ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 437, 20 February 1909, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. ■ "THE It'iE!) JIILL." Tho Opera House was well filled for the performance of "The tyed Mill'' last ovcning. The eccentric fooling of Mr. John Ford and Mr. Fred Leslie, as tiic Americans who tire "doing" Europe, is irresistibly amusing, whilo the rest of the company ably seconded thoso two throughout their amazing and' comical adventures,. . - , "The Prince of Pilsen," the second production of the J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company, will be staged at the Opera House on Monday next, and will be producod for six nights inly.Unlike "'The lted Mill," the locale of this play is in France, Nice being tho spot selected for the manifold complications that are said • to abound. John Ford, Fred- Leslie,, and Oharles Loder all hare importantcomedy roles; and the ladies especially are' spoken of as being well provided for—vocally and artistically. 'In the second>act may;bo expected a tableau ,of a somewhat • uncommon nature. ■ •. ■ ■ . ' .:

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The ; excellent selection of kinematograph films which : are being shown at His Majesty's Theatre this .weelc drew another full house last night. Tho audience appreciated the pictures at their full value, and applauded freely. A matinee performance is to bo given this afternoon. THEATRE ROYAL. ' Tho picture feast provided , at' tho Theatre Royal last night, attracted a house, and the audience showed its appreciation of the fare provided in an unmistakable manner, picture after picture being received with applause, A change of programme will be fiven to-night,, when some specially good, hns will be shown, to-night. . . PENGUIN RELIEF FUND. ,

The Wellington Professional Orchestra will give a concert to-morrow night in the Tcnvn Ball in aid of the survivors of the Ute wreck of the Penguin. ••Mr, J. .Q. William-., son has given permission to any, members' of his company who.are desirous of taking part, and quite a number hava signified, their intention, of doing so, amongst them beint£ Sir. Percy. Coward : (tenor), Mr. Arthur Sharpies, and soveral members of the .orchestra, The. programme is.an,exceptionally at* tractive 1 ' one, and will include :--;Overture, "Piquo Dame"; quartets, "Cast' Thy Bmv den and "0 Rest in the Lord," from Elijah, and Chopin's Funeral March. Mr. I. Garry, violinist'of the "Red Mill'.' Company's orchesra, will. play Ole Bulla's "Saterjentens Soutag," . with' muted string accompaniment. Miss L. Fitzgerald (also of tl\e: company) will: sing a selected item,' and - Messrs. It. King and H. Oakes will play cornet and trombone solos respectively. ...The' whole' of > the proceeds are to be handed to the Mayor, audspecial faoilities'are. being afforded the public for contributing, at the doora. ,'

Thiß afternoon, at the Opera House, Mr. J. 0. Williamson's company . will give a: matinee performance in aid of the Penguin disaster relief fund. '"The Red Mill,'' the charming Dutch musical ;play,' will be .played in its entirety. The doors will open .at .>' 1 o'clock, and' the' ''curtain will rise at 2 o'clock punctually, Much public interest is being' evinced- over this 1 , per--; formance,. and . the quantity of tickets , disposed of foreshadows a generous .addition to this .desorving fund. -•>

, ADA CROSSLEY CONCERTS. Madame Ada. Crossley. and her splendid oompany will .reach Wellington this evening, , and on Monday commence the first of the .two farewell'.concerts, announced' as a , final op-, portunity of hearing the world famous contralto. It is a great. boon to. . the musicloving .people of^Wellington -that"they canhear this gifted sihger .at s'6'.reasonable',»■ price. J3ut Madame;Crossley likes, to sing' to everyone, and it is not unusual for her to do ■so in i,the wards. or public hospitals, 'where many ,a. weary, and" suffering • soul has. 'be<Jn qliootol by the sound of:the noblft' voice: Madame .Crossley is .still accompjnied by tho consummate artists who form' her company, and-it will be a long time before so well equipped a concert party is heard .t-o----gether again. New. songs' .'and specialities will ,be presented, and Sir. John Harrison, Mr. Jay Ryan, M, Leon Sametini, and Mr.' Percy Grainger will all bo heard in carefully, chosen and effective . numbers. Herr Benno Scherek will be seon : and hoard at tho piano for the. first .'time on this tour. The box plan is . at the Dresden, .where ss. seats', can ; bo reserved,, and 3s. and;- 2s. .tickets, can .also had thero as,.well as at Christesen's, opposite , tho Opera House.

v: wirth's circus. . ■Wirth Bros.' world-famed circus and. menagerie, making ,'a combination of . seven shows, -is to ,bo opened';on .Monday, February 22, on the well-known sito'near Te Aro railway ..station,... and ; it is - sure to be/welcomed ,by an immense attendance. The ar-. rival of. the special steamer ...conveying the circus- to Wellington on' Sunday, February 21, will be the event or the year, from tho youngsters' point of view. ! Among the new artists specially ' engaged are the Sydney Bros'.; the originators of bumpty-humps on bicycles,, throwing 'som-; ersaults.on motor. cycles and bicycles. Another "groat feat is that of 'extinguishing, two lighted ; candles while , leaping with . a : bicycle. Another extensive engagement is that of the LesCrottons, hand-balancers and comedians,. in marvellous feats of., strength. In. .addition, • there are -the three Common Bros.j ' who ; perform -a v sensational aot, -assisted ■ by ati exceptionally smart dog. Ouo of tho many star- attractions of the. entertainment is the great animal act. Tho act consists,of six full-grown lions, performing together with a number of leopards, bears, and a ooupleof boar hounds, forming wonderful tableaux, and a most exoiying mixed up finalo. From England come two .olown comedians of note, who have, appeared before royalty—l'astore and Bebe; and from Germany, two eccentric comedians, Otto and Emil. Ilkett and, are two equilibrists who aohievo sensational handbalanoing' on high ladders—in faot, quite people of eminence. After six years' absence,: there will be the appearance of John Welby Cook, ohampion jockey act rider. There \ will also be the rcappoarauco of the whole of the. late Fitzgerald Bros.! menageries, ' which wore purchased recently 'by Wirth Bros., and this is combined'with Bostock .and ' Wombwell's mcnagerio.' .The horses will inolude.'Maori) the champion jumping pony of Now Zealand, and Lady Morton, the ohampion high jumping horse in the world, with 'a record of 7ft..'Jini,;while much interest is likely to be centred in tho great Polar bear and the "tall figured" giraffe—a quadruped that ; has already cost Messrs. 'Wirth Bros; over £1000. It possesses two unique qualifications. It is the tallest animal in tho world, and is alsq tho only animal'in the world that .is .absolutely dumb. The Zoo will be open from 4 to 5 p.m. ■ Matinees mil take pla#s on .Wednesday and Saturday afternoons,.. : :

: TOWN HALL ORGAN. : ' ; Tho weekly organ recital in, the Town Hall will bo given this evening' at 8 o'clock, when Mr. Maughan Barnett will .play Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries," Chopin's "Funeral March," and other pieces by Widor, Rachmaninoff and Uheinbergor. Thia recital is tho last but two of tho present series.