ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1134, 23 May 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

>, OPERA HOUSE. "Tlio Whip" was produced again last evening to a packed house. A queue formed up in front ot' the theatre long before tho time for the opening of tlie doors, and even then some were unable to gain admission. The two great scenes, the railway smash, and the race for the Guineas, created great enthusiasm. The principals in the play were individually as successful as oil the previous night. Mi.-s Evelyn Kerry as Lady Diana Sartoris, Miss Emma Temple as the Hon. Mrs. Beamish, and Miss Winifred Scott as Mrs. D'Aquiln, and Mr. Ambrose Manning as Tom Lambert, tho trainer, sustained their parts well. "The Whip" promises to run to full houses for some time yet. The plans, for the second set of six nights were opened yesterday at the Dresden Company's offices. "licnry of Navarre," a fine historic drama, follows "The Whip." THEATRE ROYAL. There was a large audience at the Theatre Royal last night, on the occasion of the weekly change of programme. Mr. Alexander Prince, the champion concertina soloist, is still proving a. great attraction, and the wonderful music which ho produces from tho instrument calls forth continuous applause from the audience, wlro are still clamouring for more when the artist retires. Carlton and Sutton, patter comedians and dancers, who have not been seen in Wellington for several years, reappeared last night with a budget of new business. In the first part, the pair gave a song and dance, and, in the second half of tho bill, they got through some bright patter, and followed with a medley of popular airs. Everything in the turn is arranged by Mr. Sutton, and does that artist, credit. A novel turn is supplied by Gardiner and Lo Mar, jui jitsu experts. Miss Le Mar, a graceful young lady, applies holds to her partner to demonstrate the various methods of resisting attack. Gardiner, dressed as a hooligan, attacks Miss Le alar, and attempts to snatch her purse. She counters his attack, and rids him of such weapons as a stick, chair, revolver, knife, and, in his final attack, she throws him over her head, and "knocks him out" by the fall. Daly and O'Brien, comedy entertainers and tanglefoot dancers, are-reappearing for ti short season. During their stay on the boards they introduce all the varieties of dancing on the tanglefoot system, and Mr. l)alv, by special request, sings . "Leak at Me Now," an item that is apparently to the taste of the audience. Miss Mabel Lynnc, comedienne, who rang down the curtain on the first part, received a very tlattering reception for her singing of "The Piccolo," while tho turns of Miss Brightie Carlisle and Miss Nellie Power also took well. Miss Emmie Ilardie, who was making a first appearance, and the Williamson Girls supplied acceptable items. Bob Llovd and Jim Marion are still firm favourites, and each was called on for the usual budget of songs, lictnres by the biograph also figure on the programme.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. For a glimpse at the classics in play form we in this part, of tho world must depend upon tho kinematograph. It would bo a Herculean task for any manager anywhere to attempt to stage the story of Helen of Troy's love for Pans, and tho ruin that followed in its train, yet this lias been done with astonishing attention to detail, and an impressive breadth of treatment by the "Ita'a. Company in tho picture entitled "1 he Fall of Troy," which occupied a fourth of the programme (2000 ft. of film) at His Majesty's Theatre- last evening. It has been produced with a wealth of scenery and an army of "supers," all well trained iiv their work, and both from an acting as well as a spectacular point of view it is a notable picture, which will figure amongst the classics of the kinematograph theatre. The picture opens with Menelaus, tho Greek King, taking farewell of his wife Helen in a gorgeous garden, elaborated with splashing fountains and statuary. Paris conies as ambassador from Priam, and mutual admiration soon warms to love, and lovo to flight. Tho news of Helen's perfidy is conveyed to Menelaus, who hastens homo to find the news only too true. He then declares war upon tho Trojans, and a magnificent scene shovis the general assault upon the stone walls of the ancient city of Troy. Tho Greeks are repulsed, and retire to their ships, leaving behind them a great model of a horse to indicate that they are leaving for home. The Trojans in triumph tako the strange trophy into Troy, breaking down a portion of a gateway to get it through. In the night tho horse disgorges half a dozen Greeks, who fire the city, and in the confusion the' Greek army suddenly returns and sacks the burning city, Paris being killed in single combat by Menelaus. The picture creatcd marked enthusiasm last evening, and should attract largo audiences this week. "Tho Old Water .Tar" is a North American Indian picture of unusual merit. It relates the story of old Pan Puk, an afted Indian, who in the autumn of his days sits ruminating oil the pist. as lie gazes with lack lustre eye at the paintings which illustrate the exploits of his rather sanguinary life.. As he does so the scenes of murder and butchery appear on the screen, and instil into his mind the fact that he has led an evil life, and as* he repents and prays to the Great AVhite Spirit for forgiveness, the wigwam and the roaring torrent dissolve, and tlieir place is taken by a pretty woodland scene in tho happy hunting grounds, with a heroic figure on horseback beckoning to the lifo beyond. Then old Pau Puk dies, and goes tho way of all murdering Indians who Tepent at the twelfth hour—whatever that fafo might be. Other pictures of note are "The Show Girl's Strataeem," "A Stage Romance." "Tho lost Ribbon," "Bear Hunting in Malay," and "The Pathe Gazette."

KING'S THEATRE. Among a tine lot of pictures which wero presented for_ tho iirsc time in Wellington at the JCing s Theatre last evcniii", is one entitled "Clancy," a story ot tho .New York police. Its realism is striking, and there is a fine human touch about it which makes 0110 feel wonderfully svmpathetic towards the guardians of the law in tho great metropolis. Clancy is the terror ot* the "Gas liouso" gang of criminal ruffians, and for conspicuous bravery in that connection is promoted, in which happy situation he tanes unto-himself a wire, and becomes a happy father 111 the natural course of tilings. Ho is pictured playing with his infant son on Christmas Eve, and reluctantly has to go upon duty as his wifo is arranging the Christmas Tree for the edification of Clancy, junior. That night Clancy arrests one of tho gang for theft, but as he is dragging his man to tho lock-up, he is. set upon by "Gas-Housers," given a bad time, and left for dead. In this state he is brought homo to his distracted wife, and wondering son. The police then organise a grand coup, which is thoroughly successful, and a later sceno shows Clancy convalescent. Interest is added to the picture by the inclusion of a splendid view of the New York police—horse and footon parade. Another serio-comic picture of absorbing in.crest is "The Stago Girl's Romance," in which some interesting scenes of real stage life are portrayed. The girl in this caso is loved by the hero and the villain of the play. She favours the latter, whom at the climax to tho play it is her business to shoot. The other actor, jealously niad at his rival's o'uccess, conceives the idea of substituting real for blank cartridges in the revolver the girl has to 1150 in the play. Fate decrees, however, that the villain sprains his ankle in the act preceding the last, and the hero is forced to take his rival's part at tho briefest notice. In an agony of terror he tries to get at the revolver, but fails, aud as a last resource lie scribbles a note to tho actress 011 the back of a letter used in the course of I lie play. She fails to read the message, and the linal scene following 011, she shoots tho man who would have had her kill her real lover. After the curtain drops, the man fails to move, and the accident is discovered, liecovering, he staggers round wildlv, half-mad with apprehension of his guilt. 011 examination tho revolver is found loaded with ball cartridge in every chamber, and the note on the°envelope convicts the wretch completclv "The Show-Girl's Stratagem" is a clever plavlet illustrating how a theatrical show-girl prevents her cousin's wife t'rnni making a fool of herself with an ~rti"t The'rathe Gazette is full of interest It gives snapshot views of Rochester winning the Newbury Cup, Lord Denman (Australia'? new Governor-General); training for his sculliux jar.e with

Barry (in which ho was defeated); Lord Lonsdale presenting a donkey and cart to an aged coster; and Queen Alexandra on her way to Italy. Other pictures of interest are: "Hummer in the North," "A Clever ltuse," "Carmenita," "Tommy Atkins's Kitchen," and "Dick Liglitfingers." There is to be a special yachtsmen's night on Tuesdav next, when views of the local yachts wiil he shown. 'I'o-nijjht is set apart as a "great soccer night." THE NEW THEATRE. To-day there wilt ha a change of pictures at the New Theatre. Among the most important ol tlio new film> will bo "The Old Water Jar/' "The Indians Koward," a depiction of up-to-date life in New York entitled "His Daughter, "Texas Ted's Defence," and 'Artificial Flower Making." These are all stated to ho first-class films, ami should attract largo patronage. SKATING RINK. Fullers' popular rink still continues to meet with a very great amount, ot public patronage, and its motto of POP"'^ 1 prices, popular amusement, and tlnee popular sessions, continues to . increase tho attendances daily. Ihe floor is always well filled with devotees of the gracctul art. ' VETERANS' DINNER, The annual dinner of the Royal > NewZealand Association of His Majesty s \eteran=, to he held at Godber s Rooms tomorrow evening (Empire Day), promises to be an interesting function, loasts and replies thereto will bo given by the Hon. Jas. Carroll, the Hon. G. Fowlds, tho Hon. C. M. Luke, Colonel Newall, C.8., the Rev. D. C. Bates, Major Hume, Captain Edwin, R.N.R., Messrs. R. Flrtcliir, R. Tinge v, H. Sea ton, T. M. Gilford, M.P., and H. C. Tewsley. A very good musical programme has also been prepared.

Tlio English Pierrots have leased the Coronation Theatre in the Exhibition for the season, and will give their entertainments every evening. The first performance is to bo given oil Wednesday, at 8.30 p.m. With ah excellent company of artists—two ladies and. five gentlemen— the l'ierrot entertainments should become very popular. Tho humorous element will be a strong feature, in the capable hands of Mr. Jlaynard Dakin and Mr. W. 1. Turner. Entirely new and original num"bers will bo frequently introduced.

The benefit concert hold ill the Salvation Armv Citadel last night ill aid of the Silver Instrumental lund of the local Army Band was well attended. Ihe Wellington Garrison Baud were perhaps the chief performers, though they were ably assisted by members of tlio Army and others. Tlio programme contained a number of selections by the Garrison Band son's and action-songs, solos, both vocal'and" instrumental, and recitations.