ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 2 June 1910, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S. Promptitude in acquiring films that will attract and anmso tho latest productions in all branches of kinematography, has been one of the chief factors of continued success at His Majesty's Theatre. Last evening the weekly change of pictures was presented to a crowded audience, and some of the pictures to be exhibited during the coming week were found to lie distinctly novel and up-to-date. For instance, a long spool shows in a most interesting- fashion some of the animals met with by Sir. Roosevelt in his recent hunting expedition in Africa. Inasmuch as the cables reported only yesterday the arrival of Mr. Roosevelt in London, it. will be seen that the picture has not been delayed on its journey across the stus. Hippopotami, crocodiles, tiger cats, laud crabs, giraffes, rhinoceroses, vultures, marabou, horned chameleon, and many other strange animals and birds are "spooled" by Mr. Cherry Kearton, the official photographer of the expedition, and there are good pictures of the American hunter himself and his numerous black baggage men. A picture- whose educational value can hardly be over-estimated shows tho Brighton- Aquarium, with its finny exhibits darting here and there in,the clear waters. A pleasing drama, "The Girl and the Ranger," enacts the saving of a young captain of tho rangers from the merciless hands of smugglers whose deeds have been discovered. The rescuer, n trim maiden, the daughter of the chief ot the smugglers' hand, •when she has set free the young captain whom she loves, asks that her father may not bo pursued, ottering herself captive in his stead. Furnishing a clear idea of engineering enterprise, the film, whose title is "A German Overland Railway;" also supplies the novel sensation of travelling in mid-air, the cars being suspended from an overhead track instead rm "!;»S on bogies in the ordinary way. The overhead railway has an obvious advantage in that street traffic cannot interfere with the cars, and, in the picture, a considerable portion of the route runs directly over the course of a river. "The President's Special" is a railway story of a thrilling nature, snowing a signalman's vain efforts to Iceep awake after a long spell on duty, for real humour, "The Queen of Burfe qu , e '," '^ My Maid is to ° Slow ." and l'oolshead on Skates" may be recommended, and there are other studies, such as Don Carlos" (a love episode), "Lad- .<!? „ (a , P oin 'ed domestic story), and Dollmakmg'.' (showing a German industry), which serve to maintain the entertainment at a high level, and add finish to a satisfying programme. The orchestra, under Mr. Frank Crowther, played bright music. These pictures will be shown again this evening, and there will be a matinee to-morrow afternoon. THEATRE ROYAL." "Athos,. the skating dude," is one of the special attractions at the Theatre Royal just now, particular interest being lent to his "turn" by tho fact that every U ellingtonian who has learned to skate can constitute himself a judge of the artist's work. . The trick skatiug of Athos is an eye-opener to the most .experienced amateur. Mr. Carden .Wilson, a mimic of prominent actors and singers, kept the house .well amused during his stay before the curtain, and Mr. Frank York's boisterous humour found many admirers. Miss Peari 'Hellnirich sang'her serio-comic songs attractively, and the Musical Shirleys were recalled for their first contribution. ' KING'S THEATRE. A powerful story, depending upon the intense jealous}- of a musician's wife, was told for the first time at the King's Theatre last evening in the kinematapicture called "The Lovo of Lady Irina," a film of the American Biogruph" Company. Lady Irma is passionately' fond of her tall and handsome husband, and when his master hand charms melody from the harp, and the assembled ladies pour forth their praise, the wife's jealousy knows no bounds. She plots to disfigure his features, hoping thereby to divert the admiration of tho other women, and she procures two rogues to carry out the cruel work. . Fearfully scarred on one cheek, tho musician, after weeks of sufToring, looks with dazed eyes at his wouuds, and wonders -'what his wife will now think ,of. him. .Conscience stings the wife, However, • and she breaks down, making a full confession of her guilt Her husband, perplexed at his wife's rash act, realises her motive, and grants forgiveness. "With Roosevelt in. Africa," a picture which has been obtained with tho least possible delay shows many interesting days in the hunting expedition which Mr. Roosevelt has just concluded, and special merit attaches to; the views of wild animals and strangely-shaped insects in. their native haunts. , Thekinematogroph camera, has enabled some of the most fascinating glimpses' of wild Africa to be reproduced. An Edison picture, "The President's Special," tells of railway points fhat were not attended to." Owing to the illness of the operator on tho night shift, a signalman is required to do iS hours' continuous duty in his switch-box, and he has an increasingly difficult, task to ward off slumber. Tho telegraph receiver clicks off a message to side-track a midnight train, in order that the President's car may pass, but the signalman . dozes for a moment just as the passenger train whirls past -the windows. His wife, realising that danger is imminent, pleads with a motorist, who sets off to overtake the train; The picture shows a thrilling raco between motor-car and train, and finally this train is put hack safelv, leaving the track "all clear" for tin.special. "Tinned Apples" and ".Dollmaking" are pictures which disclose two phases of industry. "The Island of Warken" is a scenic- reproduction, and there is a distinct comic element about "Foolshead on Skates," "Poor Pa Pays Again," "The Laughing Machine," and "The Waiter's Dream." The . King's Theatre orchestra played acceptable selections throughout the entertainment. Four large oil paintings, the work of Mr. W. Beck, of Sydney, were hung on the walls of the theatre yesterday, adding materially to the artistic -value of the decorations. Mi Beck has been specially engaged to attend to the decorative work of the theatre , . There will be another exhibition of pictures at the King's Theatre to-night, and , a matinee is announced for to-morrow afternoon.. \. ; STAR PICTURES. One of the most striking pictures which is being put forward by the Star Pictures at present is that entitled "The Love of- a Nautch Girl," which is worked out in a picturesque Indian setting. "A Visit to the Antwerp Zoo" is another fine film, whilst on the comic side "The Servant of an Actress"- is screamingly funny;-, To-morrow afternoon . and evoning an innovation will bo made, when several cinephone items will- be added to • the programme.' The combination of graphophon and kinematograph in suitable items should be distinctly novel and interesting. OLYMPIA RINK. . Roller skating at the Olympia Rink is now one of the most popular of winter nvening pastimes in Wellington. The fine floor at the Olympia has now been thoroughly tested by fastidious rinkeis and declared to be good, every afternoon and evening session witnesses a ■ large crowd of enthusiastic, people, some struggling to solve various problems in tho laws of equilibrium, others, more confident, rolling soberly round, while tho envied star performers describe' figures of night and other wonderful feats. HAMILTON-MAXWELL DRAMATIC COMPANY. Allan Hamilton, the theatrical manager, has entered into . partuership with Max Maxwell, for some years leading man for the Bland Holt Company, and by arrangement with Mr. Holt the new firm will produce the follov.in.'> successful iilays:-"Woiimii and Wine," "f>. London Town," "Revenge." and. "Wo- ! man's Hate." They have also secured j scenery bj the late John Briiuton.. to j (•ether with complete wardrobe and j effects, such as were always distinguishing- features of-the Holt ■■.nianagp.iiifji'-. The opening will be on Saturday liighl in tlie Opera House, .when "Woman mid Wine" will be staged, with i |imvi!rf':i company, including Beatrice Hullo iv.iy, Nellie Stronc. v «ra Hemeo,- llabel Rus-

sell. Florence Pettsl and Muriel Dale, also Max Maxwell, Charles Brown, Godfrey Cass, John Bruce, S. .A. FUzgtrald, Richard Bellairs, Sidney de Vine, Launcelot Vane, and mnny others. The box plan is now open at Holliday's, and day sales at Christeson's. PICTURES AT THE TOWN HALL. "In connection with the, orchestral and kinematograph entertainment .at the Town Hall to-morrow night by the btar Pictures and Wellington Professional Orchestra, as advertised in I another column of this issue, it is interesting to note that the Otira Tunnel accident will bs tho subject of a series of pictures included in the programme, including an interior view of the great tunnel, rescued and rescuers, and other interesting r.ceues. The management have gone to great expense in- obtaining this set of pictures. Other pictures on this programme are:—Belgian Cavalry, Tantalising Young Lady. Foolshead, Robber, The Heroine of Mafeking, Evil Spirts in a Boardinghouse, Calino Goes Shopping, Wonders of Nuture, Cosco's Wedding, Mid Mended Suit. An orchestral band of thirty performers will accompany with appropriate music. . The box plan is on view at Christeson's. ,„,,.. . , " Y.M.C.A. RESIDENTS' CONCERT. ' The Y.M.C.A. residents' concert, held. in the Assembly Hall last evening, was a great success. The programme of items, included vocal and instrumental solos, trios, and recitations. The following contributed items:—Misses M'Bean, Anderson, Dix, Mrs. H. Suicliffe, and Messrs. Warbrick, Zante-Wood, Galloway, Carr, Monro, Gillies, Williams, Joy, and Brunt.