ENTERTAINAIENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1081, 21 March 1911, Page 7

ENTERTAINAIENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. Mr. Charles Daly and Miss K'ttio O'Brien, described as comedy entertainers and "faiiglefoot dancers." appeared in the new programme staged by I'iillers Vaudeville Company at (lie Theatre li°.)" nl last niglil. The pair quickly bounded into favour with the crowded audience, and were recalled again and again. After an opening duet, Miss O'Brien danced a straight jig, and as a contrast her partner obliged with an aukle and acrobatic conglomeration, the like of which had not been seen a t the Royal before. Miss O'Brien then sang "Dublin Rag. ' a,u ! Mr. Daly, .taking the stage again, danced in remarkably clever style. There were no steps in his work—it was a combination of bends, slides, and wobbles, the artist doing somo astonishingly expressive movements with his gloved hands, w'hile his footwork was novel and pleasing. Miss Mabel Fowler, soprano, sang "To-night (Zardo) and Tosti's "Good-bye." She was excellent in both, and the audience showed their appreciation bv according her a fine reception. She is perhaps the most popular artist that has appeared with the company for a considerable time. Miss Elma Anderson, contralto, was again in excellent voice, and was warmly encored for her singing of In Ihe Shadow of the Pines." Miss Maud Fanning sang "Tennessee," by special request, and, in response to a clamorous recall, contributed a second song, Ain t I no Use, Mr. Jackson?" This was.followed by the usual hurricane dancing, in which Miss Fanning is' assisted by the three Elliott sisters, who arc also responsible for a striking turn in the hrst part. Violet sings "Gay Paris, nnd Little Huia, assisted by the other two, sines "Old Man Goblin." Miss Ettio "Williams, serio, scored a distinct success last night. Her first song. "Who Did That?" was well received, while her second, "Could Liko Me," fairly carried the house away. Arthur Elliott was so J ll '" 1 ' 1 in favour after his singing of "My Scholars" that several extra sones were demanded, and he was not allowed to retire unfil he had supplied his catchy effort. "Next Department, Please." Geo. Soarkes, coon singer, was encored for his singimr of "I AY ant. to be a Sport," mid responded with "I'd Enther have Folkj Say." Other items on the first half of Hio programme were those of Mi=s Pub.v AVallaco ("Under My Umbfella").. Geo. .Tones ("So Does Father"), the Williamson Girls ("I Could I.or.rn to I/n-c Von"), and Miss Daphne I.e«lie ("Sundny Afternoon"). The favourite duo, .Tone= and Williams, scored in the second half with an item entitled "Flirtation." in which p. good deal of original comedy is introduced. Pnpert. Cuthbert, descriptive vocalist, ininroves the hour with the "Fire Brigad"" and "It is the Men" (illustrated). Miss May Dahlber?'e eccentric dancing was a feature of the bill, and won much applause. Considering the unusual length, and the eeneral excellence of the programme, which comprises the turns of some 20 performers, (lie biograph nicfure in the second half might perhaps be dispensed with.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATKE. j Notwithstanding the fact that the management at His Majesty's were unable to present the programme originally intended for production last evening (owing to the Sydney boat not connecting with the Main Trunk express on Sunday night at Auckland), a complete change of programme was presented as usual at His Majesty's Theatre. Some of the films were very good, and, taken on the whole, the programme appeared to be appreciated. In the first part the. best picture was one. entitled "A Touch of a Child's Hand."' From start to finish this subject is full of pathos and feeling. It represents a happy mother and father with their little son.: The: father appears to have come in l'rcm work, and it being his half-holiday; lie takes the llittle"fellow out for a run. While the child is playing, a motor-car sweeps nast and knocks liini down. The little boy's death seems to affect the father's brain, for ho succeeds in gaining admission to the house of the owner of-the- car, who,.has. a little son also, and crccps tin to tlfe child's bedroom with the "intention of having rovengo by killing him. Just as ho is about to do so, the child awakens and puts out its little hand. It touches the forehead of the demented father, and tho touch restores his reason. The climax of the situation follows. The comic pictures were very laughable, cspccialiv one entitled "Tho Itoyal Wishbone." A film entitled "A Vote That Counts" brought

down the house. This picture gives a representation of how a Senator .was approached by a member who was endeavouring to get a certain Bill through tho Legislature. By offering a bribe he tries to persuade the Senator to vote against his principles. This is emphatically refused, but devices are set in motion to prevent this man from recording his vote, and after many exciting episodes in which the unfortunate Senator is drugged and left by tho sido of a railway track in the hands of somo roughs, lie is rescucd by a lady detective armed with a revolver. He records his vote, and the villain who engineered the plot is arrested. To-night another change of programme is announced. This will consist of pictures which are due to arrive by to-night's Main Trunk express. KING'S THEATRE. Films of an educational quality predominated in the change of programme at tho King's Theatre last evening. There can be no doubt about the demand for the . film which depicts famous scenic resorts. Those unwound last evening wcro received with rounds of applause. One of tho. most charming was that which supplied typical scenes itiong the banks of the beautiful Nile. Apparently the boa,t bearing the kineinatograpii operators was taken past tho ruins of villages and Arab settlements. These were fiuaint and old, and in somo cases very dilapidated. Arabs also were seen pursuing their avocations. Another very line view showed tho environments of C'owes, Islo of Wight. White-winged yachts sailed about tho famous racing grounds, and in tho foreground were crowds of holiday-making seasiders. Tho spectators were then taken along the sea fronts of some of tho chief Isle of 'Wight resorts, nnd a charming sight they "presented in their wimmor dressings. Again, there was a journey down the romantic Danube, tho broad, swift-run-ning river which has so much-of interest, along its banks. Norway supplies. some of the finest possible water-fall effects. A murmur of admiration arose spontaneously in the hall when tho full beauty of tiie tumbling waters was seon. These aro all fine films, and they are of a class that will bear repeating. There was also a good collodion of dramatic films. The story of Salvator's love for r.n actresr. enables some fine noting to come before the spectators—depictions of old-time romance in old-time costumes. "The Beggar King" introduces a thrilliug incident of a past century, showing how an impostor," who lives on ill-gotten gold, sues for the love of a high-born lady, and, when repulsed, secured her abduction. The tall hero, of course, intervenes, and the story concludes dramatically. The costumes nnd scenery in this are striking. Thero are other scenes of a similar character. Comic pictures are also in evidence, the most noticeable being "The AVliite Nigger," "Jones has a Card Party," a most excellent cvomod.V! and "llow Aunt Amelia Got Married." WTLLIAMSON-OSSIPOFF COMPANY. M. Eugene OssipofT, tho Russian baritone, who was here some time ago with Mr. Lawrence Campbell, will give concerts in tho Opera Tlouso on March 25, 27, and 28. Whilo in Christchurch recently, M. Ossipoft' gave three recilals— the last (wo by special request—and his work was greatly admired. The Melbourne "Age," speaking of his singing says:—"Tho marvel is that M. OssipofT has, apart from his upper regisler, no very ;extraordinary organ, but, ill interpretation, lie is a maslcr." Miss Pence Lees, who acts as accompanist, has also come in for some very Haltering notices, an™ her wonderful skill, combined with an intimate knowledge of the moods and eccentricities of '.!'.e tinger, make her indispensable at the concerts. M. Ossipolf will be assisted by other artists, and will give varied programmes o£ English and Scotch folk songs and operatic arias. -The box plan is opened at the Dresden! Prices arranged arc Is., 2s. fid., and Is.