ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1140, 30 May 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE WHIP." Tliat j fino spectacular drama "The Whip," with its wealth of scenery and ingenious mechanical effects, continues to attract crowded audiences to the Opera House, and is easily establishing a record for melodrama in Wellington. The last two performances of "The Whip" will be given to-night anil to-morrow night. "HENRY OF NAVARRE. " A new romantic play by William Devcreux, "Henry ul Navarre," will be presented by Mr. J. C. Williamson's Company on Thursday and two following nights of the season. "Henry of Navarre" presents himself readily as the hero of a romantic drama. The new play opens with the festivities of the marriage of Charles IX's sister Marguerite with Henry of Navarre. The interest of the love story hangs upon Henry's doubt of his bride, upon whose loyalty to him his very life depends. His rival, the Duke do Guise, contrives that he shall suppose her in the Queen Mother's plot, and later laying siege to the unhappy brido mourning over her loneliness, persuades her to give him access to her chamber. The invitation, a knot of ribbon carried to him by her maid, brings him to her door after she has wildly endeavoured to cancel the meeting. Margaret cries upon her husband for help, and he, recognising that all is well, comes forward masked, and forces the Duke to escape through a window just as King Charles enters to avenge the honour of his sister, a situation which, it is said, completely catches the fancy of the audience. The story is romantic throughout, and embraces the stirring events leading up to the massacre of St. Bartholomew's night. A merry, daredevil monarch, hero of a corrupt and intriguing court, dominated by one of the most infamous women in European history, provides the dramatist with excellent play-making material, of which, it is affirmed, the company who will interpret it take tho fullest advantage. On Monday next, for the last three nights, will bo presented "Via Wireless," a sensational drama in which is promised many startling effects. THEATRE ROYAL.. Fullers' Vaudeville Company played to a large audience at tho Theatre Koyal last night'. Among ' those present were the Home Rule envoys and, to suit' the occasion, Daly and O'Brien staged something Irish in tho shape of a pretty little sketcli entitled ••'Tidings From Home." The scene (a very pretty one) is a country post office in tne united States, and tno story principally concerns the wooing of Biddy Dolan, a widow, who has to throw out some very strong encouragement before Micky Bradv is willing to propose marriage. A touch of pathos is added when Kithe O'Brien calls at tho post office for letters, and receives sad news from old Ireland. The sketch is tho work of Miss O'Brien, and is, perhaps, the neatest turn that these artists have yet put on at the Theatre Koyal. Jack Kearns and Ida Rosslyn made a welcome reappearance, and scored a distinct success with their "side-walk conversations," which had tho audience in roars of laughter throughout. Gardiner and Le Mar, yiujitsu experts, gave an interesting display of falls. Carlton and Sntton, patter comedians and dancers, appeared on each half of the programme, and gained a duo measure of applause. Miss Mabel Jivnne, comedienne, who is oue of the most popular artists figuring on the bill, sang "Life is a Game of See-saw, and had to respond to a double, recall. Other turns that took exceptionally well wero those of Miss Nellie Power, and Miss Brightie Carlisle. Items were also contributed by Jim Marion, Bob Lloyd. Vera Kearns, Emmie Hardie, and the Two Rosebuds. An interesting biograph picture is also included in the programme. On Friday next, the company will be strengthened by the famous ' Staig Troupe" of cyclists, whose turn is termed "The Whirl of Death." Thcso artists como from the London Hippodrome and have recently met with great success m Australia. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ■V stron" dash of local colour was one of' tho features of tho new picture programme which was screened for the first time at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. Under the title of "Greater Wellington Day by Day" are shown a series of representative views of the tnipire City, seen through the lens of tho kinematograph camera. A ear-ride along the Quav, and thence to Kent Terrace, via the 'shopping route, is of more than passing interest if for nothing else than that the kincniatograph seems to have sharply accentuated tho narrowness of some of tho streets. The operator has been singularly fortunate, for example, in getting a view of tho Willis Street-Manners Street corner just at tho moment when several cars, mostly two-deckers, are negotiating the "Duke of Edinburgh," and the effect isi rather striking—there appears to bo little else but ears. There arc alsokinematograph "snaps" of the Queen's Wharf, I he principal public buildings, Botanical Gardens, Hobson Street suspension bridge —this "snap" also shows Messrs. Ben and John Fuller "en famille," and is a characteristic study of, these enterprising entrepreneurs—tho. Wellington Zoo, showing King Dick arid his mate, the Boat Harbour, and a particularly good view of the Corinthic leaving the King's Wharf for London and the Coronation. This item is supported by an attractive series, the whole furnishing "one of the best yet" at His Majesty's. Dramatic interest 'is well catered for in "The Test" and "Their First Misunderstanding," two capital films, while comedy finds pictorial expression in "Bill's Little Plan," "Getting Even." "The Magnet, l ' aPathc novelty film, is an interesting variation from the usual. Pathe's Gazette, tho weekly record of topical events, is a good series this week. Tho programme will be repeated this evening. THE KING'S THEATRE. The new programmo of pictures shown at the King's Theatre last evening is an interesting series, furnishing an entertainment of excellent variety and artistic merit. "Pathe's Animated Gazette," that popular weekly record of topical events, is well to tho fore, tho latest series being full of interest. A capital "snap" is that of Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener inspecting a parade, of BoyScouts. Drama figures strongly on the programme, the best of a very good series being "The Broken Trail," "Tho Mystery of Lonely Gulch," "John Mauchot's Lie," and "The Bad Man's Downfall." Tho last-named is the story of the typical bully of a Wild West community, whose facility for "drawing a bead" on tho others inspires the latter with a'wholesouled and servile respect for him. Enter the hero and heroine—tho first a strapping ranchman, and tho latter a pretty school teacher. The bad man warns all and sundry that the heroine is for him, and that if anybody "gets sweet" on her his gun will "slip." Naturally, the hero meets the teacher, with the expected result, and the ultimate discomfiture of tho bad man, who turns out to bo badly "wanted" for certain misdemeanours. "Tilly's Party" is the best of a diverting series of comedy pictures. It. is well staged, excellently acted, and full of amusing situations. Two schoolgirls, forbidden to attend a party on account of their misconduct, are expelled to the attio, and are joined by two schoolboy friends. With one escapade after another, they manage to make things very lively for the party downstairs, and the comedy ends in an exciting chase, with a ludicrous finale. Two good scenic films a-re "The Valley of Aosta," and "Sardinia," while "The Three Acrobats" (a variety stage reproduction), and "Fooishead at a Cockfight," complete a very satisfying programme. To-night, a social local attraction will be "Yachting in Wellington Harbour," which promises to bo a strong draw. THE NEW THEATRE. There wore again big crowds at the New Theatre yesterday to witness tho last of the programme, which included the picture production of Rider Haggard's "She." A grand change of programme is announced for to-dav, when (ho proprietors, Messrs. MacMahon and Donnelly, stale that everything will l;e new. Among the pictures to be shown arc "Heart of a Savage" (A.B. film), a strong Indian drama; "Water Lilies" (Vitagraph Co.). an interesting flower study; "True Western Honour" (Bison exclusive); "Athens," a magnificent scenic; and "Familv Bear," "Eliza's Career," and "Xontolini," pomiq items.

The theatre is open daily from 11 a.m. till 11 p.m., and those- who purchased tickets last night and were unable to pain admission may u-.c those tickets today.

SKATING KINK. Good attendances wero recorded at Fullers' Skating Kink at each session yesterday. The management announces that a hockey match on skates will take place Oil Thursday evening next, and on Wednesday. June 1, a grand seaside carnival will bo held, full particulars of which will bo given at an early date. THE KOYAL HAWAIIAN SEASON. Included in the Royal Hawaiian musical organisation, w.ho provido the attraction at the Town Hall on Saturday night. Juno :), is the "Hawaiian Glee Party," who are said to possess individual voices of quality and power, and are not only brilliant, solo singers, but constihilo a very lino double quartet. The names of the principal male members of the glee party are Tamali Kata, tenor, a Harvard student; Kamikani, basso, with a European reputation; Robert Kaawa, baritone, gold medallist; Mr. Ernest Kaai, leader; and Mr. Thos. Kata, the tenor of the party, -who has a splendid reputation for singing ballads. The other thrco gentle- j men who go to make the male octet have fresh young voices, and are splendid instrumentalists. The names of the ladies of the company are Miss Keala, soprano, with a dramatic quality; Miss Anehado, a lyric soprano; and Miss Anehilda, the contralto, reported to be a jewel of song. Besides singing songs of Hawaii, these ladies are heard in such songs as "God's Garden." "My Rosary," "The Worker" (Gounod), "Heartbeats and Tears," "Foolish Moon," and other concert platform success of the Old World. The company introduce their own native instruments, and blend them perfectly with mandolins, guitars, and other polychords. The instrumentation of the Royal Hawaiians attracted attention in America, while in Australia the mandolin and guitar clubs attended the entertainments regularly, and in some instances cheered Mr. Kaai and his confreres for their manipulation and orchestration. The plan will be opened at the Dresden to-morrow morning. MUNICIPAL MUSIC. Mr. Maughan Barnett, the conductor of tho Municipal Orchestra, has prepared a lino programme of music for to-night's concert in the Town Hall. The threa movements from Grieg's suite "Peer Gynt" will be repeated, and other numbers are the Prelude to Act 111, "Lohengrin," and works by Haydn, Berlioz, and Gillet. Several organ items will be rendered by Mr. Barnett. THE MOUNTEBANKS. At the Opera House on June 8 and 9 the Mountebank Company of amateurs will produco for the first time in Wellington a bright farce comedy, "A Tragedy." The comedy first saw the light a few years ago at the Royalty Theatre, London, where it instantly made good. It is a mine of hilarious situations, and tho Mountebanks, judging from their previous efforts, will do justice to them. The club has done good iv.ork in tho past, and it now aspires to rooms of its own. To compass that desire the proceeds of the performances about (o be given will bo devoted to a fund whicn will, in time, help the club to a home of its own. The annual elocutionary competitions of tho Palmerstou North Technical School are to be held on Thursday and Friday, October 5 and 6, at Palmerston North.