AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1921, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

LEV ANTE AND KEECH. MIRACLE MEN. At the Princess Theatre to-night Levante and Keech and their company, from the Hall of Mysteries, London, will present their entertainment of modern Eastern miracles. The entertainment will he doubly interesting on account of the controversy regarding spiritualistic phenomena mysterious messages, and psychic photographs, the reason behind this being the presence here of Levante and Keech, world-fam-ed mystery men, following closely upon the heels of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Levante and Keech’s entertainment is

said to be of a highly diverting: nature, calculated to cause the most gloomy pessimist to become hilarious long before the finale is reached. The programme is described as “consisting of magic to mystify and ‘spooks’ to make people laugh,”’ The performers are ably supported by a strong company of skilled assistants. Levante, the magician, is stated to be a performer of strong personality and glib tongue, who maintains a running fire of remarks which keeps the audience in roars of laughter during the whole of the first part. Levante has with him illusions and mysteries, all new to the Dominion. His latest spectacular illusion is the vanishment from mid-air of Princess Asia. Cecil Keeeh according to the management, has given to the world at various times some startling demonstrations of phenomena, and has exposed several methods of producing fraudulent phenomena. In his performance ho will demonstrate to the audience many of the methods used by mediums. He will also present the seance of the Thomson Brothers, of Wales, a materialisation which to the uninitiated would appear very real and perhaps convince them even against their reason. T.ie whole entertainment is described as one of exceptional merit. Prices of admission are: 3s, ‘Js, and Is, plus tax. Dress

circle seats can he reserved at. Mclntosh’s. The first part of the entertainment. .commencing at 8 p.m. will ho devoted to the screening of the All-Brit is' Feature “A Romany Lass” starring Charles Rock the “Oi l Pill” in the “Better ’Ole.”

MCLEAN’S PICTURES. TUESDAY'S PROGRAMME. Air Aid.tan presents oil Tuesday evening a capital programme headed b v Edith Storey in “When the Sun Went Down.” The story tells that “Colonel Billy” is an outcast girl living on the edges of a town named Rattlesnake Gulch. She is shunned by women, but respected by men, and is in love with a gambler named Faro Bill,- whose brother, a young minister named Atherton, from Boston, comes to the camp, also Gerald Morton, a stranded actor, with his wile and child. Ihe minister is searching for his brother and is taken by some jesting Westerners to the home of “Colonel Billy” as a respect-

able place to live. Jn the course of the story Gerald Morton strikes a wealthy claim and a San Francisco gambler, named Arbuthnoi appears. He is an old acquaintance of Airs, .Morton and tries to gain control of Alorton's claim. The Minister meanwhile holds services, and tlide are affecting scenes when CdlonM' Billy goes to church. Mrs Morton befriends her and she copies to the aid of the Alortons The minister is shot in a row, but li is Bible saves him. He and Faro Bill are re-united and the latter marries Colonel Billy. A comedy and scenic, with full orchestral selections complete the programme.

“THE FAMOUS DIGGERS.” WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. Laughter is a language understood by nil people, and it is curious that the men who went through the most nervewracking war in history have faculty for laughter-making in a superlative degree. “The comedy ol 1 1 he Diggers’ who opened at the 1 Theatre Royal last night contains much patter that is new and many jokes with army references, and the fun rattled from the opening orchestral barrage till the final objective was gained.” Thus wrote the Sydney Sun, commenting on the performance of “The Diggers” during their recent tour of Australia under the J. C. Williamson banner. “The Diggers are making a return visit of the Dominion under the direction of Mr Victor Beck prior to touring the East, and this famous combnation of artists will appear at Hokitika on Wednesday and Thursday when they will present an entirely new programme of humorous items, potted revues, brilliant ensembles, clever comedy sketches, and many novelties from their extensive repertoire. Crowded and enthusiastic audiences greeted “’Hie Diggers” everywhere they appeared in Australia and the company returns to New Zealand with added laurels and a very extensive repertoire of new numbers and “business” Writing of their performance in Sydney, the Sydney Sun says: “The Diggers showed great versatility and possess good voices wheih wore very much appreciated by the largo audience. The burlesques and dancing wiere other snippets which went merrily and were (responsible for much li.il/nrity. Stan Lawson as “the one and only girl” is a DHll'iant success. There have been many loss attractive women on the stage—and also off it—and Mr Lawson gave the impersonation admirably.” Included in the personnel of the company are, Tano Fama, comedian; Gns Perkins, baritone; Lon Lorne, comedian • Gns Dawson, ragtime exponent and danger; Lon Walker, light comedian and dancer; George Proctor, tenor; and tlie inimitable Stan Lawson, the misleading lady.” An orchestra of ten members each one an artist ,n his par-

ticular business will be a feature of “The Diggers” entertainment. The Brisbane Daily Alnil writes thus: “Few if any, in the crowded house which greeted “The Diggers” as they ‘went over the top’ precisely at 8 o’clock could have failed to delighted with the excellent work done by the lads as the evening wore on. There was not a dull moment. Humour was the dominant note, but there were many numbers in which scope was given for fine work, and ‘The Diggers’ proved, even when judged by the highest standard in music and drama, that they were as successful as they had been in war.” The box plan is now open at Alclntoshs’. The train from Hokitika to Ross on Wednesday night will he delayed until 10.30 p.m. for convenience of patrons.