ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 803, 28 April 1910, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. The Willoughby Comedy Company concluded a highly successful season at the Opera House last evening, • when "The Night of the. Party" was produced ouce more before an appreciative audience. The company is to.visit Wellington again towards the end of the year, when there will be produced that London laughing success, Mrs. Preedy and the Countess.'

THEATRE ROYAL. • • Such a congregation of talent is not often accommodated on the stage of the Theatre Royal as is 1 at present the case. Tom Armstrong, that very if rather broad, comedian, is a host In him-, self. His quiet eccentric, methods are quite refreshing, and his voice does not offend the sensitive ear. He was assisted by Miss Prise ilia Verne. Other good turns are provided by Wise and Milton, the Three Starrs, the Kelso Boys, Charles Fairing, and the melodious Blanche Carelli.

THE KING'S THEATRE'. The weekly change'' of programme presented by the West and Royal Pictures Proprietary last evening wos'witnessed by a crowded audience. Every film shown is well worth seeing, and the picking out of any particular one is more a question «f individual. taste than anything else. Some magnificent scenic views were tihown, "The Lakes of Brienz" being ex- . fine, depicting a veritable fairyland in the Alps of snow wreathed acencry and houses, with splendid water: =nd cloud effects,' culminating in a superb scene of sunset on ■ the lakes and mountains. ■ "The Volcanoes and .Craters -of the Oceanic Islands" and "Scenes in Sunitri" (Turkey) are also of a high standard of excellence. "The Duke's Plau" is -a dramatic story, and shows to what extremes a sweetheart will go for the. man alio loves, even yielding her very life ,to save him. "Richelieu," an historical drama,- "Modame's- Hat Pins," "Stop Your Tickling," "The Skating Carnival," and "Foolshead, Chief of' Reporters,"- provided the light vein of humour, and were much enjoyed. Other fine illms Ttere "The. Avenger," "Grandeur and Decadence," and "Mercedes, . the Village Maiden." Special mention must be made of "tile King's TKeatro Orchestra;, whose orchestral selections and effects were" a feature of ■ the .entertainment.. The programme will be .again submitted this evening, and on Saturday afternoon next there will be a special prize matinee.;

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The -success which has -rewarded the enterprise of Messrs. John Fuller and Sons since they commenced the season of His Majesty's .Pictures must be very gratifying to the management.., Since the opening night the entertainments have been liberally patronised. Last night' the picture hall was,not large enough to.accommodate the whole of the patrons who desired to crowd into it. Every.Beat was occupied, many persons had- to be content to 6tand, while a large number had to be reluctantly turned away. This is an eloquent tribute to tho fact that persons who appreciate moving pictures know when their desires are being catered for with the very.,best that can be.procured. Last night's: programme was in keeping with the high standard of excellence previously set, and furnished . abundant proof pf the excellence' which the moving picture has attained.- The picturw!, which extended over a .very wide range of-subjects, were, produced in- a manner pleasing to" the most 'exacting, being remarkably, steady, exceedingly clear, and some of them splendidly coloured. The general effect-was greatly enhanced by the pleasing accompaniments of an efficient, and well-balanced orchestra, whose work is deserving, of special praise. A-notable picture,'in. which a fin® stereoscopic effect was obtained, 'is "The Lake of Lucerne." All the ; points ot interest in this worJd-fainous beauty spot appeared in bewildering succession, the climax being, an entrancing sunset effect, in glaring colours; "Lobster-catch-ing" and "The Apple Industry of .Canada" were good examples of the industrial picture so deservedly popular.-! The dramatic section was strong, "Tho Duke's Plan," "The Course of True .Love," _"A. Roman's. Folly," and "The ! Clown's "Crime" meeting with special favour at the hands of the audience. "The Highlanders' Defiance" depicted a tragic incident of the-ill-fated Spion' Kop episode in the late Boer War. Thecomic pictures met with great favpiir; "The Skating: Carnival,"' a - hilarious burlesque on -.the roller-skating : craze,' 1 "Up-to-date Imps" (a pair of mischievous school boys, •who get up to all. manner of laughable pranks), "Stop Tour Tickling," "He Adored an Advertisement Girl,"- and the inimitoblo "Foolshend, as Chief Eeporter," in. a nev;, and comical series of absurdities, being perhaps the best. The present programme will be-.. repeated throughout the week, and is -well worthy of, a visit. , ' ■'

, STAR PICTURES. An especially good programme of pictures is ■being shown at -St. ■ Thomas's Hall this v;eek;. The pick\ of the pictures' are' "Carmen'," "For Her Sake," "Ice-breaking in B'inland," and :"The Wonders of Nature."; There mil be a matinee on Saturday.

'TOR THE TERM OF HIS NATURAL LIFE." This' fascinating oonvict story, made famous by' the. geiaus ol Marcus Clarke, will , be re-enacted per medium of the kinematograph at the Town Hall, on Saturday and Monday evenings next. It will be remembered that! during its recent-run at the Opera House inany expectant theatregoers were turned away.. Its advent at ,tho Town Hall, where popular prices are announced, should prove an attraction. . The box plans are now open at the Dresden, where seats may be reserved without .extra booking fee: ; ' . ~ . GEORGE HARLOW'S DRAMATIC • COMPANY. • At the Opera House this evening, George Maxlow's well-known . dramatic company, will 'commence its Wellington season with Frederick Melville's celebrated dramatic success, "Married to the Wrong Man." From', the London "Morning Leader" w<j gather the following extract on the piece"There is something quite breathless 'in, the rapid ingenuity of Mr. Frederick Melville as a dramatist. He can pile on plot without a pause, and in 'Married to the Wrong Man,' which has just been produced with characteristic success:, his resourcefulness leaves one 'wondering aaid astonished. It is an efficacious antidote to. boredom! The blase playgoer cpuld experience no more exhilarating tonic.": Tho mechanical and stage staff arrived •in - Wellington yesterday. Everything is now in-order'for the initial production this - evening. The booking for this evening is.said to-be big, and it may safely.be predicted that a crowded house will, welcome the company on their first appearance here.'.The box plan is at the Dresden. Day sale tickets may be secured at Christeson's. •