ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1258, 13 October 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"OUR MISS GIBBS." Another crowded houso greeted charming "Miss Mary Gibbs, of Garrod's Store," as she stepped before tho footlights at tho Opera House last evening. t To what has already been.said of Mr. J. C. Williamson's Eoyal Comic Opera Com- ' pany in its production of this mucli--1 talked-of musical comedy one would liko l to add a word or two more concerning f tho clever young actress whose appearance in tho title role has contributed so much to the success of the piece. Miss " Blanche Broivno is a quaint mixture— at once demure, vivacious, unaffected— • tho very simplicity of her art is its i greatest merit. In the opening song, "Mary," whero sho is associated with a ! chorus of "dudes," she is naive, alluring, • quite inimitable. One must also again 1 refer to the dances, and particularly to : tho celebrated "Danse du Vaurien"—a ■ somewhat weird affair, which is performed by Miss Ivy Schilling and Mr. Fred Leslie. Suppleness and grace, quick and alert movements, and daring poises aro the conspicuous features of this rather unique turn. The second nighfs performance was a most successful one, and its duration was also wisely curtailed somewhat from the previous rather lengthy performance—inevitable no doubt on a first night. "Our Miss Gibbs" will appear again this evening. THEATRE EOYAL. Fullers' Vaudeville Company repeated the current programme at the Theatre Royal last night to an appreciative audience. A turn that took exceptionally well was that contributed by the National Duo, clever Australian juveniles, who had to rcsjiond to a number of recalls. Signor Martinengo, solo 'cellist and baritone, also received a favourable hearing, as did Mabelle, tho dancer. On Monday next the management will introduce Emerald and Dupre, comedy sketch artists from San Francisco. Owing to Australian engagements, the Wellington season of these artists will be limited. . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Well selected and embodying plenty of variety, the change of programme presented at His Majesty's Theatre last evening will readily commend itself to tho attention of patrons of motion pictures. Love, pathos, and romanco form the subject of the dramatic studies, the travel films give one a glimpso of strange lands and people, while the humorous items aro well calculated to "cheer the passing gloomy hour." "Lonely Villa".is an ex- • citing photo ploy describing the modus operandi of some New York house-break-ers. Tho father of a family is decoyed from homo by a forged note, and the thieves then get to work. Tho lock of the door is forced, and the wife and family barricade themselves in another room. In the meantime tho husband eonimuni cates with his wife over the telephone and is informed of the state of affairs. He endeavours lo procure a motor-car, but riono is available, and as a last resort hires a gipsy's wagon. They aro shown tearing along the road at a furious rate and, just as tho burglars break into tho item where the man's wife and children have taken refuge, they arrive on the scene, and hand the evildoers over to the police. Somo particularly interesting views aro given of Johannesberg, the chief city of the Transvaal. This week's "Australian Gazette" adumbrates many recent happenings in Australia. Views are given of Australia's "army in tho making." Other events pictorially described were scenes at the A.J.A. Spring meeting; cadet's at play,, the finish of a Sdmilo cyclo race... "Mr. Inquisitive-" is an uproarious "comic" describing the many and varied adventures of an inquisitive man. One of the films soreoned shows, in 'quite, an interesting manner how straw hats aro manufactured in the Philippines, and the varied process and tho amount of work required beforo tho finished article is ready for sale. "Crucial Test," "The Conversion of St. Anthony," and "Alice's Sacrifice" , aro three excellent dramatics and, judging by the manner in which they wero received, they appealed. very much to the popular taste.. The .programme, also includes "Foolshead'urLast'EOgue'ry," "Preparing for nn Antarctic Expedition," and "Charley ■Smiler Resumes Bachelor Life." THE KING'S THEATRE. A splendid change of moving pictures was screened at the King's Theatre last evening. 'The series include capital dramatic studies, interesting scenic and educational subjects, and a number of humorous items. Included in the dramatic list is an imaginative study of a Japanese invasion of America. This picture is well mounted, and hundreds take part in producing it. One of the battle scenes between the Japanese advance guard and tho American troops is'very realistic. Before the invasion a host of Japanese emissaries—mostly officers—are sent to tho Western States, and these.gather, all information available. When the time comes for the landing tho cables are cut, and the Japanese commander' receives a bundle of dispatches, plans, etc., by ucroplano. Then one is given a glimpso, or at least same idea, of a battle between tail nod troops and a semi-civilian army. After being hammered at for some considerable time tho Americans aro victorious, and the climax is reached when tho stars' ami stripes are hoisted over the battlefield. Some very fine views aro P"" o f Napcer and its surroundings, but the most interesting part of this picture deals with tho Hawkc's Bay trawling industry. The trawler is shown departing for the Kidnappers, and shooting the trawl on arrival there. Various other stages of this industry are shown, from the landing of the catch till arrival at Napier again. "Life in the Aquarium is a splendid educational subject Several uncommon species of fish are shown but by fair the most interesting part of this film is the microscopic portion. Curious sea-worms and other marine insects with long scientific names wero shown.. One little insect has apparently no means of locomotion, but it se"lwi 00d ,, b - v T seating tiny whirlpools. I'oolsheads Last Roguery" is an extremely good "comic," Foolshead enters his father s laboratory and essays various experiments with two live electric wire"! Pho results are grotesquely amusinT Other items.screened and worth v of men! ■ t !? n i i thc Gazette," "Alice's Sac T l,lC<? ' t .? lectric "D nnw S January !)th," and "A Visit to Senegal." THE NEW THEATRE. Crowded attendances wero again recorded at yesterdays afternoon and eveni4 esaona at tho New Theatre. The Wcoess of the magnificent photo-play "The Price ot Beauty" has established a record for this type of picture drama. A complete change of programme is to be inCuce,! to-day and to-night, when a fine series of the latest subjects will ) )c sh ~ °' Prominent among these will be a till drama "Three Cherry Pits, Tql Uterau's Honour," which is Aa4d in the characteristic finished stvlc 0 ? the V itagraph Company. The storv j, „ t tractive, the acting conviucin" "™ r \ +,„ Photographic quality of the film * nt nairative, Her Prisoner," promises hi ho m keeping with the relation of tho* producers of Western picture plays A J*°R m * Mmedy entitled "Pofice Q)n stable Hawkeye Leaves the Force," will no E 1 ™' 0 !"! mJrth. The comedv "Vh« Little Boy Next Door," by tZaLm&Z Company, is another' lJ^Mc c ™eZ faon. In addition to the nlu- programme the romantic picture drama, "Tfie Pri£ of Beauty," will bo repeated at all v" sions to-day and to-morrow. *=" FRANK HUTCHENS'S RECITALS. Mr. Frank Hutchens, the young NewZealand pianist who created such a favourable impression on the occasion of his first recital ui Wellington on Wedncs, ar evening last, will give his second recital tins evening, when ho will p | av Beethoven's "Sonata in C Minor oi) Ut"; "Six Waltzes, op. 30" (Brahms) '; Ouniature Suite," three movements (York-Bowen); "A Dream of Love" (Liszt); and "Presto (finale) from Sonata in B Minor" (Chopin). Mr. Hut- i chens will be assisted by Mr. Will Hutchens (tenor), '_ Miss Ethel Carter '! (soprano), and Miss Agnes Segrief (con- , tralto).

THE ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY. Much loeal musical, interest, centres in the ito.rnl Choral Society's performance of Sir Frederic Cnwcn's dramatic oratorio "Ilutii," which is lo bo given at the Town Hall tbk day week. This will be I lie first occasion in New Zealand of the production of the. descriptive ami iajjju.

ating music which Cowen has so elegantly composed for a beautiful subject. Especial interest attaches to the presence, among the soloists of Mr. Sydney Butler, the Glasgow tanor, who has never before boon heard in Wellington. Mrs. Uowcr Burns, of Cliristclmrc.li, will sing tho soprano, Miss Gladys AVatkins the mezzo, Airs. Corby M. I'ra contralto, n.nd Mr. C. 11. Clarkson baritone. An "extra" to f.ho cantata will bo Elgar's "National Anthem," which was given by the Sheffield Choir when they were hero. The box phrn will open at the Dresden this morning at 9 o'clock. A fall rehearsal will l» held this evening in St. John's Schoolroom—orchestra at n quarter to eight, and soloists and chorus at eight.

ST. THOMAS'S lULL, NEWTOWN. There was a good oltondanco at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, last evening, when AVesi's Pictures, Ltd., submitted their usual bi-weekly change of programme. Tho films "screened are bright and interesting, and at the same time entertaining. "The Japanese Invasion" is an alleged forec-ist of a Ja'panese invasion of America. This pictiro is splendidly acted, oiio of tho battle scenes in particular being very realistic. "Lifo in tho Aquarium" is a splendid educational subject, throwing sidelights on the habits of many rare fish. Napier and its surroundings also provided the photographer with plenty of material for the production of a fiuo scenic study. "Pathe's Gazette" illustrates many of the Teceut o?:".irrences in Britain and the Continent. The programme also includes "Foolshead's Last Bog iery. ' "Alice's Sacrifice," "Visit to Senegal," "Dinner of January 9," ami "The Electric Hotel." THE COMPETITIONS. Members of choirs in various parts of the Dominion will no doubt evince interest in the choral competitions which are to be held at Wellington in connection with the first annual festival of the New Zealand Competitions Society. Choirs are coming to compete from all over the country, and the choir .which wins will emerge triumphant from a very severe test. There are splendid entries in other interesting vocal sections, and as champions from other competitions in New Zealand and Australia' are competing it may be taken that the standard of entertainment will he a high one. Only tlio best of tho competitors will be recalled to appear at tho evening sessions.