ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 905, 26 August 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. THEATRE ROYAL. AMATEURS HAVE A NIGHT OUT. The Theatre lioyal was packed last evening beyond its normal capacity, llio attraction, apart from the bright entertainment provided by tho Fuller Vaudeville Company, being a display of amateur talent, The audionce enjoyed to tho full the opportunity given to display its critical faculty. The public, after all, is tho best judge- of talent, and lust night It new erred in ono instance. Tho first performer was Mr. Adams, who sang "The Longest Way is the Sweetest Way Home" rather well. His voice was quite a serviceable one, and h« wisely refrained from gesture—an art which so often betrays and trips up the raw amateur. Next came- Mr. Evnus, in tall hat, frock coat, and a stick to keep his hands busy. He was inclined to play loosu with the tempo, and locked native Rumour In his song "I Must go Homo To-night." Miss Laurie Leslie exhibited embryonic ideas of the conventional serio-comic artist's business in "How They Say v Good-night," but her aplomb carried her through to a fairly, successful issue. Then Archibald Hex, uttircd as something between a boy scout and a rough rider, ventured to recite. What the poem was no one. knew, for his opening gesture—n circumlocutory motion— and the pallid voice behind it, simply wrecked the house, which rocked with laughter. Ho tried persistently to get a hearing, but that gesture was too funny for words—it, was high comedy. Eventually he was induced .to retire, by the promise of another appearance- this even ing. Mr. Hayward exhibited a tenderly sympathetic voice in "Dreams," and was given a .kindly hearing; Then came Vcrno and Hendricks, announced as patter comedians. ■ Thoy attempted tho conventional, but were so crude that the audience sent them oif with ironical laughter. -The.ihit of the evening was mado by Miss Madge- Itichardson, a coloured lady, who, in a'tasteful black evening toilet, sang the song "Alexandra" capitally.' Experience will make her all acceptable singer of coori songs. "Down the Vale," a serious' ballad, was"' Bung by William Wilson, whose"' tone was colourless, and production faulty.- J tick Knowled, another coloured' pcrfomiei, could not bo classed as amateur. In "I - Ain't a-going. Homo No More" ho exhibited nil -the tricks and assurance of an experienced hand. Mr. Augustus, in elaborate' Scotch regnlia, who etfayed weak Caledonian humour, in a manner which did not. thoroughly convince, met with a mixed reception, and tho audionce failed to .take Mr. Lynn seriously us .an acrobatic : comedian. ' His turn was weighed up ns the equivalent to the National. Anthom—the audience left. Other amateurs'are to be "tried out" ' this : evening.

NATIONAL' PICTURES. A. complete chango of, programmo .waa submitted at tho Opera Houso last evening, when a now budget of kinoniutngrapn pictures and ckrono-megaphone records wore presented. The records included several new.items .by. tho .inimitable Scotch comedian, Harry ' Lauder, who bubbles with infectious mirth, even though that mirth be but a inirago of tho original. His songs were: ."Sandy M'Nab," "Rising Early," and- tlio '■ intensely comical "100 the Noo," all of which evoked hearty laughter and imich applause. Other chrono-megaphonc records woro: "The Invasion," by Will Evans; "II Bacio," reduced to a whistling solo by Charles Capper; and "You Canjt Diddle ilc,'' a comic effusion by Walter Miller. The pictures were bright and varied. They included a fine series of views taken in Sicily, "British Methods of Agriculture," "The Village Inventor,"' "Little i Snow White," "Courting the Widow," "The "Tec's Dream," "Tho Knot in the 'Kerchief," "The Girl Spy," ■anil "Tho Twelvo O'clock Express." 'i'he entertainment Will be repeated this ovening.

/ . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Regular patrons of His Majesty V Theatre aro agreed that this week's picture programmo is ono of tho best over shown there, and that accounted for another largo houso last night. A summary of Charlotte Bronte's novel, ".Tnno Eyre," is nmong the living pictures thrown'on tho screen, and proves interesting. of All Nations" is n remarkably fine animal study, showing the best of the prizo dogs at a famous show in England. Two very touching dramatic pictures are those entitled "The Impalement" and "A Piece of Lace,"

KING'S THEATRE. Substantial patronage was accorded to West's and tho Eoynl Pictures' at the King's Theatre last ovening. Tho programme, whioh is rich in novelties, includes ' a dramatic Napoleonic story picture, entitled, "An EpisOdo of 1812," and tho .entertaining weekly Gazette of European happenings published by Pathe. Tho usual gift matinee will be held tomorrow afternoon.

CALVE. With tlio exception of German opera, and more particularly the work of .Wagner, Calve has appeared in almost every notable operntic role. In tho .character of Ophelia, in Thomas's "Hamlet," she is said to be sublimely -'affecting, and that of the absorbing ."Sappho,"- in Massenet's opera of the same name, she is regarded as one of the most nppeoling women who has ever • presented herself on the operatic stuge. Other.parts that she has sung in on numerous occasions include the tragical Anita in "Navarruisb" (specially written for her Massenet); the proud and cruel.-Mossaline. in the opera of tho same title; the coquettish Cherubina in tho "Marriage of Figaro" ; the sweet i and amorous Salome in "Herodias"; and tho touching ' Marguerite in Boito's brilliant opera, "Metistofele." - Now that Wellington musiclovers will have the opportunity of hearing so great an artist, it seems : safe to sny that her concert in the Town Hall on Saturday, September 3, will bo largely attended. The plans will bo 'opened' next Tuesday. morning at the .Dresden.

"ALA'DDIN."

Olio of the most entortnining theatrical events that has happened in Wellington for some time should bo the first production here on Friday nighl next of J. C. .Williamson's greatest pantomime production "Aladdin." One of tho seclets of the success of this year's extravaganza is tho exceptionally high-class company selected by Mr. Williamson for. its interpretation. Great interest will doubtless be centred on tho JJame, ami playgoers will be delighted to hear that this part is in the hands of the London comedian, Mr. Hurry l'hydora, who made' himself so popnlar on his previous visit to Australia, when ho helped so materially in making "Mother Goose" successful. > The performance will also serve to introduce for the'first time to local playgoers the brilliant young comedienne, Miss Eva Moore, who, it .is said, has a lino stage presence, a sweet voice, and the vivacity which helped to mako her sister (Miss Carrie Moore) so successful. The character of Aladdin will be taken by Miss Mario Eaton, who has been described by critics in the Commonwealth as Australia's ideal principal boy. Mr. J. M. Campbell, of "Jack and Jill" fame,, will be seen in the character as the Emperor of Japan. Stella Solbourno will appear as Pokoo, Miss Nance Maker as Niece, Miss Jjena Ericson as tho Slavo of tho Lamp, and Miss Winnie Harbor, another London artist, will make her dobut in the part of tho Gonii of the Ring; Mr. Victor,Loydall will appear as Ting Ting, Mr. Rupera Darrell as Abanazar, Mr. Bert. Watson 'as ' Chow, Mr. Clyde Cook as Chop, and Mr. Edward Sutton as Amouapnois. "Aladdin" moves through a succession of delight-fully-mounted scones, and one 'continuous alternating brilliancy of colour and action; and tho drosses arc special features of tho performance. The plaus for tho first four nights nnd for the. initial matinee performance, which takes place on Saturday afternoon next, will be opened at the Drcsdon nn Monday morning. A queue will bo formed from 8 a.m. by a stall' of ushers. SKATING EINIC. Judging by the crowds which visit tho Olympia Rink in Vivian Street nightly, it is safe to say that tliis popular form of amusement has decidedly "caught on" in Wellington. Last night was no exception to the rule, tho lloor space being .well filled by a merry gliding throng. Three sessions are announced for to-day as usual,