE

Observer, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 27 January 1912, Page 6

THE LORGNETTE

By Prompter.

THERE is an abundance of entertaining fare at the Opera

House, where the Fuller firm dispense pictures nightly to large audiences. A very elaborate and well-staged film ie on view this week illustrative of the adventures of that -immortal :gentJeman known as Ulysses. The general effects are very fine, ,and 'the realism is something to marvel ,at. A beautiful kinemacolor study is that displaying views of Constantinople and the Boephorue, and there is another giving glimpses of Brusa, Turkey's old capital. "A lUin with the Staghounds " is a bright and breezy production, and "A Pilgrimage in Pompeii" is another interesting picture. Amongst otJier films of a meritorious order are

••oaved from the Torrents," "Scandalmongeis," "An Original Legacy" and many others. A matinee takes place every Saturday afternoon.

'juie uispiay oi pictures ac the ■ik-nei a i/iiis »veeK nas Oeeii <m ■tiie usual sterling oruer, aitnougii tiio attendance uiignt periiups liuve been better, "me jrfattie'' was one of tiie nuest and most realistic pictures ever seen Here, and proved most eiiective, eliciting storms oi applause. "MaKing a b-ton Cheese" , was a very suitable subject tor a moving picture, and, apart from that consideration, proved to be a highlyinteresting industrial study. "Tne Stage Driver's Daughter " was a typical tale of the Wild West, and some very interesting views were exhibited of the construction of New York's water system. "Forgotten" was an absorbing story imbued with a strong element of pathos, while in direct contrast to this was "Aunt Jane's Legacy." The music, it is needless to say, was all that could be desired, both in quantity and quality.

Some splendid films are available this week at the Lyric Theatre, Sy-monds-street, where the patronage is consistently large. "The Tragedy of a Strike " is a picture of much interest at the present time of strikes and rumours of etrikee, and is worked out cleverly to an exciting culmination. "Her Hero "is a good studyfciby /the Vitagraph Co., and in "Eugene Wrayburn," Dickens's last completed work, is faithfully reproduced. Another series of Delhi Durbar pictures are on tap, and prove as interesting as ever. The comedies, which are responsible for many aching sides, include "Signor Potti's Love Affair," "The Deacon's Eeward " and ".The Acrobat's Joke." Mr, Charles Parnell's Lyric Symphony. Orchestra deale out suitable harmony. There is a matinee show at the Lyric every Saturday afternoon.

The Queen's Theatre, Queen-etreet, is doing excellent business, and is maintaining a. high standard of programme. The beautiful colour play, "Puss in Boots " proved a big draw and was the subject of much adulatory comment. "Her Way" and "The Trail of Books " were two dramatic studies of absorbing interest, and "Hidden Treasure," "Kelly, the Equilibrist," and "Speedy, the Telegraph Boy " were capital comics. There is at present on view, at the Queen's a very elaborate film descriptive of the siege of Calais, and this shoulu on no account b« muted.

The Newbury-Spada Saturday "Pops "at the Town Hall are evidently high in popular favour, judging by the large audiences they are attracting. The third of the series was given last Saturday evening, when a varied and delightful programme was submitted for the delectation of patrons. Mr Newbury himself gave finished renderings of "Come into the Garden, Maud," Lehmann's "Ah, Moon of My Delight," from "In a Persian Garden" and "The Death of Nelson," the latter with organ accompaniment. Madame Spada's beautiful voice was heard to excellent effect in "Crossing the Bar " and "Lovely Spring," and she joined Mr Newbury in the duet "A Night in Venice." Mr Harold Gregson gave some fine organ solos, and Herr Raimond Pechotsch contributed* pleasing selections on the violin, while Mr Ernest H. Parkes acquitted himself admirably in the songs "The Rebel " and "From Oberon in Fairyland." Mr H. Woolley accompanied with his usual skill.

Even at the age of sixty-six, Sarah Bernhardt nan still achieve positive triumphs in theatrical portraiture. Her Joan of Arc recently played in "Le Proces de Jeanne d'Aro " at tho London Coliseum, was a finished and beautiful impersonation. T)esnite her years. Sarah invested the character with remarkable vouthfulw°rs. power and grace. Moreover, she made Joan look no more than her arre —whiVh was something of a feai for the elderly lady.

"Tn her recent tour of Son+.Ti Africa Madame Clara Butt established a financial record, the receipts of a single performance freouently amounting to over £1000. The ptithnsinsm was altogether remarkable, and numerous requests were received for an extension of the season by additional concerts. These had to he refused, however, as Madame Butt had to appear at the Albert Hall, London, on New Year's Day.

Mr Leonard Cherniavsky, one of the famous artistic trio, received a cablegram while in South Africa informing him that the Tsar had granted him an especial favour in releasing him from serving in the army, a duty which his attaining his twenty-first birthday entailed. It is the first time a Russian Jew has received such a dispensation. The Tsar has expressed the hope that Mr Cherniavsky will return to Russia to play before him.

Miss Marie Lohr, the young English actress, and daughter of Miss Kate Bishop (Mrs L. J. Lohr), is engaged to be married to Mr Anthony Prinsep, son of the deceased Royal Academician. Miss Lohr, it is announced, is not to leave the stage.

The late Alfred Tennyson Dickens, on his invasion of America per medium of a fast Atlantic steamer, had the usual humorous, if disconcerting, experience with the New York press. When his boat tied up at New YorL City, a brigade of reporters boarded the vessel, and interviewed Alfred in their own dread way. They asked few questions about his pa or his mission, but the one subject that made them goggle-eyed with enquiry was whether. n# thought the ankles of New York women were shapelier than those of the Boston iejcsies. Alfred's reply to plain and fancy queries on the awful topic was mostly a well-composed blush repeated ad lib. j but the reporters didn't mind his silence or abashment, but simply wrote out their own fabricated answers to their own quaint questions, and credited the replies to* Alfred T. Next day the old gentleman was astonished to learn from the paper* that he had delivered a weighty opinion on the difference between Boston and New York ankles, and had preferred the latter for reasons that were variously amusing and absurd. '

Among "those present" on the programme at the Gaiety Theatre (says Melbourne "Punch") is Jock Willis, a Scotch comique, who uses a good, strong voice to some advantage.

At the Melbourne Opera House at present is our old friend, Les Warton, one of the few good coon warblers, whose songs are mild and their singing stentorian. m m m

George Willoughby, one of the directors of George Marlow Ltd., will when Mr Marlow leaves for London, take control and direct the business

(Signing themselves Australian Gallery Girls, some 20 young ladies subscribed and had presented to Miss Ethel Buckley, a handsome floral tribute on the conclusion of the performance of "Under Two Flags" or Tuesday evening, January 2.

Quick relief from a tight, dry cough is obtained by the use of Zymole Trokeys. An excellent thing after singing or talking to prevent hoarseness.