ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 207, 26 May 1908, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE SCARLET ,PIMPERNEL..'' Last evening the Opera House was onco moro all too small for those who wished to witness "The Scarlet.Pimpernel',' in comfort, but sitting or standing all enjoyed the production as ono of the most complete and satisfying that has been seen in Wellington for a good timo past. The Orczy-Barstow play, to tlio playgoer, is every bit as interestmgs as the Orczy novel to the reader of light fiction, apart from the fino advortisement given the play by the great success' of the book. Mr. Julius Knight's performance, as Sir Percy Blakeney, got well into the character of the bold "Pimpernel," of tho doublo life, and though tho rolo is not so rich in opportunities as some of tho parts Mr. Knight has succeedod in this part of tho world, ho nover, throughout tho play, do parted from his capitally-conceived conception of Orczy's picturesque hero. Miss Ola Jano Humphrey was captivatingly capricious as Lady Blakeney, and showed a fine dramatic spirit in tho scene in which slio discovers her husband's real identity. Not tho loast interesting feature of Miss Humphrey's Lady Blakeney wero the liandsomo costumes tho actress knows so well hpw to 'display. Mr. Leslie Victor was convincing as Cliauvelin, the French spy, and Mr. Harry Plimmer cut a lino figure as the Princo of Wales. Othor parts were those of Susanne do Tournai (Miss Harvey), Com teas o do Tournai (Miss Ada Stirling), and Jellyband (Mr. Geo. Chalmers). "Tho Scarlot Pimpernel" should play to big business well into next week, the advanoe booking boing a record,for. a Williamson dramatic company. THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatre Royal held a large audience last night.,, ,Three-part singing, as rendered by tho harmonious Huxhams, commends itself to the public,' and tho demands last evening for repetitions wore loud and frequent. Kadamo, tho Japanese ' balancer, again held tho interest of all. Carney, the Banvards, the Marlowe Sisters, and others were all in good form, and the biograph pictures assisted to make a most complote show. .. . THE OLYMPIA RINK.. ' Tho Olympia Rink was thronged last night. Judging from tho attendances re; corded so far, nnking promises to bo very popular 'this season. The floor is now in first-class order. The weekly Town Hall organ recital will be given to-night at 8 o'clock. A popular programme has been arranged from the works of Handel, Schubert, Brahms, Bendel, and Wely. There was a largo attendance in tho Sydney Street Primitive Methodist Schoolroom last evening at the lantern lecture given by Mr. .Stanes, the children's missioner, on India.. Mr. Stanes held'the attention from first to last by his vivid, interesting, and instructive discourse. Tho . Rev. C. E. Ward presided. To-morrow- eroning, Mr. Stanes will give a lantern exhibition of the Wonderland of America. He will continuo his lectures till Sunday evening. . . • . Those who have heard a fine organ like that of tho Town Hall, in conjunction with a full orchestra and chorus, will be able to appreciate the treat that is in, store for the Wellington public when the' city. organ .is similarly utilised. The Wellington Choral Society is taking determined stops to secure a special sot of wood wind instruments tuned to the pitch of the organ, 90 as to permit ;of such a combination. A special concert will be given in the Town Hall during ;the coding month with a viow to providing' the necessary funds. <