ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1324, 30 December 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. Picture:- in colour are jusi a-, much in I'avuiir with the nightly crowds at. the Theatre Royal as ever, anil the crowds arc large in con=ef|iieiicc. The black and white portion of the program me, 100, is of such a character as to aland by iUolf, and altogether Ihe bill is a very guiui one. THE NEW THEATRE. Al Mil!' New Tlieatn: lii,l evening, a fine .-.erics of pictures was di.-plnyed. Tho .AiiOruliiiit edition uf PatheV Gazelle was well received. "Cholly Fitznoudle, tho Dude Coivbov," is a very good hit at the proverbial "English Johnny." and caused prolonged merriment. "The. DneUr's Dileiumii," also a most laughable episode, portrayed the inconvenience- suflVreil by ii young medico, whoso articles of apparel arc purloined by a humorous tramp. The perplexing situations in which the doctor linds himself in i:oiisv«|U<'U"o. lira laugliter-pi'oviiliiiig. "Lucky Bob," and "Italian Blood," nro two line dramatic scenes, and are calculated to impress an audience. In "A Had linn's Christmas Gill" a rejected aspirant for the hand of a lady, seeks revengo by attempting the lift" of the successful Miilur. But, after a very brief career as an outlaw, his belter feelings manifcfct themselves, and reconciliation follows. "Duped by Dupid" is a comic, fi I in. well acted and mirthful. Dupid nerl'orms some exceedingly clever acrobiilic fonts, whilst being chased by tho police, who ninko some ludicrous attempla to emulnto Dupid's performances. SDORTT'S PICTURES. The passer-by who is at a losse end goes daily in increasing numbers lo Shortl's now picture theatre in AVillis Street, and every evening tho house is well filled. Last evening the now programme was run through a second lime, and the sensational, woll-a'ctcd, photoplays of tho American film-makers were ali; received by the audience with absorbed interest and hearty appreciation. Tho other pictures are equally entertaining, the wholo making up an excellent programme. The theatre will bo open for the usual hours, 11 u.m. till 11 p.m. today. ' ' ' ' ':.'' . ■< STAR THEATRE. Tho Star Theatre,' Newtown, was well patronised .last night, when an excep-tionally-good programme was screened. Oho of the principal topical films of tho evening was. one entitled "Kpisodes of War, Tripoli."' "The Wheels of Justice" is the title of a very strong dramatic picture. This afternoon a grand matinee wjll bo held, commencing at 2.30 p.m. A special holiday matinee will be held on Jlonday, when the programme will contain all new subjects. A complete chango of programme is announced for Jlonday night. "THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER." The. bos plans for the first six nights of "The Chocolate Soldier" will bo opened at the Dresden this morning. This comic opera version of Shaw's "Arms and the Man," "The Chocolate Soldier," will bo seen here for the first time on Wednesday next at the Opera House. The music is said to be in tho style' of Offenbach and Planquetle, and the molodious Arthur Sullivan, the orchc-stmtion requiring a largoly-augment-ed number of instrumentalists. In "The Chocolab Soldier," Nadina, the prima donna role, which will bo played by Miss Amy Murphy, has only one quarter of an hour off the stage the wholo evening, so exacting is the part. Every song, it is said, is delightfully catchy, and there aro big acting chances throughout the play. There are three acts in ."The Chocolate Soldier,'.' • and no fewer than-18-musical numbers are distributed through the opera. Thero is, it is said, a fascination about tho piece, a swing and throb in tho music that carries ono along with it. It may be anticipated that (he waltz song, "Jly Hero," which cornea shortly after tho curtain rises on the first act, will be very popular. The three acts are said to be knit by the delightful melodies of Oscar Straus, exquisitely orchestrated. There is no overture," and tho curtain will rise each evening at 8 o'clock punctually. , Tho company numbers over 100 people, and will reach hero by special train from Auckland.