ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 897, 17 August 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"CASTE." "Caste" proved again a popular draft last evening, when tliu .Open; House was comfortably filled, and the' presentation of the piece passed off without a hitch, and amid frequent applause. On this occasion "Caste" was preceded by "The Laughter Bureau," a bright little one-act 'comedietta. Pervaded , throughout by a spirit of gentle humour, its scenes were often esceudingl)' diverting, and never in tho least strained. The part of Madame Souriante, principal of the bureau, was capably borne by Miss Amy Kane. Her stock of reudily-Howing witticisms contained many pleasant satires on specialists of the day, and her work as a whole was both convincing and humorous. The remaining parts wore borne with spirit and understanding by thn artists to whom they were delegated. These were 'Miss Muriel Wylie, Miss Alice Kawson, and Miss Gladys Meadowcroft. "Caste" will bo repeated this evening, audwill again' be preceded by "Tho Laughter Bureau."

THEATRE ROYAL. Vaudevillo at the Theatre Royal, this week' is' proving a strong attraction to amusement-seekers, the new bill, presented for the first time on Monday evening, proving a great success. Miss Beattie M'Donald, tho clever serio, has quite captured her Wellington critics, and her turns are among the most popular items of the evening. The Royal Sisters, a tiny pair of vandeville artists, Miss Blanche Carelli, the tuneful soprano, and Miss Fanny Hall, a giacefnl balancer, contribute items of a high order of merit, while the comedy sketch by Miss Pearl Hellmrich and Mr. Carden Wilson is a bright and amusing interlude. Harry Sadler is a mirth-provoker of the burlesque variety, and lie supplies ad libitum. The Gibson Girls, singers and dancers, and the Valdares, trick cyclists, complete the bill—as good a bill as the Messrs. Fuller have presented to their patrons this year. The programme will be repeated this evening.

. . THE KING'S THEATRE. Business is still brisk at the King's Theatre, a good audience witnessing the last performance yesterday of the current series of pictures. To-night a complete change of programme will be given, which will include the' second edition of Pathe's "journal of topical events," entitled "News from Everywhere." The "journal" represents a big move forward by that already popular and enterprising firm, and an innovation that the initiators may; yet have the gratification of sc-sing introduced into the picture business generally throughout the world. The series to be shown to-night includes: (1) "Paris Fashions at the Auteuil' Races," (2) "Vincennes,"' (3) "Dover," (4) "Sestri-Concnte," (5) "Brussels," (6) "London," (7) "Calibra" (Italy), and (8) "Sarajero" (Bosnia). The remainder of the pictures to be shown have been specially selected, and are by . the best makers. The music, supplied by the "King's" Orchestra, will be of a bright and inspiring character. 'HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ■ There was another good' attendance at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, when the current week's programme was produced, for the last time. To-night there will be a complete change of programme, including "A Daring- Performance," a remarkable film, showing a famous Continental lion-tamer, Alfred Schneider, in his marvellous performance with over twenty lions, and lionesses. He is assisted . by a lady in full evening dress, and betwixt them.the lions do. all manner of' tricks and performances, the culminating point being reached when tho lady gives a fancy dance in thei midst of the animals, which are seen rolling about, jumping over each other, and running around the lady : all time she is dancing. .'. It. is a thrilling and attractive subject. Other pictures ■of interest are:—"New of To-day," "Henlev Regatta," "Ramona," a story,' white man's injustice, to the Indian, anil "An Affair of Hearts, or Cupid in a Sportive Alood." ; Seats booked at Christesou's. " . '•'"" '■"'"" '•■ ' STAR PICTURES. Tliere was a crowded house at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, last night, when the Star, .Pictures . submitted the weekly change of programme. Every film in this week's programme can be called a "star" item,, and the audience- last .evening showed their appreciation by frequent,. applause. ■, Perhaps ■ the most interesting film is that entitled "Metallurgical Works," which gives a vivid idea of'the great iron industry, showing the transition of the metal from its natural state when it first enters the factory until it emerges the finished articlo ready for the manufacture o£ machinery. Another good film is "Phaedra," a mythological drama,' in which the colouring' aud the dresses form a particularly, brilliant scene. ."The New Marshal of Gila Creek," is a thrilling dramatic story of ■the Wild West. "On the Rhine" and "Delhi's Ruins" are scenic films of high merit. The comic picture, "The Kinematograph Theatre," is an amusing study in facial expression, as exhibited by tho audience at" a picture show. .The programme will be repeated each evening for a week; and there will be a matinee on Saturday "afternoon. ■ . . .'■.'' ■' ~~ ~i ' '. '■ OLYMPIA RINK.' ■ There is no apparent dimunition iu the attendance of skaters at tho Olyiupiu Rink, one of tho most popular of the umusement halls' in Wellington. . All three sessions daily, are well attended, and at night the fun grows fast and furious, and . the rumble of the skates, the exuberance of. the linkers, the music of the band, combine to.make a scene of brilliant revelry, for skating is a .wholehearted pastime. There are, as the schoolboy would observe, "no half-larks" about ■ it. Next Wednesday the great fancy dress and poster carnival will be 'held, entries for which are being received now.• . . . ~

THE NATIONAL PICTURES. Few New Zealand theatre-goers havo had tho pleasure of seeing and hearing the world's leading star artists ' of the day., Ono of the greatest,of l.heso aitists, an artist with a wonder/ul hold on the attention of tho theatre-going public of to-day in the Old World, is undoubtedly that great Scotch comedian, Harry Lauder. To secure the appearance lit this country of Harry Lauder is quiteimpossible, but through the ingenuity of man that wonderful instrument, tho chrqno-megaphono has brought to perfection tho reproduction of the humanvoice exactly synchronising with animated photography, and thus affording tha only opportunity the public will have to seo arid hear Harry Lauder. The National Pictures have made arrangements with Hayward's Picture enterprises (who hav-; secured tho rights tor 'lie Vomlniob) '« Aiov this speciality in conjuunction with National Pictures, at the Opera House, for a short season only, commencing tomorrow night. ■ SKATING CARNIVAL AT OLTMPIA. The fancy-dress and poster carnival, announced to take place at Messrs. Fullers' Olympia Rink • next Wednesday .evening promises to be an attractivo function. A record entry of participants is expected and tho management statethat their expectations in this direction are being amply fulfilled. 'Some clever and novel costumes will.be seen and no expense will ho spared to make the event , ii memorable one. The judging of tho various events will be in the hands of a capablo committee, who will announce the winners at tho termination of each competition. Seats may ho reserved at the rink.' An operetta of Cinderella will bo given by tho pupils of tho Te Aro School, in St. Peter's Hall, Ghuznee Street, tonight and to-morrow night.