ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 539, 21 June 1909, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CHUNG LING SOO. Every scat at the Opera Houso was occupied on Saturday night, when tho Ricknrds Vaudeville Company continued thoir season. Tho chief attraction was, of courso, Cluing Ling Soo, tho famous magician, who fairly, baffled, and thoroughly pleased, everyone ■with his wonderful trickery. Perhaps tho most interesting item was "Tho Witch s Cauldron," which was on a previous occasion fully dcscrilicd. Madaino Camillc Cornwall, who waii in fine voice, had a flattering recoption. Another very popular item was that given by Australia's "Little lion. There will bo a complete change of programme this evening. . A number of people were unable to obtain admission to Saturday's matinee, and another afternoon performance will be given on Wednesday next, commencing at 2.301 p.m. Tlio management announco that at this farewell matinee Chung Ling Soo will submit a number of ■ novelties, and tho cntiro company will appear in new musical and vocal items. The box plan is now open at tho Dresden. As usual, children will bo admitted at half rates to all parts of the .theatre. inis evening Chung Ling Soo will enter upon tho last five nights of his Wellington season, and it will be heard with regret that his English and American engagements will not admit of ■his"returning to New Zealand, so that the remaining few performances will practically constitute his farewell to Wellington. A complete ohange of programme will bo submitted to-night. Chung Ling Soo promises . sevoral more surprises, and an endeavour will be made by him to render his portion of tho entertainment more amazing than ever, j Seats can bo booked at the Dresden for tho remainder of the season. The company 'leave for Auckland oh Saturday next! ' THEATRE ROYAL. It was a decidedly interesting picture proj gramme which the Messrs. Fuller presented for the first time at iho Theatre, Royal on Saturday night. Tho canals and , lakes of Sweden were graphically presented by means of a very, fine travel-film. v Leaving Stock-' holm by the river steamer Ceres, the film carried the onlooker past tho great .wharves and warehouses, and down the lakeside with the white houses crowning' its wooded bluffs. Tho steep spruce-clad banks opened out on either hand, revealing vistas of great beauty, as the steamer passed from lake to lake, through narrow canals. Tlio contrast between the St. TrolHiatten. Falls, rustoing.aaid boiling between wooded steeps, and the quiet 'peaceful lake that was next seen, was almost dramatic. The pleasant. houses, half wood , and half stone, that wore reflected v in the; waters of the lake, seemed to enhance its i ■restfutaess. The trip ended at Vaolstona Castlo, whb'se massivo stono towers rose: sheer from tho waters of another lake.':Anofjhor tour by moving picture was concerned with:'iho sights of Moscow. Tho 'Romanoff building,' massivo and forbidding; tho busy streets, crowded with droskies and pedestrians; tho shrines, where' pious, mujiks "pressed bheir''foroheads to the ground; the priests,in procession carrying '.tho sacred ikons; the horse market, where square"hcadod Tartar ponies and well-bred Arabs awaited purchasers—all these: and more went to make up a very interesting and, eduea- ■ tional moving picture. ■ "Another good outdoor film showed a .trip, down:,the, Thames; ...in. winter,'when'all tho world was white witih; 'snow, and every tree'' was laden with hoar frost and ice. A film entitled "Judas's Kiss" had. been advertised "as a star, item/It portrayed a specially-acted version of several scenes, tho, associations of which are so. sacred that.thcy'seouv rather, out of place in an entertainment like that under notice... Tlio' fihn had. merit, but, whatever may be tbo case in France (obviously tho country of its origin), it had to British eyes an incongruity that was not comfortable. The humorous portions of'the programme caii be praised without reserve. "The Immortal Goose" especially was irresistibloi The cinephono sang and acted "Dear-Heart," a'•■ love.-, story; "Kate, won't You Skate?" showing tlheiiK terior of a rink with some fine.fancy. skating going on; and "Tho Waltz must Change; to a Moroh',"-a scene in which ■a ' ballroom is disturbed by. a call to battle.Tho programme will bo. repeated to-night. . ,■ ~ 1 HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. V/' '-, With a programme including such pictures as "Little Sherlock Holmes," "Patent. Gluo," etc., it was to be expected that there would Ixi a. crowded' audience of childron at. yesterday's matinee exhibition df the. Royal Pictures. This expectation was realised. But there are also films . in the. collection which make; appeal to the'interest of.those whose, tastes 'are. more 'rind "Picturesque Auyergno," "Friend in tho Enemy's Camp," and: "A Simple Story" wero especially appreciated at tho evening exhibition, i- '■ • ■■'.'OLYMPIC SKATING RINK,;' \ K The improved condition of the Ingostro Street rink, and tho largo stock of firstclass skates, arc greatly appreciated, by. patrons. On Saturday night the rink was full, but not uncomfortably so. : Tho principal attraction of the evening was[the running off of the final of the Couples' Race, which resulted in Mjbs. G. Downey and. Mr. 'F. Crowes'being declared, tho The rink is open daily, and to-morrow a string band will play selections. : ' , ■,'. A REAL DUTCH COMIC OPERA. ':■'.■■ Essentially Dutch, '.'Miss Hook of Holland" stands out as tlio greatest musical, success that has come to tho.colonies in recent years. .The public in other lands had been waiting for this class of musical play, and their reception, of it indicates the general trend of appreciation for something better than many of: tho jingles of the past, Tho piece is by Paul Rubens, whoso gift in' scoring graceful and spontaneous melody has so often: been exemplified in his recent plays./ Mr. Rubens is now the lea'ding composer in England, and no work seems to have created more favourable comment than tho present'production of, "Miss Hook." In the. sentimental themo "Tho Sleepy Canal," and tho delight-. ful madrigal "Bottles and Bottles," in tho second act, sung by fifteen distiUory employees, tho composer is said to havo framed some of his 1 best music. There is also /"The Wonderful House That Hook Built," sung by a bevy of pretty girls, who, with tho aid of toy windmills and sails, chatter merrily about the achievements of ■thoir. employer. The "Tra-la-la" melody may be described: as the leit motif in the opera. It is said to bo a lilting tune, first played by a band which inarches on the stage, and later sung by Mr. Harold Thorlcy, proving very catchy,'especially w;hon the high baritone vocalises it as a laughing solo and is finally taken up by tho chorus and proves one of tho hits of the play. "Miss Hook" makes her first appearance at the Opera Houso on Saturday evening next, and the plans are announced to open'at tho Dresden to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. Tho company concluded a successful season in Auckland on Saturday night, and open this evening in Palmorston in tho pantomime "Cinderella.'' WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY. To-morrow evening tho Wellington Choral Society will appear at the Town .Hall in tho first concert of tho 1909 season, when the cantatas "Song of Destiny" (Brahms) and "Cbmala" (Gado) will bo produced. Tho latter cantata was performed in 'Wellington some years ago. A careful selection has. been made oii the present occasion, with regard to the soloists. Thoso are: Madame Wielaert (first soprano), Mrs. A. Slack (second soprano), Miss May Driscoll (contralto), and Mr. W. A. Robyns (baritone). Mr. Maughan Barnctt, musical director, is spending considerable limo with all sections concerned,' and a successful performance is anticipated. Tho box plan is open at tho Dresden.