ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 593, 23 August 1909, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

————»- — ■ THEATRE ROYAL. The star film' on Saturday night at tho 5 Theatre Royal was the "Life of Napoleon." j Tho film had evidently been prepared ■ with great care, much trouble having been token to secure the correct scenery for the various illustrations of th* life of the groat 'French ' Emperor. The series opened at tho siege of ! Toulon, where the . Little Corporal was first brought before, the notice of the .world, ■iu : whoso destinies, ho wai for a tim« to bo the J chief controlling power.' After that there were . number of pictnres of the victories,' defeats i and Isocial incidents in Napoleon's life. His i victory at Ausberlitz, the burning of Moscow, tho retreat from Russia, the rnterriow with the ; Pope, and the abdication after the battle of ' Liepmg.. Then came the defeat at Waterloo, ' and the touching scene of the fallen Emperor walking in early morning as in a trance orer the battlefield—the weary somnambulist awakening from a vanished dream. The loquacious Napoleon of M. Clmrly, who acted the part for ths picture, may differ fr"om the general idea of the great genual, but the film was nevertheless interesting and instructive. In addition to the "star" item, there were two cinoplVaio numbers, "Heard in. Court" and "Caller Herrin'.". The latter though a pleasing song,.was partly spoilt by the indistinctness of the record. Of tho other pictures, some of the best were:— "Henley Regatta 1909," "Picturesque Riviera," "Oh, That Beard," "The Dog and the Pipe," and "The Children of tho Plains." HIS MAJESTY'S. Selections from the world's best kinematograph pictures, are ;seen,nightly at His Majesty's Theatre, which has now an 1 established following. This week's scries are of the usual standard, a fact which was evidenced by tho crowded attendance on Saturday night. Among the, more popular films, to be shown again this evening, are: "Industrial British Columbia," "The Widow," "Across Ceylon," "A Son's Atonement," and "Salome Mad." OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. ' The skating season is wearing on now, but novices • are still taking up the pastime with considerable ardour,, knowing that their reward will come. Competent instructors attend nightly to show'ithe. learners tho "secrets of the graceful' art. ..The carnival, which is announced for Wednesday-next, promises to be even a greater success than any of tho'preceding ones. '. ' ' . -. ; ( BENGOUGH. The plan for the' Bengough entertainments will open this morning at tile Dresden. Tho noted Canadian will appear for three nights only, .August 27, 28,. and .SO,, at the Town Hail. Although Bengotigh's name may not be a familiar one in iNcw Zealand, it is well-' known-in England, and. is a household word in Canada and the United States,-where he is widely known as "The Man Who Draws." The "Australian Star," of Sydney, comments:— "Nothing: quife .like .the artist's.entertainment has been seen here before, and with the oharm of novelty it'possesses a singularly pleasing quality derived from Bongough's sunny, good-natured-personality.' . One of Bengough's cartoons was of Mr. G. H. Roid. 'Prom what I .could make out of Mr. Reid's lecture tho other night,' he remarked,, as. the. familiar features of the politician were forming on- his sheet', "his .advice to young men. is always "Ecid; reid, roid!'" -"As a poet, singer, mimic, and ■ dialectic" expert, Bengough reveals a singular versatility, and two hours 'in his com-, pany-. pass;:with surprising swiftness." .Bengough will he assisted-by Claude Allan, tenor, Borneo Gardner,, the. unique - - whistler, and Dora Carrollj pianistc. : ~ . 1 ■ : ORGAN RECITAL. :. .:. ,' ;A-very fine. programme of six numbers was selected by Mr; Maughau' Barnett (city organist) for his recital at tho Town Hall ou Saturday evening.i: The organist opened with Back's "Prelude and Fugue in G," the most striking feature of which is the magnificent prelude, affording tho Widest scope for the instrument and tho ability of tho player. A dainty "Baroarola in P Minor" (Rubinstein) s succeeded the stormy finale of tho opening number'; and this Was followed by the "Intermezzo" arid "Finale" from Riieeiborger's Sonata "To tho Peace Feast" (No. 20). Tho Intermezzo was a beautiful adagio movement, full of rich cadences, while,the, imposing Finale, in striking contrast to the previous movement, was a bril- : liant climax. Bohm's "Still Wie do Naoht," and Mascagni's celebrated Intermezzo from \"Cavalleria Rustieana" were the succeeding 'numbers, and tho recital concluded with Men- ■ delssohn's brilliant overture to "Ruy Bias." The nest municipal recital will be given on Saturday evening next. •,''..' , ' : SUNDAY CONCERT....' . Another of tho Wellington Professional Or- '. chestra's popular Sunday: concerts was given' in tho Town Hall last nipjit. There was a. largo attendance, and the items of the programmo w;ero heartily appreciated, : several of the performers being . recalled.'. Mr. F. J; Oakds conducted with his nsual efficiency. The progrninmo was as follows:—Overture, "Tancredi" (Rossini), orchestra; "Serenade" ; (Leoncavalli), orchestra;'song, "0 Dry Those Tears" (Del'Riego), Mr, E. Parkes; oboe solo, "Lovo Sons" (xaubert), Mr. Kershaw; "My Rosary"- (Nevin), ■ orchestra; song, "Tatters" '" (Lane); Master Rupert Christie;' march, "Phantom .Brigade" '(Middleton), orchestra. Tho proceeds are for the Municipal Library.,