THE LORGNETTE

Observer, Volume XXXII, Issue 24, 24 February 1912, Page 6

THE LORGNETTE

By Prompter.

BRENNAN'S vaudeville show; at His Majesty's has been ing packed houses every night, and naturally enough, for the show is not only one of the best seen round here, but contains a greater number of original turns. Of course, Prince Charles is in the front as a draw to the curious, and this ape is certainly marvellously trained, and such a grotesque caricature of humanity that one is kept on the grin through the whole of his turn. His supper party act is one of the best. Prince Charles's manner, from the ordering of the wine to the smoking of the final cigarette, being inimitable. The skating and cycling performances are also marvels of training, so much so that one occasionally forgets that Prince Charles is not the usual low comedian, the facial makeup being so similar. The bflfcl-room scene is marred by one trick which doesn't appeal as being very humorous. ' m. *m. Jordan and Harvey, the famous American-Jewish comedians, carica- . ture their race with an exaggeration of essentials that is a shriekable humour. Their caricature is of the not quite Americanly acclimatised European " Yiddisher." Their patter, gags and songs are reminiscent of the comic paper Jew, but the performers' art makes their exaggeration a humorous commentary on the race. Another very clever turn is that of Les Petits Totos, who give a sensational gymnastic performance, neat in every way and abounding in thrills. Their.head-to-head ladderclimbing feat is one of the most finished pieces of acrobatics ever put on ' the boards, and one of the most difficult and daring. Miss Eva Mudge earned her popularity by providing a turn of several turns. This artiste in quick change is also an ar- | tist in her acting, and keeps the audience dazzled by the variety and ' skill of her impersonations. ;

The coloured comedians, Johnson and Wells, came here with an American reputation which Auckland audiences made haste to endorse. Their singing is delightful, and their dancing is as much so, particularly Johnson's eccentric dance. Archie Glen is a young songster comedian who scores every time, and keeps the audience in a mellow mood the whole time* Miss Nelle Kolle's singing Is good, but best when she is doing her drawing-room entertainment business, a better turn than her " male impersonation," which isn't particularly convincing. The baritone (without whom no vaudeville show would be complete) is" Mr Charles Howard, and it suffices to say that he sings well and is as good as most male " classic " vocalists and better than many. Altogether, Brennan's have provided plenteously of the best.

The Opera House is now using the film only as a means of filling out the performances of " The Great and Only" Fasola " and hie troupe. Fasola certainly puts on a good illusionist turn. Most of such shows contain, of course, the same essential features, but differences in the manner of performing the tricks. Fasola, in a garb and setting true to traditional Oriental mystery, does his business with the eilence of the Sphinx, anjl good business it is. His minor conjuring items are performed in an original manner that gives them an appearance of distinct novelty, while his cabinet tricks are quite original in method.

One apparently empty cabinet is inserted in another, a pistol is fired, and on the boxes being opened a dainty little lady is discovered. One has seen such things before, but not in quite the same manner. Another lanYl more remarkable illusion is that in which a platform containing a piano, a young lady playing it, and several other bulky accessories is draped round, hoisted into the air, is fired at, and collapsee, leaving one to wonder where the girl, piano and accessories have disappeared. Another of a reverse nature is that in which a screen is erected round a ißmall is shown to be empty, and when opened a few moments later is seen to contain a daintily furnished and minute apartment and a reposeful couch supporting a reposeful girl.

As a climax effective, the girl is loaded into a huge cannon, which is aimed at a large Saratoga trunk suspended from the iiys. r rhe cannon is iired, and the trunk is lowered and opened, inside that is a smaller trunk strongly roped, and this produces another roped trunk, out of which the girl is delivered amidst an amazed hush. Other good turns are the singing of the Windsor Choristers, four boys with fine voices, and the solos of '' the boy soprano,'Master James lies. The cinematograph givee two turns, an Australian drama, somewhat " melo," and a good comedy. The show deserves tile crowded houses it has been drawing.

The Newbury-Spada concert was again brought off at the Town Hall last Saturday night, and again a large audience received art with enjoyment. Mr Newbury sang two songs of Gounod's, and in response to a vigorous demand for more, sang '/Sally in Our Alley," and sang them excellefitly as is his habit. A Verdi duet between Majdame Spada and Mr Newbury received just appreciation. Madame Spada'6 solos also received the reception they merited. The popular O. IC. Farrow was in fine voice, and undoubtedly appeals to Auckland concert-goers. Miss Mabel Seccombe made her debut at this concert, and proved herself to be possessed of a very promising soprano. Mies Kathleen Major, a very effcient entertainer, though amateur, reciteil a piece of whimsical humour which earned her a determined reicall. The organist, Mr Harold Gregson played with his usual ability, and also Herr Pechotsch. Mr Dooley again proved his ability as an accompanist. The popularity of the Town Hall concerte, announced Mr Newbury, was such that the "management had decided to continue them for another four Saturdays.

The King's Theatre providejd its usual change on Monday night, and still goes strong on kinemacolor films—so do the audiences. The scenes on the river Thames and the views of the Italian Lake Como were especially beautiful, even remarkable, for in a sense their fidelity to nature in colour and form sometimes amounts to a delicate idealisation of nature. Nature study was provided in the Fresh Water Aquarium (also a kinemacolor), which enables one to study at leisure tire habits of the gilly tribe. A topical picture was the views of the wrecked Delhi. _ A Nick Carter detective story provided numerous thrills and evoked intense interest, as detective stories should, and do. "His Chorus Girl Wife ,, and "The Stage Child " were very good little pilcture-plays, and contained sorrre fine acting. The comedies and farces are numerous and humorous, and altogether the show is giving special value for the entrance fee.

• * » The new King George picture show is getting a good run of business, deispite' numerous ©ther attractions, and the reason is that the King George has started out with eomething special in the way of films. The change on Saturday gave one an opportunity of seeing Mount Etna in eruption, and a realistic, eplendid and awesome picture it is. The outburst is taken at dangerously close

quarters,, and is. one of the most remarkable " scehics " yet produced. This shouJfl most certainly be seen. The rest of the films aTe more usual, but of fine quality. The accepted materials and condiments that go to make a Wild West story are in " The Heart of a Cowboy," but the piece is well acted and full of thrill, and the setting is the real thing. Another story with a magnified " love interest " and a tragic climax is "Lady Mary's Love " —the story of a lady's love for a gamekeeper—and good of its class. A tour round the town of Blackpool is taken in ten minutes, and the laugh-ter-makers are genuinely funny. The inimitable Foolshead appears in one and his follies are responsible for a severe ache in the ribs. The new programme maintains the same level ' as the first—a sufficient recommendation.

The Lyric's new programme ie full of variety and interest, and is undoubtedly one of the most popular houses in Auckland. This week's star picture ip " Thej Great Eedemption," an admirably conceived play, excellently acted, which is very well worth seeing, and the Lyric is the only picture show at which it can be seen. Local colour is given in "The Mercer Kegatta," and those who did not see this event of the Waikato, are able to do the next best thing, see it on the screen. That newspaper in pictures, the "Gaumont Giraphic," gives interesting glimpses of the events of recent weeks. "Between Fire and Love," is another good dramatic film, but neither as a play nor in its acting is it as good as the comedy "Kitty and the Cowboys." "Abe Gets Even with Father," is one of the best farces, a real mirth-provoker. Another very interesting picture of the nature study class, which is becoming so popular, k the film showing the cuckoo's piratical, or bailiff-like, habits of entering the sedge-warbl-ers nest. The audiences have been large and appreciative and will continue to be as long as the present standard ie maintained.

The Queen's Theatre, as a place of popular entertainment, night or day, shows signs of having hit the public taste in the right place. It's a good place to go out of the heat in the daytime, and a good place to find rest in the evening, and find entertainment of the best picture order at any time. Just now Uncle Tom's Cabin is proving a great draw, and as there is always a new audience coming on that has never seen Uncle Tom, its interest is perennial. But apart from Uncle Tom's Cabin, there are a number of other films, comedies, dramas, etc., in fact the usual good variety and quality given at the Queen's. One of the best is the A.B. drama, "The Failure," well constructed, full of tense situations, and handled by exceptionally good performers, as A. and B. dramas usually are. There are others, scenics as well, and one can always find good entertainment at any hour almost at the all-day picture show.

Allan Hamilton's new company appears in "Beauty and the Barge" at His Majesty's next Monday night. Playgoers will remember Brough's production of the Jacob's play, and will roll up with the intention of making the comparison which is invidious. It is not likely to be odious, for Australian critiques say the production is a genuine treat, and the actors artists. Miss Beatrice Holloway will play the feminine lead, Ethel Smedley, and James Bailey, the unveracioue old salt to whom truth is much more a stranger than fiction, and whose predominant facility is the making of humorous remarks and situations, will be played by Mr Charles Brown, who is reputed to be one of the finest interpreters of the part.

Mr Robert Greig (whose work with the "Ward-Palotta Company will be remembered) plays the part of the dictatorial volcanic Major. Mr John Fords, who played the same part in the Brough production, will reappear as Tom Codd, mate of the

Barge. Others appearing are Mr Wilton Welch, Mr Kenneth Brampton, Miss Lillian Lloyd, Miss Muriel Dale, Miss Agnes Keogh, Miss Katie Towers, Mr Richard Bellairs, Mr J. Stuart Clyde, Mr John Bruce and Hilliard Vox. The piece will run for three nights only, and will be followed by " Why Men Love Women " and " A Message from Mars." Mr Kenneth Brampton, a young and clever English actor, will appear as Horace Parker in the last-named play, and is said to give a very fine representation.