ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1150, 10 June 1911, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

♦ I "THE I'RINCE AND THE BEGGAR MAID." Playgoers who saw and enjoyed Walter Howard's drama "The Midnight Wedding" will probably attend the Opera Housa to-night, when Mr. William Anderson will Ciller upon a season with a new drama, entitled "The Prince and tho Beggar Maid." The production will be the same in detail as it was at the lving'6 Theatr«, Melbourne, during its run of nine weeks. The picce has been described as a play of plot and passion that holds the attention of tho audieuce t') the end. There is much in it to ap.peal to the eye; excellent scenery, bright uniforms, and rich costumes. The plot rests on the refusal of the reigning Princess of Illyria to marry the reigning Princo of tho neighbouring principality, Sylvania. In a spirit of revenge, _ combined with a desire to force the Princess of Illyria to withdraw her refusal to marry him, he bombards tho city in which the Royal Palace of Illyria is situated. The people of Illyria suffer such privations that the Bishop is deputed by the Executive Council to urge the Princess to consent to marry Hildrcd and end the sufferings of her people. The Princess refuses, and is tricked into making a vow to marry Prince Michael, the hunch-back brother of Hildred. Another brother, Prince Olaf, loves and is loved by the Princess, and many thrilling events occur before tho happy ending arrives. "Not for a lorig while (says the Melbourne "Age") has a work so full of interest, of colour, of life, and of movement been staged at a Melbourne theatre. It is melodrama of the highest class, with a saving sense of restraint running through it. It is a breezy, spirited, attractive production." Mr. H. R. Roberts and Miss Beatrice Day are included in the cast of Mr. Anderson's new organisation. The box plan is at Holliday's, and the day soles at Abel's. THEATRE ROYAL. Tho Staig Troupe of Cyclists, who have been astonishing the audiences at the Theatre Royal during the past week by cycling on the perpendicular walls of n circular wooden cage, provided a newturn last night, when their work was performed on a circular table, about I*l feet in diameter. At the commencement of the turn the three members of the troupe cycle round the table while i: is stationary, and then one of them (lees some clever trick cycling and balancing, subsequently riding round the table backwards while the front forks of the machine are revolving at a great rate.- Another of the performers mounts the table 011 a motor-cycle, and, while the table is sent whirling at high speed, he makes headway in 'the contrary dilection, and still goes merrily on when the table is tilted to an angle of 45 degrees. Finally, the three artists return to the table on ordinary cycles, and race round in the opposite direction to which it whirls. Jt is annarent that tho feats require a great amount of nerve and skill, and the audience were roused to a high pitch of enthusiasm. There is plenty of variety in the remainder of the programme, which includes the turns of, •lack Kcarns, Ida Roslyn. Vera Ktarns. Nellie Power, the Two Rosebuds, and others. THE NEAy THEATRE. Tho new programme submitted at the New Theatre yesterday includes pictures of a quality quite equal to those with which the theatre has made its reputation. "Tho Red Star Inn" is remarkable for the excellent quality of the photography, which after „all is tho basis of kinematography. It is at the Red Star Inn that an inn-bound sailor takes shelter for the night, sleeping 011 the floor of the bar-room in lieu of a more comfortable resting place. A dark deed is committed in the night hours. A traveller with much gold has -tempted the cupidity of a Western: ruffian, -who hasstolen his belt of sovereigns and hidden Hhom 'neath a hay-rick;::fancying'!'hint-: self unobserved. There is, however,- a half-witted boy who. has watched the plant, and who transfers it to another hiding-place with the cunning of the unfinished mind. Morning breaks, and the sailer continues on his way. The corpse is discovered in the bar, the real murderer accuses' the sailor, who is pursued and brought back to face the charge of murder. Ho pleads his innocence, all in vain, ar.d is imprisoned. Thpre he is visited by his sweetheart, who learns of his doing on the fateful night. She visits the-inn, and accidentally meets the imbecile, who chatters of the affair, and finally leads her to where he lias hidden the booty, and describes tho man who first hid the money under the havrick. AYith this evidence she appears at" the trial and frees her Sailor Jack, and at the same time the -law clutches the murderer, "Cowboys to the Rescue*' is a queer mixture of ■ AVestern life and "crooked" society who live with some show of fashion by "rooking" victims which the girl of the'party lures into the trap. She catches a young cowboy, and lie becomes so infatuated with tli'o lady that slio cost l * him every dollar ho lias got. But suddenly she falls in love with him, and shows it at a crucial moment.. IJic two crooks' oiul the cowboy are'at • the framing table once morn playin? a big feme, when trouble arises. The cowboy is about to be slugged on the head when the girl covers the assailant with a revolver, anil summons a troop of cowboys to her assistance. Thev arrive just !r /!?;«•. oh f" 1 ■ Fil ' c Sa!e " i,nt l "Aunt labitha s Monkey are pictures that are calculated to raise laughter. THE ICING'S THEATRE. Several dramatic studies of creat excelloiicc are included in tho present pic-tiu-0 programme at the King's Theatre. Ine trench Canadian, Monsieur Prince is shown 111 "Whittles, Imposter," one of Ins best sketches. A charming series of scenes in a foundling home comprise the film entitled "Ilabv Rearin"." "The Story of Mantis" depicts inscct" life, and then there is an excellent film of tho. opening of tho Coronation Exhibition at AVellington. The programme will bo submitted again this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho very fine film series representing a ride from Metz to Vadicnwkay was loudly applauded again at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. Another interesting film Was that showing the smallest pony in the world—a clever little animal no larger than a goat. The realistic picture showing tho Taj Mahal at Agra was one the best of the series. Dramatic and comic films also are far above the average this week, while tho "Warwick Chronicle," which includes a number of topical items, is full of interest. The programme will be repeated this evening. MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. A fine .programme has been prepared for the Municipal Orchestra Concert on Tuesday evening next. The principal works will be tho first movement of Beethoven's Pianoforte Concerto in C Minor, with Mr. Horace. Hunt as soloist. The tone poem, "Finlandia," which created such an impression at the last concert, will be repeated, and other works will include the overture to Mnsanicllo, Mozart's well-known Minuet in E flat, Sullivan's Henry VIII March, and Gillet's popular Loin du IJal. The City Organist will play organ works by Dubois and Guilman't. The Dresden piailo Company's recently-imported Steinway Concert Grand will he used for the first timo at' this concert. TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. An old-favourite piece, "William Tell" Overture (Rossini) will be among the works to bp played by Mr, Maughan Bnrnett at his organ recital to-night. On every occasion this operatic prelude has been played it has met with great applause. A transcription of the well-known pianoforte piece "Ave Maria" (Henselt) is another popular item, and the olher items 011 the programme are well worth hearing, viz., Bach's Toccata in F, and Mendelssohn's Sonata No. C. SKATING RINK. The management of the skating rink hav» every cause to congratulate themselves 011 the large attendances which continue to be tho rule at each sessiou. An excellent floor, splendid smooth-running skates, and a courteous staff of expert instructors are amongst (he principal features of I bo rink. Delightful music is discoursed by the Olyuipia Baud cack

evening, which gives additional charm to the rinking. The date for the fancy dres* carnival has been set for Wcd'nesday, July 12. SUNDAY CONCERT. A programme of unusual excellence has been compiled for the Wellington Professional Orchestra's fourth concert of their 1011 season, which will take place in the Town Hall 011 Sunday evening, Mendelssohn's Overture, "Ruy Bias," will bo rendered, followed by "William Tell" Overture (Rossini); Alarche "Militaire" (Schubert); and Brahm's "Two Hungarian X)ances." The vocalist for the evening will be Mr. Charles Clarkson (baritone), who will contribute two items, "(> Star of Eve" ('cello obbligato by 51r. J. Dick), and Aria, "0 God, Have Mercy" (from St. Paul), Mendelssohn. The instrumental item wiil be given by Mr. Harold Oakei, (trombonist), who will play Blumenthal's "Sunshine and Rain." A silver coin collection will be taken at the doors. The concert will commence at 8.30 p.m. i •T1' 1 ? ® ava S® Club's fortnightlv korero will bo held in the club room this evening. The Royal Hawaiinns appeared for flio ni ii me Town "Hall Concert Chamber last evening, before a crowded house, who greatly enjoyed the delightful entertainment given;