ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1104, 18 April 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE BAD GIRL. OF THE FAMILY." Tlero 'were quedes waiting outside the Opera House yesterday long before the hour of the opening of tho early doors. It ,is an experience .that has invariably accompanied the production of the "Bad Girl of, the Family" in England and the colonies, and it is an evidence of the extreme popularity of this class of melodrama. The performance was as successful, as on the previous evening. Miss Ada Guildford in the .nam© part put life and abandon into tho. character, and yet' sustained the sympathetic ,pieces without nn.v over-effort. .Miss Adele Kelly is also ft. bright little.actress. Mr.. Herbert Bentlev as Lieut. March interpreted a difficult part with success. . Tho piece-teems with 'situations," and move's swiftly. Tho "Bad Girl of the Family" will run again this, evening.

,v' THEATRE ROYAL. . After seating accommodation and standing Toom had been taxed to tho utmost . extent at the Theatre Royal last nighi, ■the holiday crowds still continued to make for the doors, and quite > largo number were unable to gain admission. The prin-cipal-attraction at the theatre this week is the appearance of Harris and Vernon, who bring what is probably the finest dancing turn ever seen in Wellington. 'As soon as the pair took' the stage last night'they were accorded 'an ovation, and ; the, largo audience followed every phase of the turn with keen- interest. The whole of tho work done by tho Americans is new to these parts. It combines clever eongs, bright patter, and, wonderfnl dancing,'performed with grace and ease, that •make it ;delightful to watch. With such a variety of "business," the artists would •not require to introduce fresh items very ifroquently, but, nevertheless, they change 'from week to week, and, 011 that account, ;they are. certain to have record seasons ; throughout tho'Dominion.' The Rhodescomedians, who opened with success on Saturday night; were again well received, and had to Tespond to several ■ encores. Up-to-date comedy acrobats like * the Racoons never fail to please, and it ! was-not-, surprising, to'see that' the two the bny, -apd the dog commenced tneir second week at the Royal with increased popularity. With abundance of "business" in their:turn, they., had the 'large; audience 'in a mix6d condition of amazement and amusement throughout. The' tumbling of tile boy' Reg, from tho shoulders of 0110 man to the shoulders of the other, is remarkably good, while, of the.dog,- it must be said that he is ; indeed, a' clever jumper. "Dixon ICnox, bass baritone, was in capital voice, and, for his singing of the "Storm Fiend," he was warmly encored. The descriptive vocalist, Rupert Cuthbert, never went better "at tiiis .theatre than he did last night, and, frh'en he left the stage after responding to several recalls, his hearers were still clamouring for more. The popular comedienne, Miss Mabel Lynne, has a new "Aeroplano Song" this week, with . which she provokes the house ,to laughter, and easily earns an encore. Tim Howard's comic singing and dancing covers up some of the 'dull spats in the first half of the (Programme, and .Geo. Jones also supplies :an acceptable .item.; The.reappearance of ■'Miss Ettio Williams'is announced for to-' Bight.-

f THE KING'S.THEATRE. ■ Every seat. in . tho King's Theatre, was occupied long before the first picture of "the . new programme was screened last, evening. Some hundreds. of would-be .patrons had to be Tefused admission. The programme was gathered from all quarters of the globe, but excellent as .. the outside subjects were, none of them were tetter screened or of.more interest than the. pictures entitled "Glimpses' 6f "Ne»rZealand." This, series-, opened 'with- :..h coach ride through the picturesque Buller aorge,. and then - followed several pretty river soenes, glimpses of the Hot Lake district; and a,gold-shiicing scene.' One of., thej.'most popular screenings was:'a coloured picture-of reloriis.Jack, taken from the bow of one of the, Nelson steamers. The famous fish is seen darting across the bow of the steamer on thTee occasions the time the picture Vis on the screen. A dramatic screening which appealed to the audience was entitled "The Altar of Love."... The story depicted an emigrant and his child, a little girl, landing in a strango country. Misfortune and sickness overtake the parent, and he is forced to allow the child to. be- adopted by a - wealthy merchant. The father regains his health, and secures ■a berth which leads him on to a partnership in the firm and wealth.- .Fifteen years • elapse, and in the interval the merchant who has. adopted the immi- ' grant's child, and has brought 'her up A 1} -luxury becomes involved in financial ,difficulties, which'.place him", at the mercy ,;0f a scoundrel, r.who has designs on the •hand of the adopted ...daughter! .Thescoundrel proposes a bargain whereby he. is to be given -.the girl's hand, on.concli,'tion that the parent is not exposed. The -foster .father attempts to raise the means ;to clear off his financial obligations by igoing to the firm in which the real father qf the girl is. a partner, The immigrant .recognises the man .who, fifteen years (previously, had adopted his daughter, anil ( follows him to his, home. He arrives in |time to prevent tho villain forcing his j advantage, aAd by paying off the indebtedness of the merchant, everything ends ■ joyfully. The'Pathe Gazette gives a comprehensive summary o£ a host- of recent 'happenings of interest in various par.ts of the world, including tho Cambridge «ciilling crew in training, Ei n9 r George ; taking his morning ride in Rotten Row, (military stesplechase at Sandown PaTk, (the Wales v. France international Rugby 'match, Floods in Melbourne, and sundry other pickings. The other nictures included "The Scorpion/' a striking study ■from life, "The Fisher's Son," "Reforcin'g in the Congo," "Siamese Sisters," "A Mountain - Maid,"- /Tear of Burglars," .-and "The Visit of a Friend." The programme will be'repeated this evening.

V ■ HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. selection of pictures presented at ■' His Majesty's Theatre dast evening was 'remarkable for two- .- things—brightness and diversity: Tho house was packed to the'doors, and; before the lights went out, tt was found necessary to accommodate i-large number, behind the stage. Fiu--»lly it became imperative to turn hundreds away. Of the various films screeii>ed, pride of place must he given to a .fascinating story of tho great American f Civil War. entitled "His Trust," and its I sequel, "His Trust Fulfilled." A Southern gentleman, before joining, the Confederate forces, confides his wife and little 'daughter to tho care of an old negro reItaincr. Soon afterwards word is received of his death, and, to add to his widow's her borne is plundered and burned [by a party of Northerners. The old jiiegro, .faithful to the trust reposed iii ,him, cares for his former master's wife jand child, and, when'the mother dies, he ! puts tho child in a suitable home, and provides-for her: -As the child grows 'up, he educates her, but there comes a time when he. raise tho money to continue hoi- education.' Ho attempts to steal, but is discovered, and then made practically an outcast. The girl, now a young woman,' is visited by an Englisli cousin, who falls in love with her. They are married, and outside the church after the ceremony the old negro is seen jvaiting to catch a glimpse of the young mistress whom he so faithfully served. She recognises him, and then, as if acknowledging all that she is indebted to him for, gives him her hand. The mounting of this study is admirable; a battle scene, especially being a piece of realism, which is really wonderful in grouping and dramatic efl'ect. Several good scenic films are included in the programme, the two best hcintr "Scenes in Bonnie Scotland" and W A" Trip Through Picturesque Japan." ."Love of nn Indian Mother" is a touching story of. a squaw's gratitude, and how the Indian repaid the debt. Tho inimitable "Foolshead" again makes his appearance in a laughable absurdity, and the equally clever "Tweedledum" is seen to advantage in "Tweedledum-a Bit Shy." "The Colour-Sergeanfs Horse" is a story of the Soudan War, and a horse's sagacity. A of Dervish horsemen capture - tho colours of a British corps, but,' through tho instrumentality of the horse, they aTe eventually recovered. Other films of merit are "Scientific Billiards," "Our Pets," and "He Who Laughs Last.".

FULLER'S SKATING KINK. Bright surroundings, gay music, and n. splendid floor, combined ltith tho cold southerly that was Mowing-in Wellington jesterdaj; no .dojibt jvas. responsible.

for tho large attendance of the public at Fuller's Skating Rink all day yesterday., Rinking lias undoubtedly "caught 011" in the Empire City, and,, judging by the numbers that attend tho beginners' session between the hours of six-and seven, o'clock iii tho evening, it- seems likely that, in tho near future, the present rink may be unable to accommodate patrons.

THE 'WANDERERS. Every seat in the Concert Room Df the Town Hall whs filled last evening with patrons of "Tho Wanderers," a musical costume company, which opened liero on' Saturday evening. The large audienco was highly appreciative throughout, demanding encores of almost all tho performers. There was a touch of unconventionality about tlio entertainment tliat soon brought artists and audience into happy touch with 0110 another, and, perhaps, tho holiday spirit assisted the general effect. for little shortcomings that may liavo been noticeable on tho opening occasion, due, perhaps, to the limitations of tho stage, were entirely absent, "and an ajl-round healthy, fun-producing show was submitted. It is a wholesome class of entertainment that grows on a public. Miss Phyllis Honwood-Foldi, a monologue contributor of ~ striking ' presence and happy style, was several times recalled. Her accompaniments to • her recitations are extremely fine, and lend much artistic effect, and it is more than probable that this lady's popularity will greatly increase the more she is heard. Her voice is melodious, sympathetic, and well under command. Her littlo tale about how a London lady journeyed in a tramcar with her idol of a boy was a very pretty effort indeed, and her feeling interpretation of Bracken's "Not Understood" won the loud applause of people who, in this piece at least, have become keen critics. Mr. Leslie Hoimes submitted a quantity of "unmitigated nonsense," and tho moro'he submitted the more the audience seemed to want, Mr. Holmes might safely wager that in one or other of his numerous ways he could raako any person in an andio'nee laugh. Miss Made-, line Feme, a inezzo-soprano, was in decidedly better voice than when first heard; and Miss Ruby Guest played a delightful banjo ditty, "Darkies' Jubilee," that pleas-, ed everybody, and induced-them .to demand niore. A rather remarkablo development of the falsetto • voice is exhibited by Mr. George >Vinstanley, whoso turn in consequence has a decided droll'ncss about it. It is not necessary, however, to recapitulate all the item's of tho programme. The entertainment is clever, wholesome, bright, and diversified, and calculated to please everyone.

KING'S FESTIVAL. The "King's Festival," which is the name given to the bazaar at present running at the Town Hall, had extremely large patronage last evening. The time seemed to pass merrily and noisily, and, if the happy smiles of satisfaction on the faces of the attendants, ticket sellers, art union promoters, stall holders, and all other busy femininity, went for anything, they were profitable minutes that sped away. Many poor males, docile under flashes and flattery, brought the coins from their pockets and yielded them tip, as men at bazaars are meant to do. Tho evening's programme. was also a success, especially the bright dances of the contingent of young ladies who were under ■ Signor Borzoni's, direction. There was the Dance of the Sashes, Gavotte Steffania, French Cakewalk, Scotch Reel and : Grand March King George. Tho tug of war between teams representing the Tramways and Building Workers caused great excitement, and the pull to victory of the Tramway team, was extremely' popular. The pull occupied omin. 45sec., and the winners secured .£lO. . The second prize was .£5. Subsequently a Druids' team beat a scratch team selected in tlio hall. To-night there will be a!hother attractive display, and a Marathon race will •start in the hall at eight o'clock, tho competitors racing to . the Island, bay tram terminus and finishing up in the hall.

CHAMBER MUSIC. The last, of the Chamber;concerts being given by Miss Beatrice Richmond (piano), Miss .May Donaldson (violin), and Mr. F. E. Johnstone ('cello) will take place on Thursday evening -next. This concert, which will be held in .'the Sydney Street Schoolroom, was originally to have taken place on Wednesday next, but in order to allow the schoolroom to be I used in connection with a. farewell social to Bishop Wallis and Mrs. Wallis the Chamber concert will be held on the following evening. A very fine programme has been prepared, and lovers of Chamber music should make a special endeavour to be present on this last occasion.