ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 340, 29 October 1908, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE GREAT RESCUE." Tho Opera llouso was again well filled last night, when the Bland Holt Company repeated their favourite Australian comedy drama, "Tho Great Rescue." Tho audienco was greatly pleased with the strong local colour of tho picco and tho thrilling situations wero keenly appreciated. To-night the play will bo repeated. THEATRE ROYAL. This week's programme of living pictures was repeated at the Theatre Royal last evening with tho usual success. Humour, sentiment and natural beauty were prominent in the entertainment, which will bo repeated to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A complete change of programme was made last caning at His Majesty's Theatre, and, as usual, every seat was occupied long before tho entertainment commenced; many had to stand. The theatre is invariably crammed to the doors on Wednesday nights; and the management are fully deserving of this patronage. The pictures are as good as any others previously shown in the city. Tho subjects are as varied, and please equally well. In viewing many of them, tho audience are filled with wonder—it is difficult to understand how the pictures were taken. When it is a "faked" scene, there are v 110 tell-tale inconsistencies, and the spectator is impelled temporarily to the belief that the happenings he sees pictured are really taking place. AVhen tho machine runs to a section showing "military manoeuvres," or "an adventure with tho pirates," there are no curious onlookers to be seen in the picture, and one can hardly conceive that the kinematograpli depicts nothing more serious than clever acting. Those who enjoy a hearty laugh find that the moving-picture show never fails them. Thero is always somebody in trouble to bo seen there. It may be a man who reads a newspaper in the street and runs into things, tho amusement may come from a buggy "accidcnt," or the eccentricities of some barber, but the fun is there always. In this week's programme at His Majesty's there is'a pleasing assortment, and the comic pictures are as good as any others. One of tho finest shows sports at the Stadium; another, views of India; and another, life in Constantinople. The programme, which is to bo repeated tonight, also includes "The Lady Model," "Plash James," "Story of Prometheus," "Tho Spectre," and many other pictures. "MRS. WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH." If a remarkably good advance booking is a good criterion of the inteiest taken in a play, "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," to bo produced by J. C. Williamson on Saturday noxty. should be in. for a very successful season. Before nine o'clock some hundreds of eager patrons had assembled at the Dresden, and a steady throng continued the booking until closing time. Probably a /greater number of people in the world have seen "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" than have ever witnessed a play before in the samo given time. Its success has been little short of wonderful. It is estimated that thero is hardly a reader of, tho book who does not, if given tho opportunity, go to see tho play. Fortunes have been made both in America and England by several lucky managers. King Edward honoured "Mrs. Wiggs,',' and subsequently sent for Miss Ada Dwyer (who plays Mrs. Wiggs) and personally complimented hereon her performance. Tho piece has been translated into German, French, Russian, and Spanish. The note of human nature is the secret of "Mrs. Wiggs's" universal popularity. The. company appears to-night and tomorrow night in Palmerston North.

ORGAN RECITAL. ■ . Patrons of Mr. Maughan Barnett's previous recitals will be pleased to learn that another organ recital on the Town Hall organ will be given to-night at 8 o'clock. Mr. Barnott will play, among other pieccs, such popular and well-known items as Wagner's Scent 3, Act I. of'"Tannhauser," Mendelssohn's "Wedding March/' and Mark Hambourg's "Volkslied." . HELLER'S COMPANY. The Theatre Royal on Saturday evening will be transformed into a house of mystery, mirth, and music. ,A contemporary says:— "There is a charm about entertainments of this character that appeals to many —hence their popularity. The Hellers are certainly clever exponents of the mystic art, and they frequently introduce their patrons to a perfect maze of wonderment." ST PETER'S BAZAAR. A bazaar in connection with St. Peter's Church was opened yesterday afternoon by the Mayoress, Mrs. Hislop. The stalls were numerous and inviting, Miss Lloyd Hassell sang, and the attendance was large and appreciative. In the evening a short concert was given, to which the following contributed : —Piano duet, Misses R-oebuck; duet, Miss Tustin and Mrs. Simpson; violin solo, Miss E. Mack; songs, Mrs. Simpson, Messrs. Deslands, ICingwell; recitation, Miss Touks. The Sunday School girls presented an amusing farce. The bazaar will be open again this afternoon, and in the evening a concert will be given by the members of St. Peter's choir.

ELOCUTIONARY RECITAL. Lovers of elocution are reminded of the recital to be given in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall this evening in aid of the Boys' Institute. The rccital has been arranged by Mr. J. M. Clark, v.-ho is acknowledged to be one of the finest-elocu-tionists in Now Zealand, and who, besides his art, has that indescribable something in his make-up which rivets the attention of the audience. Mr. Clark is to recite, among other things, the highly dramatic scene from Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" - between Mrs. Rawdon Crawley and her husband. He will also recite "How Rubinstein' Played," "The Vagabonds," and other pieces from grave to gay. Ho will bo assisted by Sirs. Margaret Sutcliffe (the medallist), Miss C. Picot, Mr. Redgrave, all reciters of talent, and by Mr. E. J. Hill.