ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1390, 25 March 1912, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. Tho programme at the Theatre Royal was changed and (several new artists made their appearance for tho first time on Saturday night. Vaudeville patrons will no dou'bt be interested to learn, by the way, that tho scenery at the Theatre Royal lias been renewed. In tho first part of tho entertainment the artists, with one exception, are not new lo the Theatre Royal audiences. The exception is Miss Olga Lean, a pretty seiio and dancer. "The Sonia Duo" in their songdance entitled "Ciretcian," seemed, to be tho most popular item on the first half of the programme. The second purl commenced with a juggling ac-r by Hugo and Olga who appeared for the first time. s-Dine of their feats are remarkably clever. They appear to specialise mostly in spinning plates and have reached a very high degree of dexterity in this difficult art. King and Millar'd, in their comic sketch, "A Pair of Liars," show merit as vaudeville comedians. The husband, his wife being away, invites a dainty chorus girl to stip with him. Unexpectedly his wife returns bringing with her a present in the shape of a "lie recorder. ' livery time anyone tells a lio in the presence of tho machine a bell rings to chronicle the fact. Tho difficulties of tho husband, who has to explain away the presence of a glove Hie chorus girl has dropped, can bo imagined. At last tho husband accuses (he wife of being a flirt-and asks whether she has kissed a man while she has been away. I he wife retorts with a "How dare you! Certainly not!" Then the bell of tho lie-recorder rings furiously. The sketch is a diverting one. If applause be. any indication as to merit then the most t.-i----lentecj. arlist at present appearing at tho lucatre Jioyal is without a doubt Roy i '!?■ s Hebrew impersonations and droll stories kept the house in a perpetual giggle throughout his turn. The programme Was concluded by Nolan, und ■ i™,' "' tlleir °" u original sketch, "An Actors Dilemma." The programme will be repeated this evening, FULLERS' PICTURES. The Saturday matinee and evening exhibitions of Fullers' Pictures at tho Skating Rink were well attended, tho current series beiug screened for tho last ii e " T °- ni s'it there will be a complete change of programme, consisting of the latest star films by the English and American mail duo in town this afternoon. Included in the new series is th« American Biograph Company's latest production, entitled "A Tale of the Wilderness, a story of the pioneer days of Kentucky; "The Politician's Dream," a .screamingly funny comedy by the Vitagraph Co.; "A Day With a'Circus," a novel subject by the Selig Co.; "A Voiceless Message," Patho's nnimafed London Gazette, and a number of other interesting items. THE KING'S THEATRE. "Madame Sans Gene," the French historical play of the Napoleon regime, was screened* for the last time before enthusiastic spectators at the King's Theatre on Saturday night. "Mme. Sans Gene" is certainly ono of the best films that has been screened in Wellington. It is to bo hoped that the. public shall have tno opportunity of seeing some more films of this type. , Most people enjoy them much more than the various "made-up" pictures of doubtful date and origin. Tonight's new programme will include the star item entitled "Gipsy Wood." Miss Asta Neilson takes tho "part of Zuscb.i, the Gipsy girl. She is "tho wild, dnrk,eyed daughter of a wandering race" to the life, and all a gipsy's love of adventur», and the natural instincts for selfpreservation and self-interest so often identified with the wandering vagrant. Other fine dramatic, scenic, and comedy items will be added, including a special subject, "Who's Who in Dogg'ieland." \

THE NEW THEATRE. All day on Saturday Messrs. MacM.ab.on and Donnelly's New Theatre in Manners Straet, was well patronised; in fact, there ivero occasions when tho management was placed in the position of not being able to accommodate all who desired to gain admission. The star item is the kinematograph representation of "Ali Baba," adapted from the well-known "Arabian Nights." Tho picture is very clear, and nut with approval at nil sessions. The well-known Vitograph Co. supplies an exceptionally fine dramatic study entitled "Tim Mahoney tho Scab." The story tells of the adventures of a "scab," or what is moro commonly known as a '•black leg." Although he is shunned by his fellow workers he proves himself a hero, by saving one of his fellow workers from tho burning workshop. "The Subaltern's Joke" is a capital comedy, and "An Indian's Love" is a story of Indian life. The programme will lie repeated to-day, and the usual change will take place to-morrow. At very short notice last evening" Messrs. MneMnhon and Donnelly gave a speciallyselected programme of moving pictures nt tho New Theatre, Manners Street, in aid of the Children's Hospital, towards a treat for the little ones during Eastertide. The sum of ,£ls Is. was collected at the doors, which is exceedingly satisfnetory, considering the brief notice. In addition to Messrs. MacMahon and Donnelly's films, others were lent by Patho I'reres and the J. D. Williams Co., Ltd. THE ? THEATRE. Intending competitors in tho naming competition now proceeding in connection with Wellington's latest picture theatro in Willis Street (the Adelphi Company) are taking a practical interest iti the contest. Apparently the picture-going public is quick to grasp the fact that in addition to being able to see what is promised to be a fine picture show, they have a sporting chance of winning a substantial prize offered by the management for a naino for the theatre. As the competition closes in a little over a week, thoso anxious to test their ingenuity have no time to lose in obtaining the tickets. No limit is placed on the number of suggestions each competitor may make, so long as the conditions are adhero to. The theatre is moving quickly along the way to completion. STAR THEATRE. A complete change of programme is announced for to-night at the Star Theatre. The principal attraction is a character picture, entitled "Gipsy Blood." Miss Asta Neilson appears in tho principal rolo of the Gipsy. Another dramatic subject is "The Cow;boy's Devotedness," a romance of the hills. The usual collection of comic and scenic pictures, etc., will be screened. ' PARIS THEATRE. The Paris Prize Picture Company opened its doors on Saturday evening to a large crowd. The building has been nicely renovated, and made quite cosy. A well-selected programmo of pictorial items was presented to the spectators, tho various subjects being faithfully projected, and the light bright and clear throughout. The programme included "Conquering Carrie" (comedy), "Oh, You Wives" (comic), "Thn Scul of Venice" (drama), "Two Fugitives" (Wild West), "La Jaenerie" (Pathe art' drama), and others of a very interesting nature. The music was supplied by a capable orchestra, whilst ingenious mechanical effects added realism. Tho special prize, a, lady's gold watch and chain, valued at £i 10s., was presented to Mr. W. L. Ruttledge, 54 Kilbirnie Crescent, for the nearest solution to the following question: "How the management may givo a prize at every performance without infringement of the Gaming and Lotteries Act?" To-night a prize valued at three guineas will be presented for the most correct answer to the above. The competition will be continued everr evening until the correct answer is received. Mr. W. L. Ruttledge's answer to the question was as follows:—"The best way to award a prize at each performance without infringing tho law would be to s;ive it to the person who on entering the Paris Thealre hands in the best essay on the education and amusement derived from your pictures; or else the most original four lines of prose connected with youv pictures." MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. To-morrow night in tho Town Hall, the Municipal Orchestra will give tho fourth concert of (he present season. Thi> programmo will include Boieklieu's wellknown overture to "The Cnliph of Btigdnd," the "Karelia" Suite by 'Sibelius. (lie "Blue. Danube Valse," and Coleridge Taylor's "Ballade" in A minor. Miss AdMnide Bntce, 1111 Australian Tooali~t. will sing Oiordom'j "Coro uno ben," smd ionss by Eubinitoin. and Aylivard,

SHORTT'S THEATRE. Principal among the items on to-niglifs change of programme nt Shortt's Continuous Pictures will lie a film portraying the Dickens story—"A T.ile of Two Cities." "Pull for the Shore, Sailor," a drama by tho Edison Company, will also be screened along _ with numerous scenic, comic, and topical pictures. WELLINGTON PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. Wellington has every reason to feel praml of the Wellington Professional Orchestra. Only two years ago there was no orchestra in Wellington worthy of the name, but to-day the city can boast two very competent organisations capable of giving performances of an elevating character. Under the able conductorship of Mr. Herbert Bloy, the Professional Orchestra has made "rapid stride- along the artistic way, and at present its performances are exceedingly creditable. 'J'hc strings are a splendid body, playing together admirably, while the balance and tone quality are alike excellent. Little roughnesses are detectable in the fine work, hut they are mors than compensated for by tho"finish and fine spirit of assurance which the members throw into their work. The orchestra drew a packed audience to tho big Town Hall last evening. The programme was of the high-class popular order, embodying the overturn to Balfo's opera, "The Bohemian Girl," two dainty and melodious entr'acte pieces, "Loin du Bal" (Gillet) and "The Mill" (Raff); "Two Hungarian Dances" (Brahms), played recently by the Municipal Orchestra; tho always popular "Turkish Patrol" (Michae'.is), which the orchestra plays exceedingly well, and Thomas's overturn to "Raymond." The vocalist of tho evening was Mr. R. Bishop, a young baritone cf pleasing quality, who sang Allitsan's "Sous of Thanksgiving" and, as an encore, "Nirvana." THE GREAT JANSEN. The Great Jansen, the famous transformist, will appear here at the Opera House for a short season, commencing on Wednesday. Jansen's entertainment is said to sparkle with originality, and his transformations awaken tho keen interest of his audiences. Just when they think they are looking at him the closest, he is somebody else, and tho someone else is he. His billiard ball manipulations are described as remarkable, and he produces at the tips of his fingers and palms in one. hand six balls, "llis tricks with cards and his many works of magic are, tho management state, of a nature that cannot help but please as well as mystify. Tho climax of the" perfermance comes when a living, breathing woman floats apparently into mid-air, and disappears as completely before tho eyes as if she had never been on earth. The box plan "is now open at the Dresden. The sale for the opening night is stated to bo very large.

ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. J. Maughan Barnett (city organist) gave one of his popular artistic organ recitals in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. Sip. C. H. Stephens was the assisting vocalist. An excellent "request" programme was submitted of selections played by Mr. Barnett. at recent recitals. NEW ZEALAND NEWS. (Bj TeleEraDh—Frees Association.) 4 FATAL FALL FROM A DRAY. Christchurch, March 24. An inquest was held at the hospital today in regard to the death of Josenh Richard Rosewarne, 17 years of age, wlio died from injuries sustained by falling from a loaded dray at Opapuku, near Kaiapoi, yesterday.. Dr. T. T. Thompson, house surgeon, stated that the deceased's condition when he was admitted to the hospital was too bad to allow an operation to be performed, and he died from the effect of the injuries caused by the accident. The coroner returned a. verdict that death resulted from injuries caused by falling off a loaded dray, BOILER EXPLOSION. Hamilton, March 24. A peculiar explosion occurred at the Co-operative Bacon Compauy's works at Frankton. Lurd-renderinu operations were being proceeded with, when something went wrong with tho steam heater underneath. A loud explosion was heard, the effect of which was that a big boiler of lard, weighing 2cwt., was blown right up through the roof and over the telephone wires on the middle of the road, 'lwo men were standing clo.'a by—one within a foot—at tho lime of tho accident, and a third close alongside on the other side of the partition. 'Fortunately no one was injured. BUSH-FELLING FATALITY. Auckland, March 23. A man named Golt, who was brought into Auckland Hospital early in tho week sulfating from injuries received as » result of a tree, falling on him, succumbed to his injuries yeslerdaj. SUDDEN DEATH, , Dunedin, March 24. Mrs. Marjorio M'Farlano Bennett, (17 years of age, dropped dead at the backdoor of her residence at Caversham today. OTAGO ANNIVERSARY. Dunedin, March 24. lestorday, the G4tb anniversary of tho settlement of Otngo, was not observed as a holiday by the retail trades, as it had been arranged to substitute Easter Saturday in its stead, so as to provide a clear resting space nt Easter from Thursday i»ght to Tuesday morning.