ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 581, 9 August 1909, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

' THEATRE HOYAL. '. A capital programmo was presented at the Theatre Royal'.on -Saturday ovening.- Thero was a variety and charm about many, of the pictures screened that; lifts this week's bill up to tho baat standard of picture shows known to Wellington. Those who read tho cables of a few weeks' ago could not fail to be interested in the fine series of views illustrating . Constantinople, and that remarkable waterway, the Bosphorons, the control of which must always bi> a matter of international moment. Constantinople has an architecture all its own, and examples of the highest class fire set in many cases in tho closest contiguity to what appears to be in the busiest, and of times the meanest, quarters of tho city. It is a shock to. modern intelligence to kjiow that there was fighting in the streets of this great city only a few weeks auo. "A Simple Story" is a very old story with an unexpected ending. Tho handsome 'stranger has weaned the aiiection9 of a beautiful ,por k ant girl from her bucolic lover. She is not, however, deserted in novelette fashion a weak or two later. She lives happily for three years as the wife of her city-bred lover, and becomes a mother. He:,little, heaven is destroyed by the death of her huaband in a. realistically-ar-ranged motor accident. His people refuse to recognise her, and, poor and distracted, she wanders back to her father's mral wine-shop, to find its shutters closed. She is about, to end her lot in the mill-stream when her country swaia appears on the scene, and takes her back. "The Two' Sergeants" is another highlydramatic playlet, depicting the- love, devotion, . and self-sacrifice of ■ two French sergeants under distressing circumstances. Many will remember Mdlle. Marzella, the ' clever trainer of birds, cats, and dogs, who appeared in Wellington, some, years ago. This attractive act is repeated in kinematograph form with great success. "Ascot Sunday at Boulter's Lock" is" a gay and vivid representation of one of the liveliest river scenes . imaginable. Industrially, 'the best picture on tho programme is ."Making Paper Pulp -in British Columbia." This shows the operation from the felling of the trees in the forest until it is formed into great slabs of pulp ready for the paper-mills to reel off into newspaper, ribbon. Other 'good pictures bear tho ■title's: "Virginius and Claudius," "Bertie Buys a Bull-dog" (comic),-."Bui\'alo Bill's Exploits," "Madame flirt,", and "Through the Canadian Rockies.' , •■■The cinephouo records this week consist of "Love's Old Sweet Song," by Alan Turner, "Father O'Flynn," by- Stan. 'Kirkby, and the popular "Won't you fiance tho Merry Widow. Waltz with Me?" by Herb. Payne. : ; ■ '.••■. HIS-".MAJESTY'S. . : One.;of. the most amusing kinematograph films seen in Wellington, for - a'long .time .is the "Billikcn". picture, which is one , of the "star" items at His Majesty's Theatre this week. The "Billiken" is a dispeller of frowns, and cure for grumpishness,' and the pictorial narrative- of its redemption of "The SourFacnd Family" from a chronic condition of ill-humour ..and quarrelsomeness .is irresistibly funny!; . There are other good tilings' on tho programme. ■ ''The Elopement,"i for example, is an absorbing story, exciting, and'full of incident. : Another fine . film •is the, dramatic representation of the legend of "St.. Angela," which is really a'commendable' exhibition, of histrionics as .performed, by leading French actors. , The usual jnatineo and evening performances were given to well-filled houses on Saturday. The present programme . will bo repeated for 'two more eveuiogs. ~ - . ,;•;■' . . OL'YMPIA; RINK. - The Olynvpia ■Rink had "a good innings", on Saturday, to borrow a sporting phrase. It .was a cold.'and. cheerless day outside, and many .of-the sporting fixtures had been de-. clared off. As a. lesult,.the rink was , thronged all,the afternoon', and evening with eager enthusiasts- of the , ; graceful art of roller skating... Einking'-'certainly * has no lack of followers. • ■' .•'••'■ ' '.-.■■'■ ■'■•.■■'"■ ORGAN RECITAL. The programme of tho organ recital given by. Mr. J.". Maughan' Barncrt in the Town Hall on Saturday night was a request one, and the character.. of .tho selections made by successive audieness showed that Mr.'Burnett is encouraging a real desire for the best music on .the, part-of ..-those', who-go to hear; his recitals. Tho .Good .Friday music of Wafjner, Chopin's Second Nocturne, the. melody of Mendelssohn, and Verdi's "II Trovatore" were /promineu't itema off the programme?, which was played with Mr. Barnett s usual feeling and artistic success., . X'i . : . .. ■ ■ - . :■} . ..

Hi ■ >■■ .-• '-. ,-.-.BENEFIT.ENTERTAINMENTI , Tli? group of enthusiastic amateurs known as the Tivoli Vaudeville Company sst. a very -good example on Saturday.-.night, when they gave an., entertainment iii thq Town Hall (Joncert Chambert.in aid' of. the. Citizen's' onem- ■ ployriient' Fund. , - Tho attendance- butmoderate, but it* niay. confidently-be'.asserted that the hall would have been full if the pub- . lie , had. au. inkling o£ '.the general, excellence of the entertainment to bo prp : vided. From the sweet . songs of Master J? . Walsh, the clover boy soprano, to tho well-vocalised ballads of Mr. Tobin, and the. smiles and wiles of Miss Connie Cunningham,- the company's accomplished soubrotto, tho whole prbgrammp was excellent. Special praisb' is duo to tlie pair of- tumblers and , acrobats, "Vcrnon and Mac," and to Mr. Will , H-eintz in his , dramatic recital of "Lasca." .Oilier performers who contributed to the general success'were Mr. T. Barr, in a buck-dancing turn; Mr. J. Driscoll, tumbler and wire-walker; Messrs. Lester . and Winton, comedians; and Messrs. J. K. C. Clements and G. Thornton, accompanists. Credit is due to Mr. A. Collins for tho capable way in which he discharged his responsibilities as stage manager. . . . . . .•..■'■

THE NELLIE STEWAET SEASON. . ' At the Dresden on. Wednesday morning next the box plans will be opened for the whole of ths "Nellie Stewart" season, which commences at the Opera House on Saturday night next. In order to obviate, as far as possible, any crushing at the box office, the .plans will be placed on view at 8 a.m., and a queue will be formed, ■which will ensure that those.attending early shall have first selection of seats.. Tho ■season is limited to thirteen nights, the first six. of which will bo devoted 'to a production, of David Bolasco's very successful romantic- comedy-drama "Sweet ■ Kitty Bellairs,". which will be 'succeeded oh Saturday week' by a revival of "Sweet Nell of Old Drury." Paul' ;Kester's romance is to be staged for four' re•presentations, and the last three nights of the season will witness a special revival'of Shakespeare's famous comedy "As You Like' It." ■It was as Kitty .'Bellairs'. that - Nellie Stewart created such enthusiasm iu Sydney and Melbourne recently. Tho character, is that of a lovable'lrish* girl. .Tlie part is said to be one of 'the most, arduous that Miss Stewart has' over had to portray-rshe is scarcely over off the stage. The remarkable versatility of Nellie Stewart, it is said, has never been better exhibited than in this impersonation. - \ln partioular, she is said to: be strikingly fine in the , sudden transitions of mood, tagging a touch of humour on .to the* edge of ;tho most hearUrending'episodes. The company'finished their successful Auckland season on Saturday night, when .Miss Stewart was accorded an enthusiastic "send-off" by a crowded. audience. V'.,'! ,BOSING.' v 1 , News reached 'Wellington yesterday that Burns, the cx-champion boxer, had a great reception in-Auckland when he arrived by the s.s. \ 7 ictoria froia Sydney. He is due to arrive "in. Wellington by- the Main" Trunk express tlus afternoon, and will make his first appearance at the Opera; House this evening. Burns will be supported by his sparring partners,' O'Donnell and O'Keefe, who will box with the exchainpion. Bums .will also give exhibitions of ball-punching, skipping, arid shadow fighting. These exhibitions should be an education to all lover 9of the art of self-defence. Tho box plans are. now ■ open at tho Dresden, and day sales can be secured at Abel's and Annit's, tobacconists. ■ , •...-■ ': ■ .'.'•■• "JANE." . ..'.'. The Mountebank Dramatic Club held a dress rehearsal of tho comedy "Jane" at tho Opera House on Saturday, when everything went off without a hitch.' . The comedy is one of the ivittiest, and patrons may safely.rely on a firstclass, entertainment. The production of the comedy, is under the direction of Mr. Leo do Chatona. Tho heavy booking at tho Dresden must be gratifying to tho Mountebanks, who deserve the support they receive, as, apart from being a talented organisation, their efforts are always devoted to local charities and institutions. Mr. Jupp's and the Garrison Bands have kindly offered tneir services by playing selections from tho balcony of the Opera House on the .first and second nights respectively. It is expected : that largo houses will crown the efforts of tho, club. I