ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1388, 14 March 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

4 THE ETHEL IRVING SEASON, Miss Ethel Irving, tho brilliant actre??, in Somerset Ma.ughan's clever comedy, "Lady Frederick," has fairly cauglit the public, fancy, and nightly Hie Opera. House holds delighted audiences, who show every manifestation of the real pleasure the performance is affording them. His Excellency the Governor witnosed the performance last evening. To-morrow night Miss Irving will appear (is Stella Jiallaiityne. in "The Witness for the Defence." Speaking of her performance in this drama, the London "Daily Telegraph" says:—"Sliss- Irving has again established her title to genius. Mini has for a considerable time enjoved eminence as an English actress." "the Globe," in referring to the play, says:— "When 'The Witness for the Defence' was [iro.duced a hundred nights ago, we gave a large share of credit of its enthusiastic reception to the great activity of Hiss Ethel Irving, Renewed acquaintance with the production does not alter our ideas. The play is fine; the actress is great." THEATRE ROYAL. Fasola, the Indian fakir, continues to attract largo audiences to the Theatre Royal, and nightly the crowds who go to detect remain to bo mystified. An attractive feature of his performance is the manner in which the stage is appointed. The Windsor Choristers and a complete vaudeville company contribute to a, bright entertainment. FULLERS. PICTURES. A complete change of programme is announced for to-night's picture show at Fullers' Skating Rink. The star items include a sensational Western drama eutitled "The Half-breed's Daughter," "Tho Polished Burglar," "The Kid from Klondike," and some very fine scenic studies. NEW THEATRE. "Sheriff's Love," "Tho Cobbler," and President Taft" were screened for the last time at the Now Theatre yesterday. Today "A Victim o£ the Mormons" will be tho star attraction. This is an exceptionally long film, and tells a sensational story, in interesting detail, of the capture ! of an innocent girl by a Mormon. Tho chief feature of tho story lies in the pursuit of tho capturer by tho girl's friends, who chase the Mormon to America, whenco'he has induced the girl to elope with him. The Sloraon is eventunlly betrayed by ono of his female associates, and the kidnapped girl is rescued by her friends. The film is by tho Nordisk Company. THE KING'S THEATRE. The star picture at the King's Theatre this week is the fine drama entitled "Tho Octoroon," a study which has evoked favourablo comment amongst frequenters of tho King's. Other films include "Tho Elopement," "Willie Wise," and "Tho Motor Boat," and a number of studies bv tho latest English mail. To-inonw will bo tho second anniversary of the King's Theatre, to be fitly celebrated. BEAUTY AND THE BARGE. Of Mr. Allan Hamilton's numerous enterprises none has scored greater success than his company which is due at the Opera House for a short season commencing Tuesday evening next. W. W. Jacobs's refreshing farce in three acts entitled "Beauty and the Barge" has been tho strongest attraction in the company's repertoire, in Sydney, Perth, and Auckland, and theatre-goers of Wellington can rely on a thorough treat when this pieceis produced here. Referring to the opening performance-'in Sydner , -. recently, the "Sydney Morning Herald" says: "In 'Beauty and the Bargo,' produced nt the Palace Theatre on Saturday, night, in tho presence of a large and, delighted audience, Mr. W. W. Jacobs has given us a play full of those comedy elements and those quaint characters that have made his bcoks $o popular. Charles Browne as Captain Barley gave us a character study llrat all should make a point of seeing. It was admirably done, and stamped him as an actor of splendid parts. All the characters aro subordinate to this one; in Cnptain James Barley, master of the barge Heart and Hand, the interest mostly centres. But there are other fine char- " acters also, splendidly portrayed,, notably those of Ethel Smedley (Beatrice Holloway), Major Smedley (Robert Grcig), and Tom Codd (John F. Forde). The combination all through was an unusually good one, the characters fitted like a glove. Sir. Allan Hamilton is to bo congratulated, on the company ho has got together." Tho box plans for the season will bo' opened at the Dresden to-morrow morning. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "A Flight to Death" was screened for the last time yesterday, and to-day the programme will bo completely changed. "The Slystery of Blythe House" will bo foremost on the new programme. The story is of tho lifo of an active detective, and is full of incidents of an exciting nature. Another good picture is that entitled "Saved from the Torrents," and, besides being a drama of tho Western type, is attractive for the beauty of the scenery where tho drama is played. The other items on the change programme include comic studies and views of tropical countries. THE STAR THEATRE. There will be a complete change of subjects at the Star Theatre to-night. The star item is "The Elopement," a beautiful cbloured study, taken from the well-known pictures by John Lomax. Amongst other subjects to be shown are:—"The Heart of Silver Leaf," "Tho King's Ransom," "On Board a Tramp Steamer," "Lake Garda," "Exercising French Army Hprses," "His Brother's Chances," "Stickfast Paste," "Nick Winter and the Abduction," "Diggles, the Millionaire," and an interesting picture showing gymnastic exercises in Karlburg's School. A new programme of selections will be rendered by the "Star" Orchestra. A special matinee will bo given on Saturday afternoon, when every child attending will, receive a handsome souvenir to commemorate the first matineo of the combination of West's and Star Pictures.