ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 866, 12 July 1910, Page 6

"PETE." Tho seventh performance of "Pole," by Clarke and Meynoll's Company at the Opera House last evening, was witnessed by a large and appreciative audience. The various characters are well sustained by Miss Beatrice Day, Mr. H. R. Roberts, and the other members of the company. "Pete" will be played lor the last time on Wednesday evening, and oil tho following night "The Hypocrites" will bo staged. THEATRE ROYAL. Nearly every seat at the Royal was occupied last evening, when Fullers' Vaudeville Company presented its weekly change of programme. Among tho outstaiuiijiß perfonnurs uil the bill is Jules Garrison, reciter, actor, and burlesque artist. He is such a good actor-reciter tliAt it is almost regrettable to seo him in burlesque, defer as it may be. lie ifl gifted with rare dramatic power that grips the audience from the first line and does not relax until he disappears from riew. Last evening Mr. Garrison appeared in a sketch entitled "The Old Actor," excellently done, and it up with Kipling's "Young British Soldier," recited in ringing style. \\ ith his "Roman Maids" he shook oIV the yoke of the drama, assuming the burnt cork of burlesque in "The King of Mandingo." Another "turn" of distinct merit is that performed by Ardell, an acrobat, who makes a specialty of equilibristic feats in mid-air whilst using his hands us feet, in this inverted position he stands with his hojids resting a walking-stick nini the back of a chair, and having obtained a certain poise, tho chair is removed, leaving the stick, resting on a table, his sole means of support. Ardell also docs some marvellous head balancing assisted by a dummy, and this part of his "turn" earned very hearty applause. Master Rupert Christie, the boy soprano, has become an established favourite at tho Koyal. Ilis crystalline voice was raised last evening in the ballads "An Old, Old Song" and "Molly Mine." Ward Lear is a sure laughter-raiser, and therefore a favourite, His turn included tho sketch "In the Dark," in which he whistles cleverly. Mr. Percy Poster, with the aid of coloured pictures, rang "Slip on Your Gingham Gown," and "Sadie, Say You "Won't Say Nay," and Miss Fanny Halle, "the Lady of the Lamp," executed a variety of poses and acrobatic feats with a lighted lamp poised on her head. Miss Gertie Johns reappeared after a brief absence, and sang "Tip from Tipperary" attractively. The Coleman Sisters lmfst into song about "Rag-time Liz," and created laughter with their somewhat hilarious humour. At the conclusion of the programme a biograph picture of the last English Derby (won by Lemberg) was shown. The kinomntographist had to get up early, lor the picture starts at 2 a.m,. with a crowd of youngsters "dossing" under a hedge waiting for Derby Day. The early morning gallops are depicted, and then the multitude of itinerant showmen and turf touts. At 9 a.m. the public proper begins to arrive, and there is a stream of humanity of all sorts and conditions until 3 p.m.—the hour of the race. The start is shown, bits of the race, and, finally Lemberg nicely in front at the finishing post. The picture is one of the best race films ever shown in Wellington. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. At His Majesty's Theatre last evening there was shown for tho first timo a long film illustrative of the sights of Derby Day in England, concluding with a capital picture of tho race so recently won by Lemberg. The picture starts in the very early morning—about 2 a.m., when a motley group of lads—children of the turf —are seen huddled together awaiting the day and its eventualities. Tho horses arc shown exorcising in the grey of the dawn, with a small army of touts taking noto of their paces. Travelling showmen, with and without caravans, arrive; the bookmakers start in to make their books nt 9 o'clock. At 10 a.m. tho roads become dusty with the action of motorcars, four-in-hands, and coster carts, whilst multitudes of solid humanity stream into the course from the railway, including several hundred policc. The race commences at 3 p.m., by which time every stand is packed and every inch of standing room is occupied. A peculiarity in tho conduct of the race is the manner in which the crowd is permitted to swarm on the course as soon as tho horses have passed. The raco is interestingly depicted, and a good picture of tho winner is shown at the end. The rest of the programme is also very bright and interesting. KING'S THEATRE. The Derby, an event dear to all English sportsmen, and one of the most interesting horso races in the sporting calendar of tho world, was originally pictured at the King's Theatre last ovening. It seems only the other day that the cables flashed the news of Lemborg's brilliaut win in the last Derby, yet last evening, we, at the very antipodes, were practically able to enjoy an English "Derby Day." It is a very full day in this case, as the picture commences at 2 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. In the meantime graphic scones from Hfo are shown, depicting what happens from' hour to hour—the hungry waiters fed under police supervision at dawn; tho early "muscle-stretcher" indulged in by the horsos; the arrival of the showmen and bookmakers; and finally the great crowd—great enough, it almost seems, to leave Loudon tenantless. Tho race was cleverly kinematographed, and at the finish an excellent portrait of the winner is shown. STAR PICTURES. A large audience assembled to view the Star Pictures at Newtown last ovening, when an entire change of programme was screoued, including many items of outstanding merit. Two of file best pictures shown were "Winter Sport iii Norway," and "The Skipper's Yarn," a dramatic composition in which tho "yarn" of an ancient salt, as he sits on the deck of his ship amidst his crew, is pictured in vivid detail. "Pals" is a beautiful animal study in which a cat and parrot, evidently on terms of close friendship, are shown indulging in various quaint antics. "The Duchess of Lnngeais' is a brief but powerful dramatisation of a tragic story by Balzac. A picturo of equal beauty and interest is devoted to tho portrayal of scenes in and around Melbourne.* In addition lo the items named a meritorious range of comic films was displayed, and handsomely fulfilled tho purpose of such compositions in provoking hearty laughter. Tlio programme will bo repeated this evening. "THE HYPOCRITES." "A great play and a great performance" is stated to be the verdict of those who have had the pleasure of seeing tho Clarke-Meynell combination in Henry Arthur Jones's latest modern drama, "The Hypocrites." It is not often that one has the opportunity of seeing a company the whole of the members of which aro artists, and it is said that the audienco feel the power and force of their acting in "The Hypocrites," more particularly in the third act, which has a very strong climax. Mr. Roberts is said to be superb as fciio Rev. Edward Linnel. Miss Day, too, is said to give a powerful and perfect representation of her part, and her drcfscs are reported to bo magnificent. The other parts will lx: admirably sustained by (he full strength of this clever combination. GARRISON BAND CONCERT. The audience at the concert given by the Wellington Garrison Baud, under the leadership of Lieut. Herd, at the Town Hall last evening, were treated to an exceptionally line programme of band music, comprising tho following items:— Quick inarch, "The Centurion"; fantasia. "Minstrel Melodies"; waltz, "Ensueno Scductor"; trombone solo, with baud accompaniment, "The Pilgrim of Love"; variations on a Welsh melody, "All Through the Night"; grand descriptive fantasia, "Pride of Scotland." Tho ranks of tho band have lately been materially strengthened by the inclusion of Messrs. J. W. Glennie, eenr. (cornet), and J. W. Glennie, ]unr. (trombono), from Waihi, and Mr. J. Rushton (cornet), from England.