ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 830, 31 May 1910, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GRAND OPERA CO.: "CARMEN." Bizofs showy and tuneful opera, "Carmen," was performed again last evening before a largo audience by Williamson's Opera Company, with Mdlle. liel Sorel iu tho title role. Such a delightfully artistic portrayal of tho gipsy of Sevillo has seldom been witnessed in this part of tho world. Mr. Frederick Blarney was tho Don Jose, and Siguor Antonio Zanelli the Escamillo. The chorus, evenly balanced and quite unexceptional in , quality, was an important factor in a very bright and interesting performance. The orchestra,, under Signer Hazon, performed its part brilliantly.

"LA BOIIEME" TO-NIGHT. 1 "La Bohemc" is to be staged this evening. With tho delightful charm of tho music and interpreted as it is by the present company, it is not to be wondered at if the public are pleased with the splendid performances. Firstly, of course, comes Maria Pampari as Mimi, perhaps one of tho most fascinating creations which it has been the privilege of present patrons to witness for many years. The clever young soprano may bo sure of a warm reception on her reappearance this evening. Then there is Signor Zwga's associations with the production in question, which may be classed as another brilliant performance, while nothing could bo more charming than the blending of the voices q£ the two artiste mentioned. In its entirety the cast is precisely the saino as that which appeared on Thursday evening last, and with Signor Hazon and his magnificent orchestra and- chorus complete there is, no doubt, no necessity to say more. of "La Bohome." HAMILTON-MAXWELL CO. The box plan for the Hamilton-Max-ivell Dramatic Company's season opens at Holliday's this morning. The season will be' commenced at tho Opera House next Saturday night with "Woman nnd Wine," one of the best-remembered productiou of Bland Holt's company, nowdisbanded. The fact that, iu addition to securing the original scenery and effects, the new firm has secured the services of many of Mr. Holt's people, should ensure the effective staging of tho productions for which Mr. Holt was famous. Mr. Max Maxwell (for some H years with Mr. Holt),' will appear in the leading role, and Miss Beatrice Holloway as the heroine. The other parts are in capable hands, the best known of the players being Miss' Nellie Strong, Vera Reniee, Muriel Dale, Mabel Russell, and Little Queenie Williams, and the Messrs. Charles Brown, Godfrey Cass, Charles Wheeler, John Bruce, Richard Bellairs, Wallace Riley, Sydney G. de Vine, S. A. Fitzgerald, and Lancelot Vane. A. ballet, and trained supernumeraries have also been brought from Australia with the company.' The advance mechanical staff, in charge of Mr. Jas. Peake, ■is due to arrive to-day, bringing 200 odd tons of scenery and effects.

FULLERS' VAUDEVILLE CO. The charms of vaudeville attracted a .large audience to the Theatre Royal last evening, when a change of programme, and, in several instances, the participating artists, was made. Among the newcomers that received more than a kindly welcome was "Athos," the skating dude, a skilful and graceful performer on the roller skates. His tricks include some beautiful swerve and back-skating, which he employs in threading his circuitous way through a'maze of golden ninepins, without touching one of them. His most daring feat was a leap over eight chairs (faced so as to' givo a.breadth of four chairs), a risky act in such an extremely limited area as the stage of the theatre affords. "Athos" is no mean vocalist, and the manner in which he sang "Come a Skate" was quite in keeping with the general excellence .of the turn." Mr. Cardon Wilson, a talented mimic of actors and singers woll known to tho public, retold : some of the clever'yarns of ''Geo. Fuller Golden, the American humorist, as a prelud6 to his histrionic seance. In'this he-included a scene from

"The Virginians," acted by Mr. Charles Waldron and .Mr. Hardie Kirkland—that •in which the 'inebriated horse-thief Trampaa ordera the Virginian to quit the town before sundown if he does' nol-i wish to "take a look at another world." | In character, Mr. Wilson gave a capital impersonation of Van Biene in "The Broken Melody," and raised a storm o£ laughter in an imitation of Mr. Rickaby, a London oomique, singing "The Bobby." Miss Pearl Holnrich sings serio songs daintily, and dresses with taste. Last evening she sang two catchy ditties, "A Little Bit More," ■ and "Muni's ■ the Word." Another new turn was provided by the Musical. Shirloys, 'who extract mnsic from various editions of the xylophone, musical bars, sleigh-bells, and jangle-bells in an attractive manner. Their "fit-up" is exceptionally smart, and the floral screen, electrically illuminated, formed a pretty background to the stage setting. The Martin Sisters reappeared in "Molly Maloney," a racy song, with a terpsichorean footnote, and Miss Ivy Leslie was well received in' a serio-comic effusion entitled, "Now I Have to Call His Father." The illustrated songs of Mr. Fred. Harcourt were good of their class, but the pictures were sadly marred, by a broken lens. Others who contributed' acceptably were Frank York, the bigvoiced revivalist, Bert Warne, and Warwick Luniley: .A number of biograph m'ctures helped to build up a good programme, which will bo repeated each night throughout the week. ; HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Wind and rain could not abate the enthusiasm of picture-lovers who turned out in considerable force to witness the excellent films shown at His Majesty's Theatre. There is matter to suit all tastes in the programme at His Majesty's, and the views describing the Punchestown Steeplechase and "Foolshead's Revenge" are especially popular. The programmo will be repeated to-night, and to-morrow there will be the usual weekly change. KING'S THEATRE. ' West's and Royal Pictures at the King's Theatre would bo very difficult to excel for interest, variety, and technique. Last night, despite the unpleasant weather, there was a good attendance at this popular house 0/ entertainment. The excellent, orchestra ot the King's Theatre is a considerable attraction in itself. The current programmo will be repeated for the last time to-night. To-morrow night there will be a complete chango of programme, and on Friday (King's Birthday) a matinee exhibition will be given. ' STAR PICTURES. Tho weekly change of programme at St. Thomas's Hall drew a largo house last evening, Wellington South haying been educated to a proper appreciation of the recreative and educative qualities of a good picture show. One of tho most striking pictures is that of a drama, entitled, "The Love of a Nautch Girl," which is worked out partly in a picturesque Indian setting. A soldier falls under the spell of a Nautch dancer, and they aro very happy, until he tells her he is going back to England, and cannot tako her with him. The girl, who has saved his life on one occasion, cannot bear to part from her lover, and stows away on a liner. Sho at length reaches England, and, ascertaining where her soldier lives, arrives in time to see him caressing his English wife and children. The sight stabs her so deeply that she falls dead on tho doorstep. Another good dramatic picture is "The Red Man's View," an exciting story of the Wild West. A very beautiful and highly-in-teresting picture was "A Visit to the Antwerp Zoo"—a splendid picture for tiio children. Not only does it show the various animals, suitably and naturally housed, but the picture is coloured in natural tints, which gives tho animals 11 fine air of reality. Tho best tnnuc nicturo is entitled, "Tim Sen-ant of an Actvess," in which "The Night of the Party" idea is used effectively. Other amusing pictures are "Peculiar People," and "Billy's AYcdding Day."

OLYMPIA. Boiler-skating seems to have caught the public fancy at the Olympia Kink in Ingestro Street. The learners' clnssos lmtween 6 p.m. and 7.15 p.m. are very

largely attended, and tho evening sessions aro crowded. Iu such weather as we now have to endure, no'indoor recreation affords better exercise and enjoyment than au hour's glide on the rollers.

PICTURES AT TOWN HALL. Pictures of the Otira Tunnel accident will be one of the main features of the unialgunialL-d perl'orir.am.e oi the Star Pictures and Wellington Professional Orchestra in the Town Hal) on Friday next (lung's Birthday). A fine set of iilins are to hand depicting scenes of tho accident, and portraits of rescued and rescuers. A 'consignment of the latest pictures has just been received by the management, and out of these a fine programme has been selected, including comic, scenic, and dramatic films.