ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1025, 14 January 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

> "THE MERRY WIDOW." Tho second' performance of "Tho Merry Widow" drew another crowdcd audieuco at the Opera Houso last evening. It was an extremely pleasant evening, with scarcely a singlo dull moment. Mr. W. S. Percy, who again, owing to tho continued illness of Mr. Bert Gilbert, filled tho part of Baron Popolf, was responsible for the greater share of the mirth, and, indeed, his inimitablo make-up was alone sufficient to set staid people off into laughter. His funmaking was eminently successful. The part of Princo Danilo received convincing treatment by Mr. Frank Greene, who also sang well, and Miss Florenco loung as; Sonia was the Merry Widow to the life—a vivacious lady with a very pleasant voice. The belated appearance of Jliss Lottie Sargent on the stage in tho character of Fi Fi, was tho signal for a popular demonstration. .Without doubt the revival of "The Merry Widow," with its very charming music, has been most welcomo and successful. It will be repeated this evening for tho last timo this season.

"THE LION AND THE MOUSE." There was a splendid demand for seats at the Dresden yesterday morning when the plans wero opened for tho five representations of "The Lion and the Mouse," which is to be the initial production of J. C. Williamson's Katherine Grey season, which begins at the Opera House on Wednesday night next. Local. residents desiring

scats in good positions, who liavo not already booked, would probably bo well advised to do so immediately, as there is every possibility that a further run on the plans will take place when visitors arrive in town to attend tho summer racing carnival- wiiicb commences on Saturday next. A brief outline of the plot of "Tlio Lion and the MouSo" will bo. of interest. Shirley R-ossmore, on her return from Europe, finds her a Supreme Court Judge, ruined financially through impeachment proceedings. The latter ( aro the result of a conspiracy , against him engineered by lteady -Money Ryder,' against whoso interests Judge. Rossmor.o has given a decision.- Shirley loves/Ready Money Ryder's son, but she - puts him aside in order to devote all her thought to the saving of lier father. She ', has written the book-of-the hour, in which she has ' frankly pictured ' tho elder Ryder in all his power and wickcdness. Ryder has read' this book, and •is anxious to meet, tho girl. She enters his household- as "Miss Green," and is engaged to do literary work for him, accepting-the position in tho hopo that she may recover certain letters her father has written. The two principal acts of tho play show Shirley, or "Miss Green;" "in-a'battle of wits with tho eldor Ryder. ' The dramatic climax of tho play comes when, unable to -persuade liini to' save Rossmora on t-ho grounds of pity and justice, she reveals to him her truo'nameand 'purpose, denounces him before-his own son, who, while'ignorant of her identity, has asked her to marry him. Tho production of "The Third Degree," which is to bo staged here on .Tuesday, January 24, was most successful in Dunediu, and "Paid in Full" also scored a distinct triumph. Both of these pieces and "Tho Truth" will bo presented during the coming seasoiv THEATRE ROYAL: AMATEUR ■ TRIALS. The Theatre Royal, despite the severity of 'the weather, was well filled'last evening, tho principal attraction being the appearance of several amateur aspirants for stage honours. Tho regular programmo occupied tho first two hours of tko'entertainment, and the star turns of Alf Holt, tho clever American mimic, Miss Jolly Coleman, tho daring trapeze balancer, Jules and Marzon, tlio amazing athletes, and the charming Gibson, duo, were greatly appreciated. The amateur entries numbered eighteen originally, but only five faccd tho music, the.iveather and stage fright no doubt accounting for the slump. Of those who did appear, some were very successful, but two wero-obviously unacceptable to tho "audience. Rather 'a novel turn, 1 and' not badly done, was a hobble-skirt sketch by an aspiring lady amateur.. There was also an'exhibition of ballpunching, and an Irish jig. Ono young lady, who invited tlio audience to "Take Mo to Your Heart," had a discouraging reception, cat-calls and divers _ weird noises rending tho air, and reducing her somewhat still small voice to the vanishing point. But she persevered, sang three verses, and bowed herself out with considerable aplomb. A grotesquely attired individual, suggestive of a "lion comiquo" was unexpectedly sentimental. From what could bo 'heard of him through tlio uproar of his critics, lie was apparently endeavouring to give "a soulful rendering" of "Lovo Mo and tho World is Mine." Ho was not allowed to finish, however, and tho descent of the curtain brought his career to an untimely end. This evening tlio current programme will bo presented for tho last time.

The now programmo for Monday will includo several strong attractions. Guillaume, Babj; and Co. will reappear oil ths boards in their popular eccentricities, and Mr. Will Roby is also billed. Jules and Marzon, Miss .Tolly Coleman, and tho Dehos will contribute new turns, and tho whole entertainment promises to be an excellent one.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. One of tlio outstanding films in the latest programmo scrocncd at His Theatre is that entitled "Marvellous Melbourne." Views aro given of the buildings, streets, etc., as

well as scenes on tho Yarra. Tho programme is strong all through on the scenic side, but industry, tragedy, and comedy have been by no means overlooked. A matineo performance is announced for this afternoon, and the new programme will bo repeated this evening. KING'S THEATRE. The picture programme at the King's Theatre this week is a particularly interesting one, and includes several star films. The usual matineo and evening exhibitions arc announced for to-day. STAR PICTURES. Tho quality of the programme submitted by the Star Pictures at St. Thomas's Hall last evening was testified to by tho enthusiasm of the audience. Tho pictures wero well selected, and were screened in such a manner as to give the best cffcct. The programme will bo repeated this evening, and a now bill will be presented on Monday evening. WELLINGTON DRAMATIC SOCIETY. Arrangements havo ;beon completed for tho Wellington Dramatic Society's two performances of Sir Arthur Pinero's charming three-act comedy "Sweet Lavender" at the Opera House early in March. The performance is in aid of tho -Wellington Boy Scouts .movement. A good cast is being arranged from Wellington amateurs. At a meeting of the Boy' Scouts Committee on Thursday evening arrangements were made for tickets to bo placed on sale.