ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. In the now programme at the Theatre Eoya-1 Jast night, Harry Sadler, who has been invalided for several weeks as tho result of a shooting accident', made his reappearance, ilia popularity with local audiences was never move apparent than it was last night when he was accorded an enthusiastic receplion. > lie sang an extensive hudgct ni' comic sang*. these including "Wow, Wow, Wowser," "Archibald, Certainly Not'," and others. The American duo, Star and Leslie, again made a hit with their specialty act in which clever club juggling was a distinctive feature. Keldine and Klim-o, trick and comedy cyclists, do lats of wonderful tilings on bicycles of different description—one of the performers balancing with ease on a tandem machine which h° propels while the back wheel only is on the ground, Miss Essie Jennings, balladist, contributed a couple of pleasing items in the second part. She has made expression in her vocal efforts her forte, and her appearance always seems to compel applause. Miss llarcella Gray was one oi the most popular artists in the first part. There is an alluring charm about Miss Gray's fresh clear voice and, as she is also a dainty dancer, it is no surprise to find her given a splendid reception nightly. Miss May Dahlberg sang "Cheer Up, Mary" with good effect and scored with a specialty clog dance, while tho Lewis Sisters, sorios and dancers, appeared with success in-each half of the programme. The descriptive vocalist, Rupert Cuthbert, sang "Hampshire Molly," which elicited a double encore, while due measure of applause was extended to the comedians, Ward Lear, Jim Gatfney, and Bob Harper, and also to Miss Nellie Searle, a singer of serio comic songii, and Miss Ruby Rubria, motto balladist. Tho programme will be repeated this evening. On Thursday next, tho management announces tho first' appearance in Now Zealand of tho Piquays, wonderfully dexterous hand-balancers, who have played in the loading music halls in England, America, and Australia. Mr. Piqnay is said to bo the only artist in the world performing a buck and wing dance, on his hands. Professor Karlr's trained animals (including the bucking pony Fritz) will reappear on Thursday.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Change night at His Majesty's Theatre is a sure guarantee of a well-filled house, and last night's change was no exception to the rule. A feature of the programme was a series of pictures which had been specially taken covering the-funeral of the late Cardinal Morau. In addition to tho huge procession arid the lying instate, a picture was given of the late Cardinal laying the foundation stone of a church at Cliatswood. "The Carrier .Pigeon" i; a pretty blending of lore and adventure. A half-breed Indian, who hates a white man, arranges that a band of Indians shall rob the bullion-laden coach which the white man has to drive • through a mountain waste. Previous to setting out the driver has been given a carrier pigeon to liberate to his fiancee, and when he is attacked he dispatches a message by the pigeon,' and' holp arrives in the nick of time. One of tho features of the picture is the mad gallop of 20 or so cowboys through -the bush to the help of the coach driver. Tho Beetlliam Orphanage Boys' Drill Festival is' a particularly fine screening, in which the boys are put through some wonderful evolutions without a semblance of a mistake. Some splendid scenic effects are produced in a screening entitled the Coast of New /.enland. "Back to the Primitive" is a thrilling tale of shipwreck, followed by life on an uninhabited island by two mm and a 'woman. One of the men is killed by lions, and the others pass through great peril and hardship before a rt-scue partyarrives. The Wooing of Winifred is in lighter vein. A wealthy man dies ami leaves his properly to his niece and nephew on condition that they niairy, the attached conditions being that if ono refuses the other shall take the whole of the money, and if both refuse it shall go to an insane asylum. Neither.of the jartics interested has seen the other, and the lady in the case decides to leave the country, but with a view to making the other party give up hope, of her sends him a photo of her maid, a hatclict-fac-cd lady of uncertain age. On receipt of litis ('■.'< male party is shocked, and he in turn sends tho photograph of his forvant, :i bloated old man of 60 or more. The nephew and the niece subsequently liK'el in a train, and a breakdown throw's thc?n together. _ During afternoon tea at a wayside inn, the young man accidentally pulls the photograph of the aged i aii'i-of-all-work out of his pocket, and Ir's partner in trouble, noticing it, explanations follow, and the term's of the will are subsequently met. "A Romanv Tragedy," "Gilos Has His Fortune Told," "Luko Virbana," "Capt. Nell," and "Poolshead is Jealous" make up an exceptionally good programme.

THE KING'S TnEATRK. The high standard which can be maintained in I he. moving picture art, weak in and week out, was once again demonstrated yesterday evening by lno Weil's and Royal Picture Proprietary. A large nmlicnco awaited the screening ul the lirst picture, and by the time it had been run olf tho house was crowded. "Hearts and Flogs" is a particularly strong dramatic film, bawd on the American Civil War. A Colonel Dabney given command of a Georgian iiil'antrv r:-gimcnt, and goes to tho front, leaving his two daughters in charge of an old majcrdoino. He is killed in action.and brought home and buried. Tho war sweeps southward, and the daughters, of the deceased colonel find themselves desert-Hl by all the slaves c: opt the old majordomo. Drunken Union soldiers appear at the lain colonel's house, and a scene of looting and drinking is depicted. Tho old inajordomo is rjughly handled in trying to protect his wards and subsequently one of tho girls shoots down a soldier who tries to sciac her sister. Tho soldiers become uirther enraged, but a Union captain and a squad of orderly soldksrs arrive. The captain falls desperately in love with one of the late colonel's daughters, but despite the attention of the captain <Uks girl says that she cannot love an enemy. When tho war is over tho captain returns and all ends happilv. The K-tedham Summer Festival Drill is one of tho finest pictures shown for a very long time. The orphanage boys arc put through some amazing evolutions. First th' 334 form many different diagrams,. tho designs being perfect, stars giving place to octagons, and 50 forth, in a few seconds. The finale is a living group which forms the letters G C, surmounted by a crown. "Tho Wooing of Winifred" i's a pretty little picture story, in which there is the spice of humour. "Tontolini, Quite a Handy Man," is a screamingly funny screening, and the same remark applies to "Charlio and His Ma-in-law." Other pictures well worth seeing aro "The Punoher's Now Love," "Giles gets his Fortune Told," and "East Lynne," whilst the Pathe Gazette is a bovrilised entertainment in itself. The programmo will bo repeated to-night.

THE NEW THEATRE.. Tho customary bi-weekly change of programme at Tho Now Theatre to-day will bo headed by an Edison dramatic masterpiece "The Key of Life." The opening scene presents ah old Brahmin priest dying, and in tho act of giving to his favourite pupil (a young American artist) tho sacred robe of Krish, with a copy of the Book of Mystery, and an injunction to search for the key of life which is hidden in the book. . A story of Alr.cric.lll city life is Tclated in the Edison drama "Making a Man of Him." A rich map sends his son out to do the best for himself without the aid of hi.s parent's wealth. The Bison exclusive film "An Indian's Ambition" deals with the enterprising endeavours of a Redskin braw. The Italia Company's world-famed comedian (achieved a remarkable success in his latest exploit: "Foolshead Jealous." The scenic delights of Italy are a perennial joy to movingpicture patrons and in "Mount Casino" there arc soino particularly attractive panoramics in keeping with tho-Chios Company's reputation for choice reproductions. Tho Gaumout Company's leading comedian is responsible for au extremely laughable episode in."Caliuo, Foreman of Works." Tho American Biograph Conipanys' study "A Romany Tragedy" is of sterling worlh. The new itcins will be shown from 11 a.m. till 11 o'clock to-night.