ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 906, 27 August 1910, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. AMATEURS PROVIDE AMUSEMENT. There was another full houso at tho Theatre Koyal last evening, when a capital vaudeville- programme was pre•sentcd. Tho mimicry of Mr. Garden Wilson calls for a- special word of praise. His imitations of Frank Thornton, Rickaby, Alfred Danipier, and Reuben Fox as Svengali in "Trilby" were quite an artistic treat. Karle's pony "Fitz" provided plenty of fun for ten minutes or so by wayward antics. Miss Blanche Carelli and Miss Helmrich also appeared to advantage., Tho programme concluded' with a trial of amateur performers, who desired to display their paces. Mr.. Ernest AYallace, gifted with a small tenor voice and mo'dest bearing, sang "Just for Tonight," without arousing any indignation. Alfred Marlow, sang "The Story of a Tin Tack," but tho audience got tired of, the story before it .was through, and the song finished in a rowdy turmoil, with nothing but tho singer's gestures to indicate that the story was still in progres. Mr. Ernest Bamford was successful in "When the Old Ohiiicli Bells are Chiming." Walter Cole, in full sporting kit, wished to relate "Kissing Cup's Raco," but though ho shouted tho familiar lines with great fervour, tho audience turned him down. Miss Lawrio Lester, who appeared on Thursday evening, sang once more rather well, but Leslie Collins, who essayed the comic ballet, "I do like to sit besido the seaside," was presented with seasonable vegetables—forcibly thrown. Joe Angus attempted to recite "The Dandy Fifth," and managed to get through in time to escape unwelcome tributes from the naughty boys in front. Mr. Burrows attempted to sing "The, Sailor's Grave," but two lines were, all he was- allowed to give. Ho pleaded indignantly, but unsu'ecess-. fully, for a chance, and lie left looking supreme contempt a-t the audience. Miss Richardson sang "Alexander" once more, rfnd received.an encore. The last performer came forward rigged out in gaudy finery in the manner of Barnaby Rudge, gazed at the audience through a grotesque make-up, was Hit by a cabbage, and retired amidst shrieks of laughter. There will be another amateur night next Friday. Tho members of the Wellington and Marlborough football teams were present last evening. .

NATIONAL PICTURES. Harry Lauder, per Chrono-Mcga T phone, is proving a great attraction at tho Opera ' House, and there was another large audience last evening. . Hearty .laughter was evoked by Harry Laudor's Isongs,. "Sandy M'Nab," "Rising Early," and "Foo tho Noo." Other records were also well, received. The kincmatograph pictures included a fine series of'views taken' in Sicily,, "The Village Inventor," ' "British Methods of Agriculture," and others of interest. 'KING'S THEATRE. A fine dramatic study displayed at the King's Theatre last evening was "An Episode of 1812." It depicts a series of exciting incidents supposed to have occurred during tho Napoleonic wars/ "Patlie's Weekly Gazette" is a popular feature of the programme, and so too is a fine film, having , for its subject tho hunting of the chamois.in the Swiss Alps. The country in which the hunting scenes aro laid is of great natural beauty, and tho picture is rich in all-round merit. The programme will be repeated at the usual prize matinee to be given this afternoon, and also at the evening performance. . . . 'HIS MAJESTY'S. . Tho programme of pictures that is 1 being shown this week at His.- Majesty's is of special excellence. Among interesting subjects, which it includes, may be named "Dogs of All Nations," tho pictorial representation, of a big London show, at which wero entered some of the finest living specimens of the canine race. Another good picture is the "Warwick Bioscope Chronicle." In dramatic studios 'the programme is particularly strong, but it comprehends also scenic and. comic films of exceptional merit. It will bo repeated at a matineo performance this . afternoon and again in tho evening. STAB PICTURES. The' Star Pictures present a programme this week equal to any they have yet screened in St. Thomas's Hall. One of the most interesting films is ono illustrating the' launching of" the Commonwealth Government's destroyer Yarra. .Thore will be a matineo performance this afternoon, and a complete change of programme is due' on Monday ovening. SKATING RINK-. Still the Olympia Skating Rink in Vivian Street attracts largo crowds nightly, and. th'o throng of smiling faces denotes tho delight experienced by thoso who glide round tho floor, on rollers, i Three .sessions are announced daily, and the Olympia Band is in attendance in the afternoon and evening. THE CALVE CONCERT COMPANY. Of tho artists supporting' Madanio Calve in her concert tour, Signor Gasparri, the tenor, has been before tho public for/ only six years, yet in that time ho has learned twenty operas, so , that ho sings tho tenor role in ' "La Tosca," "La Bohenio," "Madam Butterfly," "Pagliacci," "Cavalleria ltusticana," "Faust," etc. Ho has sung in Italy for several years, and he lias toured in Australia, Russia, and other European co\uitries. His voice is doseribed as a pure lyric tenor of exceptional range. Apropos of his engagement for Australia, Mr. J. Ncvin Tait relates, that Siguors Riccordi and Carlottij of Milan, mentioned Galileo Gasparn, and Mr. Tait decided to hear him. So satisfied was he of the tenor's qualifications when be sang an operatic aria in Inagnificent style that the Australian impressario engaged him then and there. Tho choice has been justified in no uncertain manner, for Signer Gasparri has been reforred to by the critics in Melbourne and Sydney as one of tho finest lyric tenors ever heard in Australia. The only Calve concert' to bo given in Wellington is fixed for Saturday evening, September 3, and it ij announced that tho box plans will bo opened on Tuesday morning at the Dresden.

"ALADDIN." On Monday morning next, at tho Dresden, the plans will bo opened for tho first four nights and for the initial matineo performance of J'. C. Williamson's enormously successful pantomimic extravaganza "Aladdin," which is to bo staged for a brief season, commencing at tho Opera. House oil Friday night next. Tho liumorous inquiries which have already been made in reference to tlic box office arrangements point to a largo demand for scats, so in order to prevent any crushing the management will have its stalf of ushers in attendance from 8 a.m. to form a queue, which will ensure that the earliest arrivals shall 'have first choice of feats. One of tho advantages of possessing "Aladdin's" lamp, with its illimitable powci, in transport, is that different parts of tho world may be visited in a" few minutes. • Thus from amongst the towering pyramids the whole company is transported in an instant to tho heart of Australia. Here happens tho beautiful Australian bird ballet, tho dancers representing black swans, emus, magpies, parakeets,.galahs, white

cockatoos, and king parrots, in all tho colouring of nature. Another great novelty in the pantomime is. "The living ilag of Australia." Probably tho greatest scene of all for richness of design and harmony -is the concluding chrysanthemum fete, with the march of tho irises, sunflowers, cherryblossoms, poppies and chrysanthemums. Tho initial matinee performance will' take placo on Saturday afternoon next, to which children will be admitted for half-price to all' parts. THE A'ALDARES , TOUR. Provincial playgoers will be pleased to learn that "The Valdaros," tho clover trick cyclists, who have just closed on the Fuller circuit, have organised a vaudeville combination for a tour of the provincial townsA The company is a strong one, thero being no less than six star turns: "The Valdares," Fred Foley, ventriloquist; "Reggiardo," juggler; Miss Diamond Hart, soubrette and dancer; "Zamoni," conjurer; and "The A 7 arno Sisters! , and James Titus, sketch artist. A comprehensive tour of tho. North Island has been booked as follows: —Otaki, August 30; Levin, August 31; Shannon, September 1; Palmcrston, September 2 and 3; Martou, September 5; Wanganui, September 6 and 7; Stratford, September 8; New Plymouth, September 9 and 10; AVaitara, September 12; Urenui, September 13; Inglewood, September 14; Patea, September 15; Waverley, September 16; Hawora, September 17 and 19; and then back to tho Main Trunk, playing every town overland to Auckland, where a ninenights' season will be inaugurated at His Majesty's Theatre on October 19. Mr, Fred. Duval will act as advance courier, and tho tour promises to be a most successful one. • . ENTERTAINMENT.' Last evening, in Hhe Syduey Street Schoolroom, a variety entertainment was given by the 'AVaratah Entertainers, in aid of tho-'Wellington Railway Mutual Improvement and Social Club's piano fund. The hall was well fillod, and the programme of comic songs and other items submitted was greatly appreciated 'by the audience. One of the best contributions was a patter song, "The Interrupted Story," for which' Messrs. A'erna and Henry were responsible. Its concluding "bottle oh!" chorus was a rousing finale. Of quite another order, but equally meritorious, was the song,- "No One Knows," capably rendered by Miss S. Davies. Another excellent item was iTosti's "Good-bye," sung by Mrs., S. Allen. The programme also contained v a series pf vocal and instrumental selections and recitations, which were received with evident approval. Tho closing attraction was a burlesque farce, "Wanted, a Butler," which was carried off very, successfully, and provoked hearty laughter during its progress. TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. ' Mr. Maughan Burnett's organ \ recital will bo held to-night at the Town Hall! ' The programnio is a specially good one, being composed of Gounod's Meditation on Bach's First Prelude, and Adagio and Finale from the Sixth vSyniphony; Fantaisie Rustique, a charming piece by the blind English composer, AV. AVolstenholme; and "Berceuse," one of Mr. BarnottV own compositions. •Iβ will also improvise on a piece. Other works to be played are by Guilmant and Bach. - . •