ENTERTAINMENTS,

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1129, 17 May 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS,

THEATRE ROVAL. A special attraction at the Theatre Loyal hist night was the appearance of Mr. Alexander l'rincc, who is described as tlio champion concertina soloist of the world. Tho artist quickly had the audience with him, and his various selections were vociferously applauded. Mr. Prince opened with passages from "Tannhauser," the Pilgrim's Chorus, and the Bridal March being rendered in capital style. In respouio to a clamorous recall, the champion soloist gave clever imitations of church tails and bagpipes, and followed these with a medley of popular airs, which included "The Wearing of the Green," "Auld Lang Sync," "Come Back to Erin," and Harry Lauder's "1 Love a Lassie." The house was still clamouring for more when the artist finally bowed his way off. Barnold's animal actors will appear for a few more nights only, and, after that, Dan, tho canine inebriate, will remove to another city, in which to solicit his drinks. His performance last night took as well as ever, and the other dogs and monkeys ably supported him, and helped to mako matters exceedingly warm in "Dogville" until the little policeman cleared the streets. Tho remainder of tho programme was well up to the usual standard, among those who contributed being Miss Mabel Lynne, comedienne; Miss Nellie Power, serio; Miss May Dahlberg, vocalist and danseuse; Bob Lloyd, Jim Marion, Rupert Cuthbert, Doo Rowe, and the Rhorlesbiirys. "THE WHIP." However tastes may alter with the changing years,, the love of the sensational drama in Wellington shows no change, judging by the heavy advance booking for "The Whip," which is to be produced at tho Opera House on Thursday next, when the curtain will rise at a quarter to 8. "The Whip" is frankly melodramatic thoiyh constructed upon unconventional lines'. Mr. Williamson's new company is spoken of as being a splendidly even one, every artist being fitted with a suitable part. Tho' sensational effects, such as the railway smash, the big race scene, the motor accident, are said to be excellently carried out, while the "pink" breakfast in the great baronial hall of the Earl of Beverley is spoken of as a masterpiece of the scene-painter's art. There" is also the horse show at Olympia, with its constant entry and re-entry of horses to the ring, the chamber of horrors at Madam Tussaud's, and many other beautiful scenes from the brushes of Messrs. John Gordon, Little, and Board., Tho box plans for tho first six nights of the season are now open at the Dresden. THE KING'S THEATRE. An excellent collection of films constitutes the present programme at the King's Theatre. One of tho best of theso is the Wild West picture, "Overland to Fremont." It introduces typical scenes in North American cowboy life, with a. spice of daring adventuro with Indians thrown in. "All is Fair in Love and War," tlio Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, and •"Sin Unpardonable" are other notable films. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The film depicting the Camorra trial, which is being shown at His Majesty's Theatre, is exciting keen interest. It is an excellent record, and an up-to-date sample of tho enterprise now exhibited in this branch of photography. There are also many other films which "just now aro attracting attention, prominent among tho number being tho Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, "Arab Rejoicings," "Overland to Fremont," and the very comic item, "When Tilly's Undo Flirted." The saino programmo will be submitted this evening. THE NEW THEATRE. ' Tho New Theatre filled and emptied many times yesterday afternoon and evening mid the general verdict passed on the new programmo was "a real fine show." First and foremost in tho excellent .selection of pictures is "A Story of Old • Ireland," which outlines a beautiful tale- of "Ould Ireland" and incidentally brings in tho sweetest of Ireland's music. Tho picturo opens with a typical Irish family digging in tho peat bogs. A lad, tired of the old life, makes up his mind to emigrate to America and then follows the touching scene of the parting outside tho old stone cottage. Tho Irish lad starts work in tho new country as a builder's labourer and gradually rises to a high position in the land whero thero is room for strong hearts and willing hands. In time tho rough clothes give way to fine linen and high society and tho Irish boy is forgetting the colleen ho has left at home, when a letter from tho land of his birth recalls the old lovo and ho immediately arranges to visit old Ireland. In his absenco time has not spared the old homo and its inhabitants. Poverty has come oyer the land, the old grandmother has died and things have gone from bad to worse. Tho prosperous wanderer returns just in tinio to find tho furniture being taken nut of tho old home and the tenants being turned out into tho street because they cannot pay tho rent. A settling is made, tho lad and his colleen aro reunited and happiness reigns supreme, but another family leaves Ireland for America. Another popular picture, and ono bristling with exciting situations, is entitled "The Indian's Secret" and concerns an Indian boy's lovo for a white maid. Tho child's parents aro killed by redskins and tho Indian lad takes her under his care. Twice ho saved tho girl from Indian warriors, and subsequently places her with a white family which brings her up. When tho little girl grows to womanhood sho very naturally falls in lovo with ono of her own raco and tho faithful Indian, who has secretly loved and guarded her since childhood, realising this, disappears for over. "Tho Diamond Star" is a capital blending of pathos and humour, and

"Tho Stolen Purse" is an extravagant; comic item in which a pugilistic mother-in-law is tho central figure. The now bill will commence again at It o'clock this morning and continue until 11 tonight, SKATING EIXK. The advent, of colder weather is- bringing increased numbers of patrons of tho winter pastime and amusement—"rinking"— to Fullers' popular resort. Not only is the rink enjoyable for the actual "rinkers," but it is also attractive for the onlookers, and every evening large numbers watch tho grace and ease of the expert, and the antics of tho novice. BARTON'S CIBCUS. Messrs. Barton Bros.' well-known and popular Australian ciions will show for two nights in Lower Hutt, opening tonight, and showing again to-morrow, ketone will bo visited Friday and Saturday. The show includes some 70 horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules, and forty star artists. Tho circus will open in Wellington at an early date. Among the items and artists on a good bill are the following:—The display of figure dancing on horseback by the company; Alton and Male, experts on Ihe Roman rings; Little Tom Tom, described as "the smallest trick pony in the world" Mexican fire-bar act. by Miss Marguerite; the musical Weatherleys, who appeared to be ablo to produce excellent music from almost anything; a sensational turn was by Cocoa "and Chico on a revolving ladder; the Warren Bros., comedy billiard-table tumbling; Tydell Bros.' aerial performance; Silver Queen, a highly-trained Hungarian pony, in a remarkable act; and tho buck-jump riding of Black Albert. "THUNDEEBOLT." At St. James's Tlall, Lower Hutt, tomorrow night tho new motion picture drama "Thunderbolt" will be Screened lor ouo night only.