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The Alhambra. The Alhambra management, ever eager to “take fleet occasion by the hair,” last night inaugurated a new series of “animated pictures”, the principal feature of which is photographic reproduction the first test match between the English and Australian cricket teams. As concession to national vanity the announcement that “England wins” is shown upon the screen, all reference the final result of the contest being discreetly avoided. The first picture reveals Hayward and Prince “Ranji” vigorously batting and scoring runs with a rapidity which seems to suggest that a photographic machine can, like Homer, occasionally nod. The effect, however, is exceedingly vivid and realistic, although the absence of the accompanying shouts and cheers cannot fail to be remarked. Subsequently the audience is treated to a glimpse of “Ranji”at the nets—a spectacle that affords an excellent opportunity of studying the amazing quickness and power of his strokes. Two other pictures show the English and Australian teams leaving the field at the close of an innings. The series further includes the exciting incidents connected with a conflagration; the sudden dashing out of the fire-engines and their headlong career through the streets. Nothing could be more stirring or animated than this episode, although in clearness and solid effect the picture is perhaps surpassed by the first of the number, entitled ‘‘A Heavy Load.” The new "turn” certainly most attractive, and was highly relished by last night’s audience. In the programme also figure the “Jupiter Trio,” who give an extremely clever performance on the horizontal bars; Miss Lilian Bowles, whose singing of “Il Bacio” and Tosti's ‘‘Good-bye" showed her to be vocalist of considerable ability ; Herr Techow's family of trained cats, whose reputation is so well established as to render praise superfluous; and the famous Kremos, a marvellously clever troupe of gymnasts, the youngest of whom is, in addition, a born humourist. M. Nobel, fitly named the “King of Ventriloquists,” still gives his amusing entertainment; while those, if there be any so benighted, who fail to see the latest ballet, “Beauty and the Beast,” will certainly miss one of the prettiest and most graceful spectacles ever put upon the Alhambra stage. St James's Gazette, London, Tuesday 08 February 1898, 5.
So much interest is taken in cricket that it is felt that the daily reports of the test matches now going on in Australia which appear ill the newspapers, might be supplemented by a pictorial presentment of the game as played "down tinder." Consequently, the up-to-date Mr. Moul has arranged for a series of cinematograph pictures to be presented at the Alhambra, of these interesting events. These will be shown for the first time oil Monday February 7th, and not only will the views include incidents in the match itself, but also pictures of the popular "Ranji" taking a turn at the practice net. As almost the entire population of the metropolis love cricket, it should be many weeks before the attractiveness of this display will come to an end. Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, Saturday 05 February 1898, p. 28.
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