ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MISS ETHEL IRVING. At tho Opera House to-night a season, which will |)o welcomed bv nil theatregoers, will 1,0 inaugurated by ' Ethel Irving unci her full English company. Much lintl been heard of Miss Irvine's ability prior (o her arrival in Australasia, mid slio was heralded ns onn of the finest l.nglish nclresses on Iho singe. .Advance reports in this particular ease seem to have been completely justified, for throughout her seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, nnd tho principal cities of the Dominion, not one dissentient note was struck as to her remarkably brilliant powers. Columns of nrnisa were bestowi'd by (ho crifies on her performances in "Lady Frederick" and "The Witness for tho Defence." It was in "Lndy Frederick" —in which, by the way, she appeared no fewer than six hundred times in London —flint tho intense charm of tho actress nnd her unconscious naturalness, was first so beautifully displnycd. "Such a performance," said ono leading critic, "will leave a lusting impression, and those who witnessed it wilt treasure it in the store-' house of memory, and keep it as a standard by which to judge fnturo efforts." Tho box plans are at tho Dresden till 1 p.m. to-day, afterwards at Christcson's, where day salo tickets may also ho obtained, nnd for tho convenience of Day's Bay residents tho ferry steamer will be detained till 11 o'clock to-night. THEATEE ROYAL. Last evening witnessed tho close of the kinomatograph picture season at the Theatre Royal. This evening vaudeville will once more be placed on the bill. Fnsola, tho Indian fakir, comes with a good reputation from Australia. In a stage setting of Oriental splendour he works silently and swiftly, seemingly taking no ken of tho audience and ijts applause. Tho spectators aro completely mystified by his dexterity and subtlety as o. magician. Fasola will bo supported by the Windsor Choristers, a bnnd of sweet singers, who sang for eowral months in Sydney, where their tuneful lays were much appreciated, and a company of vaudevillo artists new to Wellington. KING'S THEATEE. The present excellent picture programme which is being shown at the King's Theatre attracted another large gathering of interested spectators last night. The various pictures were greatly appreciated. There will be a prize matinee this afternoon. THE NEW THEATRE. "A Terrible Discovery" is the title of the "star" picture of the present programme at Messrs. MacMahou and Donnelly's New Theatre, Manners .Street. It i c a splendid dramatic study by the A.B. Company, and highly deserved the applauso which the largo audiences bestowed on it. Tho picturo is remarkably clear, the acting excellent. The picturo depicts a man whoso brother has received a sentence at tho hands of a judge being taunted by his mates. The man vows vengeance on the judge. Ho disguises himself as an old woman and lies in wait outside tho judge's residence, with a revolver hidden in an umbrella. Eventually ho goes on to the verandah, and lies down, shamming illness. Tho judge has a motherless boy, who plays a prominent part throughout. On coming out of the residence the boy finds whnt he thinks to l>3 an old woman, and takes him inside to his father, who goes to get some supper. During his ebsenco the man throws off his disguise and roams round the house seeking tho judge,,'/ Ho finds a revolver, empties it, and- puts tho cartridges in his pocket, cuts t}<G telephone wire, and finally corners'jjhe judge and the boy in a room. The fiUher locks the door, and with tho aid of'a rope lowers tho boy out of tho window to the ground, but the ropo is short, and tho boy falls about 10ft. Tho would-bo murderer, who is making fruitless attempts to gain admission to the room, empties his revolver in the door, each bullet mark being plainly seen. In tho t meantimet.hq t boy has informed the police/who aro seen galloping on horse-: back to tho residence. Eventually the man gains admittance to tho room, and u desperate struggle begins, the polico arriving just in tho nick of time. Other good pictures aro: "Making Cables" (industry); "Western, Ono Night Stand" (drama, Bison); "Making Honey." (industry); "Dark Romance of a Tobacco Tin" (comedy); and "Inconstant Percy" (comedy). THE STAR. THEATRE. A new undertaking of interest to lovers of picturo entertainments and in particular to the inhabitants of Newtown districtis tho combination of Messrs. Hay ward's Picture Enterprises, Ltd. and Messrs. West's Pictures, Ltd., which is to result in ono entertainment in tho Star Theatre under their direction. They will screen a magnificent array of Pictures. There will be a bi-weekly programme, a complete change taking placo every Monday and Thursday. Commencing Monday, March 11, a highly enjoyable programme will be submitted, the prominent feature being a lengthy film depicting a pathetic drama entitled "A Father's Forgiveness" in which a young milliner, haying fallen in love with a wealthy idler in ono of the great cities, deserts her homo and people for liis snko. Tho lover tires, and the girl is left penniless and homeless. She seeks shelter under her parental roof, but i 9 refused. Obtaining employment sho is nc T cused of theft and being broken-hearted contemplates suicide. Two mechanics accomplish her rescue, a young sister prevails upon her parents to be merciful and happiness eventually results through a forgiving father. "Tho Octoroon" -will also be screened that evening. Suitable musical accompaniments will bo provided by an efficient orchestra. , SHORTTS PICTURES. Shortt'u continuous picture theatre in Willis Street continues to attract liberal patronage. Tho current programme is varied in its scope, _ and tho dramatic, scenic, and comic pictures included all touch a high standard of merit. To-day the theatre will bo open as usual from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. A special programme for children will bo screened ill the afternoon. ORGAN RECITAL. The city organist will givo the usual Saturday ovoning,recital to-night at the Town Hall. Mr. John Prouso will sing "0 Star of Eve," from "Tnnnhauser," and tho "Toreador's Song" from Bizet's "Carrnon," to the accompaniment of the organ. Mr. Mnughan Jiarnett's organ solos will include tho "Fantaisio on laust," Bach's ''Toccata in 1 ,, ," Schubert's "Momens Musicnux in ]? Minor," and other works. MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA .CONCERT. On Tuesday evening next tho Municipal Orchestra will givo tho second concert of tho year. Instrument novelties will include an attractive suito "Karelia," by Sibelius, and n Berceuse, by Jarnefeldt, tho composer of the Prelude which proved so attractive at the last concert, and which will bo played again on Tuosday next. Tho overture "Poet nnd Peasant, and works by Schubert and Rubinstein will also bo given. The Adagio from I'auer's Quintet for piano, oboe, clarinet, lorn, and bassoon will be tho first example of chamber music to bo presented at these concerts. Mr. Hamilton Hodges will be tho vocalist. FASOLA. Fasola, tho Indian fakir, who comes to Wellington with nu excellent reputation as a "denier in magic and epells," is the chief attraction to bs presented this evening at tho Theatre Royal, when permanent vaudeville will oiwo more exert its charms over tho play-going public. Ho is said to Iμ a skiltul exponent of tho quaint nrt in which the prostidigitateurs of tho East have excelled for mnnv ages, and their facility in baffling tho keenest intellects is well known. His adroitness in manipulating such diverse subjects ns full-grown lions, rabbits, pigeons, etc., i< said tu be most mystifying. One of his feats which defies detection consists of throwing n rope into the; air. Instead of falling loosely to (ho stiigo it remains stiffly vertical, wondvr enough in its way, but when Fasola glides gracefully up the rope and salutes the audience from (lie (o|> tho mystery is increased tenfold. Fasola will only appear here for two weeks. In addition to this performance, the Windsor Choristers will appear, headed by Mnstor lies, a sweetraicod boy Eoprnuo. The boi plan is at tin; proTOou thin morniiiß, nnd from 2.30 to J p.in, to-day will bo at the Tlieatro