ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 878, 26 July 1910, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE KELLY .GANG." •M'MAHON AND CARROLL'S PICTURES. In tho making of pictures' there ia no end, and among them the picture-; drama is likely, to prove an inexhaustible field of entertainment. In "The Kelly Gang" picture, presented to a crowded audience at the Opera House last evening, neither drama nor novel have been taken as .the groundwork, it is simply a page torn from the early, history of Australia, - which, recalls, in' a highly realistic fashion tho wild, unlicensed, murderous deeds of the notorious Kelly family. All the chief incidents- of their ill-starred career arc brought into prominence, worked out'in scenes (a. natural facsimile "one may assume), in which the sanguinary occurrences took place. There is the alleged insulting of Kate Kelly.by one of the police, and Ned's vow to meto out vengeance; tho latter's betrayal' by old' Creogan whilst ho is. visiting Nora Creegan; Ned's escape, and the murderous attack on tho police camp; Sherritfc's■ betrayal and his death; the robbery of tho bank at Euroa and Jdlberrio; and, finally, tho gruesome scene, at the Glonrowan Hotel, which tho police.besiege and finally destroy by fire. Ned escapes,, but next morning advances on-the police clad in-his crude and is finally shot, and taken prisoner..: The scenery,is typical of the "Kelly" country, tho actors.- are horsemen to-, a man, and their helter-skelter ridesthrough the scrub highly-realistic. Particularly effective is the scene, depicting,' the attack on the gang, .when ensoonsed} in the hotel at Glenrowan, where Dan-, Kelly, Joe Burn, and Steve Hart are shoty There is no questioning the favour with' which the picture was received. "TheKelly' Gang" was only one of many' pictures exhibited. "Lady Helena's Escapade", related the story of a bored; young society-, lady, who' conceives- the-, idea of-going into service "for the fun, of 'the thing." She applies for andi secures a position,- and after some amusing situations, in which she is madej' love to by every man in ' the house,; falls head. over ears in love with thef one modest man-in- the household, who plays-the violin-divinely. For a series; of. mistakes she is dismissed, but turns; to the scene of her adventure, in the plumes of her caste to offer hec, lover a post at the academy. " Wheni he. thanks her, she tells him of' her love. " "A Strange Meeting"' tells of the reformation of woman thief, through the agency'of an] earnest young preacher working in the. Bowery district of New York. Here again the end is love. Other, good pic-i tures are: "Lysistrata" (from the plays: of Aristophanes), "Why the Mail waa Late" (a dramatic story .of Western' America), and a couple of "comics, 5 * "The. Penalty of Beauty," and "An Unending Discussion." The programroa will be repeated'throughout' the week.

THEATRE ROYAL; A crowded audience; : greeted": the weekly change of programme presented at.tho Theatre Royal by ,the "Fuller, Vaudeville. Proprietary . last evening. Tho "star" turn of the evening waa admittedly that of the Rogers ■Quartet, of juvenile acrobats. Their feats in th* air and on the'' mat' were . distinctly clever, and. brought forth; spontaneous.. applause from tho audience. The box, soprano, Rupert Christie, who has won. popularity with his pleasing voice, .sang, "Though Absent From Home," and in response to a hearty • recall gave .thestirring song "Scouts of tho Empire." Ward' Lear was in great demand, and tho audience were kopt in a simmer of laughter with his original patter, songs, ancf jokes. ■ Keilderson J is a .quickchange impersonator of moro • than. average ability, and introduced chapeau-' graphy and various imitations of well-' known personages very capably.' "Himmy and Mee" did some smart' burlesque work on'the trapeze, and also balancing work- on ladders, brooms, spades, and, a cart-wheel. The turn is a good one. The Coleman.Sisters.continued to maintain their popularity, and . sang • and danced in an attractive manner,, receiving imperative recalls: < Gertie Johns also earned well-merited applause for her seriocomic items;', one song.. in particular being "Let's All Go Down the Strand." The programme right through is bright. It will be repeated nightly throughout the week.. . ' ' HIS'MAJESTY'S-THEATRE. ' The large and interested • audience, which assembled at His Majesty's Theatre last night thoroughly enjoyed the present excellent programme of picture's. Every item was' good ami the applause was •.;. KING'S THEATRE. '; The programme of pictures.now be* ing shown .at the King's Theatre ia. full of interest and enjoyment. It was much appreciated by the large audience last night' which gave expression -to its pleasure by hearty applause. . STAR PICTURES; ."■■ -.'.' The Star Pictures were not shown at Newtown last night, but will resume this evening, wheu a full change of pro* gramme will bo'presented. ■ "THE GIRL FROM RECTOR'S." ' A season of farcical comedy.will.be inaugurated at' tho Opera House on Monday evening next, when Mr. Hugh ; •J. Ward and his company of comedians niako a reappearance here, the initial production being a four-act absurdity, "Tho Girl from Rector's," by Paul M. Potter, author of "Trilby." The 'play J is an adaptation from the French' comedy, "Toute,"' and while containing, all the delightful and bright sayings and doings' of the original,, it .is arranged to suit the colonial theatregoer. Now the special' quality of a> farce ia that nothing in it is to be taken- seriously, except the intention of making, the house laugh aud laugh again. -The 1 whole of the dialogue is to be accepted in a Pickwickian sense. For people who are'willing to make this proviso, "The Girl from Rector's" has been specially, written. Mr. Ward' will be seen in ai part especially suited to him, while Miss Grace Palotta; as "The Girl," has every! opportunity for displaying her • wellknown talents.' A _ long cast includes - the full strength of the company. .The box plans for .the first six nights are announced to open at tho Dresden: tomorrow.

OLYMPIA BINK. Tho floor at the Oiywpia Rink was again thronged yesterday,.and the.-in-clement weather conditions in the c-yen-' iug did not appreciably, affect the attendance. Roller-skating has evidently established a firm hold on popular favour, and the "giddy whirl!' attracts an. ever-increasing band "of. devotees. •'■-"■ ':-.-.•