ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1110, 25 April 1911, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

» OPERA HOUSE. Another full house greeted the ninth and second-last performance of "The Bad Girl of the Family" at. the Opera House last evening. To-night, notwithstanding its great popularity, this re-cord-breaking production will be staged for the last. time. To-morrow evening will witness the first change of drama by George Marlow's brilliant dramatic company, when Geo.. A. Do Gray's sucCti'sful Lyric Theatre drama, "The Angel of His Dreams," will bo presented. The piece is a story of the world and the people in it. It is said to bo a problem play, and in the- moral that it teaches and the subtle methods that drive home the points, it has an appealing influence on all classes. A feature of the production will be the first appearance in Wellington of that clever child-artist, Tbclma Flanagan. The scenic effects, it is said, will he of the best over shown. There is also a very strong vein of comedy, which runs right through the piece, and relieves the more serious situations. The box plan is now on view at the Dresden. THEATRE ROYAL. • Fullers' Vaudeville Company are putting on a capital show at the Theatre lloyal this week, and a big audience was attracted last night. The first half of the programme was' noticeably brighter than it has been for some weeks past, and the second half is full of good, items. The star turn on the programme was ihafc of. tho American dancers, Harris and Vernon, who appeared in a new sketch entitled "Tlie Tramp's Good Luck," in which they introduce many different styles of dancing. The scene of tho sketch is laid in tho residence of a young lady, who.is expecting a visit from a . rich uncle. The tramp walks into he house, is mistaken for tho uncle, and at once endeavours to adapt himself to tlie situation. While tlie . niece is away preparing the meal the tramp sings the well-known stuttering song, and during the meal bright patter ensues between tho pair. Finally the tramp discloses his identity, and tells the. niece that he broke into the house for tho purpose of securing some valuable papers. Tho lady informs him that she has recovered the papers and that they aro in her possession. "Madam," says tho tramp, "tlie papers are of no use to you. What can you do with tho papers, while I have the tobacco?" The house laughed, and then the performers gave a wonderful, display of dancing that plied forth storms of applause'. The four Racoons, comedy acrobats, have a.fresh turn this week, in which they introduce new tumbling, which, closely engages the. attention. Among the new artists was Jim Marion, comedian, who has not been seen in Wellington for some considerable time. • His songs, "Soldiers of the Queen" and "Come and Have a' Drink," provoked much laughter, and his burlesque medley clancc\ fairly carried Tim Howard continues in high favour, and was called on for several songs, including "I'll Show 'err the Way" and "In the Middle of the Night," while Geo. Jones also ' had to supply encore numbers. There is no falling off in the popularity of Miss Mabel Lynno, comedienne'. Her;now song, "Don't Linger, Mr. Long," was warmly applauded, and in response Miss Lynno repeated "Oh Mother." Miss Ettie Williams ?leo scored with her songs, "A Little too loung to Know" and "Ooloy Ooh," while Miss Jessio Lee, motto balladist, and Miss May Dahlboig, vocalist and danseuse, wero also favourably received. Rupert Cuthborfs contributions included "Mother always AVaiting," "Baby's'-Eyes" (picture sons), and 'a couple of others. Items were also supplied by,_ Miss Ivy Carlyle, the Seyffcr fwins, the Gibson Girls, and tho Khodesburys. Tho programme will be repeated during the next few nights.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "Tho Greater Call" is tho dramatic feature of the new programme which was presented at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. It is tho story of an actress who marries a .young broker, tires of domestic life, and, after a quarrel returns -to her old life, deserting both husband/ and child. Seven years later she return to her home 'town, and the , attempts to win her back, but tho love, of the stage holds her. A few clays later her child falls sick, and tho mother is sent for. At the bedsido she realises her duty, and, in tho end, there is a great reunion. ot hearts. Another emotional sketch of merit is "The Bolted Door." It is the story of a.beautiful young girl who marries a ricli elderly admirer rather than wait for the young man of her heart. In a few years she earns, too late, that she has lost her life s dearest gift, and cannot regain it— tho door is bolted against her for over. 1 he. loading role is cleverly acted bv Miss Alice Joyce. "The " Queen of .Hearts ]s yet another dramatic romance of two worlds—a strong story, with a thrilling love theme, cleverly worked out. Among the scenic pictures is a yery fine series of views depicting the frontier of Tibet, which illustrates the persistency of the kineiiiatographer in getting into a land in which, but a few years ago, lio white man's lifo was safe. Another good scenic picture was that showing the wonderful asphalt mines of Sicily, ■whore a certain class of rock is blasted, broken into convenient pieces, and trucked away to be ground to powder in a mill for the making of a special kind of asphalt. Other pictures of interest are "Crossing the Alps bv Motor," "Tenderfoot's Round Up,' , "Babylas as a Fireman," "Poor Luck's Ticket," "Winter Snorts," and "Tontolmi's Auto-Driver."

THE KING'S THEATRE. - Opposition in the "show" lino appears to have no effect on the attendances at the King's Theatre. A new programme submitted last night by West's and Royal Pictures was welcomed by a big rally of pleasure-seekers. The new list of pictures is a strong one. Ono of the most interesting is a drama entitled "Sleep, Gentle Sleep.-' A young married man is invited to a smoke concert, but his wife wants him to stop at home.' She puts a sleeping draught into his wine, and by a curious coincidence ho doe's the same thing with her tea. They both fell asleep, and in the night a tramp enters, sees the wine, has a good drink, and falls asleep. In the morning the maid enters to sweep up, and finds that the liquor has had its effect on the tramp, ho being found helpless on the floor. The house is aroused, police called in, and the tramp arrested. Then the young couple have a hearty laugh over their adventure. A humorous pfcturo is that of "A Havana Cigar," while the American Wild West is ably represented in "How Mary Met the Punchers." A charming picture is that of "Salzburg and the Park of Hellbrun," and gives fine views of tho city and the castle and park of Hollbrun. It is a travel picture of more than usual interest, and of fine photographic quality. Other pictures shown are "An Unskilful Skater," "The Banker's Daughter" "Tho Tramp," "The Groat Secret'," "Overland to Heme," and "The Island'of Bonbolm." Owing to the quantity of films coming to hand by the English mail today, there will be another complete change of programme this evening, when the latest pictures from the Homo markets will be shown. On Monday night next, the management will show the whole of tho competitors in West's "Sirens of tho Surf" competition, taken in Sydney, also showing the winner, Miss Ivy Schilling. The management also announce that the beauty competition is making rapid progress, there being over 40 entries. These will be photographed during the week, and placed before the Wellington public in tho .near future, when they will be asked to judge the winiier.

1 : THE NEW THEATRE. • There were gocd attendances throughout yesterday and last night at the New Theatre in .Manners Street. The fascinating marionette circus representation of "'Humpty Duinpty" will be presented again at the morning aivl afternoon sessions. to-daj\ and this evening a complete change of programme will be presented. AVELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY, The Choral Society has chosen for Its first concert of the season Haydn's everpopular and melodious "Creation." ]t is one of. the few older oratorios of wnicli on? never wearies So full of melody ind beauty are its solos and concerted numbers, so genial and happy is the spirit which underlies it all that one is glad to renew acquaintance with it. The society has been i-ery fortunate in sociiring a good trio of soloists—Mr. Harold E. S. Browning, of Melbourne, is to take the, bass role, and as this will bo his first appearance before the Wellington public a rare troat is in store. Mrs. Gowcr Burns, of C'hristehurch, is , l<) sing the soprano part, while the tenor solos are being entrusted to Mr. E. J. Hill. The box plan'will open at thu Dresden on Friday morning nest, at 9 a.m.