ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 815, 12 May 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"AS MIDNIGHT CHIMES. "

The melodrama "As Midnight Chimes," staged again at the Opera House last evening by Mr. George Marlow's Dramatic Company, contains, of course, very sensational situations, these naturally being grouped round some variant of death, or the imminence of it. The genial presence of the 6tage humorist lends pleasing relief, and the ensemble is middling—as melodrama goes. The drama will be repeated to-night and tomorrow night. On Saturday evening, the George Marlow Company will enter upon, the last four nights of tho season in AVellington, when they will present, for the first time here, "That AVoman From France," a drama which, when introduced to Auckland a few weeks ago, ran for several performances to packed business. Tho drama is stated to differ materially from its predecessors, and, it is said, is more in the nature of a comedy drama, while the scenery is especially notable. The audience is ushered into a beautiful scene as the curtain first rises, at Bellagio, where preparations are being made for a carnival. In referring to "That A\"oman From France," the "Daily Mail" recently: "Phenomenal success has been attending this drama, and when one has seen it, this is easily understood. It is a welcome departure from 'the ordinary drama, and shines in brilliant dramatic situation, -which are so cleverly arranged that the audience is worked up into great excitement, and then there is the fateful ending of the Queen of the daring gang, who, baffled in her attempt to wed the young English squire for Jiis fortune, throws herself from the cliffs to escape capture." The interpret'itiin of the diama by the Marlow Company has been eulogistically commented upon. Patrons should book at the Dresden, while early door tickets for the back stalls and gallery may be obtained at Christoson's. THEATRE ROYAL. The reappearance of Armstrong and Verne, whose bright dialogue makes their turn particularly attractive, has apparently a good deal to do with tho attendance at the Theatre Royal at present. Tom Armstrong has lost none of his ability to make tho clogs clatter, and there aro numerous other artists who justify inclusion—The Klimos, Raleigh, Miss Ivy Goodwill, A 7 ictor tho Ventriloquist, Miss Pearlie Smaille, Miss C'ecilo Stephano, Frank Yorke, and Joe Lamb. Some interesting biograph pictures are shown of the late King- opening Parliament. The entertainment will be repeated this evening. THE KING'S THEATRE.. The audience was too numerous for tho seating accommodation at the King's Theatre last evening, and numbers had to be turned away from the doors, which circumstance was no doubt just as great « disappointment to tho management as to thoso who could not obtain seats. The programmo was highly diversified, tho dramatic and comic being nicely sandwiched. One of the finest of tho canned dramas presented is entitled "The Jump to Death." It is a strong dramatic film dealing with circus life. Two performers, Pierre and Marcelle, are in love with one another. Another 3inger, Lola, succeeds in drawing Pierre's affections away from Marcelle, after which she casts him out of her life. Pierre, neglected by both, and full of despair, accepts an offer of .CoOD to perform a dangerous act. Ho writes to Marcelle, telling her what ho intends to do. The girl rushes to the music-hall, and reaches ft just in time to see- her lover fall. Ho is taken to the hospital,- where he is nursed back to life by the faithful Marcelle. Another strong littlo playlet is entitled "Tho Power of the Press," which relates the story of "graft" in an American town, and how it was defeated by an earnest young journalist of firm briberesisting purpose. It is one of the bestacted dramas pictured in Wellington for some time. Another good film shows a number of elephants at work in India, which recalls Kipling's lines—"Elephants a-pilin' teak in the sludgy-qudgy creek"— to a nicety. "A - Valuable Hat" is an uproarious comic picture, in which a gay Italian citizen, having drawn money from the bonk, places it inside.the lining of his top hat.' Mischievous boys take advantage of him when dosing in the park, by attaching his hat to his back. On awaking ho is so agitated over his supposed loss that he assaults everyone wearing a "silk," until finally informed by an outraged crowd of tho whereabouts of his hat. Several new and original pictures will be presented this evening.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The love of moving pictures shows no sign of waning in Wellington; indeed, ,there is ample evidence that the craze for pictures—if it-can be called a crazeis increasing. His Majesty's Theatre was packed to the doors last evening; when the- weekly change of programme was presented Of the stronger dramatic pictures which call for artistic treatment none-was better than "The Power of the Press." The Mayor of Griggsville is a "grafter" who has had a good run. He reads with interest in the local paper that the editor has been taken ill, and his place has been assumed by a young man from Kansas with clean ideas. This young man happens to.preserve from insult a very pretty young girl, who turns out to ho the Mayor's niece. He escorts her to her home and is introduced to the Mayor, who seizes the opportunity to "nobble" the new editor. But* the latter is not to be caught, and plainly denotes after refusing n plethora of notes that he is out against "graft" of any kind. His first anti-graft article drives the Mayor to desperation, and resolving to vanqnish him once for all bribes some desperadoes to seize and lynch the young man. The Mayor, however, reckons without , his niece. She overhears the plot, and hast(!iis to warn her lover and the police. The editor is duly "bagged" by the gang, and is about td mept death when the police gallop up and scatter the lynching party. ' The editor left in guard, the Mayor grants him his life on condition that ho "goes straight" in Griggsville, which promise elicited, all else ends in the conventional way. Another notable feature is a long film depicting the notnble incidents in tho life of King Bdwnrd VII, au appropriate picturo in view of the national bereavement recorded on Saturday_ last. The film concludes with a fine view of the King proceeding in state to open the last Parliament. "A Man Hunt" is another dramatic picture full of thrilling situations. On the industrial side there is a fine series of views descriptive of sweet-making in one of the big English factories. TEe methods adopted are, to put it mildly, novel ami educative. The scenic pictures include some beautiful views of Switzerland, the Palls of Potomac, and the "Land of

Eternal Summer" (a Patlw art gem in the firm's best style). Other pictures shown nre "The Baby Boy and the T-' , ' Bear," "A Pair of Schemers," "His Last Burglary," "Tamin? a Husband," "The Enchanted Vase," and "A Valuable Hat." A feature of the entertainment is Hie orchestra, which discourses music while the wheels whirr. A" matinee will be giren on Saturday, STAR PICTURES. There was a good attendance at the Star Pictures in Ft. Thomas's Hall last evening. This week's programme is both interesting nnd instructive. THE ELLWOOD TRIO. The concert company headed by the Ellwood, trio of musical prodigies attracted a crowded house at the Lower llntt Inst evening-, the Town Hall being inadequate to tlio demand for scots. Tho Ellwood boys repeated , their Wellington success, which marked them as performers of rare talent. Georgo roused tho audionco to enthusiasm with his 'cello playing, and was encored for every item. Mis numbers included Popper's "Rhapsodic Hongroise," Saint-Sacns' "ha Cygne," and Squire's "Gavotte Humoresriue." Harry, tho violinist, whose tone and technique are altogether admirablo in so young a player, contributed Wicniawski's "Polonaise," and tho Schubert-WilhWmj "Aye Iftiria," and was encored enthusiastically for both. Together tho trio played Bache's "D Jlinor" trio (first movement), Widor's "Serenade," and Grieg's attractive "Norwegian Dances." 3liss Winnie Nixon, whose vocal ability has already been

acclaimed in these columns, sang Mallinson's "Snowfiakes," and "0 Thank Mβ Not," Novin's "One Spring Morning," and Mascheroni's "Ave Maria." The company is to appear at the Concert Chamber to-morrow and Saturday evening, and in the big Town Hall on Sunday evening.

GEAND OPEHA SEASON. On Friday morning, at 9 o'clock, the box plans for the first six nights of J.' 0. n llliamson's Grand Opera season, in English, will bo opened at tho Dresden. The management, with a view to accelerating tho hooking, have decided to adopt tho coupon system. Coupons will bo issued at the Dresden at C.30 a.m. on Priday, entitling owners to choice of seats. Applications by letter from country patrons will also, be received. In this case, scats will ho reserved in tho order the various letters are to hand. Puccini's opera, "Madam Butterfly," will be given for the first six nights. On the opening night, Thursday next, Mdlle. Bel Sorol will sing the principal part, Cho San," and on Friday Miss Amy Castles, the two prima donnas alternating the part night about. Mr. Frederick Blarney, the English tenor, will be the Pinkorton" of the opening night, Signor Zerga singing the part tho following evening. The "Sharpless" Unitjed States Consul in Tokio will be Mr. Arthur Crane on the initial occasion, Signor Zanelli interpreting *it alternately with Mr. Crane during the week. The magnitude of the J. C. Williamson Grand Opera Orchestra may be gathered from tho following, list of the instruments that will interpret tho great Puccini's music of "Mndam Butterfly" :—Six first violins (leader, Ernest Toy), G second violins, 2 oboes, 4 flutes (including A. Amadio), 2 clarinets- (including W. Clive), 3 bassoons, i horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 2 drummers (tympani), harp (Miss Barclay), 2 'celli, 2 bassi; total, 40. This magnificent operatic band will be under the conductorship of Signor Hazon, who will havo with him, as deputy-conductor, Mr. Alfred. Hill. The well of the orchestra in all New Zealand theatres will have to be enlarged to accommodate this phenomenal number of players.