ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 331, 19 October 1908, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WIDE WORLD PICTURES. Olio of tho most attractivo characteristic* of tho weekly programme of selected kinstnatographic films presented to the publio by tho Messrs. Fuller at the . Theatre Royal is tho inclusion, in each week's series, of one or two features of topical interest, of some place, people, or incident, that tho world, for the moment, is interested in and dis-! posed to rcceivo further enlightenment upon. For oxamplo, it is beginning to dawn upon a very largo proportion, of tho inhabitants of the earth that after all, it is just possible that at somo future date, we shall be able to tako unto ourselves wings, and fly, and there will then ho 110 further use for tho phrase of tho scorner—"You might as well tall: of flying through the air." The problem of practical aeronautics is of topical interest just now, and, with characteristic enterprise, Messrs. Fuller have included in their new week's programme of pictures, presented for tho lirst time_ before a crowded house on. Saturday evening, two remarkably fine films illustrative of that interesting scientific contest, "man v. the thin air." Tho films ara entitled "Up in the Air," and "Paris from a Height of 2600 Feet." The former pio- - ture depicts, most interestingly, the Government trials of tho French airship "La Rcpublique" at Paris. The testing of the steering and driving gear is shown; the navigating party board tho ship, which ia released, ■ and, mounting gracefully upwards, is manoeuvred in various directions. _ Then comes tho descent, and the final housing of the aerial monster. In tho second film, "Paris from a Height of. 2600 Feet," tho camera is taken on board the car, and a most graphic series of-pictures shows the departure, and tho swift ascent; gradually and startlingly, Paris and her fair environs are opened out to the view. Both these films were enthusiastically applauded. Other goodpictures were "A Voyage up. the Nile" (a fine scenic series); "The Guardian of tho Dank," showing the remarkable sagacity and sensational adventures of a hull-dog. The dramatic element is supplied in portrayal of human life as represented ia the story of "Tho Poor Officer," who marries wjthout money and is subsequently beset with difficulties. The comic element is' supplied in appropriate contrast; "Washing Day," "When the Cat's Away," and "Married Under Difficulties," being all exceedingly good. There are others equally good in their respective characteristics, but sufficient haa been said to oommend this week's programme, which will be shown until Saturday next, to the favourable support of the public. WEST'S PICTURES. There was a-splendid .attendance at tho Town Hall oil Saturday evening to witnessWest's Pictures. A new series of films, :: selected to please all tastes, was submitted. Frequent demonstrations of delight showed" that the programme was- keenly enjoyed. An' oxcellent idea _of the process of the manufacture of chinawara was afforded 'by the initial picture of the series. "Winter in' Sweden," is the title of several views depicting skating contests, etc. 1 _ In "A Pirate's' Honour," there is a succession of sensational incidents. Pretty scenes in Naples, together with views of Vesuvius in eruption, were presented. The methods by which dogs are trained 011 the _ Continent for police work formed tho subject of a capital film. "A Swiss Peasant's Carnival," illustrating the manner in which the conclusion of the har«. vest season in Switzerland is honoured, proved interesting. Views taken on a journey from Quebec to Niagara were much admired. The series also included a pictorial repro. sontation of the principal events which are described in the fairy tale, "The Sleeping, Beauty." There was as usual no dearth of humorous films, one and all of which were heartily enjoyed. During the evening, a number of selections, which added to the pleasure of those present, were rendered by De Groen's vice-regal orchestra. The season will conclude _ to-night, after which Palmerston North will be visited. ■ ROYAL PICTURES. A house : full of enthusiastic patrons was sent away after the feast of pictures put forward by the Royal Picture Syndicate at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening. The excellence of the pictures and the manner in which they were shown was testified to by tho applause which greeted each fresh film. Somo of the pictures were instructive, others were distinctly humorous, and all werescreened in a manner which gave the audience their full value. "The Dumb Hero" was one of tho most popular of tho set, but it .had a number of rivals, including coloured pantomime pictures and "A Sailor's Dog,"which ran it very close in favour. PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.'Bofore seven o'clock last evening a number were waiting on the Town Hall steps for admission to the concert of the Wellington Professional Orchestra. By the time the doors were' opened (7.45) the crowd had. grown to large proportions, and a good deal - of pushing took plaoe in the scramble for seats. This meant that in many cases tho, collecting-boxes received no donation. Only at midday yesterday was it intimated to tho management of tho concert that the city council forbade the opening of the doors beforo a quarter to, eight. There was no time to make this announcement public, and not a few, who found the long wait'irksome, abandoned their intention of hearing' th« ; orchestra.. It must, however, have been gratifying to the Professional Orchestra to see how quickly tho hall was filled, and how eagerly the audience listened to the' music. Two items were by non-members. The first was Mr. E. Parkes's song, "Nazareth" (Gounod). Mr. Parkes has a rich, baritone voice, and by his fine singing of this ■' favourite'earned an emphatic recall.' The, second item was a violin solo by Mr. C.' Solomon, of Melbourne. The piece waa . "Legendo" (Wieniawski), and Mr. Solomon played it well. An encore followed. Mascagni's well-known "Intermezzo" roused tho audience to demand a repetition. This everpopular intermezzo came in for the best notice, but tho orchestra, under Mr. Frank J. Oakes's baton, carried out the whole of tho programme with unswerving precision and in pleasing'style. The remaining items were: —March, "A Distant Greeting" (Doring); overturo, "Tancredi" (Rossini); adagio from Sonata Pathetique (Beethoven); selection from 12th Mass (Mozart); intermezzo for strings (Gillet); and prelude to third ,ac> "Lohengrin" (Wagner).. There, was also l ' trombone duet, "Excelsior," played bj Messrs. H. Oakes and E. Andrews. MARE HAMBOURG RECITALS. News oonics from Auckland of the success' of Mark Hambourg's season of recitals. His visit to the Northen city seems to have been received with great enthusiasm, and his Wellington season, which commences tomorrow ovening, is being looked forward to with tho utmost interest by music-lovers. The programme for to-morrow evening is a varied one, the chief items to bo played by the famous pianist are:—"Tho Moolight Sonata" (Beethoven), "Midsummer Night's Dream" (Mendelssolm-Liszt), "Toccato and Fugue, "D. Minor" (Bach-Tausig). Chopin is represented fully with "Polonaise, A. Flat," "Mazurka, B. Minor," "Nocturne. F Sharp Major," "Prohulw. B and D Flat," "Etudes, G Flat and E Major." "La Source," by Loschetizky, and ''G>\vott< Modorno" (HambouTg) will also be played. Unreserved tickets are now on sale at Abel's, and the box plans are on view at tho DresMr. and Mrs. Hambonrg reach Wellington this evening from Auckland.