ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1107, 21 April 1911, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

« OPERA IIOI:SK. The audience which gathered at tlie Opera .House last evening showed unmistakable appreciation ot Mr. l-'rcd Mel- . villa's play, "The Bad Girl of the Family.'' The principal parts were capably taken by .Miss Ada Guildford mid Mr. 11. J. Rentier. The piece will be repeated this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. \ audevillo continues to be a good attraction at tho Theatre Royal, where I'ullor.s' ' company submit nightly a varied mid in- ; terestiiig prograunnc. Clever dancing, ' bright tongs, and daring tumbling turns provide the evening's amusement. Tonight and to-morrow evening are the Inst tiro occasions on which the present programme may be seen. A change is announced tor Monday. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. One of the best picture programmes yet presented to patrons by Messrs. Waller at, His Majesty's Theatre was that screened to a highly satisfied audience last evenmg, when an entirely new series of Jilms was shown. Three of the films stand out conspicuously for the merit of their production and absorbing interest:—"Flora and Her Troupe," "Babylas and I'anther," and "The Birth of i'lowers." "Flora and Iler Troupe" is a sensational and strikingly clever combination of acrobats and gymnasts, and some marvellously daring balancing feats are shown. Madame Flora is an immensely strong woman, and a skilful balancer, and some of her feats are. well calculated to give tho spectator a series of creeping chills. "Babylas and the_ Panther" is one of the most " diverting comic pictures seen in Wellington for a long time. A tame panther, bequeathed by tho deceased proprietor of a menagerie to his nephew, escapes from his cage, and wanders at large for a time, paying unexpected calls on various people, and scaring them out of their wits. The scenes aro cleverly stage-managed, and when the playful panther indulges in kittenish gambols with terrified humans, the situations are ludicrous in the extreme. The "Birth of Flowers" is a very line specimen of coloured kinomatography, showing the great French firm of I'atho Freres at their best. The study consists of a scrips of pictures displaying tho wonders of plant life, and the art of the scientific horticulturist. The triumph >of the kinematographer is when he achieves, the reproduction of tlie actual I process of flowering; a chrysanthemum bud takes 10 days to open out in full flower, and, by a cleverly arranged system, tho whole process, showing the petals actually bursting forth, is shown in tho space of two minutes. "Virginia" (a pathetic study based upon an old Roman story, versified with fine effect by Macaulay).is a finely staged film, and an instructive study in tho manners and customs of tho period. Dramatic studies include "The Gambler of the West," "The Old Soldier," and "The Link that Held." Scenic pictures are well represented in "Scenes and Fountains in Rome," and' The Vale of the Po," while 'Tontolini's Victims," "Daddy's Nsw Baby," and "Father Puts up a Bedstead," are good luirth-provokcrs. The "Warwick Chronicle," a weekly gazette of topical events, is an interesting budget. The programme will be shown for tho remainder of this week.

THE KING'S THEATRE. The new three-night programme of picture's at the King's Theatre was screened before a large attendance of the public last evening, and accorded an appreciative reception. The series is a realty fine one, worthy of the best traditions of "The King's," and should, have a very successful season. The programme is especially' strong iu dramatic and'comic interest, one ot the most amusing being the adventures of Monsieur Babylas and the Panther.' Monsieur falls heir to'his uncle's tame panther, which escap<s from i custody, and wanders at random in and ou't : of--the : v'arious rooms in the mansions wherein 'is situated monsieur's flat, scaring people out of their wits. The most ludicrous situations arc developed, as ■vo'ai's- nf merriment 'from tho audience abundantly testified. "Diddums and the Baby" is another good "comic," wherein art set forth the amusing aiid son-.ewhat startling adventures of a precocious juvenile and his baby brother. '"The Australian Gazette" is very good this week, topical interest.T>eing well sustained in the pictorial snapshots of recent events on, "tho other side." The dramatic studies—"His Trust." "The Gambler of the West," "The Debt," and "In the Wilderness"—are particularly good, well staged, and tho sequence of events is skilfully arranged to present an absorbing study in each case. A very fine scenic film is that showing some ot the wonders of tho New Zealand wild.. .Mention must also be made nf the diverting comedy, "He, Who Laughs Last," and of the interesting industrial film, "Jinking Casks." The new series will be shown at the theatre during the remainder of the week.

FULLERS' SKATING RINK. Large attendances were the order of tho day at fullers' Skating Rink at cach session Kinking has evidently "caught on" in the Empire City, and, judging by the numbers that attend tho beginners' session between the hours of G and 7 in the evening it seems likely that, in the near future, the present rink may not be able to cope with the increasing patronage. The usual weekly 10 o'clock session will be . held to-morrow morning. THE NEW THEATRE. Judging from tho patronage accorded to Messrs. MacMahon and Donnelly's New Theatre in Jfcnuers Street, tho new venture has apparently conic to stay. From 11 a.m. until 11.15 p.m. yesterday the ticking of the kincinatograph . machine could be heard, telling the passer-by who may bo seeking a change of atmosphere that he can enjoy vistas of travel in distant lands and thus be carried away in imagination to scenes more attractive than those which meet the eye in crowded thoroughfares. To-day a complete change of pictures is fo take place. The new subjects to bo included in today's chango of programme include, "In the Wild West," "The Navajo Bride," 'The Old Maid and the Burglar," "A Day with American Boy Scouts," and "Her Winning AVuy." On Saturday a special film dealing with the life historv of "Huinpty Dumpty" will be include! in the programme. "THE WANDERERS." The variety of the bill put forward by The Wanderers" in the Concert Chamber , of the Town Hall last evening was appreciated by the audience, which rewarded each performer in turn. Miss Hopwood-Foldi scored with her monologues and songs, and Mr. Leslie Holmes was successful with his clever mimicry Miss Kuby Guest, banio soloist, Mr' George Winstanlev, male soprano, ami the other members of the company rendered acceptable contributions to the bill. "The Wanderers" will repent their programme to-night and to-morrow ni"ht. On Saturday afternoon a special matinee performance is to be given, when children will bo admitted at half-price. 'There will bo a. complete change of programme this evening, when apionsst the novelties to be introduced will 'be "Living Statuary," depicting local everyday happenings, which is claimed to bo the latest Continental attraction. CHAMBER CONCERT. Chamber music makes but little appeal (o the Wellington public, be it said with regret, and those valiant few who would venture into the orchid-land of musical art must, to a very great extent, be content Willi tho pleasure they individually derive from the fond excursion. Wellington has to grow artistically before any adequate reward can bo expected, In>» : - ever well deserved, and those who are doing such capable pioneering work must rest content with the plaudits of tho few and not lose heart. A series of three very delightful concerts given by Miss Beatrice Richmond (piano), Miss Jf ay Donaldson (violin), and Mr. Frank Johnstone (violoncello) were concluded at the Sydney Street Hall last night, before (he niost. encouraging audience they have drawn, and the quality of the.' pla.vin" was reflected in the appreciation that'was shown throughout the evening. The programme opened with Beethoven's Trio in B Flat (Op. 97), a work of estrerao poetic i

beauty and rar-s artistic in.-ight. It is rich 111 iiR-liulies of a sombre character that relied the mind of the master at a lime when he was making his highest efforts in symphonic composition. The Trio was very well phiycd indeed, and probably at no other time has that bond of sympathy between tlie player.-, been s.J apparent as in the third (andante cantabile) and fourth (allegro moderato) movements. tine thing these concerts have bfen responsible for i> the establishment, of .Miss May Donaldson as the best lady violinist the city boasts. In Oscar liaif's Sonata for violin and piano, Miss Don-ald.-.m demoii.-trated that Caesar Thomson's teaching had not been thrown away. Bowing with the greatest confidence she produced a full, sympathetic tone, and played with line spirit and a finish llial was altogether commendable. The number was enthusiastically received, and the last movement had to be replayed. Miss Richmond was quite as acceptable at the piano. Her playing is always notable for .sound, terlinique, and an instinct for correct shading. The last item was Rubinstein's Trio in F (Op. If), No. 1) in three movements. Tho first two play round a dirge-like cadence oft repeated, which in thei third.is conveyed from the shadow into the sunlight—a bright and I vigorous finale, very delightfully played. I It is to bo hoped that this will not be the last concert to be given by this trio. The combination temperamentally is a good one, and (hey have played themselves into a fine sympathetic relationship that should not bo broken. Ail enjoyable "club night," the first of the season, was held by the members of St. Peter's Club last evening, the Yen. Archdeacon Harper presiding over a large altendance. Bridge and other curd gan*; occupied the early part of the evening, after which came music, recitations, and supper. Items were contributed by Messrs. G. Bell (piano solo, "Intermezzo" from "Cavallicria Uusticauo," and a song, "The Trumpeter"): R. Northcote (song, "Thora"), J?. 0. Blow (song, "I Know a Lovely Garden"), D. Bray (song, "Boys of the Old Brigade'*), W. Cliinie (song, "My Old Shako"), and A. G. Williams (a humorous recitation). The accompaniments were played bv Mr. G. Bell.