ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 994, 8 December 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

■ _ -3- , , . THEATRE ROYAL. The continued popularity of this week's programme at the Theatre Eoyal was, again demonstrated Inst evening, when' this favurite plnco, of amusement wqs well .filled.- The various artists acquitted themselves capably in their endeavours to please. Special mention should bb made of the talented banjoists, M'Grath and Pago, Hunsley and Florence in their dramatic sketch entitled '"A Father's Love," and the inevitable mirth-provok-ing-Harry Sndler in his many comicalities., The same programme will bo repeated to-night, and to-morrow evening an amateur trial night is announced to take place, the entries for which are said to bo numerous.. ... HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Last night was-the last opportunity on which the excellent programmo prt, vided by Messrs. Fuller and' Sons sinco Monday night could be witnessed. Tonight the management anriounco a new attraction, in tho form of a change of programme, included in which will bn some of tho fine dramatic, scenic, and comic pictures for which His Majesty's , Theatre is well-known. THE KING'S THEATEE. o£ largo patronage at the,. King's Theatre last evening to witness the biweekly change of programme woro realised.' A film entitled "Tunny Fishing in' Sicily" gives interesting glimpses of this noted industry.' The ■ tunny is a huge fish, and struggles desperately once in the toils, of. the fishermen's net. The fish are then taken to the factory, and the various stages of the canning pro-cess'are-shown.' 'Perhaps the-best picture of the evening was the Scottish pastoral study entitled "Her Mother's "Wedding Gown;" A young girl, a daughter of a shepherd, desires .to become a famous singer. Her parents refuse to entertain'the idea, so during the night slie steals away from home. Five years later, when her ambition is realised, she returns to her father's home, only to learn from a neighbour that her mother is dead, and her father is leading a' very lonely life., • She enters her ol'd home, and sees her father sitting in the garden.sunk in reverie. It is the anniversary of his wedding day. She dons her idead mother's wedding dress and commences, to sing "Annie Laurie." Her wondering if he is dreaming, en-;ters-the room, and sees her in her mouther's wedding dress. He, thinking ibis a vision, holds out his arms imploring, when 'she rushes to him and says, "It is .only your daughter,. who , has , -returned, never to leave you again.". In "Hunting the Hippopotamus on the Nile," one '; is enabled to follow the big game hunter ;oh "his 1 expedition. These ■ monstrous ;beists are seen, disporting themselves in .the water, when suddenly one of them ' commences'- to struggle wildly, and .the • rest.make off. But tho hunter's hand and eye were* steady, and it soon ceases ■to struggle. A number of negroes drag it ashore, and the .hunter takes the head .as 'a'. proof of his prowess. A picturo showing the funeral and military cere- ■ monies' in.-,connection .with tho death of ! the late P,rince Francis of Teck was also !very.'interesting. "That great tragedy, following-tho-American Civil' War, tho !assassination- of ..President Lincoln, was ■vividly'.-portrayed, as was the flight -and subsequent--death of his murderer. i'.'Lost Viri the' Sudan" and "The Mohawk's Way" are also very powerful I studies and were well received. Lovers ■ of comic studies were not neglected. ! , STAE.PICTURES. ,i,A splendid lot of > moving pictures • is 'being submitted to frequenters of the St. j Thonias's Hall,. Newtown, a .film depicting scenes on the Canadian-Pacific Kailway, and one showing the beauty spots of tho Eiviera, being especial features of the entertainment. Other interesting 6tudies are "The Juggler." "Senorita," "The,. Elf King," "The Sailor's Dog," and "The ■Defeat of Satan." \ iALDARESLAJtt) , ENTERTAINERS; ' Vaudeyille:..is.-to .be -the.: attraction at the Opera.. Houses at: the 1 conclusion of the present w,e<;k, and;.presented- by tho ■j.Valdares''and.Garrisons! company of enjtertainers, .who commence , their season •on Saturday, December 10, should prove 'a strong attraction. Mr.' Jules Garrison and his two Koman Maids present something unique in the way of vaudeville, their _ act comprising the latest variety vagaries, in which originality ■ and refinement may be said to predominate. A novel and'daring performer is Eeggiardo, who not only presents his feats of light and heavy-weight juggling, but introduces his Maltese poodles, said to be two of the cleverest- trained dogs that have ever toured New Zealand. The four Valdares are famous trick cyclists, and these graceful and finished; performers present an exhibition that proclaims them pastmasters of their art. The season will'be for seven nights, commencing on Saturday, evening .next,-, and the box plan is on view.at the' Dresden.

THE SHEFFIELD CHOm. Mr.' Hugo Gorlitz',".' representing Dr. Harriss, of-the-Sheffield Choir, has ■ received the ■ following letter from the private secretary to his Excellency the Governor:—"December 3.—Dear Sir,—l am desired by. his Excellency. the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of vour letter of. November 29, stating that'you have arranged for Dr. ; Henry Coward and two hundred members of the Sheffield Choir to leave- England; in March,' 1911, for the purpose of holding musical festivals in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and that you hope to have the active co-operation of the leading musical 'societies, both choral and instrumental, in New Zealand. The merits of the Sheffield Choir are well known, and your effort to bring about a close union of the best musical talent in the various parts of the Empire, through tho instrument of this choir, commends itself most warmly to his Excellency, who, therefore, desires me to express his hope that your endeavours may meet with complete success, and to state that he has much pleasure in accepting your invitation to. become honorary patron of the festivals to be given in New Zealand." CONVENT CONCERT. St. Mary's Convent concerts are always popular with the public, owing to tho evidences, of .high vocal endeavour usually apparent in the singing of the pupils. Sister Lisouri has spared no effort this year, and this evening's concert (given in aid. of St. Patrick's College Jubilee Fund) promises to bo a great success. The programme is of diverse interest. A feature will be the-singing of a- number of Shakespearean part soiigs,. including "Elow, Blow," 'and /'Hark, .Hark the Lark.".' Miss Agnes Segrief is to sing Eossini's-florid .cavatina, ."Elena, Oh. tu chio cliiamo," and' her sister, Miss Eoso Segrief,. will -be' heard ..' in: Meyerbeer's "Nobil' Signor." Miss: Carrie. Denhard will ' sing : Donizetti's 'aria, "Convien I'artir," and Miss Francis Morrison will sing "The Enchantress." There will also be a number, of pianoforte solos and duets, and two vocal trios: Such a programme should make a strong appeal to concert -lovers.