AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10075, 24 August 1910, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

I "ALADDIN." Each year Mr J. C. Williamson's pantomime makes a great effort to go one better thanits predecessor, I and each year the task becomes more J difficult. Where is the "always as- | cending, always developing, always | astonishing thing called a pantoI mime" going to end? In previous | productions of this kind the manage- | ment have seemingly reached the limI it of human ingenuity, but, according to reports from Melbourne and Sydney, "Aladdin," which is to be staged here on Wednesday night next, easily eclipses in magnificence anything yet seen in New Zealand, and it is also stated that the company appearing in it is the strongest combination of comedians, singers, dancers, and pantomimists ever organised by J. C. Williamson for an entertainment of this description. There are, it is said, several ' features in "Aladdin," any of '■ which would ensure the success of any entertainment. The fire ballet, it is stated, is something unusual, even for a pantomime. The flames rise suddenly, startlingly, from many places in the wonderful bejewelled , cave; forms of dancing girls appear to be rising near, if not actually through the fire; sinuous folds of drapery enclose the swaying figures that have come mysteriously out of the dark, while the whole time there is the weird, fantastic, and quite indescribable effect of the grimly dark I and yet fiercely ignited and furiousIly burning under-world. The figJ ures which takes part in the scene are t always increasing in number, until I the climax is reached, and then the effect is said to be simply magnificent. Another much talked of item ■ is the balloon effect. Stage and auditorium are darkened, and suddenly a balloon is seen the I rim of the dress circle. The car car- | ries Miss Nance Maher, who looks J quite comfortable as she skims with- ' in a few feet of those sitting in the stalls, singing a pretty number entitled "Just a Love for Someone." Amongst the other features are, the living Flag of Australia, the great demon incarnation scene, the beautiful Australian bird ballet, through the nether regions, and the resplendent march of the flowers. The most sensational act ever witnessed on a stage is said tobe that performed by Messrs Price and Revost in the second act of "Aladdin," whilst the comedians are ably assisted in the merry-making by Mr William Hassan, who is generally regarded as being the world's best donkey performer. The plans will be opened at the Town Hall on Saturday morning next, at 8.30. In order to prevent crushing, coupons will be issued by a staff of ushers from 7 a.m., which will ensure that the earliest arrivals shall have first ckoice of seats.

TOWN HALL PICTURES. The new programme which will bu presented at the Town Hall to-night contains a number of very ppecial and attractive pictures. The "star" film, "Anarchists on Bnard," ia quite new to the district, and is full of exciting incident and dramatic situation. The scenic pictures will be of a highly interesting character, and w'H reveal the delightful "Fa\U of Shoahone" and picturesque "Zanzibar.'' All the humurouß nnmbers have been specially selected, Fi>d will 20 to make a programme of exceptional merit. The voting in the children's beauty competition will be continued. Many of the photographs thrown upon the screen are decided works of art.

THOMPSON-PAYnE pictures. A fine night, and an excellent programme, were responsible for a large attendance at the Foresters' Hall last evening. Each film was greetsd with unstinted applause. A fine pathetic drama, "The Irish Boy," was perhaps the most popular picture, showing, as it does, the struggles and hardships of a poor family in Ireland. Terence, the only son, who receives a letter from an old time chum, who had migrated to America. This chum offers to pay Terence's fare to America, and the lad accepts, and on bis arrival finds a good billet, and after many adventures makes good, and is able to bring the aged father and mother to his new home, and a life ot ease and comfort. A quaint picture on pantomime lines is entitled, "The Fisherman and Genii," from The Arabian N-ghts. This picture is magnificently coloured, and a beautiful sample of photography. The various comic subjects answered their purpose, and the laughter was hearty and genuine. On Thursday night, "Lieut. Rose, R.N." will be shown- in some new and startling adventures with a foreign spy.