ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 790, 13 April 1910, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Messrs. MacMahon and Carroll's picture drama, ,'For the Term of His Natural Life, based on Marcus Clarke's powerful novel, attracted another large audience to the Opera House last evening. To see this picture/which runs for the best part of an hour, is like reading the story over again.. Much that is repugnant is wisely omitted, but enough is pictured to convey an idea of the brutality of the practices of the bad' old convict days in Tasmania. The characters are well acted, those of Dawes and the Rev. Mr. North being particularly well played. The final scene is one of great,beauty. It shows a.stretch of ocean strand in the light of early morning, with the dead bodies of Dawes and Sylvia locked together in the waves. There they, are found by two fishermen, who drag them nut ot the water and place them reverently side by side on the dry sand—parted by the brutality of inhuman laws in life, they went out together to the great rest beyond. The picture throughout is poignantly sad, yet gruesomely fascinating. Other pictures of a livelier description serve to relieve the gloom. ... A matinee performance will be given oh Saturday afternoon, when a programme, precisely the same, as at night, will be presented. Popular prices will be charged. . '

. THEATRE ROYAL. If any doubt had existed as to the popularity of the new vaudeville programme,at the Theatre Royal, it was set at rest by the second performance last night, which kept the large audience in. a state of constant laughter and applause. The "patter" work and • songs of Mr. Charles Faning 6eem to. improve with time, the Crottons, in their feats of strength, are as inexplicable as ever, the clever juveniles, the "National Duo," are firm favourites with the audience, and the other members of the company merit, and are given a good reception. The programme will be repeated to-night. -

■:■.■ KING'S THEATRE. ' The 'excellent programme of West's Royal Pictures at the King's Theatre was exhibited agan last evening before a large attendance. The pictures were well received from first to last. It is a striking evidence of the., picture entertainments at the .new house that, though there are at present no fewer than :four picture shows in course of exhibition in the city and at Newtown) the programmes at the King's Theatre : are viewed by large houses every night, in addition to the large attendances which crowd the matinee performances. Ever since the new theatre, opened the popularity of its pictures has-'continued unabated. The explanation is probably to be found in the airiness and comfort or the. new building, the', variety'-of .the pictures, which, cover every interest—dramatic, humorous, instructive and industrial—and the great clearness and steadiness of the | films, whioh do not tire the eyes. To-night a new programme will' be presented, whioh is said to be.rich in all the, merits-which, have caused the former exhibitions tc'bt so largely.patronised.: -,-..' ' :.(:.-.

' 'HIS' MAJESTY'S' THEATRE. .iThe last performance' of the present week's' programme at' His Majesty's was .well attended last night. The programme which will' constitute; the '.usual weekly change to-night, is said'to be an exceptionally . strong- one; prominent among the ( star items is a stirring and sensational, 'Western. mining ; drama by., the well-known Selig Company, entitled "Buried Alive." In this .film' the Scheming of two'villains,to gain possession of the mine belonging to their fortune-favoured matesis.. ; ruthlessly exposed, and ultimately' foiled, largely through the agency of an irrepressible Chinaman. The Selig Company also contribute what is . described' as '"the. greatest, war drama ever produced," Briton and Boer. "The Honour of His Family,"'bythe ever-popular Biograph Company,, is the pathetic story of a proud father whose. motto, "Death before. Dishonour," is cruelly;, belied ;by a cowardly "son. . A particularly.. fine Eastern scenio film is "Egypt from-Sun-rise to Sunset"; ''Belshazzar's Feast" ,is, as the title, denotes, a realistio portrayal of 'the, great- Biblical incident. The comio films, "Foolshead's Crime," "A. Pair of Slippers," and "The Cabbage" are .really, amusing. Seats may be reserved at -Christoson's.

■■■,-■ STAR PICTURES.; -' ■"A Modern Highwayman," the star dramatic picture that is being shown -at St. Thomas's Hall this week, is remarkable in'its exposition of the possiL* in modern highway robbeTy. This is only one of many good Star Pictures.

"THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY. " ' i Audiences Here will at an early, date see Mr.< George . Willoughby's English Farcical Company in Mr., Weedori Grossmith's famous play, "Tho Night of the Party," said to be the funniest farcical comedy over written. Something of its quality may be judged, from the fact.that it put up a fun in England of< 2350 nights, and is still being played to the provinces by about half a dozen companies. The company, which was specially selected in England by Mr. Willoughby, will include Mr. David James, the principal comedian, who was pinked by Mr. Weedon Grossmith himself- to play the part of Crosbie, the valet. He is the son of the famous •, David James, who for years played the "Butterman" in '-Our Boys," which had the longest run of any play on the stage, and with which his name ever after was most intimately associated. The leading lady will be Miss Mab Paul, who was for two years" appearing in important parts with Sir Herbert Tree. Mr Hugh Buckler, a handsome acfor,- who was also for some time with Sir Herbert Tree, and was leading man with the "Wheeler Coin- , pany" in South Africa, will appear in the important role .of Mr. ' Frank Frayne. Others in the company will be Miss Violet Paget, who was leading ladj with Mr. George Gidden's Company; Mr. Reginald Fry, a clever young comedy actor; Mr. Arthur Cornell, a character ' sctor of note; Miss Amy Willard, who was last out here as a m'embei.of Miss Nellio Stewart's first "Sweet Noll"i Company; Mr. George Willoughby, the popular comedian; Miss Nellie Mortyne, Mr. Gerald Moulton, and a number of others. There are some exceedingly clever parts in "Tho Night of the Party." The season commences on Tuesday, April 19. ■

MISS AMY MURPHY'S RECITAL. The Dunedin press is unanimous in its praiso of Miss Murphy's singing. A large audience gathered at Burns Hall, and those present received an ample return for the appreciative welcome they went prepared to accord, and did accord, Miss Murphy. Last-Tuesday's recital reached so admirable a standard of excellence, and was so much a credit to- Miss Murphy, that it is pardonable to reflect with no small satisfaction that" one born and brought up amongst'us, and educated by, a resident teacher, could be responsible for anything so good. Miss Murphy's voice has gained in volume and roundness during her absence from the Dominion, and her, methods leave no room for doubt that she has mado advancement ih the effort which no conscientious singer neglects to perfect herself in her art. ■Wellington music lovers may, therefore, safely look forward to a great treat at tho Town Hall Concert Chamber on Monday next, when Miss Murphy will give a recital, supported by Mr. Ernest Parfces and Mr. Horace Hunt.