HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 872, 22 November 1906, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

WEST’S PICTURES AND THE BRESCIANS.

Mr. West evidently believes in the theory that the best goods should ah ways be kept to the last, and as a result the programme submitted each week has been a better one than the one which preceded it. On Saturday there was a further change, and the series shown proved beyond question the best we have had durng the season. A very excellent beginning was made with “ the Sardine Industry off the Coast of Brittany,” in which everything to do with the tasty little fish was shown from the moment of the fishing smacks leaving port until the soldering up of the tins in which the sardines are exported. A capital series was that showing a cruiser at target practce, the vessel herself first appearng travelling at the customary twelve knots and then the shells hitting the targets. The visit of the King and the Prince of Wales to Athens is a set which shows some new portraits of the most popular monarch in the world. The Bal Masque was another highly interesting series, and gave a good idea of the huge sums of money expended on these amusing carnivals.. One of the finest series ever shown was the one entitled “ The Romance of the Railway,” showing the building of the engines, carriages, and rolling stock and the complete working of the London and North-Western Railway Company’s line from London to Carlisle. As the programme rightly puts it, the educational value of such a series must not be underestimated, and this might perhaps be further added to if Mr. Mills were to announce what the different processes really were and the stations on the line. A trip to the Paris Zoo was another educational picture, and gave a splendid idea of what the animals, and especially the birds, are like. A Spanish bull fight formed a splendid series, and from it one was able to immediately realise the reason for the Britisher’s dislike to so cruel a sport. “ How a Bulldog Saved the Union Jack” was a set calculated to appeal to the patriotism of the audience, but the title is a misnomer. “ Italian Cavalry Manoeuvres” showed further remarkable evolutions performed by these daring horsemen, who must surely lame many a horse and injure multitudes of men. Among the humorous series the best was “ Father takes the Family for a Cycle Ride,” others to cause laughter being “ The Lost Eye-glasses,” “ The Vacuum Cleaner,” ” Where’s My Hat ?” and numerous others. The Brescians returned again to the concert form of entertainment. “Bonnie Scotland” was given by the orchestra. Miss D. Martinenga and Mr. Chenoweth were heard to good advantage in Verdi’s “ Home to Our Mountains,” while Mr. Rudall Hayward did full justice to the somewhat hackneyed “In Cellar Cool.” Mr. Fred. Mills’ comic selections gave rise to much merriment, especially so in the humorous sketch with Miss Antonia Martinengo. One of the most popular items was Miss Adelina’s “ The Canary,” in which the song of “ the little yellow bird” was very cleverly shown. The talented violinist is an established favourite, and she was warmly encored. Miss Domenica’s selection was Flavell Hayward’s setting of “ God Knoweth Best,” and to say that it is quite as beautiful as the better known version is saying much. Mr. Chenoweth was warmly recalled for a very fine rendering of “ Once Again,” giving as an encore the beautiful songlet “ The Birth of Dawn.” By no means the least enjoyable part of the programme was the exceptionally fine playing of Mr. T. N. Lax, whose solo Improvisations must be heard to be appreciated. Next Saturday will be commenced the final week of the season, when there will be a matinee at half-past two.