HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1212, 22 August 1911, Page 7

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

■Another addition to the list of ceremonial pictures which have predominated in the programmes of picture shows was included in thoso shown at His Majesty's Theatre last'evening. This is the investiture of the Prince of Wales, the ceremony is enacted in the courtyard 01 Carnarvon Castle in Wales and the value of the picture, apart from the excellent views of the ceremony, is considerably enhanced by the splendid photographs , of. tho famous old castle, which dates back to feudal times. .A remarkably fine spectacular picture is that entitled "The Bride oft the Kile" in which many hundreds of trained people are employed. The .story is quite a good one. The city' is greatly distressed owing to the -Nile not having risen to fertilise the surrounding country. The narrow streetsare filled wilh'anguis])ed,.crowds who. are praying and tearing tlieiT' hair 'at"tlio waywardness of the sacred river. Eventually a deputation wail's upon Pharoah, who orders that an appeal should be made to .Isis. Offerings .in plenty are made to the god, and the prayers of the people go up to the stone image, and a§ a result. the High Priest announces that a virgin must be sacrificed in the waters of the Nile. Among the populace are two very pretty lovers ltamses and Amabi, -who are passionately attached to one another. Amabi is selected hs ont of the virgins from whom tho High Priest, on behalf of the god Isis is to ..select the victim. There is an elaborate ceremony, perfectly sta"e managed, in which tho virgins parage in bridal array. It is on tho head of the fair Amabi that tho priest's hands fall and she is led away into tho inner temple. Mad with grief, young Kamses attempts ,a rescue, but is beaten and flung from tho temple, and the girl is led with, great ceremony to the banks of the Nile, and cast'into .the, waters, whereupon thev riso and cover the river-lands and there is peace in tne land. "Madeline's Rebellion" is the escapade of a couple of young girls to avoid an arranged marriage between one of them—Madeline— and her father's wnrd. They dot) cadets' uniforms and sally forth to seek adventures and-find them. In an al fresco restaurant they disport' themselves until hailed by . two other'i cadets who insist. P[t drinking and smoking with them. Their parents, however, arrive on tho scene when.it is discovered that, the young men -are those expected and so the joke becomes a prologue to two promising lovo affairs. "Tho Centipede" is a fine nature study, and "A Wild Sea and ■ Sunset" is, a. most effective marine study. Other 1 good pictures are: "The rathe Gazette," "The Cowboy's Sacrifice, ' and "A Fascinating Bachelor."

KING'S THEATRE. ' There is a sustained interest in the new programme' submitted at the King's theatre last evening, which i 6 not always tho case with picture shows. The investiture of the Prince of Wales at Carnarvon Castle in Wales. depicts an exceedingly interesting ceremony most faithfully.' Ihe Royal party is shown arriving at Carnarvon, and afterwards making vits entry in liigii procession into the grev old battlemented castle which is held, in such reverence by all Welshmen, the ceremony itself takes place beneath a pavilion in the courtyard, and there the lung is shown robing his kneeling son, and afterwards escorting him to a hi»h balcony for presentation to the cheering crowds below. The quality of the 1 picture photographically js splendid. "The Crooked Road" is an "A.8." drama acted with skill and sincerity. It is the story of a couple who marry in haste and repent at leisure. The husband docs not prosper in life, and instead of facing his troubles like a man takes the broad bad way, becomes a thief, artd deserts' his \vite. Ho is not bad all through, however, and at tho prick of conscience breaks away from his evil companions, gets work at a sawmill, and makes good! Resolving to do tho right thing by his wife and child he returns to the old homo to find that his wife has left tho neighbourhood. Years afterwards, when he has become foreman of the. mill, he happens to visit a shop, and whilst there a little boy runs in, and offers a wedding ring for sale to buy bread with. Tho man happens to see the ring, examines it closely, and finds that it is tho one he gave his wife on their wedding day, and that the boy is his own child. 1 Returning with the lad he discovers his wife in a. starving condition, there is a touching scene of reconciliation, and a happy denouement. The Tatlm Gazette includes pictures of the King's visit to Ireland, and the Henley Itegatta. "The Peace Offering" deals with a hot-tempered trouble amusingly, and "A Cnso of High Treason" strikes a high dramatic no'te, as, in a different vein," does "The Witch of Everglades." Other good pictures shown were "Through the Gothard," "T'ontolini Goes Shooting," "The Man Couldn't. Laugh," and "Seeking a •Bed." On Friday next the management of-West's and the Royal Pictures aro to tender the' Wellington Kelluel Club a complimentary benefit. THE NEW THEATRE. Throughput yesterday' the continuous picture entertainment at tho New Theatre drew crowded attendances. The customary bi-weekly chango of programme today promises to bo exceptioiiallv attractive. "Tho Crooked lior.d" (the highway to poyerty nnd woe) deals with the career of a husband, who, under Ihe evil iniluence of bad companions, neglects and finally leaves his wife and child. When on the verge nf a serious crinio his conscience pricks him, and lie resolves to re-.

form. While at work in a timber yard lie is sent to repair a pawnshop, and there meets his own child, who has come to pawn her sick mother's wedding ring. A nappy reunion follows. A pathetic drama, "Tho Strongest Tie," illustrates the sub; tie power of a child, and "Bill's Widow is a domestic episode of a very amusing' character. "The Investiture of the Prince of Wales" gives a magnificent >enes ol views' of this line spectacular event, anil a delightful scenic subject, "From Unibria to the Adriatic," is certain to be very popular. "Saved from the Rodman is a thrilling story of the Wild West. Another feature will be tho Continental comedy, "The Demon Dog." Tile new pictures will lie shown from 11 o'clock this morning till 11 o'clock to-night. "THE CIIAXCE OP A LIFETIME." Mr. William Anderson will produce at the Opera House on Monday, August LS, "The Chance of a Lifetime," by Nat Gould. The play will be realistically staged, and it is stated that there will be six racehorses on the stage—real jockeys, real tyrf, and a real starting gate as accessories.' The story is said to go with a swing that has.given satisfaction to Australian audiences. When Nat Gould _ wrote the play there was looming large in the public "mind in England the theft of the Ascot Gold Cup, and this incident is a prominent feature of the story. The box plan will open at the Dresden to-morrow morning. . YOUNG AUSTRALIA LEAGUE. All arrangements are now complete for the performance which is to be given by the Young Australia League of 12 performers iu the Town Hall to-morrow evening. The League bora arrive by the Moeraki on Wednesday, and a reception will be held at' the Y.M.C.A. Buildings. Tho Minister for Education (the Hon. Geo. Fowkls) will preside, and the League boys will be escorted to the Town Hall by the Wellington Boy Scouts and' tho Wellington Garrison Band. . Besides the League's band there is a marvellous boy soprano, a clever comedian, a monologuist, an elocutionist and other performers who dance and make merry. West's Pictures, Limited, will, in addition to Iho boys' performance, screen a programme of capital biographic subjects, included in which will bo the latest version of "East Lynne," specially acted by English artist's.. This picture is in 30 scenes and follows the story of Mrs. Henry Wood's uovel from start to finish. Special music has been arranged and the plan is now open at the Dresden.