ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1330, 6 January 1912, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIEK." Tlio chanuing musical play, "Tho Chocolate 'johlier," whs played for tho third time last night, to u delighted audience. Isot for-many days has a piece to properly styled comic opera Ijccu offered to .New Zealand playgoers, and the change from tho nowadays more farcical musical comedy to legitimate opera is like to bo appreciated. The cast was strengthened somewhat by tho appearance in the part, of Alexius, the egregious "hero," of Jlr. Noel Fleming. Mr. iteming has a robust voice of true tenor quality, and he sang with the dramatic force and warmth required for the best of his numbers. As an actor he was satisfactory in a part which, after all, offers not many opportunities. His presence was no doubt partly responsible for tho marked success achieved by tho company in the second act, after which tho priucipals were repeatedly recalled and applauded by an audience delirious with admiration. Miss Amy llurphy was in excellent voice also, and the other principals were in their most playful mood. Altogether it was .an admirable entertainment.

THEATRE ROYAL. Last night's picture entertainment at the Theatre' Royal was viewed by ah appreciative crowd,. and it is evidont that kinemacolor films are'increasing in popularity. The present programme will bo repeated for the last time to-night. On Monday next the new kinemacolor series will include'a magnificent production of the Delhi Durbar, while a feature of. tho black and white will bo tho "Adventures of UlysSes" FULLERS' PICTURES,' The "Colleen Bawn," a play admirably mounted and acted in its pictorial representation, is tho leading attraction the current 'programme at the Stating Rink. The supporting pictures are ail of exoellent quality. They include a good selection of comic and dramat ; c studies, and an interesting film 'which pictures the growing and manufacture of tobacco, on a large scale. "Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel" depicts the venturesome exploit of a man who provided himself with the strange craft indicated, and allowed himself to be swept over one of the falls into the turmoil Delow, and escaped uninjured. A picture detailing a 'pretty little ' dramatic story is thut entitled "The. .Child Crusoes." The same pictures will be scroened this evening. THB ; KING'S THEATRE. / Tho pictures screened at the King's Theatre last. evening include, a capital selection of travel scenes,, sensational dramatic studies, and amusing comedies. One of the best items is a' picture entitled "Lily Bohemc," a tragic story of a secret marriage and of the events to which it gave rise. "Tho Closed Door" is another pathetic drama. . In a happier vein are three laughable comedies, The.Merry Beggars," "The Conscientious Musician," and "Getting Rid of Uncle." The programme will be repeated this evening. On Monday the usual change will be made. A' promised attraction is an elaborately-prepared pictorial representation of Hall Caine's. dramatic story, "Tho Christian." THE NEW THEATRE.

Patrons of the New Theatre were treated to a rather entertaining set of pictures last evening. As usual, there was a very fait/House, iwliich followed the situations with interest. Tho Durbar pictures are still popular,', the audience being raised to soniij, enthusiasm when the "boys in past to the lively strains of "Life oh. the Ocean Wave." "The Adventures of Billy," a waif who falls into tho hands of a pair of tramps, and is compelled to beg for them, furnishes several ' incidents. "Billy," having witnessed a murder committed by these ruffians, is himself in great danger of meeting with the same fate, but is saved just in time. "The Return of Company D" was the star picture, Tho situations' were intended to .be appealing, and the thing is fairly well, staged. The introductory sceiie shows tho rivalry of .two aspirants to the hand of' the colonel's daughter. Allen, the accented one, fires at his rival Boon, who is incriminated, and placed in custody. Later, Allen incites the Indians to revolt', and the little company,at the fort has an arduous time in holding the Indians in check. As the thing goes, the colonel orders Boon to convey a message to an outpost. This is hazardous, but, with doubtless conrago, Boon careers through the Indians, and delivers the message. Reinforcements are . ..dispatched, and tho denouement coined in due course, all the ordinary emotions being enlisted to make it a success. "A Burglarising Burglar" was a humorous,, production on somewhat time-worn lines,', but with original treatment. "A Miser's Christmas" tells tho story of a close-fisted old man, who is induced, on account of a dream, to become kind and charitable, somewhat after the style of Dickens. The sccncs of English lake scenery (including views of Wordsworth's district) were interesting.

SHORITS THEATRE. There were capital attendances at tho continuous picture show at Shortt's Theatre yesterday afternoon and evening. Tho cui-rent programme contains a wide range of well-screened subjects, and should attract good business again to-day. •• On Monday next, a feature of tho programme will be a photo-play woven round tho story of the famous Robert Bruce. THE DAVIS CUP. The Davis'Cup will be played over again at Shortt's Theatre to-day. The management announce that the. production .will only last .f<ir the ono day and that this' evening will bo - the last opportunity'^of l seeing the film. TWO STAR TICTURE ATTRACTIONS. On Monday evening next, at tho Theatre Royal, Messrs. John Fuller and Sons will present the recent Indian Durbar, by tho master of all projections in kinemacolor; also, on the same date, the .first representation ... of a- remarkable adaptation from Homer's Odyssey, entitled "The Adventures of Ulysses." This, film is a .£20,000 production, and forms, a graphic representation of this wonderful prehistoric story. There will bfc, in addition, a fine selection, of- other sub-' jock. Seats may . now be reserved at the Dresden...':' JOHN M.'CORMACK CONCERT. It is said, that. Miss Rosina Buckmanh, who will he the soprano at Air. John M'Cormack's-single concert in--Welling-'' ton next .Friday, .craning, has..improved amaziugly. Not only was she one of the very best actresses ..in. the- Melba Grand Opera. Company, but her recoijt singing in". Sydney and Melbourne W6s such' as to. positively command" her a prominent' position on tho operatic stage. We. shall not'!be.at all surprised if we do not shortly ;see... Miss' Buckm aiin in grand opera-in London and Continental centres. Those who go to hear Mr. .Tnim MTVirmack when', lie is in New, Zealand will be interested. in discovering what Miss Rosina' Buckmaiin is nowablo .to do. When, she first appeared in "The Moorish Maid" in-Wellington it''\ was seen that she was destined for greater things in tho future.. -.