THE THEATRE ROYAL.
The coffers of Rickards' Biograph and Vaudeville Company were considerably swelled on Saturday night, when, notwith- standing the sweltering heat, every part of the Theatre Royal was filled. Mr. Winton, who for a fortnight past has been amusing audiences at the theatre, with the assistance of McGinty and Ally Sloper and his other figures, presented much new business, and his local references were extremely well chosen. His smart repartee and wonderful manipulation of at least a half-dozen figures, which would be dumb but for him, were frequently applauded, and his jokes and songs, in all of which his dummies took a prominent part, were of the most entertaining character. Miss Fanny Wentworth's original sketch "Up. to Date," was a charming item in the pro- gramme, and as such it was thoroughly, appreciated. Such numbers as she presented in the course of her turn might possibly flag in less accomplished hands, and perhaps they are only chosen to show what can be done with very ordinary material when it is properly dealt with. Miss Lizzie Kirk's contributions "'E means no 'arm," and " 'E's such a nice young man," were songs which brought down the house ; and Professor and Miss Morritt introduced into their act some tricks and illusions, which will keep the audience thinking for a long time. * "I'm not particular," was Mr. Leon's new song, and it went so well that he received an encore, which could not be denied. " The landlord's daughter " and " Nevermore " were given by Mr. Sydney Deane in excel- lent voice, and it was shown by the burst of applause which followed each of the songs that he has become an extremely popular performer during his stay in the colony. Mr. Arthur Sherwin sang " Only a rose" and "Broken hearts," and the audience was thoroughly pleased with his performance. The biograph pictures which had only been landed a day or two previously irom America were exhibited and admired, even more than those which had been shown at the theatre during the last couple of weeks, and it is saying a good deal, considering the attraction which the first series of views proved. " The acrobatic dance of Saharet," Condensed milk," "Off Boston Harbour," "In the surf," "Hudson River steamboats," "French Cuirassiers charging," "Cavalry charging a battery," and " The Gordon Highlanders marching into camp," were all live and spirited pictures admirably manipulated by Mr. G. Jones, the operator, and were loudly cheered by those present. The same programme will be repeated to-night.

The West Australian, Perth, lundi 7 février 1898, p. 5. 

RICKARDS' BIOGRAPH AND VAUDEVILLE COMPANY.
Yesterday morning Mr. M. Marcus, the manager of the company now playing at the Theatre Royal, received a telegram from Mr. Harry Rickards, giving the names of the artistes forming the new company which is to give its first performance at the Cremorne Gardens soon after the termination of the Royal season. A brilliant array of talent is presented in the wire, and when the new company is augmented by the inclusion of a large contingent of the artistes now appearing at the theatre it will be the largest variety combination that has ever performed before West Australian audiences. By the mail steamer which arrived at Albany a few days ago a large number of Biograph pictures were brought from America. None of them have previously been exhibited in the colonies. They include "The acrobatic dance of Saharet," "Condensed milk," "Off Boston Harbour," "In the Surf," " Hudson River Steamboats," " French Cuirassiers charging," "Cavalry charging a battery," and " The Gordon Highlanders marching into camp." These and all the most sensational of the old series of pictures will be produced to-night, when other parts of the programme will undergo an entire change. With the assistance of " McGinty," J. W. Winton will introduce a lot of new ventriloquial business, and Miss Fanny Wentworth will give her society entertainment entitled " Up to Date," in the course of which she will introduce impersonations of Heydon Coffin, May Yohe, Eugene Statton, and Yvette Guilbert. The performance last night was given in the presence of a large audience, the various items on the programme being loudly applauded. The biograph pictures, which are almost free from the quivering defect which renders the pictures from some machines so trying to the eyes, again proved a good draw.

The West Australian, Perth, samedi 5 février 1898, p. 5.