ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1409, 9 April 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

The Opera Houso was packed to the doors last evening, when Professor Norwood hypnotist, and Von Arx, conjuror timl illusionist, gave their third perlormanco in Wellington. The part of the_ entertainment which rivetted tho attention of tho audience, and at the same timo caused tho greatest amusement., was tho hypnotic seance, in which the Professor "operated" 011 a committee of men in such a manner as to call forth the most uproarious laughter. They wero given suggestions of various kinds" whilst in a hypnotic condition, and their actions, contortions, and expressions simply defy description. The "comiuitteo act" wound up with an hypnotic sleigh ride, in which the subjects imagined that they were members ot' a sleigh party. It is an extremely difficult tiling tor anyone to laugh heartily at a given cue, but when given a suggestion that they were being tickled each and every one o'l' those hypnotised last evening rocked and rolled about in a fit of tho heartiest and most convincing laughter. Professor Norwood announced that one day this week Miss Ford, tho pianist, would be hypnotised whilst seated at a piano in a shop window in (own, and would be given tho suggestion that sho must play on until stopped. She would play tho piano whilst asleep continuously, witJi her eyes closed, up till the time the performance commenced, when she would bo awakened to continue- her work as usual in tho orchestra. Later on ; a subject would be kept in an hypnotic state in convenient premises in the city for forty-eight hours. Von Arx, the American magician; performed a number of clever illusions, including "Tho Witch of tho Flames," and showed marked dexterity in the palming of billiard balls and coins. Tho entertainment will bo repeated each evoniug this week. Professor Norwood announces that his specialty to-niglit will be a hypnotic cakewalk, in which the subjects will compete for, a cake. THEATRE ROTAL. Last niglit another thoroughly appreciative audience onjoyed the present programme at the Theatre Royal. Every item gave satisfaction, and the applause was very hearty. The entertainment as a wholo was a great success. THE NEW THEATRE. Messrs. MacMahon and Donnelly's continuous picture entertainment drew packed attendances at tho New Theatre, Manners Street, throughout yesterday, and hundreds were unable to gain admission. The children's pantomime, "Pinnochio," delighted the juveniles and amused adults. The story is like a visit to Fairyland, where everything is enchanted and the impossible happens without any difficulty. Tho pantomime "Pinnochio" will bo repeated at all the day sessions to-day, in addition to a completely new programme. Prominent among the new series is a startling story of everyday life, entitled "Locked in the Vault." by the Relianco Company. This production made au instantaneous hit in London, and was in remarkable demand. A thrilling Western drama, "The Moonshiners' Trail," is a characteristic "thriller" by the Champion Company. The Bison exclusive drama, "Shifty's Claim," finds a foremost place in tho new bill. It is a lengthy narrative of adventure in tho Wild West of America, where prescnco of mind and a, good revolver are almost indispensable assets. A hearty laughter-making comedy is "Did Mother get her Wish?" (by the A.B. Company), while "The Millionaire Barber" (by tho S. and A. Company), and "Tonto's First Picture" will no cloubt be popular with everyone. The new programme will be presented from 11 a.m. till 11 o'clock to-night. KING'S THEATRE. The King's Theatre was packedlast evening, when a cliango of programme was presented. A remarkable pictorial presentation of AVillam Makepeace Thackeray's "Vanity Fair," by tlio well-known Vitagraph Co., is the star film of the new bill. This picture is certainly the best pictorial production that has been sliou'n 111 the theatre. The acting is superb, tlio scenic clfccts are beautiful, and the dresses are gorgeous. One particularly fine sceno is tho Duchess of Richmond's ball, which took place on the night before tho Battle of Waterloo. Following this scene, the battlefield of Waterloo, itself is depicted. The film is over 3000 feet in length, and takes up most of tho first half of the programme. Among its features is the acting of Hcflen Gardner, who takes tho part of the fascinating Becky Sharp. ■ In the course of the picture practically the whole plot of Thackeray's great novel is screened, the careers of the Sedloys. tho Osbornes, Major Dobbin, Becky Sharp, and Ravdon Crawley pass before the eye, and tho memorable scene where Rawdon Crawley discovers Becky Sharp tote teto with the Marquis of Steyn in their villa in Mayfair, is shown wtli intense dramatic power. Among other pictures shown are "Pathe's Gazette," "A Gipsy Girl's Honour," and "The Bully of Bingo Gulch' may bo mentioned.

FULLERS' PICTURES,

An excellent series of moving pictures was shown for ttje first time at tho Skating Rink, in Vivian Street, last evening. Tho programme was long and varied, anil one calculated to suit all tastes, and tho building was quite filled with a holiday crowd, which appeared to thoroughly appreciate it. To commence with, "Pathos 1 Gazette" was shown. This series of pictures contained photographic views of tho latest happenings of note in various parts of tho world. This was followed by a good dramatic study, entitled "Paid Back." Briefly told, the story is one iu which a young man asks tho father of a girl for his daughter's hand. Ho is refused, but tho girl goes to her lover, and is turned out of house and home by the irate father. Ho will havo nothing to do with her, in spite of repeated attempts on the girl's part to win back his regard. Some time later she is left a widow with a baby boy. The child grows -up, and becomes attached to the staff of a newspaper office. Whilst at the club ono evening he overhears a conversation between his grandfather and an unscrupulous financier, in which tho former, under offer of a big bribe, signs somo papers having relation (o the transfer of leases. Tho grandson obtains possession of the document, hurries back to the office, and next morning tho paper exposes the fraud, and. the grandfather, a Judge, is ruined. A particularly fine scenic film, entitled "Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster," was followei) with' interest, the moonlight effects in it being especially pretty. Incidentally, it was shown how a life-line works from shore to a wrecked vessel, and also liow a lifeboat is manned and launched. In,last night's programme some very good comics were shown, ono in particular being "Tramps and the Bear." Two tramps manage to secure a bear's skin, and one dons the article. Tho other steals a barrel organ, and together they go through town making no end of fun and money. After being pursued by all and sundry, they are at last captured, and receive their desserts. Other pictures were: "Pants and Pansies" (comic), "Camembert Cheese" (educational), "Bully of Bingo Gulch" (dramatic), "Handy Armless Man," "Lieut. _ Rose_ and tho Raiders" (dramatic). "With a Kodak" (comic), and "Paid in His Own Coin." The'same programme will be shown on this and following- evenings until further notice. SHORTT'S THEATRE. . Sliortt's Theatre, in Willis Street, was patronised by large numbers of people all day yesterday. The pictures, which were distinctly good, and very interesting, were highly appreciated. One of the chief items in the programme was tho Vitagraph masterpiece "Tho Black Chasm," a picture which both grips and thrills. The story of that kind-hearted old person "The Old Book-keeper" was screened with great success. The railway drama "Saving the Special" is a fine creation in the realm of sensationalism, und has other merits which assist, in making it <v most interesting film. Besides these pictures there are "The Circus Girl," "Icebergs Oil' the Coast of Labrador," etc. PARTS THEATRE. Tho Paris Theatre was taxed to its utmost capacity last night, and the pictures were well received throughout. A very tine dramatic study, entitled "The .Settler's Wife," was especially well received. "Red Star's Honour 1 ' if an Indian drama full ef exciting incidents. A very lively comedv, "How the Girls Get Even," kepi in rears of laughter, and there wait ato a fioo' Mwrtmcnt sccnio itmna

ST. THOMAS'S HALL. Easter Monday was marked ill tlio Wellington theatrical world by the extension of the Fuller .Proprietary'.- motion-picture business into Newtown. Tho firm's now venture is located in St. Thomas's Hall, where a splendid start: was made willi a very fino collection of pictures, and must encouraging patronage. The programme was ono which in every way justifies, for its part, tho proprietary's good name as a caterer for lovers of tlio innst up-to-date motion pictures. Ono of tlio chief items in this capital programmo was Onirics Spencer's thrilling novel, "Margaret Catchpolo." Tlio story is founded on truth, and there is'an additional interest in tlio fact that "Margaret" and her lover (for whom sho went through so much) found their way to Australia, and that there to-day livo descendants of tlio original of tlio heroine. "Margaret Catchpole," as many may know, was a girl who loved a smuggler. Sho was employed in the household of an English clergyman, and there sho became awaro that plans wero afoot for the capture of her sweetheart. She resolved to warn him. From then on her adventures were thrilling in the extreme, aud tlio hardships which she willingly endured show her in tlio light of■ a heroine. Also, (ho programmo includes "Paid Back," a Selig drama of groat merit, and a number of pictures which have just arrived by the English mail. STAR THEATRE. The weekly change of programme was presented before a largo houso at the btnr Theatre last evening. The new programme is headed by an intensely interesting film, based on Thackeray's great novel, "Vanity Fair.." This has been pictorialJv produced by the Vitagraph Company. The part of Becky Sharp, which is acted exceedingly well by Helen Gardner, is a notable feature of the production. The ball-room scene at the Duchess of Richmond's ball, the night before the battle of Waterloo, is a very beautiful one, and the dresses aro strikingly gorgeous. The battle scene at Waterloo is naturally a thrilling one, and the realism of it powerfully nrrests the attention. Tlio varied fortunes of tho Sedloys, Osbornes, Crawleys, and the wicked Marquis of Steyn also figure in tlio picture. A dramatic study of interest is "The Heart of Nichotte," which deals with cowboy life., A number of other good pictures are shown, those including "The Fairy Bookseller" and "Foiling of Red Duggan." Tlio programmo will be repeated this evening. PICTURES AT TOWN HALL". The Independent Moving Picture Company, which secured tho Town Hall for last evening wero rewarded with a bumper house, every seat from which a good view of the big screen conld be obtained being occupied. A capital programmo of liighclass kinematograph pictures was shown, including such excellent examples as "Silver Mining in Cobatt," "The Moth," "Scenes in Lapland," "The Angel," "The Gunfighters," and "His Royal Highness." The pictures wero capitally produced, and tlio entertainment went without a hitch from beginning to end. An orchestra played suitable music throughout the evening.