ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 527, 7 June 1909, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The new programme of pictures at the Theatre Eoyal, which was produced beforo an appreciative attendance on Saturday night, is well up to the usual standard.of this favourite place of entertainment. The ciriephono records comprise the kissing duet from "The Geisha" as sung by May Loveday and Walter.Miller, "Tho Galloping Major," sung by Walter Miller, and "The Rain Came Pittor Patter Down," 6ung by Arthur Edwards. ■ In the duet the man's voice was heard very plainly and agreeably,; but tho feminine rejoinders were less distinct, The other selections were, on the whole, satisfactorily given, voice and action agreeing well in"regard to time. The pictures were, as usual, varied and interesting. A scries showing some evolutions on rough ground of the Russian Hussars of the Guard would bo hard to excel for detail and spirited effect.- Tho Hussars are a magnificent body of men, mid they gallop up hillsides ,and down cliffs, -dismount, regain thoir seats, and perform manoeuvres in a.manner which demnnds the finest horsemanship. "Dancing Throughout the World" reveals the poetry of motion in some ourions forms. The Sudanese have an ostrich dance, in which men, • gowned in white, mimic with ridiculous effect the nodding motion of tho long-neoked bird. Tho natives of Senegal gambol through a wildly exhilarating measuro'with much enthusiasm, the Chinese are sedate and .leisurely, and tho Geisha girls of Japan are charming in their dainty motions. "Panther Hunting in Java" is an exciting subject, illustrated by. some very attractive views. Among the humor-, ousfilms "Was It a Snako Bite?" is one of the most diverting. . Two urchins puncture the legs of various people at a time when a poisonous snako is known to bo at large, and tho rush for medical treatment is particularly ridiculous. There are also dramatic and other series of special interest. . The.new programme will-be repeated '■ to-night. • ..THE ROYAL PICTURES. . The two most pronounced features of Saturday evening's, '"Royal Picturo" show at His Majesty's, were, the sizo of the audienco and the,quality of the entertainment. . From, tinio' to time the big house testified its appreciation of the variety and excellence of the pictures by'bursts of applause, and must have warmed the heart of the management, which looks for nothing better than what the well worn' phrase Bums up as "a large and appreciative audience." The current week's programme will be presented for two more nights, and will be succeeded, on Wednesday, evening, by a new, and'equally good series of pictures. '■ ' ORGAN RECITAL., ''.•'.• ~;: '. : Thoso who elected to .spend their Saturday evening ,at the Town Hall were treated to an exceptionally fine programme of organ music by Mr. Maughah Burnett,'-city organist..Opening with two brilliant numbers (bracketted) by Dubois (director of tho Conservatoire do Musique, Paris), "Toccata in G," and "In Paradisium," the organist followed with the popular "Harmonious ' Blacksmith". (Handel), embellishing the air with a 'series' of bright variations. Eheinberger, whoso twenty organ sonatas and eight symphonies are examples of tho best that, has yet been.written for the'instrument, was the ■ next composer represented on thV programme, Mr.. Barnett selecting the ' "Idylla and Toccata" from the "Fourteenth Sonata,", a very fino number, 1 characterised in its treatment apd construction by "wonderful vcrsality. and .brilliant tone colours. :In quiet contrast was Thome's "Simple Aveu," a deli- ' cate idyll, most expressively played. A "Berceuse," selected ,from the organist's.own compositions, which followed, was'a characteristic study in the tranquil "crade • music,',' always tho feature of the; berceuse. The recital concluded with .Weber's brilliant "Jubilee" overture— composed for production in tho jubilee festivities of Frederick August, King of Saxony, : in, 1518... This, number' was an. imposing. blaze of festal music, characterised by a,brilliant and patriotic .climax, introducing the National Anthem! The recital programme for next Saturday, ; bcing.'a"■ "special request"'one, should ! draw: a., very, largo attendance, of those .who delight in organ music. " '..'■'... ,

.'';;'''- XECTURBONRTJSSIA.-;. The Opera' House wascrowded last night by those desirous of..hearing Dr: L. A. Bbranoff's lecture on Russia's fight for-freedom.. Mr. H.. Wilson, tfio manager,, appealed to the audience to give the lecturer an attentive and-silent hearing, as it,was a lecture,' not a debate. Dr. /Boranoff explained that tho: fight for free-dom-was not one leoture, but a series, and he would give others later.. Ho dealt at lengthwith tho treatment meted out to tho serfs by those in authority;,.also', with, wages, hours, conditions of labour, etc. Exception was taken to a statement.'that a worker sometimes only received about fourpence halfpenny .per day,, but the speaker said ho could prove his statement. Tho ignorance of the people and 'the policy of the. bureaucracy were touched upon. Tho stops taken for reform-.and. tile repression of. those who'attempted to tench wero also delineated. The belie fits of education wero being felt by the- people," and great .results.;.-were being achieved., The Church in Eussia,-he Baid, was tlib worst pest any nation had "ever had. .He emphasised tho differenco between the revolution,in Russia, and the risings .in other tries;-it-was not a "cry for more, wages, but for "a little air to breathe." Many, men wero exiled' and tortured for: long periods of time, and, to ; escape jt, -committed suicide. -Many other points of interest were also dealt with.,

.., '. .- CHUNG LING SOO. ''---'■ In connection with the advent at the Opera House on Monday next,' Juno 14, of another of his clever vaudeville combinations, Mr. Harry EickartlsVis introducing a magician, whoso wonderful performances, ha re created great enthusiasm, in Australia, and who conducted one of tlid best seasons on record on. Saturday at. Dunediri.' This Chung Ling Soo, tor whom it is claimed that' His magical feats are quite unique and totally dissimilar from the •', usual run of such ■ performances. Ho introduces some items so marvellous as to excite the.greatc'st wonder and ■yet-they .'are done with an ease and grace that makes them seem quite easy. The other members of the company are all well known vaudeville favourites. Thp hoi plan for the. first six nights opens on Wednesday morning -at. 10 o'clock at the. Dresden, and, as a rush for. seats is expected,, it is arranged for purchasers of seats to enter by the. Brandon Street entrance. Mr. M. Marcus arrived, from, south yesterday bv the Maori, and'reports that never has His Majesty's Theatre, Duncdin, held,forger audiences than- during the Chung Ling Soo season.

-,'■ WEDNESDAY'TOPS." The second Wednesday popular concert by the Wellington Professional. Orchestra will bo held in the Concert Chamber next Wednesday, the large hall being otherwise engaged. Some new attractions are advertised for this concert, and, amongst themi will bo tho impromptu, speech .'contests, in which contestants will bo given a subject, and after one minute's study must deliver a three-minute speech. 'Theso contests have proved highly-entertain-ing and attractive in other oities, and it is anticipated • that they will do so here. Any. person over tho age of 16 may enter. The children's singing contests will be continued on Wednesday, and a representative from each of the following schools will compete:—Kilbirnie, Wadestown, Newtown, and, Marist Brothers. Some new talent has been-engaged in addition to Mrs. Orr-Loring and Mr. J. 3?. .Carr. Miss Baker, a contralto of promise, will make her first appearance at these concerts. Mrs/ Orr-Loring will sing two old favourite songs, and the orchestra will play a' selection from 'The Mikado" and four other pieces.

.■.':' \\ qlVmpia skating rink. . Outside ' the Olympia, building in Vivian Stroct oh Saturday ovenirig the only, indication that one of the most popular of winter pastimes was in'full swing was a prolong nimble like an express train doing an SO-mile-an-hour clip on a level 6tretch of metal. Onco inside, the 6ourco of tlio rumblo was disclosed In the whistling rollers, which carried ecstatic skaters round and round the big rink. ''. In addition *to ; thn usual ovenin» "rink" a matinee, which was well patronised, was also held on Saturday. Rinkers are now in active training for tho 15-lap race this week, and the great skating carnival on Juno 23.