ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 246, 10 July 1908, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MACMAHON'S EXQUISITE PICTURES.' Notwithstanding the weather, there was a large audience at the Town Hall last evening to witness the first display in this city of Macmahon's Exquisite Pictures, a living picture entertainment which introduces tho latest and most finished phase of cinematography. The pictures are undoubtedly very good indeed, and as-most of the subjects are new it goes without'saying that half tho town willwant to see them during the current week.

The rain, swished down in torrents outside, but .what did that matter when the cinemato-' graph transported tho audience in a' flash to sunny Japan with beautiful dancing geishas, fair, gardens gorgeous ivith Oriental embellishment. Tho pictures were; so perfect in detail, so true in colour and atmosphere, in fact so free, from any suggestion that if it was not 1 actually life'in Japan, for the-time ■ being those present lived in another hemisphere. A very dramatic story is that pictured'in "Pierrot's Jealousy." Pierrot has been, maddened by Peirette, and treats her - rather badly, but remorse overtakes him in his, dreams, arid, he: fancies ho has killed her, and that justice has secured his person, and is about to give him die happy dispatch with tho aid of Jlddlq. Guillotine, when he wakes ■ up,.-rrishosi to ' the abode of his Poirotte; to, tad . her'in tears, .which; are quickly chased away ,by, .his graphic protestations of % love. ■' 1 "His Daughter's Voice" is another picture with' a story. An old fiddler'who plays tho accompaniment to his'little-girl's singine . : in the street, is accosted by a gentleman who wishes to'take , a gramaphono-record ;of her' voice; A little, later tlio'girl-'is struck down' ;by. a drunken: brawler/and .is . taken, to .tho hospital. , The old man,'.is distracted- with grief, that is at length softened by hearing the record, of his daughter's voice. V After the' song ceases ho falls, down, '■ whilo out of tho . horn of the>. instrument appears . , the little, r girl as an arigel,who flutters.lovingly round'the'recumbent form heforo departing .to a brighter world.. While there is a decided.element of pathos in such pictures, .there is ■no doubt about . the appeal thoy make to an audience. Of the ordor fantastic is /'The; Flower; of Youth," which represents an, aged beldame prowling about in quest of her lost youth. "The Ten-mile Steeplechase" was exciting to a degrep. The'pictures are taken at the jumps, arid the'operators' have been fortunate enough in catching lmlf-a-dozen bad •falls, which make a ready appeal tbitho morbidity that is only human: " The' Cabin Boy" is,a story picture, ,with brutality "and dovotion' well proportioned. Among tho humortras :films are " Will He 'Overtake Them?" ."Her' First Bike Ride," '"Tho Haunted House," and " Any Barrels to Sell? " and. several excellent trick'pictures worked out with bewildering ingenuity. During the evening Miss Ijorraine'Taiisley sang acceptably tho illustrated songs. "When wo woro together," . " Sweet -Adeline,""Fiddle' arid i;" and "When the. Lilacs Bloom Again.'The entertainment will. be repeated throughput tho week. ' "THE PRINCE CHAP." ' '' The simple charm of Mr. E.' H. Peple's play, '.(The Prince. Chap,'.' continues to' attract largo, audiences at the Opora.House; and last night was no exception, ■ despite tho inclement weather; Mr; Harry Roberts, in the role .of Mr..William Peyton, the'sculp-' tor, won the decided applauso of those present by his able .interpretation of tho part. Ho was ablv assistod'by Miss Mary Kcorli, who Wok tfio part of Phoebo Puckers. Tho other members 'of tho company also 'gavo; a good account of themselves. Tho 'final' performance : will be given'on Saturday knight. It' "'will be preceded by a special-children's matinee performance at 2.30, Tyhen juveniles will be admitted to all parts, of the houseat half-price.

01/YMI'IA RINK. . The Olvnipia sossions continuo the .e'yon tenor ■; of "their way, and'good attendances rule, notwithstanding tho .inclemency of tho weather. Miss Maude Lewis has wpri golden opinions from patrons, owing to the gracefulness of'her skating and.the ease with which she executes ; what, to the average skater, are impossible movements; She will give an exhibition of her 'skill on (Saturday- night; The competition'' on-- " Why did tho Roller Skate? " closes on' Monday, and the Poster Carnival on .Wednesday'.promises-to', be most successful.- .A polo tournament match last night resulted in a win for Rarigitikei (Mr. Ragg's team), 3 goals, to Kia Toa's one (Mr. .Crete's team).

THE ROYAL PICTURES. Tho wintry weather seemingly has no effect on patrons of His Majesty's Theatre, for'there was a large audience last night to witness tho'; now programme; . There are several, subjects of dramatic interest this week, notably "Tho Tompter" and; "After Midnight," a story in a burglar's life; but the greatest interest was evinced'in "Au-tumn-Leaves," a splendid picture-story, highly. romantic and interesting. The characters are attired in correct Olde Englisho costumes,' arid they, show excellent mimicry in' unfolding tho tale. •As in all' such stories, love ' triumphs and laughs at locked doors anil stern parents, and' eventually- the story ends in the historic blacksmith's shop at' Gretna Green. Coloured cinematography 'has been brought to a high state of'perfection, and a splendid sample is shown-in "Tricksy, the Fairy Princess," which is full of life and incident. "A Magnetic-Removal" created, roars of laughter, the manner in which, furniture ■'and crockery more' about without huriian agency being highly ludic--rous. The comic section is very strong, and "Push," "The Fresh Air Fiend," "Artful Lovers," "The Troubles of a Flirt," and, "A Painless Extraction" created- much merriment. The present programme is a strong one, and quite up to the standard set by the Royal Picture Syndicate during its seven months' occupancy of His Majesty's. The usual matinee will be, held on Saturday.

"THE GUVNOR." ' It is now many years sinco that comedy '' The Guv'nor " was played here, but. Wellington theatre-goers will • have, an- opportunity of seeing.it revived-here on-Tuesday arid Wednesday next in the. Opera House, when it' will he produced by tho Wellington Dramatic; Club. The riot proceeds of ■ tho performances aro to, be, devoted to'tho sick and bonovolent fund of tho "Old Veterans." Tho cast is a very powerful one. A'special orchestra,- under ■ tho- direction .of 'Mr. H. Porcival Clark,' will render' selections entirely new to Wellington audiences.- As tho object of the 'performance is to aid old soldiers, local volunteers _ are to bo asked to attend in' Uniform, permission' for which has be-on granted by tho Officer Commanding tho District. His Excellency Lord l'lunk'et and party , will attend tho .opening - performance. Tho box.plan is now open at the, Dresden, arid intending patrons will, do, well, to book their .'seats- at. once, .as a largo .number of tickets are already-'disposed of. 1 • ■