ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 565, 21 July 1909, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" LUCKY DURHAM." The Meynell and Gunn New English Company have succeeded in'making such a good impression in "Lucky Durham" that it is regrettable that the season cannot be prolonged later than Saturday next. Wellington playgoers would have liked to have seen Henry Arthur Jones's play,' "The Hypocrites," and the revival of ■" Jim' the Penman," which was produced so successfully in Australia, but, unfortunately, the season m Wellington had to bo curtailed owing to bookings elsewhere.; The performance given of "Lucky Durham" is outstandingly good, and if that standard can 'be maintained, Messrs. ; Meynell and Gunn can rely with confidence on the' support of playgoers on this side. ■ - THEATRE ROYAL, v. ' Although this is the forty-first week of Fuller's Pictures, the interest in these excellent displays seems to grow rather,.ithan: diminish. -The * "singing 'pictures" in the present programme include , "Chorus, Gentlemen," sung and acted by ; Mr. , Stanley Kirkby, and "iJust' a Little Rocking-Chair for, Two," by Mr.' Hamilton Hill. One; of. the most fascinating-picture'stories is\ ".The Abduction," in which a kidnapping episode .is realistically ■ portrayed. There; is much- ■ else of amusement and instruction in the varied programme, which will be repeated to-night. ' THE ROYAL'PICTURES. The-interesting , and amusing living picture programme shown 'by Messrs.. Linley and Donovan at, His Majesty's Theatre- during the past week was. again well patronised last evening;: A ndw selection of pictures will be shown to-night, and a, leading feature will be a dramatic study entitled "The Gambler," acted by eminent Parisian artists. WEST'S PICTURES. The season;of West's Pictures at the Town Hall is nc(w drawing,to a close, and to-night is the last occasion .'fen which th'e company's excellent programme! may be seen.., "La Tosca," "The Return of Ulysses," and "A Royal Divoroe" are the best- of the films, but a lighter one, "An American Sees London in Twenty Minutes," is immensely funny. _ SKATING RINK. :: , ■ Roller:,skating, is growing m. popularity as a winter pastime, and that it has caught on in Wellington is evidenced by the large attendance daily at the Olympia Skating Rink., A band plays cach evening, but the rink _is also open in tho afternoon, and for beginners between the hours of 6 and 7.15 p.m. POLLARD'S JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY. V It; is close on forty years since the London public were first compelled to laugh and applaud Chas. Lecocq's- clever comic opera, "Madame 'Angot." ' When first produoed in tho world's capital it, caused quite a sensation, and enjoyed a run of over three hun-' dred nights, which was at that time something phenomenal. Lecocq then composed the melodious comic opera, "Manola," and so popular was- this prolific French composer with'playgoers that this work. repeated the success of "Madame Angot."; His next work was the bright and tuneful light opera, "The Little Duke," which-was also a big success. "Tie Pollards" have in the past produced both "Madame. Angot" and -"The Little Dnke" in this city, and on Monday night they will present whit most critics state to be the cleverest and most : tuneful of all Lecocq's . works, the three-act comic opera, "Manola." ' ■ " ■ ORGAN RECITAL. . Under the auspices of tho Wellington City Council, Mr. Maughan Barnett, city organist, will give an organ recital in the Town Hall at 4 o'clock-this afternoon. "N10BE."Tho performances of "Niobe" / u-nder the direction of Miss Hardinge-Maltby ; and in aid of the Mayor's Relief Fund, will be under the patronage of his Exoellenoy the Governor and his Worship the Mayor, the latter having also signified his intention of being prosent, together with the Mayoress.