ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 874, 21 July 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

3 OPERA HOUSE. "Tho Hypocrites" is having a successful run at tho Opera Ilouso. Tho play has 11 double interest, tho cynicism with which it is permeated being pleasantly relieved by tho breezy manliness and purity of tho curato, Jlr. Little, a part capably borne by 11. 11. Itoberts. Beatrice Day gives an intense presentation of the character of a scheming society woman. The cast of the piece is particularly well balanced, and the subordinate parts liavo been distributed with excellent judgment. THEATRE KOYAL. The Theatre ltoyal programme this week is proving popular as usual. lho clover acrobatic performance of the Kogcrs quartet of juveniles, and tho quaint antics with which it is enlivened, mark it as a star' turn. Ward Icar is popular as of old, and tho various vaudeville turns and pictures which complete tho programme conibino to make it ono of uncommon excellence. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There were no vacant seats at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, wheii an entire change of programme, including some exceptionally, fine pictures, was presented. Among tho dramatic pictures '"Tlie Angel of Dawson's Claim" must lx> accorded special mention, owing to the capital acting of a tiny girl of about three years of age. The picture opens in a mining claim out West, with the hero a? boss of the gang for old ■Dawson, whoso daughter ho is in love with. On a day he discovers that a. terrible accident has happened'through the overturning of a "prairie schooner (wagon), the result of which a man and his wife aro killed. The latter lins just time to tell the hero to look after the child, when she falls dead. Ho takes the child to his hut, but being nonplussed as to what to do with it "when the sandman conies," tains it to Dawson's, where it is eagerly welcomed by tho girl. But tho ohihl lias become so attached to the hero (lint when it is put to bed at Dawson's it gets up, puts on its little boots, and trots, down the track to his hut. Miss Dawson soon discovers hor loss, and is fearful that somo injury has befallen the child. She and, her father track it- to the young fellow's hut, where he is caught playing "horses" with it. The scene is such a charming one, and so affects tho girl that she throws herself into her lover's arms, and all seems well for them and the youngster. "The Way of tho World" is a strong drama with a telling moral. In the dim religious light of the church, only half a dozen worshippers can be. seen, and the good old priest is troubled at heart at the falling away from grace of his people. A young curate, anxious to lift tho burden, is seized with the idea of going out into the world and teaching by example. He seeks work on a farm and g'ains; it, but when ho checks a burly labourer from thrashing his child, he in turn is struck and felled to tlio ground. Then he rescues a fallen creature from ill-treatment at the hands of a mob, but is scoffed at and abused for his pains, and when lie seeks a. shelter for her is rebuffed. Finally lie returns to report his failure, aud is about to resume his clerical duties when |tho woman he has succoured is. attracted to tho church by tho sound of the bells, confesses her faults, and is admitted to' the fold. "Lieut. Rose and the Gun-runners" is a sensational picture dealing with an illicit trade 011 tho West Coast of Africa. Other good pictures are "Capital v. Labour," descriptive of how an heroic parson won a : millionaire's daughter, "Rigolls" (a man of many laces), "In the, Laos States," a fine coloured scenic .picture, "It Pays to Advertise," "The Forbidden Novel," "Venetian Firemen," "An Indian .Chief's Generosity," "'Swedish Canals," and "A Motor Eide Through tho Ciorgo of Do La Hault." KING'S THEATRE. Tho night was dark and tho streets sloppy with a cold raw drizzle, but such trifles never scorn to all'cct tho attendant at the picturo shows 011 "change" night. This week's programme at the King's Theatre is as bright and varied as-any epicure in moving pictures could, desire. Olio remarkably line picture takes-the gun-running evil 011 tho West Coast of Allien for its subject, A British commander, hoaring from the Governor of a station that, the Portuguese gunrunners are landing guns and ammunition, ' details Lieutenant -Rose, and a party to capture tho offenders against international law. Meanwhile tho - chief of the gun-runners, fearing trouble, kid-, naps tho-Governor's daughter to socuro his own safety, threatening tiiat if pursued she will die. On arriving at the runner's village, the lieutenant finds tho girl lashed to the muzzle of an ancient cannon, with the Portuguese ■ niisoreuiits ready to blow her into atoms. He discreetly retires, and afterwards enters the village' disguised, spikes the gun, -and, witli liis men rescues the girl. Tli'o American Biograph Company, whose pictures aro always notable for the deep dramatic noto struck, and the excellence of the acting, is represented in "The Way of the World," a lesson in Christian charity. An old priest grieves over the empty pews in his church, and a young probationer volunteers to go out into tho world to seo if ho can stir up a better feeling towards Christianity and tho C!)\ir;:ii. So, in mufti, he takes up work mi a farm, and when ho checks a. brute 'of a man from striking his child, reproves him, and 'ho is struck and knocked down for his pains. He then takes up work in a store, and spends all his earnings in charity. Then he comes upon a crowd ill-treating an unfortunate woman, rescues her, but finds 110 one prepared to tako her in, not even those ho has assisted. Distressed at his noiiflucccss to reform the world, lie returns to the priest, and tells him of his failure. Then the old church bell is tolled for the evening service, and as he is about to don his clothes for service, the modern Magdaleno approaches, confesses her sin, and a penitent. "Not in vain, if ono soul is saved," murmurs the old man. "Tiio Angel of Dawson's Claim" is a picture of life in tlie wild west, a story of great heart interest. 'In the Laos States" is a natural-colour film of great beauty, showing a vast area ■A flooded country, with natives performing prodigious feats of valour 111 a canoe. The river scenes.are very tine, particularly those showing the rapids. Other splendid scenic views are entitled "The Inundation of Dalafoen, Sweden," "Pekin," and' "Valendar." A number of good comics complete an excellent programme. STAR PICTURES. The Star Pictures at St. Thomas's Hall, Isewtowu, were well patronised last oveniiig, and the excellent standard of films which the proprietary aro continually procuring is worthy of the support that is nightly accorded. This week's programme of kmemutography is well up to standard. . "TIIE KELLY GANG." The latest living picture drama acquired by the Messrs. MacMahon will be presented to Wellington audiences for the first time on Monday, evening at tho Opera House, where a short season of six nights will be inaugurated. Probably no Australian story -lends itself more readily for biograph purposes, and tho representation on Monday of tho exploits of the notorious Australian bushrangers, "Tho Kelly Gang," will probably attract a large audience. Chief among the exciting incidents of the story may 1>« mentioned the murder of the police! the holding up of the bank, the shooting of tho spy, locking tho police in their own cells, the burning and the attack 011 the Glenrowan Hotel, the heroism of Father Gibncy (the, late Bishop of Perth), and the last stand of Ned Kelly, the iron-; clad man. A now and interesting series of animated subjects will constitute tho iirst portion of the procramnic. Mr. Alfred Borthman will graphically narrate the story of "Tho ICollys." Popular prices will prevail. The box plans will Ite open-, ed this morning at the Dresden.

SKATING RINK. Skating enthusiasts worn in force in largo numbers at the Olynipia Kink last; cvnnin?, and the proceedings wore enlivened with spirited music from the Olympia Band. There are three sessions daily, learners being admitted at G p.m., but not after 7.30 u.rn. *