ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 962, 1 November 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE PASSING' OF THE THIRD .FLOOR BACK." . The seating accommodation at the Opera House last'evening was'fully taxed when the- Plimmer-Denniston Dramatic Company was seen once more in that striking play of Jerome's "The Passing of tho Third Floor Back." There is no question that the play has made a deep impression, and last evening its action held the great audience like a vice. This is an achievement for the players, as the subject is one which requires the delicate handling, and any relaxation- from the artistic conception which each player has made of his or her part would probably mar the wholo scene. As it was the play commanded wrapt attention, and its somewhat quaint unfolding was undisturbed by the untoward. Mr. Harry PJimmer is dignified and impressive throughout as, the Stranger, and a series of delightfully-finished sketches are presented by Miss Lizette Parkes, • Mrs. Brough, Miss Valentine Sidney, Miss Deorwyn, Miss Croisette, and Messrs. R. Denhiston (whose Major Tompkins is a fine bit of work), Mr. S. Fitzgerald, Mr. Throsby, and Mr. H. Neville. "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" will be played for the last time this evening.

"LOVERS' LANE." To-morrow evening Messrs. Plimmer and Denniston will present Clyde Fitch's pretty and clever comedy drama "Lovers' Lane," which made such a hit in Sydney. On the final performance in that city, there was a scene of great. enthusiasm. The huge Theatre Royal was packed to the doors, and on the fall of the curtain the audience cheered the players, and Mr. Plimmer was obliged to make a speech. Such scenes are rare in Sydney. A feature of "Lovers' Lane" is the children's scene, in which a number of exceptionally clever children are engaged. It is in this scene that Miss Lizette' Parkes sings "The Old Red School," which made an instantaneous success. Air. Harry Plimmer will appear as the Rev. Thomas Singleton, and Mrs. Brough, Messrs. Neville, Throsby, and Dennistwi are entrusted with highly congenial roles. The box plan is now open at Holliday's, Lambton Quay.

THEATRE ROYAL. A crowded house welcomed the weekly change of programme at the Theatre Royal last evening. A bright and enjoyable bill was provided, and met with a capital reception. Fred Kicks retains his grip on his audiences, and his songs, "Paddy's Rag," and _ "The ■ 'Whistling, Coon," were well received, especially the whistling item. Dainty little Olive Sayer, a juvenile balladist, has sung her way into the hearts of Fuller's patrons, her son, "Down on the Old Swanee," being vigorously encored. The star part of the programme, however, was the turn of Miss Nellie Graham and Fred Gray.) Here music and comedy were very effectively combined, and the versatility of the r artists-was a revelation. • The lady member of the duo sang well, and playedthe saxaphone, cornet, and' a variety of other brass instruments excellently, while Fred Gray proved himself a brilliant instrumentalist. His rendering \of "Good-bye,. Swe9theart,'Good : bye," on the trombone was a splendid performance. In his make-up and "business," he was inimitable, and,. generally.. speaking, he and Miss Graham were responsible for one of the finest musical sketches ever seen at the Theatre Royal. The best vocal items of the evening ware, the songs, "Dream Voices" and "A Faded Picture," sung by Miss Beryl Gilman. This artist is a favourite of patrons of the Theatre Royal, and has every reason to be pleased with her success last evening. Horace Dentice, another juvenile performer, was a success, his singing and dancing being especially praiseworthy for one so young. Scot Gibson, an artist after the style of the famous Harry Lauder, longo intervals, of course, materially contributed to tho success of the programme. The Two Rosebuds were also attractive, their singing aud. dancing being well received. The Apollo Brothers, in the. comedy sketch, "Fun in a Gymnasium," are also worthy of mention. Four animated pictures were shown, and one, , "Destitution and Dreams,",.,was a particularly striking picture. - Altogether-.a clean, wholesome, entertainiient was provided.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre' was well patronised last evening, the splendid display of pictures being accorded a very appreciative reception, which goes to indicate that the picture show as an illustrator of topical events has come to stay. "Lieutenant Rose and the Stolen Submarine," in. which the hero ..eventually outwits .a clever gang of rogues, drew a storm of applause. A well-staged dramatic story is the "Watchman's Daughter," told in high-class acting by characters in costumes of the early days. Tontolini figures in a series of; humorous somersaults, highly diverting. "How Jones Won the Championship" provides some very entertaining and clever trick cycling. Subiaca, a travel film, graphically sets forth the principal. streets and quaint building of that Turkish town, and also the mode of life of the inhabitants. Military subjects, "The Canadian Rifles" and the "Italian Flying Artillery," arouse the enthusiasm of the audience by tne excellent horsemanship of the artillery men. To-night will be the last chance of seeing this.programme, and a complete change will take place on Wednesday night.

KING'S THEATRE. The picture attraction for the week at the King's Theatre is the film of the Arnst-Barry race for the sculling championship, shown in Wellington for the first time last evening. Among the scenes before the race are views of the Zambesi, a stream not appearing to be possessed of any particular scenic beauty. Barry is shown taking a training spin, and paying a visit to Arnst.' The champion figures in a preliminary spin, paced by a pair-oared skiff. The race is followed by a launch, on which thckinematograph camera was placed, and whence it,obtained a clear view of the course. Every stroke of both champion and challenger can bo.seen, and the choppy condition of the river is very marked. Nearing the finishing point signs of exhaustion are visible in the rowing, of both , men. The magnificent spurt of Barry, who closes up dangerously, and makes a gallant effort which he cannot maintain, and other incidents of the race are easily followed in the picture. The efforts of both men are given impartial applause by the audience, and the final scene of Arnst. hoisting his flag on the banks of the river is greeted with ringing cheers. Other pictures are also screened.

STAR PICTURES. Residents of Newtown assembled in large numbers at St. Thomas's Hall, when the new programme for the week was shown for the first time. The films cover a wide range 'of titles, the scenic views, "In the Frozen North" and "Picturesque Java" are places well off the beaten track of the tourist, and are capitally taken. What patience and perseverance will do in animal training is shown in "Hawkins and His Trained Dogs." These dogs display astonishing sagacity in. going through their respective turns. Included in the programme are_ a number _of comic and dramatic pictures of high merit.

PIANO AND-VIOLIN RECITAL. The programme for Messrs. Horace Hunt, and Herbert 810y J s second recital, on Thursday next, is not only full of good things for music-lovers, but contains several items new to Wellington audiences. This is not only true of the instrumental numbers, but applies also to some of the songs by Miss Gertrude Hunt. In the first part of the programme Miss Hunt-is set down for two French songs, not nreviously given here, "D'uno Prison," a "delightful setting by Halm of some charming words of Verlaine, and "Chanson du Papillon," arranged by Wekerlin, from Campra's opera, "Fetes Venitienncs." In the second part her contributions will bo Bishop's "By the Simplicity of Venus's Doves," and Mallinson's "Birthday."