Plays and Pictures.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 57, 12 April 1912, Page 6

Plays and Pictures.

Exit Jansci), enter Yon Arx. Both are in the same line of biz., i.e.. magic and mystery. In fact, in Wellington magicians trend on one another's heels, so last they follow. Janscn concluded a booml'ul season at tho local Opera House on Thursday, April 4, and two nights later Yon Arx took up the running in conjunction with the Norwoods, hypnotists of renown. Yon Arx is an expert exponent of sleight-of-hand, wtih a full-and-plenty repertoire of smart tricks and illusions; and tJie programme submitted by the combined shows was an entertaining one of mesmerism, mirth, magic and mystery. * * # Tho Chapman and Alexander combination lias decided to postpone its vi.iit to Ohristcdiurch. Well, we've .had "The Chocolate Soldier," Ethel living, and "Hamlet," and vaudeville starts soon again. We can't expect ovciyOhing.— Cili.riskb.uroh "Evening News." * * * Adrian Hope, composer of ''The Garden of Memory," has had wonderful success with his waltzes in, New Zealand, his previous compositions—"Silver Fern," "Uolden Shadows," "Cupid's Whisper," and "Radiant Morn"— being high up on the list of "best sellers." * ■ ■ Music touches every key of memoryWe love it for what it makes us remember; we love it for what it makes us forget. * • • Magician Janscn is under the direction of that rising young firm of entrepreneurs, Messrs. Portue and Talbot, Ltd., tho principals of which are well and favorably known throughout Australia and New Zealand. Messrs Portus and Talbot have other attractions in view for the future entertainment of the Dominion, but for tho present Jansen and his doings will keep New Zoalanders busy enough in crowding to sco his show and puzzling their thinking-boxes in the search for a solution of his bewildering illusions. ~ * • Tho Australian stage has received a glowing testimonial from Miss Jessie Lonneii, who appears as Phoebe in "The Quaker Girl." "There is less work hero than in England, kindlier management, longer engagements, more money and fewer rehearsals," says Miss Lonnon, who is the daughter of the late "Teddy" Lonnon. "The theatrical condition of London is appalling. Australia, to the artist, is the promised land, and if there were only a Moses wiho could part the waters between England and Australia, hundreds of them would walk over." What! hasn't Miss Lonnen heard of I.ill Massoy, the modern Moses of M-norilaml ? Her polrt/ical education surely has been neglected. Get him on the job, Jessie 1 r- • » One thousand pounds sterling is the value of insurance for each linger of magician Jan son. When Janscn plays "This little pig went to market," he has totted up £-jOOO by the time he ends the first five fingers. * * The J. C. Williamson management were inundated with applications from young men and women —particularly the latter —who desired to "walk on" in the Asohc-Brayton productions duxin<i the Melbourne season. "Tho Quaker Girl," the latest and best of all the "giils," if Sydney opinion counts for anything, is likely to break all records in length of run and financial returns throughout Australasia. * »• • De Hollis and Valora, the jugglers with tho Jansen show, provide ono of tho cleverest and funniest acts ever seen in New Zealand, and the male member's original—we said original— comedy work is, for the greater part, in. a class by itself. * »:- # Herbert Clifton, billed as "tho only English artist whose voice is insured at Lloyd's for £5000," is appearing at tho Sydney "Nash" with great success. Clifton is the possessor of an exceptional falsetto voice, which is used to considerable advantage in an act which is full of interest. « » • R.innldo, tho "wandering vioHnist," is a hit at the Sydney "Tiv." Indeed, .since the passing of Julian Rose from the Tivoli bill such sustained and demonstrative enthusiasm has not been witnessed at this house of vaudeville. Rinaldo makes his fiddle sob and wail, and almost speak. His trick work is a feature of tho turn. » • • Felix Bieij with the Jansen crowd, is a quaint character, lie believes firmly in his show, and freely states that there is nothing else like it on earth. Felix is one of the best, and as na energetic worker he is even butter. Alvin, the straw man, ivilli the JanKen show, is really the eldest son and heir of the illusionist. In addition to working to a great extent "behind," lililo Alvin pute in some excellent comedy work when ho appears on tho sta.RO in conjunction with another juvenile, selected fixnn tho audience. Considering that tho urchin is only live years of age, it speaks volumes for his cutcness. * » * Yon Arx. now in Wellington, is the "Piinco of Magic." Way down in tho South Island Professor Silbini is billed as the ''Pituce of Magicians," Janse.ii being a citizen of the great Yewnitcd States, presumably prides himself upon bbing the "President of Pxestidigita-

tors." Anyway -those ''MonarcLn of Mystery" aro becoming so huhwjiohh iii'tho land that it will not take much to convince) us that it doesn't require wry considerable assets in tlin nay of brains or digital dexterity to attain eminence as an aristocrat of the particular profession they follow. « * * Thorc aro many Australian vamlcvillo artists in Amoricn— Clara Kratin.fr, C'lamk' Alberto ami Jim Dyson airwnjr ! ci(i--a ; .d tlicy .-ill sivni to Ik> "doiii' lino an' cat. I ,in' tin: doujrh. ,, . * * * The- education of I'rinr-o Cliarl'-s, tho. chiinpaiiKO*?, is inooniplolo. Acting upon tho advice tondoix-d by Commissioner Griflin, of tlio National, saya Sydney "Footlights," tli<j moiiLoy will bo taught to kneel down and bless lrimsolf bei'oro l'ctrirhig to be,d. As Patfithis saj'S, "Shure what a fino thing 'twill bo if \ye can make a Roman Catholic of him."