ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1329, 5 January 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"•THF; CHOCOLATE SOLDIER,' , . Tho especial charm about' Oscaf Strftiisi's melodious-opera, -"The Chocolate Soldier," is the freshness and originality which marks nut only every idea and situation, but the music and the line masterly orchestration into which tho composer has elaborated his innny delightful themes. "Tha Chocolate Hoidicr"is one of a clnsn of lighter opera which ono can fee over and over again with pleasure. The reason far that is'that there is nothing tawdry in its 'composition. 1/iist evening tho lingo audience which filled every part in the • Opera House enjoved every note and picture, and gave audible expression to their approval in unmistakable manner. Miss Murphy scored heavily .vocally ns'Xaditin, and her singing ■of tfie florid-waltz snug, "My J foro," was trebly encored. Mr. Leslie Gaze repeated his very excellent idea of I the Shn-w-ciim-Strauss Chocolate Soldier. With nothing much to do as Jlnssakroff, Mr. .Frank Wilson made that .ferocious coward, n ixost amusing person. Mr. Kavanagh, too, is good as Colonel Popoli. Mr. Green appeared again as Alexius, in the absence of Mr. Noel Fleming, who is suffering from an attack of laryngitis. Dr. Wallace Mackenzie, who has been attending Mr. Fleming, reports that his patient is recovering slowly, and is pretty certain that his throat will be well enough tor him to appear this ovening, a fact which should ndd interest to tho performance. The box plans for the last five nighti, commencing. on Wednesday;next, will be opened at the Dresden at 9 a.m. to-day. THEATRE ROYAL. This week's series of lunemacolor pictures at. the Theatre Koyal is well up lo file standard of previous shows. The pictures shown in natural .tints include: "Man's Best Friends," "Poppies," "Beach Drill at Hastings," and "In the Land of Mohammed."; , -. In" addition, there are. a number of capital black and white subjects on the programmer hich will be repeated this evening. *: • " FULLERS' PICTURES. ~Last night there was a crowded audience in. the Skating Rink to See the first production of tho new programme. Longest and best 'of the pictures shown was a reproduction of tho.well-known story arid play, "Colleen Bawn," set in the. actual countryside and in.the actual places where the incidents referred, to in the, tale were supposed to have taken place. The piece ivns superbly acted for the picture, and it would'be easy to make much of the work of-several of tlje artists in it. It is a pretty and yet a sad little story, and produced, as it is, it makes an exquisite picture. Another story film tells of h rather grim governess, a precocious child, and a foolish old maii. The angular governess wOu'her way into the old man's heart by a wealth of chestnut ■ curls, and the-wedding had been all arranged. The child averted disaster- by shearing off tho beautiful locks when the lady slept, and there was.no wedding. Tho governess, now a lady of unmistakable ugliness, left the house in disgust, and the child came into her own again. There were two or three other pretty enough picture dramas, all beautifully mounted and-well presented. A film of interest described the tobacco industry carried on in a really big way. It was an instructive picture, as such subjects, always are. "Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel" tell the story of a rather foolhardy deed. Tho man is seon getting into his strange craft, a barrel specially strengthened and provided with a properly closed manhole. The picture man tins .also c'aqght glimpses of the torpedoliko'.barrel'in 'its mad rush over the fall anil through the seething turmoil below. Tho other films are comic and descriptive, and all go to make up a programme | of real excellence. THE NEW THEATRE. The success of "King George's Durbar" pictures at Macilahon and Donnelly's New Theatre, Manners Strset, was exemplified last evening, when scores were* unable to obtain admittance. The afternoon sessions wero also crowded. The principal features of the Durbar series are the landing at Bombay of King George and Queen Mary, tho magnificent Royal procession, and thronged streets. The close views of the King and Queen are conspicuously vivid. "The Durbar" selection -will be shown again throughout to-day and to-night, and there will be a new programme to-day of supporting photo-plays, of which the Bison exclusive drama, "The Return. of Company D," will be a special attraction.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Several new studies were included ia the programme of pictures at the King's Theatre last evening. There was a very large attendance, every seat in the house being occupied. The new films numbered six,..two of which were dramatic studies of outstanding merit "Tho Closed Door," by the Vitagraph. Company, is a pathetic story of a wife's desertion of her home, ■ her repentance, yea-rs later, on the eve of her' daughter's wedding-day. The story closes with a dramatic scene when the husband orders her out of the house, and the (laughter, a child when tho home was deserted, intervenes on behalf of her mother. "Lily Boheuie," a phofo-p!ay bv I'atho Freres, is a powerful study, Which opens with a. scene in the apartments of a medical student, who has married, un-: known to his people, a Bohemian of tho Quartier' Latin. Into his domestic happiness comes a peremptory summons from his father to enter into a marriage- do conrenance' which has been arranged. Weakly, the student conceals the fact of his Bohemian .fife, and puts the past be- i hind Mm. The misery which his action casts upon his former household is strikingly portrayed. There is.the inevitable day of .recKoning,..with its tragedy—tho death of Lily Bohemc.. This study' is a very good one, worthy of the house of I'atho Freres; 'The Merry Beggars" and "Tho C'ouscieutious Musician," and "Getting Rid of-Uncle" are three laughable comedies; Tho programme will be repeated this evening. ■ SHGKTT'S THEATKE. There was a. full house at the above theatre last evening, 'when tho usual change of programojo took place. Although all the pictures were of a. very high "order, and -wore much appreciated, tho palm for popularity was born off by tho extremely dramatic picture styled "The Life 'Saver." The incident opens at a coastguard station, to which the chief inspector's son pays a visit in company, with some friends. One of the ladies of the party annexes as her special guide a young coastguardsman. This rouses tho jealousy of the latter's sweetheart, the only daughter of tho hi-ad voastgtmrdsiiiaii, who thereupon flirts most outrageously with the chief inspector's son. This young man makes such a good . impression that he is invited to call again at tho coastguard station, which he does at an early date. Tho girl being out, he wanders off in search of her, when, losing-his footing, )ip is precipitated to the bottom of tho cliff.-, where he lies r t uitf helpless. After some time, the'girl, hearing his cries lor help; hurries aisny and , brings her old sweetheart to the spot. But when the latter discovers thnt it is his rival who is in distress., he infuses to.assist him in liny way. The girl, however, prevails iipcn him to go to the yonng man's assistance, which ho finally does, and by moans.of a rope rescues him just as the waves nro claiming him as their prey. When his convalescence is over, and fie is about'to-leave tho coastguard station for his home, the young,man offers his rescuer a large sum of money, which is indignantly refused. Hurt at the refusal, he begins to disparage the young coastguardsman, whose part- tlie girl magnanimously takes. Sho then goes to her old sweetheart, and everything is all right again once more. '.'Tlie Two Brothers" is another touching picture, describing tho lacerated feelings of an elder brother, who, leaving his prospective brido in tho care of his younger brother, finds on his return from active servico that his trust has been betrayed. Instead of taking vengeance, he actually risks his own lifo I*.save that of his unfaithful brother, to whom he gives up his former sweetheart, and then returns to the seat of .war in order to forgot, "A-Cowboy's Dcvotedncns" represents an incident which-' reveals the spirit of self, sacrifice, even to death. "A Sporting Offer" is a most amusing pieco of fun, the audience 'bring .under a- great delusion until) he filial scene is displayed.' The .Electric Villa" is productive of much ■ Irjiarity. The travel .icencs comprise spic'iidid views of 'quaint Swiss custums and Alpine scenery. The pictures will be shown continuoiufily.to-day from 11 a.m.