ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1002, 17 December 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

Judging by the attendance at the Opera House last evening, the Valdare and Garrison Entertainers are appreciated by 'Wellington theatregoers. Mr. Jules Garrison and his two . Roman Maids were especially well received. Mr. Garrison was also heard to advantage in some Kipling recitations. The case with which the Valdares performed feats of trick cycling, apparently in defiance of the law of gravitation, was rather astounding. Rcggiardo is a juggler of no ordinary ability, and his turn also was well received. The programme is to be repeated for the last time tonight.

"THE DOLLAR PRINCESS."

_ The. success of "The. Dollar Princess" since its first production has been singularly akin to "The Merry Widow." It was a great success on the Continent of Europe, and in England, America, and South Africa it has been tho same. "Tho Dollar Princess," which will be produced by Mr. J. C. Williamson's Aew Comic Opera Company on Boxing Night, December' 26, comes here with a great reputation. It is one of the big light opera successes of the present time. Tho music, .which is by Leo Fall, has been most enthusiastically spoken of, while the fun and frolic which is introduced is" said to be novel, refreshing, and delightful. In the keeping tho members of tho New Opera Company, the piece' should receive the best of ariistic treatment. For the present tour of tho New Comic Opera Company, that popular organisation has been materially strengthened, and the inclusion orMiss Florence Young, who will appear' as the Lion Queen, Olga, Mr. Reginald Roberts, Mr. Langford ICirby, an English comedian who has recently made his ■ way to the front •on the English stage, should 'prove a tower of mUsical strength. The organisation, moreover, will have tho services of the principals, who became so popular on their previous visit to the Dominion—Sir. Herbert Clayton, Mr. Frank Green, Mr'. W. S. Percy, Mr.. Victor Prince, Mr. Charles Albert, and Mr. Bert Gilbert. "The Dollar Princess" promises to be a particularly attractive musical happening. Ihe plans will be opened at the Dresden on Wednesday next.

THEATRE ROYAL. "Amateur I'rial Night" '.has become quite a popular institution with Theatre Koyal audiences on Friday evenings ana last night this announcement was responsible for the auditorium being packed. The first part of the programme consisted ■of the usual vaudeville .performance, in which the various members of the company acquitted themselves capably. Special mention should be made of Mr. E. Martin, who, with nis nne bass voice, , gave a good rendering, of "The Miner!s Pate." The tiro serios, Misses Eileen Foley and Lilly Lortus, were also in demand, and the same can be said of Miss Baryl Gilman and Miss Beattio M'Donald. Both of •these artists had to respond to repeated encores. Mr. Harry Sadler continues in popular favour with Wellington audiences, and had to return many times before he could finally leave the stage, rho second part of the programme opened with the "Anderson Trio," who perform some wonderful acrobatic feats. Mr. Nat Clifford-, the e'vet -bright comedian, was _as well received, and is a show i"n himself, giving no fewer than six different sketches,. besides recalls. »Hon. the professionals had fiuished the audieuce were treated to the leading aUraction^.'iTho'Trials." The first of ■many.!. diffe'/eiit'Vnd - varied comicalities was .a, isiuging> competition) Mr. .Harry Sadlerfs Oil" being tho test piece. Four competitors faced tho foot-lights, and their receptions were as varied as the assortment of green groceries that were cast at their devoted heads. After some little trouble in "picking, the winner," the audience, in a very demonstrative manner, declared in favour of Mr. li. Woods. Tho -most amusing item in this part of the performance was tho singing, 'with action's, of "Call Round Any Old Time." As soon as tho volunteer singer made his appearance, tho air was. rent with cat-oalls, howls, and squeaks, and finally the budding aspirant was "counted out", and "taken off the boards." Mr. R. Wilson- essayed- an exhibition of fireeating and conjuring, .but the audienco mads it too "warm" for him, and he n;as gracefully : removed to the wings by Mr. Sadler. One of the best performances of tho evening, judging from the reception, was Mr, R. Woods's rendering of "The Old Cracked Basin," in "character.; This artist made a decided 'hit, and was recalled. ' Miss Olive Fundess. and Billy. Mack began a boxing exhibition,, but were "counted out" long before "time" was up. The last item on the long programme was a repetition, by special request, of a Zulu war dance, given by Mr. Syd. Moag last Friday night, but for some unforeseen circumstance the curtain descended before,ho had a chance to execute any of the'.twists and turns with which this 'dance abounds. The ordinary programme 'will be submitted' to-night, when "The Two Rosebtids" make their reappearance.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. . The new series of pictures) screened for the'first time at' His Majesty's Theatre, on Thursday night, forms one of the most enjoyable picture entertaingiven in ."Wellington -for. some time. It is difficult to select any par-ticular-film for special mention, as every one is an excellent specimen of its own class. The scenic views of Philac, a dead city of the Nile, and the Pyrenees, however, are delightful studies of those unfamiliar parts. < Tho dramatic element enters/largely into a .number of other successful pictures. Comic studies have not been' overlooked in the now bill, as a- number of really laughable situations are well depicted, and delight the assembly. A matinee .exhibition .will be given' this afternoon, aud the programme' will be shown for the last time to-night. The first of the two weekly changes will be made on Monday night. _ .

KING'S THEATRE. Last evening the popular picture house, tlie King's Theatre, was crowded, when the current programme was again giver, with complete success. A pleasing, as well as- educational, feature is the ; "Animated Gazette," illustrating the latest topical events of Australasia. "The Sulphur Industry" is the subject of another long film, which illustrates a little-known industry. A touching dramatic picture - graphically describes "The White Fawn's Devotion." A "Great Gift Matinee" i» announced for this afternoon, and this evening ilio programme will be shown, for the. last time.' A complete change will be made on Monday evening.

STAR PICTURES. Thero . was another largo attendance at the Star Pictures at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, last evening. A feature of the programme is the excellence of the dramatic studies, which include "The Unchanging Sea,"- ■ "Washed Ashore," and ."The Countess's Revenge." ! The scenic studies comprise "Vintages on Albur Hills" and "The Dykes of Holland." There will bo the usual matinee this afternoon, and the programme will be repeated for the last timo to-night.