AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2431, 20 February 1909, Page 10 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY’S. LOCAL FIXTURES. February 22 to 27.—AVest’s Pictures :ch 1 and 2.—American and Can tinental Entertainers. Alarch 4.—Aliss Rosemary Rees. March 31 to April 3.—Aleynell ant Gunn. Easter Week —Maskelync and Levant.

The American and Continental Eu tertaiuers have hooked His Majesty': Theatre for two perfunnanees, "m March 1 and 2.

On Alonday night and each nigh! of next week Jlis Majesty’s Theatre will he occupied by West’s Pictun Show. Mr AVest is at present in Europe, bent on securing the late.-i film’s procurable .for exhibition in Aus tralia and New Zealand, and lie ha.already sent out sonic magnificent pictures, and the inanageiiK lit prompta real treat to lovers of cinematography.

Aliss Rosemary Rees, ; upper led by a strong cast, appears in His Aiuje,sty’s Iheatro early ncit month in three plays. “A Judical Separation,” “The New Gun,” and ‘ Her Dearest Friend,” are the pieces that have been chosen.

Air J. C. Williamson bas secured tho Australian rights of Alajor de Alaurier’s play, “An ■ Englishman’s Home,” which is extraordinarily papular in Great Britain at present.

It is a peculiar thing that in “Th: Red Alill” John Ford, the American comedian, speaks without an accent to betray his nationality, but Fred Leslie affects a pronounced stage American accent.

Aliss Edyth Latimer, the Sydney actress, now appearing as the adventuress, Aliuna Hart, in “idols,” ; n London, is said to be a direct descendant of tho famous Bishop Latimer, who was burned at the stake.

According to “Akenehi.” in the “Bulletin,” of Januaiy 28tli, Mrs Minna Fischer. Herb: rt Flemming’s widow, was married early in Decemb r in London. Her new venture is Air George Clutsam. the well-known pianist and composer.

Messrs M ynell and Gunn have engaged Air Herbert J. Bentley, one of the most ca_ able members of Julius Knight’s con 'any, as leading man lor their uramat. ■ e; npany, which shortly tours the Dominion with “Two Little Sailor Evvs” and “A Aimers' Trust.”

The following are the bookings for the New Zealand tour of Aleynell and Gunn's .eorg-aniseu dramatic corn pany, which will have a repertoire, m eluding “Two Little Sailor Boys” and “A Aimer's Trust” :—Auckland. Alarch 15: Gisborne. Alarch 31 : Napier, April o ; Hastings, April 8; Palmerston North, April 10; Feilding. April 16; Aiavton. April 19: "Wanganui, April 20; Hawera, April 24: Stratford, April 20; New Plymouth. ApYil 27; Alasterton, Alay 1: Wellington, Alay 3; Christchurch, Alay 20: Dunedin, Jun'c 7; Invetcargi-l, June IS.

Aladamo Alelba has sailed for Aleh bourne in the Orontes. In a letter ALndame Alelba says that she wishes particularly to sing all over Australasia, aud mostly in the smallest towns, as Jenny Lind did in Sweden. “I am sacrificing a tremendous lot by leaving Europe and America in 1909; but 1 know that 1 shall be repaid by the pleasure it will give me by going to the people who live far away from the capitals, and who have never heard me sing.”

Allan Hamilton has organised a dramatic company, with a repertoire comprising several of the latest English dramas and melodramas. Air Hamilton has secured the services of Air George Gross for his leading man, whilst Aliss Ada Guildford will be the new leading lady. Amongst oilier engagements so far made are Air George P. Carev, who will take charge of tho productions, besides appearing in character parts, Air AYilton Power, Mr AYilton AYelch, Aliss Maud Clictwvnd, Aliss Rosemary Rees (who has just arrived from England, and will make her first appearance). The company will make their first appearance at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, on Saturday, April 3, in “Queen of the Night,”* a melodrama that has been running through tlie English provinces for the past three years with success.

One of the principal attractions of Worths’ Circus, 'during its present tour of tlie Dominion, is the giraffe which the Alcssrs AVirth imported at a cost of over £IOOO. The giraffe requires the careful and undivided attention of an attendant who is always with it, even to occupying the same truck in tlie course of its transportation by rail. AYhen the animal is carried on the railway it is placed in a telescopic cage in order to allow of its safe conveyance under bridges. Jhe attendant lowers the roof of the adjustable cage, which reduces the height and compels the tall creature to bond its nock so that the cage may pciss under «incl tin tunnels incomplete safety. Though the animal is considered to be very stupid, it has become used to this method of contraction, and immediately the attendant- commences to lower tho roof of tho cage the animal lies down. The (riraffe is the tallest animal in the world, and tho specimen in qustion measures 15ft from hoof to head, and it is absolutely dumb. Careful attention must be given to its diet, which consists Of porridge and milk, raw onions, salt, phosphates, oats, hay and chaff. It is given six meals a day. Its natural method of feeding is h’.gh up, and when it picks up anything from the ground it is compelled to spread its front legs to enable it to sit down.

“AYbut became of I bed Cromwell relies vmi had on exhibition Imre, asked a gentleman of the museum attendant. “Let me see,” replied that worthy. “Oh, yes, they were returned to Cromwell last week.