SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1373, 17 August 1916, Page 34

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

(By

“Lorgnette.”

WELLINGTON, August 14. On Wednesday evening, the 30th inst., at the Grand Opera House, the celebrated Russian magician and illusionist, Horace Goldin, supported by a strong company of vaudeville performers, will enter upon an eight nights’ season under the management of Mr. Hugh D. Mclntosh. Mr. Goldin,

who is described as the royal illusionist, will show a series of conjuring tricks, giving a passing revue of the mystic art from the fifteenth to the twentieth century as performed by Bautier, De Kolta, Blitz, Houdin, Ching Ling Foo, and Harmann, changing his dress and appearance to represent the originals in each case. Goldin does everything so quickly, so methodically and so adroitly that patrons will want to watch very closely to follow his many movements with precision. Everything he does, it is said, puzzles and bewilders. His greatest masterpiece is a Moorish mystery entitled “The Tiger God,” which was written and invented by himself. The act is admirably staged, and is full of exciting developments and magical problems. Mr. Goldin carries a company of thirty-five people and about fifty tons of effects for the working of his numerous illusions. He will also be supported by a company of high-class vaudeville artists.

“If Cleopatra’s nose nad been an eighth of an inch shorter the whole face of the world would have been changed,” is the commentary of the historian Macaulay. If Jane Shore’s eyes had been a shade less bright the world would have been spared the tragedy of the “Wars of the Roses,” an internecine conflict between the now most amiable counties of Northern England—Yorkshire and Lancashire. “The woman tempted me” is the oldest apology in the history of the world, and it was the temptations of Jane Shore that induced Edward IV. to plunge his country into one of the most disastrous civil wars ever recorded. The whole story of this eventful campaign is shown in the remarkable picture entitled “Jane Shore,” which opened a Dominion tour at the Wellington Town Hall last Wednesday evening under the direction of Mr. W. A. Low. The big picture embodies not only the genesis of the war, but covers a pathetic and impressive love story, and is staged with great attention to detail. The Wellington season is for five nights, after which a comprehensive tour of the North Island will be undertaken. Everything is now in readiness for the coming production of the musical

comedy “San Toy,” which the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society will stage at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening next, the 19th inst., for a season of nine nights. Since his arrival in Wellington, Mr. Tom Pollard has been hard at work putting the principals and chorus through their business, and this astute producer feels confident that the coming production of “San Toy” will easily excel the society’s previous efforts with “Paul Jones” and “Les Cloches de Corneville.”

The Tivoli Follies brought their Wellington season to a close on Saturday last with a matinee and evening performance. Despite the inclement weather which they had to contend with, the season was a great success in every way, and they are sure of a hearty reception from their many friends when they return next year.

Mr. Stanley Grant, who has been in Wellington for the past fortnight, has now completed all arrangements for the Dominion tour of the great picture “The Birth of a Nation.” The tour opens at the Wellington Town Hall on Tuesday evening, August 29th, for a season of nine nights. “The

Birth of a Nation” is acknowledged to be the most stupendous production ever made, and holds a unique record. Considerable interest is being evinced by Wellington playgoers in the forthcoming season of the English actor Allan Wilkie and his tercentenary Shakespearian company. The season opens at the Grand Opera House on Saturday, September 9th, and will extend until Thursday, September 28th.

Versatility is the keynote of' the present vaudeville programme at His Majesty’s Theatre. The chief features are La Blanc’s Travesty Stars and the Bunting Comedy Company. The other acts in the bill are all of more than average merit. Business is firstclass.