ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1385, 11 March 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

FASOLA-VAUDEVILLE AGAIN. Tho Fuller Proprietary have brought back vaudevillo tu the Theatre Royal, and tho fact that there are crowds of people with a preference for the short order kind of entertainment was demonstrated in the most unmistakable way on Saturday evening. Long before tho performance had tcuimeuced, hundreds of people had been refused admittance at the doors, nndHlio curtain actually rose before an audienco hundreds bigger than tho Theatre Royal was built to accommodate. Under such circumstances the people facing Hie footlights could not but show of their best, and they were encouraged by frequent and hearty plaudits. Tho name in biggest type on the bill was "Fasola," and the turn of Fasoln was good enough to justify even extravagance in announcing him as a magician of altogether uncommon merit. It would be idle to attempt to describe his act. He does the ordinary sleight of hand work that tile ordinary conjurer does, hut he does it with such superb dexterity that the tricks aro really different after all. Then he makes play with all sorts of living subjects, such as doves, ducks, and cararies, which ho finds in all sorts of unexpected places in the most hapless and strange ways. Most interesting of all his occasional discoveries is tho smiling little girl, who appears in four or five impossible places. Fasola does cabinet tricks, some with real boxes, and some of the same sort without boxes. It is in these latter, where the deception is apparently only partly concealed by loosely-hanging curtains, that tho magic is most bewildering. Fasola ranks with the best conjurors that have appeared in New Zealand. His stage method is altogether good; he speaks not a word, and works with a selfpossessed calm which never annoys and is always eifective. Among tho other competitors for favour, those which scored biggest were "The Windsor Christers," a quartette of singing boys with really trained, tuneful voices, and with real intelligence in their appreciation of music. The other members of the company provided the staple of a variety programme of song and dance, ballads, and funny stories. All of them are fresh to New Zealand. The same people will appear until further notice. .SKATING RINK. The English mail which arrives this evening brings a new batch of films which Messrs. Fuller and Sons will present at the Skating Rink to-night. The principal item in the new programme is a production by the Solig Company entitled "Blackboard," a tragedy ot the Spanish Main, showing a thrilling episode of the old pirate days. "A Flash in the Night" tells the following story: Kato and her engineer sweetheart, Tom, arrange to use a telegraph code lor signalling purposes to assist in their affaire du coeur. Kate puts the plan in operation by signalling .with a light from her window as Tom, on his engine, rushes by. A few months later Kate's home is entered by a gang of burglars just as she is coining down the stairs to make tho usual signal. She interrupts,, the gang, whp .bind her to a chair.: Leaning forward she pulls the cord attached to an electric lamp and signals to her lover who arrives with help. "Willie Wire and the Motor-boat," 'Tathe's Latest London Gazette," and a number of other excellent items willbe screened. THE NEW THEATRE. Ths crowded assemblages on Saturday afternoon and evening at their continuous picturo entertainment, exemplified tho popularity of MacMahon and Donnelly's New Theatre, Manners Street. The current programme embraces.a wide rango of subjects, of which the most notable are: "A Terrible Discovery" la picture-version of an episode from life, by the A.B..Company), "The Girl at the" Lodge" fa domestic drama), "Making Money" (scenes at the Royal Mint), "Western One Night Stand" (Bison comedy), and "Inconstant Porcy" (comedy). These items will bo repeated to-day and to-night, and there will be tho customary change to-morrow, A special "feature" production of exceptional merit which will occupy 50 minutes in showing is to be introduced next Thursday. THE KING'S THEATRE. A largo house witnessed the final presentation of West's, Ltd.. exclusive subject "The Great Moment," in which Miss Asha Neilson, the popular actress, is seen to advantage. To-night West's management will screen another star subject, "The Octoroon." Another fine picture will be "The Elopement," an artistic scene inspired by the work of the celebrated painter Mr. John Lomax. The dainty pictures of John Lomax are greatly to the taste of English people, to whom stories of Gretna Green marriages will ever make good telling. Copies of his pictures adorn the walls of thousands of English homes and their animated replicas will no doubt please both youth and old here. The programme will also contain a number of other, dramatic, scenic, topical, and humorous subjects. ORGAN RECITAL. There was a very good attendance at the Toivn Hall on Saturday evening, when Mr. Maughan Barnett (City Organist) gave his weekly recital dn the grand organ. The programme of items was an attractive one, and drew from the audience many expressions of appreciation. Tho principal numbers included a brilliant fantasia from Faust's "Gounod," a delightful idyll of Schubert's, "To be Sung on the Waters," and Guilm'ont's imposing "Grand Choeur." Tho organist was assisted by Mr. John Prouse, tho wellknown baritone singer, whoso items included tho famous "Toreador" song from Bizefs "Carmen," and the devotional aria "0 Star of Eve," from the Wagnerian opera "Tannhauser." In numbers such as these, Mr. Prouse is at his best, Ho was in excellent voice, and was heartily applauded by an appreciative audience. SHORTT'S PICTURES. From a technical point of view the best item on the current programme at Short** Theatro is one of Pathe's coloured films, entitled "A collection of Stamps." Each detail of tho various designs is depicted with perfect accuracy. "The Teamster" is a popular item, and, as the premier character in tho story is a girl leading a detachment of troopers to rescue her husband, the theme touches tho public sentiment. The news of the Zambesi Falls aro very fine. Tho best dramatic item is entitled "A Passing Cloud," while "Percy and the Cowboys" is the star of the comics. To-night there will be a complete chango of programme, and, among other items, "A Flight to Death" will bo screened. The story deals with a Nihilist society surprised by the police. They escupo in a motor-car, and an exciting chaso terminates in tho headlong dash of tho foremost car over a cliff. Another good picture is "The Substitute" —a>'railway drama. THE STAR THEATRE. This evening will witness the inaugural performance by the amalgamated forces of Messrs. T. J. West and Henry Hayward. The latter having secured a lengthy lease of tho Star Theatre, has arranged with the former for a supply of feature films, to be presented to Newtown picture lovers, and will combine their experience and knowledge in making the Star Theatre a popular picture resort. Tho names of these two, and their standing in the picturo world, is so well known for presenting the best in the best way, that amusement seekers will no doubt be well catered for. 'The opening programme this evening will be composed of subjects of varied character, and include two star features—"A Father's Forgiveness" and "Tho Octoroon." Tho former unfolds a stirring dramatic story of city life, with n moral to be appreciated by everybody, tho latter is adapted fvom a well-jjaown drama. A full and efficient orchestra has been secured. MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. To-morrow night the Municipal Orchestra will give a concert in the Town "Hall. Instrumental novelties will include the "Karelin" Suite by Sibelius' o eliarinjng berceuse by Jnrncfeldt, and the adagio from Paner's Quintet for piano, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon. Tim orchestra will also play Jarnefeldt's Prelude, the first movement of the Schubert "Unfinished" Symphony, Suppe's "Poet and Peasant" overture, and the Wedding March from Rubinstein's Ferramnrs. Mr. Hamilton Hodges will sing Bcpt'mvp'n's "Adelaide" and two songs from "Eliland" Cycle, by von Fielitz.