ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 982, 24 November 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

—» .JOHNSON-JEFFRIES' PICTURES. ' The pictures of the Johnson-Jeffries' fight drew another good attendance to the Opera .House' last night. Tho different scenes before the contest, and tho views of Reno aro interesting, and convey a clear idea of tlio town in which the historic battle took place. Every incident of tlio battle can bo closely followed, and tho onlookers are carried on from round to round with realistic vividness. The final stages of the encounter, particularly the* last three rounds, give striking proof of the inability of tho "hope of ■ the whites" to "como back." To-night the pictiires .will be shown for the l:cfc timo in this city. Palmersl'on North is to bo visited, on tho way to Auckland, on Friday night. . ... . . THEATRE ROYAL. A splendid entertainment is being provided this week by tho management of the Theatre Royal. The programme is bright and clever, and tlio artists appearing have a budget of new items in their "repertoire. The singing of Beryl Gilman, the turns of George Deans and Harry Sadler. Are features of tho programme. Another,. very interesting item is tho act of "Hanco, the handcuff expert. Miss Mabel Lynne is also apparently very popular; her turn bein» warmly' received. Beattie M'Donald, the Plying Pedros, and Farrell and Gaffney also contribute very pleasing, items. . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. : A'- new programme- always results in a large "house," and last night's attendance at-His.Majesty's was no exception. This week's bill contains an excellent batch , of educational and. industrial subjects.' One of the'most interesting, of . the industrial series is a selection of views of a slate quarry. The first' view is of the mountain of slate, then the quarry is approached .by rail, until the face of the cutting is reached, and the whole process of cutting and finishing slates' depicted. "A Trip in a Balloon" is a novel travel subject, the camera being placed in the basket of the balloon, and pointed downwards as the ascent is made. The Italiannaval manoeuvres gives a long general view of tho recent manoeuvres of that navy.-under war conditions, and constitutes a graphic representation of how mimic war-is carried on. Of the dramatic items, all' of a.very high standard, "Law of the Golden West" is perhaps the best. Two prospectors, an. Indian and a. white man, strike rich quartz.. The white man sets out to acquaint his wife, and the find is accidentally discovered by two typical western ■ /'bad men," who overcome the Indian and throw bim into ,a river.. The white prospector returns and is, promptly "bailed, up," and the claim is then registered, and afterwards sold by the thieves. They proceed to a neighbouring town ' and commence a drunken orgic. The Indian, -whom they supposed to be drowned, appears, puts the wheels of justice in motion, and "Lynch Law" is..meted out to the "claim jumpers.". The picture is set in original wild mountain scenery. A modern, adaptation of tho story of the prodigal son describes the adventures of a country youth, who enters a large city to make his fortune, and. returns in the garb of a convict,. a fugitive from justice.. "Tiva Hieland Lads," "Her, Uncle's Will,' and ■"Tweedledum's Itching Powder are of ;the humorous varietv. and aro gems of 'their class. Ah exhibition of wonderful acrobatic feats was another film that deJighted all and brought great applause. Several other good subjects go to make up an excellent night's entertainment. THE KING'S THEATRE. .' The .popularity of ,the King's Theatro was evidenced last "night by the. large audience which assembled to witness tho weekly, change of programme. The programme , contained several pictures of a very, interesting topical nature. A magnificent series of views and scenes, in Lisbon, taken during the progress of tho revolution in Portugal, were presented. The armed civilians; the street barricades, and the damage caused by the bombardment were - realistically portrayed. The Royal Palace apparently did not escape, and the Royal bedchamber in particular 'seemed to be a favourito target. An excellent view was given of that standing menace to England, "The German Squadron." Ono was enabled to form a good idea of the size and power of that formidable fleet. As tho picture sliowed it —cruisers, battleships, Dreadnoughts, and destroyers—it made one o£ the finest naval scenes , ever exhibited at this theatre.

"Tho Modern Prodigal" is a dramatic picture pathetic. iu jthe extreme. A young man leaves home to make his fortune in a large city. He is next seen as an escaped convict. While he is in. hiding he rescues the local sheriff's son from drowning, and in doing so is captured by the boy's father.. The .sheriff's wife is ordered by her husband to guard the prisoner, but feigns' sleep, and ■ enables the convict .and rescuer of her son to .escape: "The ; Cowboy's. Chivalry" and "The Law of the West" are two dramatic studies of the "Wild West" order—very thrilling and sensational. "News from .Everywhere" is an especially bright number. The Duke',of Connaught's Departure for Capetown, the Opening of the Boxing Season, the. Kaiser .on Board the Royal Yacht are a few of its features. The comic section is not neglected, including as it does such laughter-raisers as "Muggsey Becomes a Hero," "Twa Hieland Lads," and "Tweedledum's Itching Powder." 1

STAR PICTURES. This week's programme at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, .is attracting, largo attendances nightly. The programme is interesting and entertaining to a; degree, and earns .the hearty approval of patrons. -The scenic, dramatic, industrial, and comic studies are well selected, and include such films as "Chinese Towns," "Scenes in. ■ Southern Sweden," "Tho Smuggler's Daughter," "Pearl Fishing in Australia," and others. . BEEBE BALLOONS. The members of. the Beebe Balloon Company (seven in number) aro expected to arrive in 'Wellington on Saturday next, November 26, and.show at Day's Bay on Wednesday, November 30, • and Saturday, December 3. Mr. Albert Eastwood, aeronaut, ,is a native of Queensland, and his feat'of accomplishing a triple parachute descent, discarding ono parachute for another while in midair, is described as wonderful and, thrilling. The Balloon Company have chartered the ferry steamers ill connection with their show. Particulars aro advertised in another column. NAVY LEAGUE ENTERTAINMENT. The Navy League entertainment at tho Town Hall to-night promises to bo ono pf tho. best yet given by tho league. Quite a new order of programme is, to be submitted, and, judging from tho success of the many rehearsals that have been held, everything should go very smoothly. A special stage setting and curtain "has been fixed up, and tho space required for some of tho items even encroaches into the hall. On this special occasion tho members of the.- league are being treated on the same footing as the general public. Seats may bo reserved at the Dresden on payment 'of a nominal fee. During the evening her Excellency Lady Islington is to present some forty prize books to successful' Navy League juveniles who have written the best essays upon the subject "What Naval Disaster Would Mean to the Empire and to New Zealand in particular." Alfred Hill, lately deputy-conductor of the .T. C. Williamson Grand Opera Company, has engaged Madame Slapoifski to sing the leading soprano role iii "A Moorish Maid" which Mr. Hill (who composed the .opera) will produco in Sydney at Christmas time. Mr. Spencer Lorraino's pupils' concert is l>eing looked forward to eagerly by many musical peoplo in. this city. Tho concert takes.place on Friday next in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, and an uncommonly fine programme has been prepared.