ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1116, 2 May 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. "Change of programme liiglit" at tho Theatre Royal always attracts large audiences, and last night was 110 exception. •Saturday night saw a number of new artists make their appearauco, and again last evening (lie company was strengthened by the reappearance of -Miss Maud Fanning, tho Elliott Bisters (assisted by Little luiia), and Mr. Arthur Elliott, the popular, comedian. In the first part the Elliott Sisters and Little ]luia acted and sang in their usual quaint style, and awakened the enthusiasm of the house. Their sketch with Miss Maud Fanning, coon impersonator, was a splendid pieco of work, and it received well-merited applause. Mr. Arthur Elliott was as diverting as ever, and had a capital reception right through. He has a pleasing voice, and uses it to advantage. Mr. Jules Garrison and his two Roman Maids wers seen in various sketches, the former's recitation of_ the late Mr. Thomas Bracken's "Not Understood" being a splendid effort. Tho two Maids were amusing in travesty on current fashions, in which they wore harem and hobble skirts. Tho whole turn is a good one. The Gibson Girls, Miss Brightie Carlisle, Miss Maie Belle, Miss May Dahlberg, Miss Mabel Lynne; and Messrs. Jim Marion, Tim Howard, Rupert Cuthbert. Bob Lloyd (the lively corner man), Tat Reese, and the two Rhodesburys all contributed towards tho evening's amusement. HIS MAJESTY'S. The change of programme at His Majesty's Theatre last evening drew a capital house, and, if an excellent selection of nioviug pictures will attract (as 110 doubt it will). His Majesty's ought to be well patronised this week. The star film of the evening, "Tony, the Greaser," has for its background the opening stages of the present upheaval in Mexico, which, of course, may be taken as an indication that the programme claims to be quite up-to-date. In one way, it is the old story of the love of the humble for the exalted— the elements of the conventional mesalliance—and, to enhance the situation, there is the heroic climax, where one (the man) surrenders his life in defence of the heroine. The various scenes and incidents of this picture are rather romantic, occurring, as they do, on tho border of Mexico and the United States, in a land where men (both good and bad) are expected occasionally to lopk into tho fact of death, and, like men, acquit themselves. The artistic side of kinematography is not neglected. A cleverly-coloured Pathe Freres production, entitled "The Temple of jS'ikko," gave the house an insight into the customs and a glimpse of the peculiarly Oriental scenery of Old Japan. This temple was built in the sixteenth century, and, even to this day, is esteemed to be, in point of beauty of architecture, and the artistry of its interior, one of the wonders of Japan. "The Warwick Chronicle" is an illustrated budget of recent happenings both in Great Britain and the Continent. "An Eventful Evening" is an adaptation of the play "Miss Civilisation," and relates how a girl entertains three burglars until help arrives. A magnificent scenic study, entitled "How Winter Decorates Nature," met with universal approbation. It is in reality the exhibition grounds of Turin, in beautiful and quaint Piedmont, under snow. In tho comic section of the programme that wellknown performer Tontnlini is seen in a very amusing sketch, "Tontolini is Sad," while a trick film, "Tho Automatic Motorist" provided peals of merriment. Tho programme also includes "Arabian Tottery," industrial, "Bertie's Bandit," dramatic; and "Tho Light in the Window." KING'S THEATRE There was a crowded house at the King's Theatre last evening, when a new programme of moving-pictures was submitted. One of the finest films was a coloured one telling the medieval legend of tho old bellringer, whose task on one occasion is performed for him under touching circumstances by an angel. The scenes in the belfry were well designed, and the difficulty of representing spiritual beings, such as angels, by means of kinematography was not niore apparent than usual. "A . Tin-type Romance," by way of contrast, was an exceedingly modern story. Bess and Phil meet at tho seaside, owing their acquaintance in tho first, place to the remarkable intelligence of Phil's dog, and particularly to his zeal in rescuing hats from tlio water. The "tin-types," of course, are cheap photographs, and these apparently have so distant a resemblance, to tho sitters that Bess thinks the portrait Phil is wearing next his heart is of some other girl, whilo Phil is similarly deluded in regard to the picture which' Bess has imprisoned in her locket.' The story is a bright little comedy, exceedingly well acted, and the finale, when the two 'lovers and the faithful and intelligent dog are locked in one embrace, was received with much applause. Another good comic film is "Bobby as Social Reformer." The littlo actor who sustains the principal role in this film is certainly a clever child. "Playing at Divorce" is an American story of an unhappy home. AVlien the children read in the newspaper that their parents are about to air their domestic differences in the Divorce Court, they enact the scene in the nursery. The parents, entering from behind, watch tho sad, but comical, littlo. play, and are touched. For the sake of the children, they "make it up," and the audience is able to hope that the household will in future bo a happy and united one. The "Sirens of the Surf" (West's competition) was a popular film with the audienco last night. The Alpine solitudes of the great St. Bernard Were the subject of . an interesting scenic film. "Feeding Wild Animals" 1 was also a notable item, and there were in addition several good dramatic and comic subjects. The programme will bo repeated to-night. THE NEW TnEATKE. Streaming crowds continuo to find plenty of entertainment in the pictorial faro provided at MacMahon and Donnelly's New Theatre in Manners Street, where the kinematograph whirrs from high noon until tho mystic hour. An entirely new programme, including some sensational dramatic pictures, is due today, and "A Royal Divorce" will be released at the end of the week. FULLERS' SKATING RINK. Much interest was displayed by the patrons of Fullers' Rink on Saturday in regard to tho fancy and trick skatins; of Madame Reid, of the Olympia Rink, London, .who has been specially engaged to give exhibitions of artistic skriing here, iler display evoked tho admiration of all who had the privilege of witnessing it. The threo sessions were well patronised, and the evening session was so largely attended that the throng of patrons quito tilled the floor. Special features of this season arc the ball-bearing skates, supplied by the management, and the beginners' session, which is held every evening from 6 to 7. THE ACTING DOGS AND MONKEYS. Barnold's ivonderful troupe of animal actors are to commence a feasoii at the Theatre Royal next Thursday. The "Drunken Dan" turn, as it is commonly called, is without a doubt an act. Without anyone on the stago to direct their movements Charles Barnold's animal actors go through a "silent comedy." There are a number-of "walk on" parts, as in the regular pantomime. What may be called the "limelight" part falls to a dog named "Pan." "Dan the Drunken Dos" has two understudies.. Messrs. John Fuller and Sons are showing the animal actors by spccial arrangement with Mr. Harry liickards. A special matinee will be given next Saturday. "THE CREATION." Elsewhere in this issue appear full particulars regarding "The Creation," which is to be produced by tho Wellington ] Choral Society on Friday next. A private cablegram received last evening states that "Georgo Paston's - ' clever play "Nobody's Daughter" was produced at Perth (W.A.), on Saturday evening, by the Plimmer-Denniston Company, wi tli great success. It is described as ono of the best plays brought to Australia for years.