ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 452, 10 March 1909, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"TEE ISLE OF BONG-BONG." Again last night tho Opera Houso was packed, Pollard's Juvenilo Opera Company making their second appearanco this season in tho musical comedy, "Tho Islo of BongAlterations have been mado in tho piece sinco it was first staged in Wellington, and now an abundanco of broad comedy lights up its progress all tho way through. To this feature Mr. Charles Albert contributes a lion's share. Ho has succeeded- Mr. W. Pollard as' tho Sultan of Bong-Bong, and impersonates fhat potentate with a success worthy of his old days, when lie used to riso to tho occasion in such parts as Tho Insect in "Paul Jones." Master Nicholson, in his part of Gordon St. Bernard, is very amusing'in his impersonation of his lord, who acts as servant so that ho may woo in a more advantageous manner an American girl secretary. His singing and dancing wero a feature, and wont well with the absurdities incidental to the part. Mr. Wilton Welch, in the part of an American politician, Mr. J, Willis as Lord Percy, and Mr. Ernest Schatz a Spanish patriot, all filled their roles well, and added to tho humour of tho piece. Miss Minnie Topping, a widow, was seen to advantage, and Miss May Topping was excellent as tho Sultan's, daughter. Tho songs of Miss Kcefe, who appeared as tho American secretary, and acquitted herself creditably, wero well received. \ As the vengeful Dolores, Miss Mille Cruickshanks takes her part fairly well. Tliero are many other clever- dancers, and the excellent choruses, stago effects, Indian scenes, etc., all tend to make the evening enjoyable. One feature of this, class of production is tho fact that, it is almost plotless. ' There will only be two more performances of " The Isle of Bong-Bong." It will be withdrawn after to-morrow night to mako way for the latest addition.to the "Pollard " repertoire—Planquette's world-famed comic opera, "Rip Van Winkle." This popular .work was ready for production some weeks ago, but Mr. Pollard preferred having everything in tho pieco made in the Dominion. There will be a matinee on Saturday afternoon, when ,'yßip " . will bo the, attraction.' Special phces-'will 'be concede<l"to clfflwen.' THEATRE ROYAL. Tliis week's programme at '•> tho i Theatre Royal is an attractive one. Last night a large audience witnessed tho pictures, which are of great variety and interest. Those deserving of special mention are "Kate's Birthi. day" and "Gaul's Hero," while other-films inplude "Rural Lifo in Ireland," "Moonlight Dreams," and "Iron Mines." Tho programme will bo repeated to-night. THE ROYAL PICTURES. 1 The last presentation of the programmo which has filled His Majesty's Thcatro' for tho past week was given last night beforo a largo audience. To-hight tho usual-, change will be made, when the "Nick Carter" series will bo supplemented by "Rillo Bill," in a subject entitled "Tho Nailed Hand." "Riflo Bill" is the King of the Prairie, and his exploits aro said to be 'jiarticularly sensational. •' "Tobacco-growing:in. Borneo", and "Scenes in Northern Italy", are instructional and educational, whilst tho comic scction will be headed by "Bob, tho Scullion," "Lovers' Stratagems," and ' "His Own Weapons." Tho now bill promises to be abovo the average.