ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 960, 29 October 1910, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE PASSING OF THE THIRD FLOOR BACK." The Plimmer-Denniston management have set a high standard in Jerome K. Jerome's thoughtful play, "The Passing of tho Third Floor Back," ' whi6h was. witnessed by another large audience last evening. The question is being asked, "Who is' the 'mysterious Stranger' ? Is he meant to be the divinity or does lie embody in his person a living symbol of our inner, and consequently better, selves?" The mission of the .Stranger is to strengthen our best 'thoughts and' ideals. This is finely done in the case of Major Tompkins and his wife, an irascible pair, agreeing in nothing, finding a peculiar kind of pleasure in irritating each other, uniting only in an endeavour to dispose of their pure-minded daughter Vivian to an aged "bookie.". As the Major, Mr. Reynolds. Denniston is particularly happy. He gets well away from himself, and acts to the life the penniless military man who .would stoop to any meanness to ensure his own comfort—even to lifting the landlady's biscuits in his top-hat. As the transformed Major, aglow with the love and tenderness of his courting days, Mr. Denniston was. delightfully entertaining. Mies Myra Wall, the young Sydney actress, who appears as Vivian (the Major's daughter), has talent of no ordinary kind. There are serious depths in her acting, which promise, under the right tuition, to give her a place as a strong emotional actress. She is aided by: a mobile> voice, capable of much expression. It is Miss Wall who sings the filial note in the play. Mr. Harry. Plimmer's' Stranger is an impersonation that will not easily be forgotten. It was a quiet, dignified study, instinct with reserve strength and dramatic magnetism. Mrs. Robert Brough and. Miss Lizette Parlies are admirably fitted as. Mrs. Sharpe and 'Stasia respectively, and capital character work —singularly even 'in quality—stands to the credit of Miss Valentine Sidney, Miss Alice Deorwyn, Miss de Croisette, and Messrs: Fitzgerald, Henry Neville, Charles Throsby, and Paget Hunter. Acceptable music is supplied by'an efficient orchestra, under the''.-conductor-ship of Mr. Rice.

THEATRE ROYAL. For to-night's vaudeville • entertainment at-the Theatre Royal, Messrs. John .Fuller and Sons have arranged a strong draw. In addition to. the popular items'by the company, Gray and Graham will put on "a spccial I change of programme, which will reveal theso _star comedians at their best. Special scenery is being arranged for, and theitage setting will bo a feature of the turn. , '; HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ■ The popularity of His Majesty's Pictures is, undoubtedly : due to the excellent selections Messrs. Fuller and Sons are. careful to : provide each successive week. Patrons entering the theatre, anywhere within a quarter of an hour before 8' o'clock find difficulty in securing, a seat. Last night, the largo assemblage g,ave strong proof of tho high quality of this weekls bill. '(Scenes in .British -India," |'The' Italian Artillery," and the "Visit of the Canadian Artillery to London" give an excellent entertainment in themselves, but in ad'ditionj to -these there .are a number of most interesting a/amatie subjects, and the comic variety are well represented. ' KING'S THEATRE. The King's Theatre' was filled to overflowing last evening. The excellence ' of the current; programme was indicated in a striking by unstinted applause. '''.'FfimtesV and its Surroundings" is a'film of rare scenic 'beauty, and "John Graham's Gold,"- a dramatic picture, ■is acted; by artists ofhigh talent. " The comic element' figures largely, and the entertainment as a whole was a decidedlyVmteresting one. STAR PICTURES. At St. Thomas's Hall, Nowtown, • a large audience assembled last- night to witness the pictures, arid judging by the frequent applause were thoroughly satisfied. . -. ■ PIANO AND VIOLIN RECITAL. The keen interest being taken in the recital by Messrs. Horace - Hunt and Herbert Bloy on Thursday evening next promises well for the success of' the concert, and the programme promises to be such as to satisfy the most exacting of music lovers. The audience will not' only make the acquaintance- of a new vocalist in Miss Gertrude- Hunt, but will i also hear some of' the finest compositions for piano and violin by, two performers who .are now both established favourites with Wellington concert-goers. Mr. Horace Hunt, apart from new. items, will, by request, repeat Schumann's "In der'Nacht," that peat ' Schumann's portrayal of the story of-Hero and Leander. "■ TOURNAMENT FOR BOYS. Wellington people who have happened to be in Christohurch at tho-time of the annual children's demonstration in that city have been struck- with the magnitude of the display there and the keen interest that is' taken in the doings of the children. Why. a like "demonstration has never: been attempted in- Wellington is a thought which lias, no doubt, presented itself to- their minds. Now, however, Wellington is to have a'display—a-display on a somewhat large scale. With twenty-three schools where there are junior cadets, and an equal number of troops of Boy Scouts, besides senior cadet companies, the movement will naturally take a military character. Marching competitions, physical drill, it'ent pitching, signalling, bugling, are included in tho programmo, .while fire lighting, hut building, first aid, and knotting will interest the scouts. Nor have tho girls been forgotten: Skipping and running races are put-in for their benefit. There are athletics for the boys, and alsg for men, novelty races, a gymnastic display, and Highland dancing. Refreshment booths and numerous sido shows also help to provide an attractive afternoon's entertainment. The Basin Reserve has been granted to the committee who have the riiattor in hand, free of cost; and given a fine day on Saturday, November 12, the date selected, the tournament will no doubt be a success.

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