AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 984, 2 March 1910, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

THE ALL BLACKS COMPANY.

The musical "All Blacks" appeared} in the Town Hall last evening, be-, fore a good audience. The fine reputation of this gifted company had preceded them, and they certainly maintained it, as the entertainment throughout was a treat of the highest class, and was of genuine artistic quality. The orchestral selections were w H rendered, altogether captivati: „ in their sweetness jand harmony, and possessing novel and most attractive features. The same might also be said of the mandolin quarteLte by the Black Family, this item receiving an imperative and well deserved encore. The singing of Miss Nellie Black was greatly admired, her rich contralto voice affording the utmost gratification in the solo "Good Night" and the vocal duet "Quite Contrary," rendered by this splendid singer and Mr? H. Carroll. Miss Black's violin, solo, violin tricks and imitations, were received with every manifestation of pleasure and appreciation.' The flute and clarionet duet by Misd Elsie Black and Mr J. Black, was a pleasing item, and brought forth enthusiastic applause from the audience. The L'ouble Dance was neatly executed by Miss Elsie Black and Mr Bert Black, and an illustrated cornet solo by Mr Bert Black received well merited applause, the item demonstrating him as a thorough master of the cornet. Mr Herberts Carroll and Mr Harry Spencer are additions to the company since their last visit to Masterton. The former was heard to advantage in a comic sketch, and the latter was recalled three times for his rendering of! comic songs. There was a splendid series of moving pictures, none betterhaving been shown here. The pictures included scenic, dramatic and comic series, a dramatic item, "The Decov," being one that will long be remembered by sll present. The electric lighting was a special feature, and everything was up-to-dete, the entire . entertainment being an artistic triumph. , A sacred concert will be given by this gifted company on Sunday evan r ' 1 ing next in the Town Hall at 8 3(1 ' p.m., this being the last time that I the present cornany will visit Masterton, 1 . ~«*

MR HARRY RICkARDS' VAUDEVILE COMPANY.

The amusement laving public of Masterton will welcome the news announced in our advertising columns i this morning of the appearance oil "Monday evening next, at the lown* ' Hall, of another of Mr Harry Ricki ards' vaudeville companies. LookI ing over the long list of artists, an I exceptional treat may be expected. I The formidablee array of talent comI prising the present company appears I tc be particularly meritorious, for it ' includes a number of the world's greatest star acts. Particular interest attaches to the first appearance of Mr and Mrs Bob Fitzsimmons, who will appear m the clever playlet which aroused a good deal of enthusiasm in Eng'and and America. During this sketch Mr Fitzsimmons will give an exhibition of ball-puuching, and Mrs Fitzsimmone, who is said to be a brilliant lyric soprano vocalist, will sing a number of new songs. Mrs Fitzsimmons, whose professional name is Julia Gifford, unlike the majority of artists who distinguish themselves in the musical world 1 , made her first hie as a church singer in ! America. So popular did she become that the various religious bodies gladly availed themselves of her 1 services, quite irrespective of creed. The immense success of Mr Franco i Piper has already preceeded him. This artist, described as the maestro of the spinning, tossing, juggling,, and swinging banjo, is said to be a» wondreful artist. He piays six banjos, at the same time while juggling and tossing them, about in all man!ner of ways. Franco Piper prides; ! himself upon the tonal quality of J his playing, and produces some; I wonderful effects upon this instru-- - ment. Anoter great performance is (te one to be submitted by the three' | sisters Trapnell. They are the only I English lady acrobats at present oni the vaudeville stage, ail the other similar performers being either Continental or American. The succeess of these ladies, who are assisted in, their act by their brother George,, in Australia has been instantaneous. Their strength is said to be amazing,, but it is no more admirable than their agility. They pick up their brother and juggle with him; they turn handpsrings and! somersaults, wiht marvellous agility. Amongst theother artists are such great favourites as Mr Fred Bluett, the popular comedian, Messrs Vaud* and Verne, denoted "the whimsical patter comedians" and those ciever bicycle riders, the Wheelers. The performance will close with an exhibition of the bioscope pictures of the Fitz-simmons-Lang fight, whjch was contested at the Stadium, Sydney, on. Boxing Day last, in the presence of 15,000 people. Mr Fitzsimmons will lecture upon these films, and as it is stated the ex champion is an, excellent speaker these pictures should prove a special attraction to lovers of this manly sport. The box. plan is open at Miss Rives.

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES.. The attendance at ■ the ForestersHall was again well up to the mark despite counter attractions. The quality of the entertainment provided is no doubt the cause. The Masterton public rarely have the chance of seeing such a fine series of pictures as those contained in the present programme. "The Child Labour Story" is a subject full of interest, and shows to wnat lengths toe big trusts of America will ero to increase their wealth, irrespective of the misery it causes their employees. The beautiful pathetic sto,ry -'Noel" again appealed to those who witnessed it. The marvellous riding as shown in "The National Cavalry School" grea: applause. "The Life of Schubert" appeals to all lovers of this famous composer's works. The various comics served their purpose by causing plenty of real hearty laughter.