ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 766, 15 March 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. Tlio particular feature of the new programme presented at the Theatre Royal last evening by the Fuller Vaudeville Company was the np|;carunce of "Hassan," the Indian magician, one of the most marvellous performers of the kind ever seen in Wellington. The magician is attired in the regulation Indian turban, white coat, and velvet trousers. The most striking feat of a scries of astonishing items was one in. which Hassan bears a SGIb. block of concrete on ono eye. The concrctc is set on the floor of the stage, and after its weight has been tested by members of the audience the cord attached to the heavy mass is fixed to one of the artist's eyes by the aid of a metallic cup, which is fitted under the eyelid. The cord runs across Hassan's chest, and with this support only tho mass of concrete is lifted and the artist strides forward several paces with the block. In another act the Indian transforms himself into a human volcano and ejects smoke and fire from his mouth, to the wonderment of the audience. Still another turn is ono in which a ring is borrowed from the audience. Two men on tho stage grasp each end of a stick, held, horizontally, and in a flash, without cither of tho men losing their hold, the magician slips the ring from his hand on to the stick. Another clever act is performed with a large turban . cloth. An assistant from the audience is asked to cut the cloth into several pieces, and to burn two of. the ragged ends, which work of destruction ho performed with right good will. In. a trice the magicufit oollects the fragments, and, in full view of the audience, gives a few quick movements of the hands, and the turban cloth is whole again. These are; a few of the mystifying items of an altogether exceptional "turn." The balance of the programme is strong, probably the most popular performer being Mr. Ward Lear, of whom the house could not have too much. Mr. Clias. Throsby's monologue entertaining _ was apparently to. the liking of tho audience, and his imitations of Harry Lauder, were also loudly applauded. Others who helped towards the success.of the entertainment were:—Mr. oo Charles, eccentric comedian j .Misses Pearl Small), raubvelto, Gertie Johns, serio-comic smger, Maud Hewson, contralto, Seattle M'Donald, serio, the Martin Sisters, song and danco artists, and the Klimos, roman-ring artists. The programme will bo repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S PICTURES, j A feast of good things is promised for the programme at His Majesty s Pictures tomorrow evening. In audition to a graphic representation of the disastrous floods in Paris last month, thdro will be presented a film that represents a novel development in tho kinematographer'S art—viz., tho presentment per medium of" tho micros scope and kinematograpk of the actual attack on tlia corpuscles of a singlo drip of blood by tho germs of thfe dread African scourge —sleeping sickness. Lovers of'the sensational will find "The Pet cf tho Big Horn Ranch"—a typical Western cowboy story—entirely to their taste, and tho humorous section will bo headed by an amusing picture entitled "When .Wo Called the Plumber in." The rest , of, the programme is of equal merit. THE ROYAL PICTURES. .' Another large audience, attended His Majesty's Theatre last evening, when a capital programme was presented. Tonight will mark tho conclusion of the tenancy: of His Majesty's Theatre by Slessrs! Linley and Donovan, who have joined forccs with West's in the new King's Theatre. WEST'S AND.EOYAL PICTURES The abovo combination will opon "Tho King's Theatre" to-morrow night. As the operator's box is built outside of tho auditorium, it is stated to be inipossibio for any film accident to penetrato througli the oponings; which are of steel, and the box itself is built of ferroconcrete. There is special provision in tho way of seating accommodation, ladies' and gentlemen's cloakrooms upstairs and downstairs, \v...0 passages, and plonty of exits. The picture point of'view lias 'been well attended to,, and the opening progran/mo will be a masterpiece or biographic art. It is'intended ;as a special souvenir to give every lady who attends . the opening performance' a pvogreumno printed oil satin.' Ail augmented orches- : rat will provide the latest music at each performance. . The box .plan, . which "is rapidly filling, is now oil view at Abel s. STAR PICTURES. . In the making of moving pictmres there is no end. As week succeeds 'week with the. steady change of programme at the various pictures halls, ono cannot fail to be astonished at the wealth of ideas that are represented in their manufacture. Tho new t programme at St.' Thomas's Hall is a really fine one. Perhaps tho "star" picture is that entitled "The White Sea," being the experiences of. an ocean-tossed trawler. The vessel is shown on ■ the heaving deep, the nets are lowered, hauled in, and the silvernharvest of the sea is tumbled into the well—all done with as much conviction, and indeed with a suspiciou of the sensation on? might have on board the craft. "The Seventh Day" is a dramatic picturo .dealing with an action for divorce. An American society woman • has moved for a divorce, which is about to culminate in Court, when she .finds time to spare for a few minutes' romp with her children. In the middle of it all, when the mother in her is taking the fullest pleasure of fondest communion with her children, the lawyer cpters, takes in tho situation at a glance, and asks her if she is still prepared to go on with the case. Only then she. realises what would be her loss, .and sho decides to adhere to her husband and ohildren, and let the world go by. It is a pretty sentiment, charmingly expressed. "Bobby, tho Boy Scout," is another dramatic effort, full of action—a picture all boy scouts should see. 1 "The Schoolmaster" is a Pathe Art film, sin which the master is made a butt of tho boys' pranks. One of the boys, who is a leader in tho pranks, happens to fall in the river, and it is the master, who, at the risk of losing his own life, saves the lad, which act of heroism at once makes him the idol of the schoolboys. Other good pictures are ' Round About Inverness" (scenic), "Black and White" (comic), "The Ferryman's Daughter" (dramatic), "An American Marriage" (comic), "The Sailor's Ape" (comic), "Tho Football Craze" (eomib), How a Dog Saved the Flag" (dramatic), and "An Old Sinner Caught" (comic). / . , BESSES 0' TH' BARN BAND. • e first of four evening performances of the Besses o' th' Barn Band will take place at the Town Hall to-morrow night. Mho band has earned the admiration of ijmltitudes in other lands. Just how mush tho band owes to its eminent conductor (Mr. Alex.' Owen) may not be so patent to the general public as it is to musicians. In manner and appearance, especially, before ho raises his baton, Mr. Owen reminds one of'a rural dean. His long black coat, high white collar, and whol© bearing, savouring more of a 'middle-aged clergyman than an artist. When he conducts, one's views change entirely, and he becomes a general. No fuss, no attitudinising, no gallery ploy, but just straightforward intention, getting the very best out of his forces, in the comforting knowledge of what they can do, and the assurance that every man will render unquestioning obedience to. order. Critics state that tho bandsmenj-artists everyone of them— teach the rank and file of musicians the priceless lesson of cheerful allegiance to and unfaltering confidence in their chief. The Wellington Society of Professional Musicians is to hold a social at Godber's Rooms this evening.