ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

HUGARD THE MAGICIAN. The putilio dearly loves the mysterious. Tins they got iu plenty at the Opera House last night, when a largo audience greeted the first appearance of Hngard the magician. Many wizards have visited these pans of late years, all endeavouring to go cno better than their predecessors. Bv comparison with the best of those who have gone before Hugard easily holds his own. As a magician he utterly discards much of the proverbial stock-in-trade, and f brightens his entertainment with novelties of a new and highly interesting nature. He does not depend on iris patter to help him pull his feats through. These are all of the cleanest and cleverest kind, done in full view of the audience, yet in spite of the limelight which he Jets on to his extraordinary tricks, everyone is completely mystified at the. finish. “Spiritualism or what?" is the title of a series of performances that possess particular fascination to those who love a touch of the supernatural, including weird rope tics and a marvellous thumb tie, whilst his escape from a strait-jacket in which he was placed by some of those in front, without retiring from the stage, showed to what a fine point he had mastered his art. ‘ The Groat Rifle i’eat.” Hugard's own invention, and seen here for the first time, was one of those acts that will appeal to lovers of the sensational. He stands in the centre of the stage and allows several riflemen to fire at him with, chalk-marked cartridges. The bullets strike a heart target suspended from his breast, and thereon, after tho firing, are shown the marks of the bullets. But this was only one bf many brilliant feats on a lengthy programme. “A Night in a Palace at Peking" is on entertainment iu itself. Here are introduced many strange and bewildering Oriental mysticiisms, many of them new to last night's audience. Those included “Tho Levitation of See Yoo Soon,” “Tho Fatal Arrow," "The Floral Offering," “Chinese Wonder Screen," and “Paper Tearing Extraordinary." The levitation scene was very mysteriously worked and puzzled most folk. In “The Fatal Arrow" the dart pierces right through a lady attendant’s body, strikes a target and leaves behind it a long line of rope by which the attendant is hauled in as though she were at tho end of a fishing line —a feat which evoked the heartiest applause. There is no need to enumerate all Hugard's performances. He is at the top of the tree in his profession, and should have a very successful season. By way of variety, Miss Myra Errington, a musical novelty expert, and Mr George Carman, a comedian of talent, contribute some excellent items. Hngard and his company wlil appear again this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. Tho new programme presented at the Theatre Royal last evening was enjoyed by a crowded house. It included some very fine “turns," and the audience did hot hesitate to frequently manifest its pleasure. The “feature" of the entertainment was the reappearance of Mr J uies Garrison and hjs two Roman Maids, Those performers have been seen at the Royal before, but they are ever welcome because each time they come to Wellington something to the public taste is given bv them. Mr Jules Garrison is a talented American player. Last evening the trio's chief production was “A Bit of Nonsense.” This piece of light comedy is amusing in the extreme, besides being clever in character. In addition, they sing many good songs, all of which are sure to “catch on,*' and some very fine dances are also neatly done. The whole is relieved by Mr Garrison's thrilling recital of the famous poem “Mother and Son.” While they are appearing at the Theatre Royal Mr Jules Garrison and the two Roman Maids should he the means of drawing packed houses. Plenty of mirth, music, and harmony was provided _ by Hedley and Bartlett, the "Musical Mokes." An unique part of their con, tribution is the playing of tho one-string violin. There are-peculiar- instruments in use, hut this particular one is as strange as any. Victor the Great, the magician, again met with a hearty reception. His, various tricks are of a very ingenious, yet puzzling character. The vehtriloonial act is an especially good item. ' Mr Arthur Slliot. comedian vocalist, caused much amusement, and was warmly encored. Miss Maud Failing. the coon impersonator, introduced a number of new songs, dances, and specialties, and was recalled several time». The Fontofiovs, charming harmonists; Mr Fr»d Riven hall, favourite comedian: Miss Violet Elliot, c.aiufv vocalist and dancer; and the Three Tit-Bits, clever juveniles, are others who add to the evening's entertainment. The programme will he repeated to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S PICTURES. There was'shown at His Majesty's Theatre for the first time last evening a programme of motion-pictures of very great merit. The selection was a varied one, and each item composing it met noth hearty approval from the audience. One of the'best dramatic films was “Lost Years,” which told a romantic and thrilling story. A bridegroom, just before the day fixed for his wedding, is castaway on a lonely island. The ship on which ho is tra, veiling is burnt, and it is reported that all on board are lost. This news reached his bride on the wedding morning, and so affects her that she loses her reason. Ten years pass before the lovers are brought together again, the bride regains her reason, and the pair are united after their long separation. “A Fugitive from Justice" is another good drama, rather a sensational one, too, A hunted highwayman seeks and finds shelter in the cabin of a miner and his wife, but he feels no gratitude, and when opportunity serves attempts to rob the woman in her husband's absence. Fortunately the latter forgot his water fiosk on leaving for his claim, and returns to tho cabin in time to save his wife from a cowardly assault. In “The Wreck of the Vega” are shown some interesting views of the methods employed by a wrecking crew to got rid of a danger to navigation. The crew is left on the derelict for a while, and is only saved from having to spend the night there by good fortune intervening. “The Young Millionaire” tells an inter, eating story of a young man who becomes disgusted with the shallowness of society, and “Tho Family Next Door ’ shows how neighbours who are at bitter feud are brought together by the determination of their children to have, their own way and marry. Then the programme also includes an interesting study of the Armadillo, a queer South American animal, a fine scenic series of the Turkish capital and several most amusing comedies, chief among the latter being ‘The Grassviile Girls," I Saw Him First." and “More than He Bargained For.” The programme will bo repeated nightly throughout the week. “THE FOLLIES-” Wellington audiences have not yet forgotten the entertaining evenings given them by that talented combination , t “The Follies, and no doubt they will he pleased at the notification that this jolly band of entertainers are to return to Wellington for another season. This time the concert chamber of the Town Hall will be the home of “The Follies," as being more suitable for this class ot performance. On this return visit “The Follies” will give entirely new programme from their extensive repertoire, and will also introduce a new member, Mr James Ferguson, a tenor singer, who comes well accredited from Melbourne. Saturday next will be the opening night of “The Follies,” and the plans for the season will bo on view at tho Dresden to-morrow. • THE EMPRESS THEATRE . "Chirstopher Columbus” (or “Tho Discovery of America"!, a lengthy and elaborate historic photo-drama by the belig Company, was introduced with much success at tho Empress Theatre continuous

pictures yesterday afternoon and evening. The story oV tho great discoverer's experiences at’ the Comt of tipain. and his epoch-marking voyage across the Atlantic is illustrated ’with life-like precision, the scenes at court being a crowning feat in moving picture portrayal. A mature which lends remarkable realism to tue production is the introduction of tho old-l'asliioued ships, exact duplicates of the three vessels which constituted Columbus’s litle fleet. These vessels were obtained from tho Spanish Government,, and were sailed wqit hall sails set, fully manned, within close range of the canton;. Ample opportunity is afforded for lite scrutiny of tho strange-looking crafts which played such au important part in the world’s history. Columbus in the early stages is seen pleading to the King and Queen of Spain for assistance ta carry out his project. Eventually Queen Isabella offers to pawn her jewels to help Co I nut bus. and the King then gives nay. The trials and patience of Columbus during the lengthy passage across tho Atlantic when his crew mutinously demanded him to put back are shown graphically. The landing in tho New-World, and Columbus’s friendly relations with tho natives are also interestingly treated. The film occupies fifty minutes iu screening. Tho minor subjects comprise “A Brother’s Sacrifice’ (Barker drama), “Gaumout Graphic.” "A Bachelor’s Bride” (Kalem comedy), and “She Must Have Swallowed It” (comedy). “Christopher Columbus” will be shown at all sessions to-day and to-night. PEOPLE’S PICTURE PALACE. . A novel detective story “The Smart Lady Detective" figures as tho “star" film among tho new series presented at the People’s Picture Palace last evening. A baud of male and female thieves have committed many depredations, and the authorities finally decide to use Lea ns a means of bringing the gang to justice. Lea watches the thieves enter theiv meeting place. She dashes past their sentry, but is immediately set upon and bound hand and foot. Lea protends to be anxious to join tho gang, so they release her. With a male and female member of tho band lea sets out to rob a wealthy American and his wife. The thieves obtain possession of a necklace which they believe to bo very valuable, but it is only an imitation one substituted by Lea, who has communicated with tho police. Then commences an exciting chase by motor boats and motor cars which ends in the thieves being run to oavtft. "Tha Smart Lady Detective” is supported by other up-to-date dramas, comedies and scenic subjects. THE NEW THEATRE. An exciting picture-play depicting th# adventures of a famous Italian brigand entitled “Fra Diavolo” constituted tho leading attraction of the change of programme at the New Theatre continuous pictures last evening. Fra Diavolo is a daring and handsome young outlaw with a heavy price upon his head. He meets Lord and Lady Allcash, who ore on their honeymoon. Diavolo wins the confidence of the pretty Lady Allcash, and she discloses their intended itinerary. Diavolo. with his colleagues, ride ahead, and the latter waylay tho travellers. On arrival at tho next village Diavolo expresses great sympathy for Lady Allcash, who confides to him that the robbers did not take all her valuables, as most of her treasures were hidden in secret recesses of her travelling gown. The bandit now decides to obtain possession of this booty, but Lorenzo, the lieutenant of the Guard, has suspicions regarding Diavolo. After various stirring adventures Lorenzo and Diavolo meet in o death-struggle ..on the edge of a precipice. The. bandit is overpowered and is flung over tho precipice- The plot is interestingly worked out, and the acting is quite convincing. Among the remaining pictures special mention is due to “The Outlaw’s Sacrifice’’ (a sensational Western S. and A. drama). “Taming their Parents” (Lnbin comedy), and “Scenes In and Around Samaria." The programme will be repeated to-day and tonight.