ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE WHIP." Another' crowded houco witnessed "The Whip", at the Opera House last night. With its good story, its wealth of scenery, and sensational mechanical olForts—the labour or' a small army of people unseen by the audience—this play possesses every element of a popular success. To thos fond of horsellesh. and the perfume of the ■ turf, "Tho Whip" makes an instantaneous appeal, for tho whole schemo of the play rests upon the ability of The Whip to win the Two Thousand at Newmarket. How the evilly-dispjsed seek to destroy his chances, and tho good and virtuous win through is the play in brief. Quite on a par with tho production is the acting. Miss Kerry presents in Lady Diana Sartoris the perfect English girl —tho fresh-air-loving, straight-riding, sensible girl, whoso principles are as correct as her heart is tender. Mr. Ambrose Manning is half the play as Tom Lambert, the trainer, and Messrs. Charles Blackall, Lionel Atwill, Maurice Dudley, and Eardley Turner all give an excellent account of themselves in major parts. "The Whip" should, attract large houses for some time to come.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Recent events in Australia arc being shown in. picturo form at, tho King's Theatre per medium of tho latest edition of tho Australian Gazette, while topical events farther afield are chronicled by I'athe's "Animated Gazette." Sergeant Eggleton, the champion swordsman of the British Army,-is the central figure of one of tho films on the new programme, some of his marvellous feats of skill being very clearly pictured. Several excellent dramatic studies aro also included in the .bill, thoso deserving special mention being "A Moment's Folly" and "Tho Scrivener." The scenic and comic sides aro also well attended to. The programme will be repeated this fvening, whilo . thoro will bo a special n'atinee this afternoon, ' THEATRE ROYAL. Mr. Alexander Prince, concertina soloist, continues to please audiences at tho Theatre Royal, and his prformance is nightly greeted with much applause. Mr. Prince draws on Wagner for his opening selections, and then gives 'clever imitations of church bells and bagpipes, concluding with a number of popular airs. Bariiold's animal actors made their final. appearance last night, and i,heir turn wa3 again well received,while the. rest of tho programme also went with a swing. In to-night's programme, Daly and O'Brien, tho tanglefoot dancers, will reappear, while tho first appearance is announced of Gardiner and Le Man, in tho Japaneso art of selfdefence. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Among the many fine films in the current programmo at His Majesty's Thoatre, "Historic London" is specially interesting, in that it shows thoso portions of tho capital of the Empire which are indissolubly' associated with the rise Of the nation. The programmo is strong in dramatic interest. "Two' Reformations" and "The Quartermaster" being particularly good. Ono of the best scenic films is "Sarajavo" (Bosnia), showing various corners of one of the most picturesque cities in south-eastern Europe. Other good pictures aro: "Experiments in tho Air," "Tho Bewitched Restaurant," "Hearts and Eyes," and "Tho Little: Sprcowald Maiden." There will be a matinee this, afternoon, and ~tho-present .programme, will bo.repeated ~for the last time this evening.

." THE NEW THEATRE. "Pippa Passes," a particularly happy pictorial representation of Kobert browning's beautiful poem is the chief attraction' in tho new programme at 'The New Theatre. The picture commences in a nocturne, with the faintest gleam of light in one corner. As ■the dawn' grows into day tho light discloses Pippa asleep on her truckle bed. She awakes with the light and lier beautiful.face glows as she remembers that'there' is no work that day, and forth she goes into the .sunlight, singing glad songs from her innocent heart, and as she passes the people that hear tho song become purilied in thought and doxl. A rough brntc of an Italian peasant ill-treats his wife and deserts her for the wine cafe, where- ho hears the voice, drops his cup and returns home penitent. A woman, urges a lover to,stab her husband to the heart. Tho knife is-about to fall, when Pippa's song is borne upon tho breezo and tho knife drops unstained, and the woman bids her 'lover be gone. "'The Creek Claim" is a Bison film having its locale in tho mining district of Western America. A prospector lias located good pay dirt, when a crook happens along, and seeing there is a good thing on, bluffs in by shooting the prospector in tho' arm and taking possession. Tho prospector sends his wife-in hot ;haste. to the Claini3 Offico to register his claim, and all unknown to each other - the gambler's wife starts out on a similar mission. Tho cart in which the former is driving breaks down and just as sho is despairing of reaching tho offico at all, the other woman rides up, and after a parley they both mount tho one horse. The prospector's wife, gets to the office- first and gets tho papers through before the. other guesses that tlicy are after the same patch. There is trouble tbero and then, and later at tho claim, but eventually the prospector wins through and all is weli. Other good films are "Miko the Miser," "His First Baby," "The Cowboy's Mother-in-Law," and "Brother Man." A special matinee programme- will be screened to-day.

. THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. The visit of the English Pierrots to the Exhibition will doubtless draw big crowds to the Concert Hall which thev have leased for the season. This clever company has mado for itself an excellent reputation in Australia . and the style of tho entertainment will appeal strongly to ■ Wellington amusementlovers. Messrs. Will and.Rob Thomas have been located for six seasons in St. Kilda, Melbourne, where, tho Pierrot entertainments are attended by largo crowds. • For the past two seasons iMr. Maynard Dakin—an entertainer well known in London concert circles, and a comedian wlio has fulfilled mumorous engagements in the London Pavilion and several of tho well-known halls in tho metropolis— has boon associated with Messrs. Thomas in tho Tierrot entertainments. Tho combination also includes Mr. W. P. Turner, humorist;' Mr. Leslie Austin, baritouc, and Mr. Kingsley Chapman, tenor; Miss Elsa Langloy and Miss Phyllis Philipson, and "Mr. Rob Thomas, accompanist. The Pierrots havo an almost inexhaustiblo repertoire SKATING RINK. Fullers' Rink is still in perfect condition. Not only is the rink enjoyable for tho actual rinkers, but it is also attractive to those who go to look on. Since tho advent of Madamo Read this season, some of tho skaters havo became vory skilhil in the fascinating art. Tho usual three sessions aro held daily, and an additional one at 10 on Satti/day mornings. TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. A composition, now to Wellington, will be performed by Mr. Maughan Barnett to-night on tho Town Hall organ. Tho work is by Elgar, and is Sonata in G (op. 28), consisting of four movements. Ekrar is the compos-er of that great

work, the "Dream of Gerontms.' Schubert's "Am Mccr" and the "Communion" (Dovred) are also worthy of attention. Compositions by Bach, \\cly, and Wagner will also ho played.

BAND PEKFOIIMANCE. Jupp's Band will play at Newtown Park to-morrow afternoon.

On Ifontlav evening, in the .Salvation Army Citadel, the Wellington Garrison Band are giving a benefit concert to the local Army Hand, in aid of their silver instrument fund. A good entertainment is promised. The full programme appears in. our advertising columns.