ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 536, 17 June 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CHUNG LING SOO. Chung Ling Soo, tho brilliant strir performer of the liiekards 1 Vaudeville Company, attracted auothor big audience to the Opera House yeserday evening. The simply done, yet bo difficult to follow, tricks of the . marvellous Soo completely, mystified the audience. From one wonderful act to another, in his calm deliberate manner, tlio brilliant illusionist went, h« feats commanding the attention of tho hooso, which was not slow to recognise the merit of tho undoubtedly clever performer, whose turn was devoid of tho forced humour so common to tho avcrago ennjurer. Practically the whele of tlio main "Soo" tricks have been described in this column, but to be appreciated to tho full they must bo seen. Revolving round the principal star are lights of lesser brilliance, but still of no moan ability as entertainers. Stewart and Lorraine givo a clever musical turn, . and Madame'Camilla Cornwall sings sweat operatio - airs, whilst the Australian D'Artos, "The Two Bolls," Australia's Little Tieh, and Mr. Ted Kalroan give a finish to tho fare provided. A special matinee performance is announced to bogin at 2.30 o'clock on Saturday afternoon.

lilS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ■ The weekly call of the new programme submitted by the Royal Pictures Syndicate was as strong as ever last evening, when an entirely new set of films was run off to the delight of a crowded house, which showered opplauso un the . wdl-selcctcd and perfectly produced pictures. Tho pictures of educational value, which have invariably figured in the syndicate's selections Mere, as usual, of a high standard, and the sprinkling of comedy sandwiched in was exactly to tho liking of th« audienoe, " Tho Boes' Eviction " was tho principal film in the first part of the programme, and shotted the method adapted to removo vast swarms of bees, which have settled inside the walls of old farmhouses, the bees not .having been disturbed for eleven years. The process of removing the honey was also 6hown, and tho transfer of. tho bees to garden quarters. The picture was a novel and remarkably interesting one. ."Little Sherlock Holmes**—a tale of a backwoods youth, : . who rescues his father from the hands of outlaws—was also a particularly good film, which appealed moro especially to the yonthfnl portion iof tho audioncc. "A Simple Story" depicted a pathetio life story of a 1 peasant girl, who: married a Hch husband, who iB subsequently -killed in a motor accident. "Through tho Rocky Mountains," scenes taken on the Cans? dim-Pacific Railway, was atiother perfect picture, which carried the aildionce through th» picturesque snow-clad Rockies. Another fino screening was the Punchtowu Steeplechase, Mibich gave a realistic representation of a race over cross' country by a large field of horses, several of which come io_ grief on: the journey. " Still another exceptionally good filiu Is "A Friend in the Enemy's Camp," which is the story of the capture of a little white girl by Indians, and her restoration to her peoplo by an Indian maiden. The comic series is strong all round, "The Dog and .Bono" and "A Cure for Rheumatism" being perhaps tho most acceptable, V

.. THEATRE ROYAL. . A combination of moving and "singing" pi<v tures is the special attraction at the Theatre Hnyal just now,, and a well-selected scries of films Ims been collected. Instruction in all, pathos in some, and humour in others—the net result is an excellent evening's entertainment which is enjoyed to the full by patrons of this well-known house of amusement. Outside of the picture feast, the reprodnction of various well-known l songs sucl. as "The Waltz must Clumsw to a March," by Mr. Hamilton Hill, and the crmic song, "John Willie," by Mr, IJarrio Fay, add to the enjoyable whde.

OLYMPIA RINK. . There was a large attendance at all sessions of the Olympia Skating Kink yesterday. Tho principal attraction in the evening, was tho first heat of the couples 1 race. Two teanis competed, .and the contest was close and interesting. \ Tho winners were:—Miss IS. Treugrovo and Mr. A. M'Cleary (six laps), 1; Miss Asher and Mr. A.Paterson (six laps), 2. * There was only a narrow margin betwwn the two con* testant, To-night the second heat'will bu run, and ■ to-morrow night the final will 'bo ond of the attractions.

WEDNESDAY "POP." A : Thero *11 a fairattendanceatth®Wodnesday popular concert, given under the auspices o( tho Wellington Professional Orchestra, in tha Town Hall last evening. Tha orchestra, numerically strong, performed very creditably on tho whole, though hero and there roughnesses in tono balance and fnplty rhythm, causal doubtless through insufficient rehearsal, were developed. It is, however, interesting to listen to sucn an enthusiastic band of instrumentalists, and the efforts of tho Wellington Professional Orchestra to supply that which is so lacking in our musical life, though short of perfeotion, are to be commended,-and tho band deserves well of the, public. The orchestra was more at homo in tho. lively "Virginian Skedaddle" (Roserifeld) and Sousft's well-worn "Stars and: Stribfs" march than in other programmed selections, _ Boeder's. "Hungarian March" is a' composition of considerable character, which domands moro study than the orcnestra has had timo to devote to it. Bendix'n pretty trifle.- "Tho Dawn of Love," wan vorj nicely played, and well deserved the repeat insisted on. Mrs. Qrr-Loring's flexible soprano was f nlly tested in Bishop's "Lo, Hero the Gentlo Lark," in which tho singer was assisted by:' 'a flute obfclignto played by Mr. T. Thomson. Tho singer also contributcd "Within a Mile," and, encored, "Th» Last Roso of Summer," witli pleasing results. Miss Baker possesses ft mellow mezzo voice, ot good rango and quality, but licr song, "Tha Enchantress" (Ilatton), wm written for another generation, and needs more cars in interpretation than was given by tho vocalist last ovening. Mr. Fred! Baines, a baritone well worth, hearing, sang Sergeant's setting of "Blow, Blow," arid, as an encore unmoor, '"Beloved,, It is. Morn," sung with d good deal of artistio discrimination, Mr. 11. Durney gave a conplo of humorous songs. A feature of th® evening was the dancing of Jliss Estillo Beore's pupils. Miss Doris Cireville carried off the palm, with a gracefully-executed coon dance;* Miss Kathleen Speed contributed a-Dutch clog danoe, and Misses Maisio and l'egjio Reovos arid Oni« Haybittle an Irish.peasant df.nc«3<(.in costume). Mr. P. J. (Jakes conducted the orchestra, and Mr. D. Kenny played tho accompaniments. _ On Wesdnesday next there will lie a patriotifl concert.

"MISS HObK OF HOLLAND." Modesty evidently runs riot in tho 'playbill of "Miss Hook of Holland," the new Dutch comio opera, to be prbducsd by Messrs. Meynell and Gunn's KiirHsli Comic Opera Company at tho Opera House on Saturday, June 26. "A Dutch musical incident in two acts,"- reads the official description, "with chattor by Paul Rubens and Austen Ilurgon and jingles and_ tunes by Paul A. Rubins. Tho success of this play in London, New York, and Australia Indicates its exceptional oalibro. Tho theatre-going publio will no doubt welcome "Miss Hook of Holland," who arrives .here with the best of credentials, as'a bright, clover, and as clean a show as any audience could desire. Ons of tho most masterly creations in tbepiecoia thislovfibla old Dutchman "Mr. Hook." This diameter is sustained by Mr. Edwin Brett, a-popular Bullish comcdian, who lias had a varied and interesting stage career. llis parts include "Baron Harlfiold" in "Jim the Penman," tho title role- in "Gentleman Joe," "Captain Coddington" in "In Town," "Mr. Popplo" in "Mr, Popplo of Ippletbn," etc., arid h? has-hail a long experionco in pantomime mid vaudeville. The plans for "Miss Hook" will be opened at the Dresden on Tuesday.

CALIFORNIA BOYS, Major Peixotto, of the National Guard of California, is on his way litre with his forty American boys. Those boys are members o£ tho Columbia Park Club, situated in the working raon's district of Sail Francisco. For 15 years tho Jfaior has devoted bis lifo to th« education and lip-bringing of the city boy, who without his influence, would not have had an opportunity of doiti(i the lx>st for himself.- Tho boys under tho Major's direction lire taught to plav musical instruments, and are instructed in military discipline, gymnastic exorcises, and technical trades. Over WOO boys hiyro passed through tho club in 15 year?. As president oi tho Pnoific Amateur Alhletio Association foi two years, Major IVixotto has sneeotded ii placing the word "amateur," as'far as his ows association is concerned, abovo r:pror.ch. Tin ftffcct of tho Major's work in this respect it doubly useful when it is supported by nn no!iv< boys' club of MX) boys, like the California lads

• HILL BENEFIT CONCERT..f The box plan in coniurtirn villi l>w,.eompli, mentary concert to bo■■ teiuli-ird in M> AIM Hill in .tlio Town Tf-i't' M-v -'-' June C 3, opens at tho Dresden this morning. I ■ • ELOCUTIONARY AND'MUSICAL RECITAL. Readers aro reminded of tlio cloeutlohaiv and musical recital to be held in the Weelev' jlall, Taranaki Street, nt 8 o'clock this evening,, in connection with tho Wcslevtm Literarv and Debating Society. An excellent programme has been prepared, and a largo attendance is exported Th#price of admission is. one shilling, and tickets i»(iy be obtained at tho Dresden.