ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 891, 10 August 1910, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE HUGH WARD COMPANY. There, was another > very large audienco at' -"The Girl from Rector's" at the Opera House last evening, when tho merry farce went with a joyous swing from beginning to end. The last performance, of the comedy will bo givon this evening. "THE FENCING AIASTER.'" The first change of programme in connection with the Ward season will bo to-morrow night (Thursday), when Herbert Hall Winslow's comedy-drama will be produced. There are one or two great moments.-in tho play; tho first being at tho end of the second act, where Angelo Rossi, an Italian nobleman, who, for twenty years, has been living in exile in New York, suffering dire poverty,- makes an act of renunciation that savours of tbo truest heroism and' self-abnegation. Rossi has been engaged in a duel, which ended in the doath of his opponent, and, after .twenty yoars, the deed rises up to the dotriment of his son, who is seeking the hand of a young lady of good family, who is also courted by the son of a big diplomat. Tho culminating point of the scene is tho remarkable saorifico the father makes for his son. Throughout tho whole play, there is nothing but sweetness and wholosomeness, with plenty of good legitimate comedy. "The Fencing Master" can only bo produced for three nights, as the season closes on Saturday.

THEATRE ROYAL. , A splendid programme is being presented at tho Theatre Royal this week. It is bright, clever, and full of variety —an excellent antidbto for depression. Valdare and Varno are without doubt two of the most astounding performers on tho bicycle who.have been seen hi Wellington. Tho Royal Sisters are a couple of dainty children, whoso performance is'thoroughly delightful. The. feats of Ardell, the aerial equilibrist, continue to hold the midionco thralled, and Charles Rceves's tenor songs - aro much appreciated. Other performers of merit are the Two Rosebuds, Will : R-obey, Ruper Christie, Gertie Johns, and the resourceful AVard Lear. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. . There was a largo audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening to witness tiie final production of the current week's programme. To-night there will be a complete change of programme, which -is said to be of exceptional merit, each item being carefully selected by Messrs. Fuller and Sons' London buyer. Tho star film is entitled "Over Silent I'aths," a story of tho American desert by tho famous American Biograph Company. ■ An old miner is toiling in quest of gold, jiis daughter staying in camp with him, At length they prepare to return to civilisation. A robber tries to take the old lnnn's gold. In tho strugglo the miner is struck down and dies. The villain makes off with- tho gold. The girl vows to bring tho murderer to jusfice. Months later the two meet, unknown to one . another, and the girl saves the murderer's life. They fall, in lnvo and when proposing, the. man shows her his bags of gold.- She recogr nises them, protends to accept his love, but when he embraces her sho takes his revolver nnd marchos him off to the sheriff. Another film x>f' unusual interest is "Raco Day at HeliopoHs Corio." The medloy of European and iiativo costumes one sees amougst the crowds lend a charm to tho film. The ■comedy and comic subjects have also been given special attention. "A Knot in the PJot," a comedy by;the Amorican Biograph, is said to be a great laughter-maker, and a full programme of the latest and brightest pictures from England and America will be shown.

I^B.KING'S THEATRE. To-night a complete oliango of pror gramme is announced by West's Pictures, Ltd., and tho Royal/Pictures, and will.include another fine series of , art gems. Amongst tlio pictures to bo shown , , for special mention aro the American: Biograpli Company's masterpieces, "The Knot in the Plot" and "Over Silent Paths,", "Catherine, , Duchess of Guisa," "A Helpless Witness, "On tho Electric Raihvay from Lianterbowen to Murron," "A Trip to tbo Jenolan Caves," Now South Wales 'Buffalo Hunting," "Tontalini as a ioreador," ■ "The Terrible : Secret," '[Object Matrimony," and "A Clianticler Hat." Special music will be rendered .bv tlie. King's Theatre Orchestra during the performance. 1 STAR PICTURES. , Tho most thrilling picture in the present week's programme at St. Thomas's Hall is a dramatic item entitled "Adventures in Golden Valley," which ■is given an extra tinge of realism by tho. natural colour tones employed in the development of the film. It relates of a man who saves the life of a woman by sucking the poison of. a snake bito from her .arm. In return for this act she gives him a necklace- of valuable gold nuggots. Those aro coveted by another who witnessed tho transaction, but his efforts to secure 'tho gold are frustrated by tho faithfulness of an Indian, Eventually, however, tlio man is shot in a. scuffle, and he passes on the location of the nuggets by letter to his son, who; with tho aid of tho Indian, succeeds after many adventures in securing the gold., Other good pictures are "Ilia Land of Eternal Summer," "Gambling with Fate,", "Picturesque Switzerland," "A Jump to Death," and some laughable "comics." To-morrow night's receipts are to be handed over to the trustees of the Children's Hospital Fund. A special programme of now Pathe films will add an interest to the entertainment.

Mil. C; H. STEPHENS'S SONG RECITAL. Jho progruiiniib of Mi. C. fl. Stephana's Eony recital, which is to be given in the Sydney Street \Uoom on Tuesday next, is announced in our columns to-day. It is of. very high musical interest, including many' line songs by Strauss,. Cornelius,' Brahms, Wilfoi'd Davies, and other composers whoso music is practically unknown in 'Wellington. Two years ago Mr. Stephens, who was then on a visit to this city, sang some of Sullivan's "Songs of the Wrens" to a large audience in the Town Hall; on the present occasion the.complete cycle will bo given, a', sufficient attraction in itself to secure a £ood audience. Miss May Donaldson, who is already favourably known as a violinist, will . contribute several solos to the programme. Seats nuiy, bo reserved, on and after Thursday, at the Wellington Piano Company, 124 Lambton Quay. ( ' • . ■ "CASTE." The popularity of ,T. W. Rouortson'si comedies is well shown by tho fact that at the Coronet Theatre, in London, thero is at present runniiirj a three months' season devoted entirely to this author's plays. Wellington amateurs, wider the experienced direction of fllisii Hardinge Maltby, aro also undertaking to'nrmliico "Caste" at the Opera House, on the first threo nights of next week, and it may fairly be claimed for them that their earnestness, as shown at rehearsals, gives promise of a well-finished and satisfactory performance. His Excellency the Governor, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, the Hen.' Dr. Findlay, and his Worship the. Mayor, i\ro giving fche.porfornianco their patronage. Tho plan is now open at the Dresden,