ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 6 October 1911, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE GRIP OF ALCOHOL." It is evident that Pathe Freres' splendid social drama "In tho Grip of Alcohol''' is proving a great attraction, and, if tho attendance at the Opera House last evening is any criterion, the management aro assured of a successful .season. This photo-play does not hold the attention or interest by reason of a subtle plot; it is just a plain talc of human weakness, showing how, when once a man succumbs to drink he generally drags down I also those nearest and dearest !o him. The acting and tettiii" of the play—especially the acting, which is in several scenes intensely dramatic—are also prominent features. Another feature of tho entertainment is a pictorial adaptation of Mrs. Harriet Beechcr Stove's famous work, "I'ncle Tom's Cabin," dealing with slavery in America, prior to the Civil War. ' In a lighter mood are: "The Coupon Mania," "Rolling Melons," and "That Old Cannon." THEATRE ROYAL. Fullers' Vaudeville Company are playing to big houses this wf.ck at the Theatre Royal, where one of the principal attractions is the turn of the Australian danscuso, Mabelle. The last nights are announced of Sam La Mert, Mounier and Franz, and Delavalo and Gilbert. On Monday next, a number of new artists will appear. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. • Thero was a good attendanco at His Majesty's Theatre last, evening on tho occasion of tho usual bi-weekly change of programme. Included 'in the new scries are pictures that appear to a wide range of taste—dramatic studies, tales of adventure, edu'catbnal subjects, and the everpopular "comic." "A Klondyko Steal is a thrilling dramatic study, and apart from this the setting is unusually realistic. Frozen rivers, dog teams, Eskimo , miners, and' guides are included in the cast. When a certain goldminer dies the j only thing which he bequeathes to his three daughters is tho plan of a rich claim which ho has staked out in Klondyke. With all the impulsiveness of girls they decide to set out for Alaska, and ( claim their property. After an eventful journey they ultimately reach that frigid and wild country, but, presently, the plan of the locality of the mine is stolen by the two guides whom they have engaged. A friendly Eskimo undertakes to bring them back to tho nearest settlement, and, on their way, they happen on the two men who 'had previously robbed them. The three indignant young women boar down on them, and demand the restitution of tho plan. They are not very successful until two young miners come to their assistance. Tho climax is reached some timo after when the young men and women decide to form a part- j nership. Fergus Hume's Australian detective story was also shown again, and, as the film was screened, Mr. Boothman narrated the chief incidents of tho plot. An interesting littlo romance of war is unfolded in the picture "Little Soldiers of '61." "Cupid's Chauffeur" is an amusing littlo comedy, and relates how an enterprising young man outwitted a father who objected to having him as a son-in-law. Other items screened were "Eslereux" and "Shipbuilding at Trieste."

THE NEW THEATRE. The final screening of the current programmo drew crowded patronage throughout yesterday at tho New Theatre continuous picture entertainment. Tho change programme to-day will include tie latest Edisou success, ''into the Jaws of Death.*' A young girl asks her lover's rival to post a letter to the absent suitor. The rival destroys tho lettcir, and as no reply is received by tho girl she reluctantly inarrioa the insistent rival. The lover returns, joins tho firo brigade, and in tho course of his duty rescues his former fiancee and her husband from a fire, and then in the natural order of tilings tho husband dies, and the firoman weds his widow. Other notable subjects are: "It Did Look suspicious" (Vitagrapk comedy "Comrades" 'an A.B. drama), "The Indian Laud Grabbers" (Champion exclusive .drama), "Glimpses of Wyo V.al--iey"':"'(cnarming Welsh scenery), and "Girls will be Hoys" (S. and A. comedy). Tho new pictures will be shown from II a.m. till 11 o'clock to-night. THE KING'S THEATRE. Love, pathos, and adventure figure largely in the dramatic section of the now programme screened at the King's Theatre last night. The picture which was best received was a romance of tho French Revolution, entitled "The Conspirators." The Committee of Public Safety are informed that a certain nobleman and His daughter are plotting against the Republic, and circulating documents calculated to assist tho Monarchist party. A raid is planned on the oount's_ house, but no incriminating papers aro discovered. Taking advantage of tho count s absence, the officer in charge, of the raiders, insults the daughter, and is ignomiuiouslv ejected by the irate father. Then tho officer decides to have his revcDge, and succeeds only too well. Tho count and bis (laughter are thrown into prison, and. with the connivance of the samo policeman, manage to escape, only to fall more completely into his power. After undergoing divers humiliation;-, they are at last rescued by an officer in the Republican army, and have the satisfaction of seeing their former enemy being escorted to prison. "Willie" is a rollicking story of adventure in the Wild West, anil narrates how a tenderfoot, after suffering various ill usages at the hands of a number of cowboys, and being goaded beyond endurance, at last turns on thc-m, and succeeds in making (hem feel very much discomfited. Pnthe's Gazette, as usual, is very instructive, and illustrates many recent occurrences and events both in Europe and Australia. Scenes in London and Liverpool during the recent strikes form the special feature. "Tho Tribe's Penalty" is a pathetic story of the Indian reservation. Other pictures worthy of mention include "Farmer's Foes," "Feminine Tenacity," and "The Lake of Scutari."

THE BIJOU THEATBE. "Bill as a Jockey,'* "Scientific Billiards," "Hamlet," and "Tho Bewitched Restaurant" are the titles of a few films that will give an idea of the wide raugo of subjects embraced by the present programme at tho Bijou Theatre. The seats throughout this theatre are upholstered, and this is evidently appreciated by patrons, as the entertainment is well patronised each night. There will be a matinee to-morrow afternoon. "THE PRICE OP BEAUTY." Messrs. MacMahon and Donnelly have concluded arrangements for the introduction of a society photo, play, "The Price of Beauty," commencing at the jN'ew Theatre next Monday. Tho plot deals with the life of a society lady, whose only ambition is to livo a butterfly existence. The staging, dresses, and sconery are add to bo exceptionally elaborate. ST. THOMAS'S HALL' NEWTOWN. Wesfs and Royal Pictures submitted a change of programme at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, last night, and the entertainment was well patronised. Included in the programme were some excellent scenic subjects, nobably "Lake Scutari," "City of Westminster," and "City of Moscow." Among the other films were "Festival of Candles," "Tho Conspirators," "Legend of the Old Bellringer," "Smith Tries his- Hand at Juggling,", and "The Runaway Dog." Tho same pictures will bo screened again tonight, and there will bo a matinee tomorrow- afternoon. MUSICAL UNION CONCERT. This evening, at the Town Hall, tho Wellington Musical Union will perform' for the first time in Australasia, tho quaint Scottish rhapsody, "The Wedding of Shon Maclean." Tho bagpipes effect by tho orchestra, and the jollification by the twenty pipers is described as being most realistic. Tho.soloists are Mrs. B. M. Wilson and Mr. I'. W. Loycock. Included in the programmo will also ho Elgar's suite tor chorus and orchostra. "Scenes from tho Bavarian Highlands" and tho. Andante and Finale of Jlcndels:\hn's Concerto, for violin, will bo played by Adolph Szenes, of Budapest CoiifiTvatorinm. The box pl;m is open at the Dresden. HOSPITAL BENEFITS. On Sunday next, the proprietors of tho Bijou Theatre intend giving a special entertainment, the proceeds of which are to lw devoted to the Hospital Fund. Tho pfrformanco will commence at 8.15 p.m., when n. number of Biblical pictures will be screened*