ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1389, 15 March 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE ETHEL IRVING SEASON.

"WITNESS FOE THE DEFENCE" TONIGHT. The. Ethel Irving Company appeared in "Lady Frederick" l'or the. last time in Wellington last evening, tho performance being received with enthusiasm by a large audience. Both Miss Ethel Irving and Mr. Stephen Ewart received many "calls" after each act. This evening this talented company will produce "The Witness for the Defence," inaugurating tho three, farewell performances of a season that will long ho remembered by Wellington playgoers. "Tho Witness for tho Defence" opens strongly, and there is great interest lo compel close attention through tho first act. Tho great scene of the drama, however, is in tho third net, principally between Stella Bnllantyno (Miss Irving) and Henry Thrcsk (Mr. Stephen T. Ewart), regarding which it is said that rarely has anything liner been seen on the theatrical stage. The interest of tho audienca reaches its climax in tho fourth act, in which Miss living's genius is again brought to the front with conspicuous effect. Tho play is said to bo admirably written and strong individuality to be imparted to tho characters whoso rfeculiairities of disposition arc well drawn. It is evidently a play of absorbing interest, and as a literary production ranks superior to much that is seen on the stago nowadays.

THEATRE ROYAL. The return of vaudeville to the Theatre Eoyal was evidently well-timed. All this week there liaro keen large audiences, who thoroughly enjoy the relaxation given by Fuller's now company. Fasola, the Indian fakir, moving quietly and working swiftly amidst gorgeous Oriental trappings, manages to mystify all with his stage, miracles, new arid old. Some of his illusions are very clever, notably the cannon-firing act, which apparently blows a fair young lady into small pieces, whilst in reality he transfers her to a haven of perfect safety in a nest of roped boxes'. The Windsor Choristers lift up cheerful soprano voices in song, and a company of variety performers do their best to make lifo at tho Royal attractive. A complete change of programme is promised for to-morrow evening.

THE NEW THEATRE. Dramatic tastes arc well catered for at tlio New Theatre, Manners Street, tins week. The new film, "A Victim of the .Mormons," is a highly interesting drama, by the Nordisk Company—a company which specialises in dramatic studies. Tho picture is a good one, full of exciting incidents, and the acting is clever and smart. The story relates how a handsome young Mormon is introduced by his friend to tho latter's family. The Mormon becomes infatuated with his friend's sister, who is already engaged to a very worthy fiancee. The girl is lured away by the Mormon, and once' ho has her in his power ho leaves for America, accompanied by tho girl. The Mormon, and his "victim" are chased by the girl's brother and her fiancee, with almost frenzied desperation. The two men follow in motor-cars, express trains, cabs, Atlantic liners, taxi-cabs, etc., and yet the Mormon manages to elude the pursuers by a hair-breadth each time they appear to be on the vcTge of capturing him. Finally, on arrival at his destination, the Mormon is betrayed by a woman associate. The kidnapped girl is then rescued by her friends. This dramatic study will be screened again to-day, besides a number of new pictures. In addition to "A Victim of tho Mormons," there will bo a new series of supporting subjects to-day and to-night, including: "When the Sheriff Secured His Man" (Champion drama);' "The Handyman at Gun Practice" (man-of'-wnrsmen at exercise); "The Warrior's Treachery" (Bison, exclusive drama): "His Friend's Wife" (S. and A. drama); and comic numbers.

KING'S THEATRE. ' ;.A partial chango of'programme :was'presented at the King's Theatre last evening, before a large audience. Am on? the most interesting of tho new pictures is a scientific study entitled "Small Inhabitants of Stagnant Pools," being the enlarged photographs of tho organisms which swarm in stagnant waters. The scientist is shown taking water from a pool, after which tho audience is conducted to the laboratory, where- drops of the water are spilled' on plates, and placed under a powerful microscope. The horrors that meet tho eye aro enough to induce one never to drjnk water again—or, at least, to rush off and purchase a filter. There are diminutiveorganisms which resemble tiny crayfish, quaint eel-like things, with antennae called hydras, and spinning yolvox which constantly revolve without any obvious motive force. Another new picture is entitled "Saved from the Wolves," an incident of the back-woods, in which two lads, attacked by wolves, take shelter in a tree, and are ultimately rescued by their father, greatly to the mother's re-lief.,-"The Heart of Silver Leaf" is another dramatic incursion into Indian life, worked out amidst picturesque surroundings. "The Octoroon," Boucicault's famous old drama, still holds the interest throughout a well-constructed story. It is quito a pleasure to renew a generation- : old acquaintance with Zoe, Salem Scudder, and tho villainous M'Closky. One of the finest coloured pictures yet seen at this theatre is "The Elopement," a story based on the famous picture of Mr. Lomax, H.A. Others screened last evening were: "Willie Wise and the Motor Boat, "Caught with the Goods," "Biggies tho Millionaire," "Lake Gardn," and "Gymnastic Exercises at the Karlborg Theatre." This evening's performance will be the second anniversary of the opening of the King's Theatre. To 'mark tho occasion, very patron will be presented with a handsome souvenir consisting of a neatly-ar-ranged booklet of postcard views of Wellington. On Monday next the famous Napoleonic drama "Madame Sans Gene," with the celebrated actress Madame Eejano in the title vole, will be screened. This is an exclusive picture, and will only be shown in Now Zealand at tho West theatres.

"BEAUTY AND THE BARGE." The box plans for the Allan Hamilton season, commencing at the Opera House next Tuesday evening, will be opened at tho Dresden this morning. Mr. Hamilton's new company is said to givo a delightful interpretation of W. W. Jacob's quaint comedy, "Beauty and the Barge." Tho Auckland "Herald" refers to tho company's performance as follows:—Mr. Jacobs 'stands by himself as a writer whose works are bottling up the spirit of tho "fresh-water salt," and this comedy is excellently representative of his storymaking. "It was produced last night with as good an understanding as Mr. Jacobs himself could desire. The honours of last evening's performance) went to Mr. Charles Brown, n.s the amorous haSable" captain, with his nautical roll, his amazing sa'llor yarns of no veracity whatever, and his wonderfully versatilo affections. Ethel Smedley is the principal tody in the play; and Miss Beatrice Holloway's performance was pretty and girlish, and (he daintiness of her acting made a striking contrast with tho rest of tho performance, as it was intended to do. The comedy is excellently staged, and the scenery, which includes two particularly good sets, giving glimpses of the Thames, is admirable.

FULLERS' PICTURES. There was a good attendance at the Skating Kink Init night, on the ocension of the bi-weekly change of programme. Tho new series of moving pictures included dramatic and comic items of high standard, and ulso interesting scenic and educatiounl subject?. One of the. loading li'ms is an Edison drama, entitled "full for the Shore, Sailor," a touching story of a fisherman and his family. On the evening that he is to soil for the fishing bank?, the toiler of the sea indulges ton •freely in intoxicants, with the result that he quarrels with his wife, and leaves home without bidding her good-bye. Subsequently, when fishing in one of tho smaller boats, he is caught in a fog, lost at sea, and his ship returns home without him. Ho Is picked up some days later, and is able to rejoin tho family circle on. Christmas Eve, and thus end the dreadful suspense in which his wife and children have been living. "Ono Way to Win" is an amusing comedy by tlie'Lubiii Company, dealing principally with a young tonsari.il artist, who is stricken with love and plagued with impecuniosily. Ho is, however, acquainted with a clover young newspaper reporter,

his bride. Another capital comedy is "The. Innocent Burglar," by tho Vitagraph Company, in which the acting of three policemen is a feature. "A Lesson in Liquid Air" shows a number of very interesting experiments with air, whose temperature is many degrees below zero. "Norwegian Fjords" gives many interesting views of tho indented erast 0 f jj or . way, and is ono of tho best scenics that has been screened at tho Skating Rink. Other items include "Beauitful Vintage," "Their Charming Mamma," "Baby and the Stork," "Sergt. White's Peril,' 7 and ",Toke on the Joker." Music is supplied by an efficient orchestra. The programme will be repeated this evening. STAR. THEATRE. The chief attraction at the Star Theatro just now is "Tho Elopement," a coloured drama depicting an old-time English elopement, taken from the wellknown work by .lohn Lomax, telling the story of tho nclvcniiirt* or two lovers who, having been i!e:;;".t parental consent, determine to ;•::•! -.-. The ardent lovers, having :■•! horses marry in haste. The father arrives too late to prevent tho ceremony in'.d eventually, moved by tho girl's ve.irs, blesses the happy couple. The scenic properties of this film arc almost its chief charm, the old English style of the early Victorian ago carrying with it a glamour of oldtime romance that always produces enthusiasm amongst the patrons of the pic-ture-loving public. A novel feature of this film is the actual representation of Mr. Lomax's pictures. Another good item on the' programme is entitled "The Heart of Silver Leaf," an Indian story of peculiar charm. "On Board a Travel Steamer" is also a film of interest. Other items on the programme include "Diggles the Millionaire," "Lake Garda" and "Stickphast Taste" (comic).