AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10533, 20 January 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES. There was .another good attendance at the Foresters' Hall last evening, when the current programme was shown for the second time. The excellent series of dramas was headed by an Ambrosia masterpiece entitled "'After Fifty Years." This otudy won the 50,000 francs prize at the Turin Exhibition, and is certainly the finest drama of rts class ever seen in Master con. rfxinong the other dramatic studies, "White Rose of the Wilds," and the "Handsomer Man," are worthy of special mention. The Bcenics and comedies were c» the usual high standard, whale Pathe's Gazettes'contain a number of interesting items. Tlie children's matinee will be held this afternoon, at - 'clock, and the programme will be shown for the last time to-night. On Monday the first of a magnificent series of Delhi Diirbar pictures will be presented*

WIRTK BROS.' CIRCUS. GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. The Messrs Wirth Bros., with the greatest and best show that these en-| terprising brothers ever- owned, willj visit Master-ton on, Thursday, Janu-/ ary 25th,. for one night only, with thewhole of their gigantic, circus. The, show .that they :eV■ is an enterprise so | so compr ehen sive, .so intrinsically t meritorious in its educational f eat-i ures that sll previous records are ec-j Hp&ed, and the Wirths' greatest show' on earth will now stand alone, unapproachable, unrivaled, unimitated, and unprecedented than. ever. While it is a great amusement enterprise it is also an educational, institution of importance and vakie, and this season it contains several, tremendous features, each complete in every interesting detail, and a triumplTin its comprehensive totality. The menageitie, now replete with every known wild animal under the sun (including (Lizzie), has been greatly added to by the purchase of eleven gigantic • fullgrown pure white performing Polar bears—the largest, most costly and unique collection in existence. Born, and bred under the weird beams of the Aurora Borealis eternal winters i mk>st tremendous terrors, • heretofore , ■considered ferocious "and untamable, these seven white robed Titans of the; awful Arctic w-ildß have been tamed, and ediueated, neiifo.ming together with three North A merican • grizsdy' bears, two American and two Russian, boar hounds. The circus has also been thoroughly auffmented, no j-le&s than 33 artists being-'engaged ! from a W parts of ths ■wov"'J. The "seven Flying Jordans, double company of aerialists; 11 orobats; Kitchen,, Foy, and Le Van, aerial novelty gymnasts; Harry Barge and 00., of six vel motor car comedy act, etc.; Heir nnd Fraulein Schmidt. Polar bear educators; Alf Tack, the upside-down, phenomenon, and the beautiful Adelia Bisters, and George, ■'•■ superhuman performers on a silver thread. The menagerie will appear.in the nfteruoon from 4 to 5, when all the above-mentioned rare wild animals will be on view, as well as the huge herd of elephants, dens of lions, tigers, jaguars, monkey?, water buffaloes, camels, Lizzie the Hippopotaimws, and two American buffaloes.

"THE SPECKLED BAND" There is said <to be something won-' derfully fascinating about "The Speckled Band." the latest. "Sherlock Holmes play, which is to be presented for one night only at the Town Hall on Mondav next. .January 22nd. Not only has the author caught the exact .spirit of his own. theme, but he also presents at least eleven distinctly striking characters—Sherlock Holmes, Dr Rylott, Rodger s, Dr Watson, Billy, ' Mrs Staunton, Mrs Soames, Ali, Mr Armytage, J. B. Montagu*-, and Enid Stonor, which will be portrayed by what is probably the strongest combination of dramatic artists that could be selected for this class of play, including William Desmond, the brilliant young American actor who will be making his farewell appearance, in Australasia; Miss Dorothy Dix, a new leading lady from the Lyric and other West End (London) theatres (her first appearance in 'New Zealand); Mr J. B. Atholwood, Australia's prince of character actors ; Mr. George Bryant, the American actor who made such a distinct success with the Katherine Grey Company, and who was specially re-

tained for this production-;, ;Mr Winter Hall, M:v Boyd trwin, ,Mf Leslie Yiytor, W?:<. v ai.'qrlian. Mip.s Alma Bh'7U->s. IVtr TV W. Lloyd'; Mr Oeorge OliaWrs, and Mr Gaston Mervale, who is said to have caused ouite a WRa-sion' in dramatic circles in Australia by his remarkable performance of I)r Rylott, which is said to hold its audience spellbound.

BRENNANS HUCE ATTRACTION.

It is claimed by. Bremnan's, Ltd., that never before in the records of (histrionic enterprise in the Dominion "has- snoli a. combination of artists appeared before a rsew Zealand audience. It is early to forecast tl»e verdict o.f New Zealand theatre-goers; Jrat what an enthusiastic Australian said of the show is perhaps indicative— it is certainly picturesque, viz.: —'.'This is a hit with the hammer of enterprise on. the anvil ;6f variety, svihioh has emitted coruscations of the most brilliant sparks of vaudeville." And the entertainment certainly seems to be a very remarkable one, not only for the qxiality of its star turns, but also for the number/of star turns of almost equal merit million it includes. The clever Simian performer "Prince Charles" i» suggestive of "the missing link." , This wonderful orangoutang is said io I surpass all the rest of his imitative species in simulating the ways of superior man. He dines like a gentleman, skates iike _. an enthusiast, guides a motor car with the skill of a chaffeur, and rides a bicycle like a suburban householder. This reniarkalbe animal is in himself good value for the admission, money ; but he is by no means the only star. Jordan and Harvey, the Hebrew comedians, are the creators of and past masters in their own particular line of business. Eva Mudge, described a* "the Military Maid and Empress of the • Protean. Art" is said to be peerless in her style of entertainment. Archie Gtlen, ..character singer and patter artist, is also a leader in this line, and a sure laughter getter. Les l f e'tits Totos are acrobats and balancers sfnoh iis have not been seen before in New Zealand, and Joliuson audi .Wells are coloured comedians of the very first rank in America, their singing and eccentric dancing being described as irresistible. This fine company of entertainers will open at tho Town (Hall on Thursday next. The box plan is at the Dresden.