ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1391, 18 March 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ETHEL IRVING SEASON. To-night will see tlio closo of tho Ethel Irving season in Wellington— tin all too brief sonson, during which the theatregc.ing public have enjoyed fare of .riiie quality. The Opera Hou?e was crowded for tho perform nnce of "The Witness for the Defence" on Saturday night, and, it 13 state;!, tho booking has been very heavy indeed. VAUDE7ILLE AT THE ROYAL, The revival of vaudevillo at tho Theatre Koyal is attracting a volume of patronage which must bo gratifying to tho management. On Saturday night, when a new programme was submitted, tho theatro was crowded. Tho entertainment was distinctly a good one, and worthy of the financial success attending its presentation. Most of tho items wero loudly applauded, and many were encored. l'asola ( the Indian juggler, in still the star performer. His turn is crowded with sensations, and ho is undobtedly a conjurer and illusionist of uncommon skill. Nothing bettor of its kind has been seen in New Zoiland thnn tho way in which he makes living subjects unaccountably appear and disappear from cabin.its which seem to consist of mera flimsy frameworks, enveloped in loosely-hung curtains. His sleight-of-lmid work is marked by wonderful dexterity. In ono amazing trick ho produces half-a-dozen American clocks, a live pigeon, and two six-inch canonballs from tho interior of a weatherbeaten hat. Amongst the vocal items which figured on the programme tho contributions of "tho AFindsor Choristers," a quartet of beys, deserve special commendation. All four have good voices, and the leader of tho party, Master , r ame3 lies, possesses a soprano voice of admirable purity and rnngo. Other good vocalists were: Miss Elsio Kno.vles, who sang an Irish ballad tunefully, and with tasteful expression, and Mr. Mark Erieksen, also a balladist of unusual capability. *■■ Sever, al comedians of undeniable parts also assisted-to amuse the audience during tho evening, and almost invariably' with gratifying results. One of the most successful wa3 Mr. Roy Rene, described 'as a "i'iddisher Boy." His Hebrew impersonations raised roars of langhter, and with his ready Hot-of jests and wittic-. , iwns he scored heavily. A numbei of capital impersonations of well-known actors and music hall stars ivore given by Mr. Joo Hurley. ■ . •- Amongst the artists who contributed to the "soi'ig and dance" ?echon of the projtraimno were: Miss Nellie Lovell (souhiotte), Mr. Alf. Nolan, a character comedian and dancer; the Sonia Duo, sorios and dancers: Mr. J. Barry, a comedian; Miss Louie Crawshaw (serio); Miss Crystal Sylvena (soubretto): Mr. Will Bracy (end man and comedian); Miss Winnie Bond (serio); aiid Miss Dolly Day.'(SeTio and toe-dancer). All were well received, and recalls wero frequeit. The sarno programme will be repeated this evening. KING'S THEATRE. West's, Ltd., have secured tho exclusive rights of "Madame Sans Gene" for their picture theatres. The story of tho_washerwoman who becamo Marechale of France is amongst the most popular romances of our times, and has teen translated and played in almost every known country. Victorien Sardou has become -'mmortalised in the literary world for his amazing and daring conception. Madama Rejane, who created the title role on its original production in Paris, and has , made it the pieco do resistance in her repertoire, has still further added to her popularity by portraying tho character of "Madamo Sans Gene" for the special photo-play, which she gives with all her accustomed cl.arm and vivacity, and delineates the character in a manner that conveys every incident as intelligently as though tho full text was spoken. Monsieur Duquesno is the "Napoleon," a character that he has played many times with Madame Rejane. West's Ltd. will screen this great production at the King's Theatre this evening. THE NEW THEATRE. , The accommodation at the New Theatre, Manners Street, was taxed to its utmost all day on Saturday and in tho evening. The star attraction is a fine dramatic study of the Nordisk Company, entitled "A Victim of tho Mormons." This picture depicts the kidnapping of a beautiful girl by a Mormon priest, an exciting chase by tho girl's brother and her lover, and finally the rescuo of the girl and tho death of "the Mormon priest. The programme, which includes numerous other entertaining subjects, will be screened agviiu to-day. Tho usual , biweekly change is announced for to-mor-row.. . ' .. -. PULLERS' PICTURES. An entirely new series of the latest picture plays will be presented by Messrs. I'nller and Sons at the Skating Rink this evening. Heading the bill is a particularly fine production by tho Edison Compiny entitled "Home," a. thanksgiving story, full of thanksgiving feeling and the sentiment of home. It tells how a "personal" inserted to roach an absent son had a far-reaching influence. A film which should provo of interest is a tour through China and Japan, giving some fine views of the principal towns and the habits and customs of the country- "The Frontier Doctor" is a stirring tale of Western life, and introduced into this picture are somo lino exhibitions of lasso throwing. Pathq's latest animated London gazette, "Wertena," a Vitagraph drama, and a number of other films which arrive by the English mail this afternoon will also be screened. STAR THEATRE. Splendid business is reported from the Star Theatre which is now being managed jointly by Hayward's and West's, so that the. public may rest assured that they are getting the best and latest programme. The special toy matinee on Saturday afternoon was crowded out, and there was a full house on Saturday evening. A complete change of programme is due this evening when on especially good programme will be presented. The. orchestral music at the Star Theatre has , become quite a feature of the performance. SHORTT'S THEATRE. ■ The high-class series of moving pictures which was screened at Shortt's "coritinu-" ous picture theatre in Willis Street., pn, Saturday attracted large attendances •••of • appreciative people. To-day a complete change of programme will be presented. Tho chief item will be "Leaves From the Books of Charles Dickens." This picture is said to bo a capital ono, and' those lovers of this great author's works should not foil to seo the production. The Theatre is open continuously from 11 a.m. .to 11 p.m. each day. "BEAUTY AND THE BAEGE." The mechanical staff of Mr. Allan Hamilton's company arrived in Wellington on Saturday, bringing with them a large quantity of scenery and effects to be used in the .opening production of "Beauty and tho Barge" at the Opera House tomorrow evening. W. W. Jncobs's comedy is an unusually heavy production to mount, the building of the barge alono necessitating two days' labour on the part of a large- staff of mechanists. When cnhiplotcd it forms a most realistic pieco of stage croft, and backed by a charming setting of Thames scenery from, thd brush of Harry Whaite creates" a very fine rlfcet. Tho earne artist is resnnnsible for another fine sotting for tho first act, and the interior of the Ship Inn in the second act is a triumph of tho scenic artist's work. From all accounts to hand .a very fino production is assured.. Excellent booking has already been recorded at tho Dresden, where the, plans for the season are on view. JANSE.W 1 One has heard of the Hindoo illusionists who for.;* very larse consideration will thjow a coil of rope into the air, whiye it dftiies the laws of physics and remains perpendicular. An Indian boy appears as quickly md as olusively as a rainbow, find forthwith climbs the perpendicular rope, which, as rst-ated, has ono end on earth and the other tied to tho atmosphere. At tho Wellington Opera House on Wednesday, Marcli 27, the mnn who can do this thing, and does it, will be here. Janson the "Great." as he is styled, who appeal's under tho management of the new firm of I'ortus iind Tjilbol, seizes an ordinary ropo, throws it into the air and, apparently from nowhere, an assistant materialises and climbs (lie rope- as easily as Jack did his beanstalk. This is one of Janseu's mysteries. The box plan opens on AVednesday morning, March 20, 1 at the Dresden*