AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 226, 6 January 1911, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. If evidence of the quality and popularity of the Valdares and Garrisons Company of vaudeville entertainers was required, it would be found in the large and enthusiastic audiences that are being attracted to the leading theatres of New Zealand by one of the most novel ana enjoyable programmes presented for some time. Tile performers are by no means new to :\ew Plymouth, having appeared here in dill'erent capacities on more than one occasion, and the reputation they gained is standing them in good stead now. Taken-all through, the performance is an excellent one, and furnishes abundant scope for the versatility ■of the artists, The Valdares, in their .great cycling turn, provide a sensational item. These artists ride, bicycles of every conceivable make and design in attitudes ■that bring a shudder of apprehension ■from the nervous onlooker, and are as .much at home when balancing themselves on the handle bars as when safely astride of the seat. Slipping nimbly through the frame of the machine, standing on the seat or even sitting on a pedal while . the machine is in motion appears as easy to these experts as ordinary riding, and there seems to be no limit to the .number of feats which they can. perform awheel. . Mr. Jules Garrison and bis Roman Maids, who are well and favorably known throughout the large cities, find little difficulty in thoroughly amusing and entertaining their patrons. "A Bit of Nonsense," with which this combination opens, at once malces them ■firm ' friends with the audience, a feeling which 'Mr. Garrison's spirited and dramatic re■citing of "Gunga Din" only serves to 'accentuate. A juggling turn of more than 'ordinary merit is provided by Reggiardo, who proves himself to be a clever and daring exponent of this dillieult art. The 'maimer in which he manipulates billiard balls is really remarkable, while, to show his dexterity with heavy weights, he juggles with a cannon ball, which he throws about with no more apparent effort than that demanded by tho billiard'' balls. Fn sword swallowing, too, be proves himself to be master of all the details, and feet of steel vanish down his [ throat in an uncanny manner. Miss ■ Diamond Heart, soubrette and dancer, , Jimnrie Mulligan, Irish-American come- ; dian, Miss Alice Herman, and Miss Ocr- [ trude Heart contribute acceptable items. [ The box plan is open at Collier's; no, extra charge for booking.