ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 289, 31 August 1908, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MOTHER GOOSE.". Tho Opera Houso was packed on Saturday night to witness the third performance of tho pantomime "Mother Goose:'' The,revival is a very popular one, and the favourite and familiar numbers were all received with acclamation. Tho pantomime has a delightful spontaneity of action,' which, with the oddities presented, keep the audience interested from start to finish. " " Mother 'Goose " will be played for tho last time in Wellington this evening. "tEDTLE BREAD WINNER. COMPANY." "What is described as a play above the average—a melodrama, but not too melodramatic, _ with a delightful child interest woven in the story —is Messrs. Meynoll and Gunn's famous (Soma. " The Little Bread Winner," & bo presented 011 Wednesday nest, at tho Opera House. Tho story lias a fine central idea, and promises to be very popular. The company selected is a; very strong one, and two little ladies, Queonie, Williams and Maggie Dickinson, have important roles to fill. Miss Beatrice Holloway, tho popular young actress, plays the heroine, and Mr. Conway Wingfield, an English actor of distinction, the lead. In support, the company is a very strong one, and includes Messrs. G. P. Carey, C. R. Stanford, P. Coupe, and Miss Ida Gresham, and the run of, "Tho Bread Winner" is limited to five performances, and will '.bo followed by the people's drama "Tho Stepmother," by Mr. Arthur Shirley, the wellknown English author. In this piece, Mr. Ernest Leicester, will mako his reappearanca in Wellington. The bos .plan is at the Dresden.

THEATRE ROYAL: The new programme presented at tho Theatre Royal on Saturday evening contained a number of'specially meritorious items. As usual there was a large and appreciative audience. After a number'of excellent biograph pictures had been shown, Miss Dorothy Swift came forward and gave "Yo San" and "I'll, tako her to Jamaica," with dainty dance, in pleasing manner. Miss Belle Gibbons, the lady baritone vocalist, who followed, did so well that she also had to respond to. an: encore. Denis Carney, the Yorkshire comedian, contributed several it-ems in liis initnitablo style. Tho next turn was given by;'Lerona, the lady cyclist, who performed a number of novel and several daring feata with complete success. • Mr. Hugh Huxhanij the favourite tenor, was heard to'great advantage in tho popular ballads, "Somewhere" and "Cosy Little Flat," both of which were beautifully illustrated. Lyndon and who produced a comedy sketch, entitled "The - Coloured Lady from Dixie," had v the audience in fits of laughter. The first item after the interval was a display of,' juggling by the.Levartos, which was loudly' applauded. "Down the Vale" and "Annie Laurie" were then sung by Miss, Tansley, who was in fine voice. "Verey," who had not previously performed in Wellington, then appeared'in his original speciality, "The Twoheaded Policeman," which was really too funny for words. He was followed by Master Freddy Byron, the Queensland boy soprano, who acquitted himself very creditably. The Swift-s, who staged a piece, entiled "Cobbler's Deception," availed themselves to the full of innumerable opportunities''to display theii ability as mirth-provokers. An interesting film depicting the Dieppe motor car race was then shown. The programme will'be, repeated until Thursday evening. -

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre was ' filled with happy children at the Royal Pictures mat. ineo on Saturday afternoon, and _at the evening performance the building was packed. The greatest interest was taken in the pictures, especially of "A Trip through Savoy," and, for submitting such subjects, the- management is to be .commended, _ for they are instructive and 1 give a vivid idea of the sconic"beauties of the older world. The historical picture, ''.'NapolMn__ and the British Sailor," is also another of a very fine series. The humourous pictures do not fail. in their purpose, for thp huge audience oh-Saturday was kept .in sliouts of . merriment. The la-st two nights of this pro.gramme, are announced. OLYMPIA SKATING RINK Boiler skating enthusiasts are seemingly fond of the pastime in all weathers, ■as tho rink was largely patronised on Saturday although tho weather conditions were-on the warm side. The present 6oason closes on Sep-t-ember 12, and before that event is celebrated the management have decided to give two complimentary evenings to the patrons of the rink; The gentlemen's evening is fixed for next Friday, and tho ladies' evening next Monday. The floral and'impersonation carnival will bo held on September 9. ORGAN RECITAL.' ' To-morrow evening Mr. Maughail Barnett will give- his weekly- organ recital at the Town Hall.- The-programme is;a special request one, selected from the- programmes marked by the audienccs_ at tho preceding recitals, and includes Guilmant's ".Funeral March and Hymn of Soraplis," specially composed for the opening of the grand organ in Notre Dame, Pans; " Rove Angelique (Rubinstein), arranged by Lemare from a pianoforte • piece by this noted' composer; overture, "William Tell(Rossini), which opens tranquilly and is followed by a furiou3 storm. The charming pastoral movement introducing the " Ranz des Vaches,' and tho joyous and exhilirating finale' are all expressed here with such rare and' consummate power as to-stamp the overture as a masterpiece in the department of purely, instrumental music. ,

BENEFIT CONCERT. With characteristic good fellowship, the members of the Wellington Highland Rifles tendered a benefit concert in the Now Century Hall on Saturday evening, to one of their number, Lance-Corporal - Grant, who has recently experienced the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." Major C. D. Mackintosh, of the Rifle Battalion Staff, and Captain M'Diarmid, officer commanding the company, lent their patronage to tho cause, which was well supported, about 300 ..being present. .Mr. William M'Lean presided. An excellent programme was submitted by several local artist's, and the Scottish Choral and Orchestral Society, tho Wellington Pipe Band, Turner's Banjo, Mandoline and Guitar Orchestra also assisted. Songs were contributed by Miss Linda Henderson, Messrs. G. A. Watkins, J. Charles, and J. M'Lean (humorous); Major Mackintosh contributed a clarionet solo; the pipers contributed a Highland reel ; Master Ha'mish Donaldson a sword dance and Highland fling; and Sir. W. E. Boyd an Irish jig. It is expected that tho proceeds of the entertainment will bo somewhere in tho neighbourhood 01 £17.MISS THACKERAY'S CONCERT. Miss. Arline Thackeray will give a concert in tho Lower Hutt Town Hall this evening. She will be assisted by Miss Phoebe Parspns, Mrs. E. D. Cachemaillo, Miss Allport, Miss' Treadwell, and Dr. Kington Fyffe.. An extremely onjoyablo concert may be expected. , The Rev. J. Gibson Smith will lecture at St. John's Schoolroom, Dixon Street, '-this evening, on "Sunskino and Shadow in. a Soottisn Glen," or "a Night with Isa M'Larcn." "Tho Advantages and Disadvantages of a Sailor's Life" is tho title of tho lecture to be delivered by Mr. James . Ifooro in the Concert Room, Town Hall, this evening.