ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1373, 26 February 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE EOYAL. The last.two weeks of the kincmacoloor season at the Theatre Hoyal will bo a. blaze of colour To-night's new progranimo will contain films of remarkabln beau'tv, including one showing the. Upper Thames, Im> decoratcfl house-boat?, and forreous colouring of the banks. The natural and vivid colours of fish, equalling the plumage of tropical birds, will, bo seen in an nqnannm film of striking originality. V wizard film, and one portraying the enchanted Lake Como, true to reality in its wealth of colour, tint and shade, will ni?o contribute to a programme rich in interest and representing an unusually high standard of art.

SKATING KINK. The redemption of a wayward son from Ills folly by a mother's lovo, is told ill 'A Message from Beyond," bv the Vitagraph Company—tho feature 'of an entirely now selection of pictures which'i« to be presented bv Messrs. John Fuller and Sons at the Skating Rink thin evening. 'l he Long Arm of the Law" is n Western.story, typical of life on the Cali-fornia-Mexican border fifty years n»o. In "Captain Barnacle, Diplomat" the old captain puts a young man "wise" anil helps him in his love affairs. "Stag-hunt-ing on lixmoor," Pathe's latest London gazette, and a number of other films which arrive with the English mail today will also be presented. The programme will Im> screened for three nights only, another change being announced for Ihursday. KING'S THEATRE. at the King's Theatre, the Wests and Royal Proprietary's special atlraciicn will be I'athe's art fiiiu, "A Florentine" Drama." It is a tragic story with a Medici tlieme, and is played on tho original sites. The principal characters are by Signora Francessa Bertini, Signor Giovanni Pezzinga, and Signer Alfredo C-anipioni, all noted Italian artists.' Tho picture has been treated in a masterly manner, special attention being givea to every scene, and is, altogether, a drama of magnificence. In addition to tho above feature-drama, the 'West's and Royal Picture Proprietary will show one of tho most extensive programmes ever submitted to its patrons. THE NEW THEATRE. Happy throngs attended *1 sessions of the continuous picture entertainment at the New Theatre, Manners Street, 011 Saturday afternoon and evening. A photoplay, which enjoys marked popularity is the Hepwix -drama "For a Baby'? Li'fe." The heroine, an attractive-looking girl, swims from her home on an ':land to bring a physician tn her sick littlo sister. Other enjoyable subjects incltido "I.it'.lo Dove's Romance" (an Indian story), "Boulognfe" (a travel item), and "ThoFailure" (ail A.B. Co.'s drama). Tho programme will be repeated throughout to-day and to-night.. . There.will be.an entire change to-morrow. 1 SHORTT'S THEATRE.'' Sbortt's Theatre was well filled all Saturday, when really good pictures were shown. "The Bride of the Haunted Castle" is a picture whieli exhibits some fine photography. "Springtime Flowers" is an artistic item of much attractiveness, "The Drummer Boy" and "When Wifey Holds the Purse-strings" are other pictures, and there were several scenic items. JOSEPH BLASCHECK. Mr. Joseph Blascheck in private life is a quiet, unassuming little man, yet to his audiences he actually seems, by the power of his acting, to be' tho living embodiment of tho ridiculous old J.P., Shakespeare's "Mark Antony," Chevalier's "Fallen Star," a doddering old yokel, a merry schoolboy, and operatic vocalist, a comic lovor, or any of the many totally different characters which ho portrays. Mr. Blascheck's season is to open at the Opera House on Saturday evening next. Tho box plan is advertised to to-morrow morning at the Dresden. PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. ' As usual, the Town Hall was crowded in all parts last evening for tbo Wellington Profe?sional Orchestra's Sunday concert. The largo audience had. tho ple&sure of listening to a very fine programme of items which, speaking generally, were most creditably performed by tho orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Herbert Blo.v. Tile opening number, Sullivan's'"Graceful Danse," from Henry VIII, has been previously performed liv the orchestra, when it was received with delight. Itsreappearance on the programme was veiy much appreciated. Tseliaikowski's "Valse des Fleurs," a graceful but very intricate measure, was sufficiently well played to render possible 'an appreciation of its charms. Moro imposing numbers vroro tho brilliant "Ruy Bias" overture of Mendelssohn's, and Rissini's spirited overture to "William Tell," tho finale, with ttw celebrated march, being • especially enjoyable. MOll- - charming "Spring Song," and Rubinstein's celebrated "Trot do Cavalerie"—the latter alono worth going a long, way to hear—completed t.ho orchestral- part of tho programme. The soloist for the evening was Mrs. Barber, whose voice is of attractive quality. Her item, "The Soul's Awakening" (Haddock), was sung rather Slowly,, and this, with a littto unsteadiness in tune, duo, no donbt to nervousness, rather marred her interpretation. She was heai'tilly applauded, and added an encore item.

ORGAN BECITAX, A Tory appreciative andienco attended the organ recital which was given at the Town. Hall by Mr. Jfaugh.in Barnctt (municipal organist) on Saturday evening. The programme of items was characteristic of the diversity and artistic taste displayed by tie organist in his selections. Wong these, • may bo mentioned Holiins"s "Grand Choeur and Intermezzo," a richly-coloured ' composition of singular beauty in its mort tranquil parts; Lemmeus's "Sonata Pontificals"; an attrao tire "Offertoire" (St: Clair); and Costn'a imposing."March of the Israelites." . Mr. Barnett «ns assisted by Mr. Jlnmilfoii Hodges, the , woll-kuown traritono singer whose programme numbers included Schubert's fine "Wanderer" pong, and Aylward'B "Beloved, It In Morn." The latter was not .so well suited to Mr. Hodges's style of singing ns was "The ■\Vamlerer," which was an excellent effort, very highly appreciated. Mr. Horace Hunt played tho necompnmmonts.