ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1413, 13 April 1912, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

£ OPERA JIorSF,. Frofessor Norwood and his gay company of hypnotics arc .still mystifying and amusing largo audiences at the Opera House. The Professor commenced his performance at noon yesterday, when, in Ihe presence of two or three I'm ml red people, he hypnotised .Miss Pauline ford, in the window of "The Talkories" in Willis Street, and bade her "make nni.-ic." After a lew tlie lady's eyes elo.-ed, and at the word of command she began lo play the pianoforte, and throughout the afternoon and evening continued to play, time alter time, without interim— sion, and apparently without tin; slightest physical strain "of any kind. At S p.m. she was awakened at tiic Opera House, and then took her place in the orchestra, smilingly, as if she had never had the pleasure of playing before (luring the day. The entertainment at night was as amusing as ever. One of the best hypnotic ensemblo acts was whero the company imagine themselves to be the members of a musical comedy company, and perform prodigies of lighter art in a highly ludicrous manner. The thought transference intovludo between Professor and Miss Norwood remains as mystifying as ever. Von Arx contributes a number of illusions, and some smart sleight-of-hand work. SKATING KTXK. "A Red Cross Martyr," a tale of the Turco-Italian War, is one of the leading picturo plays in the current programme at the Skating liink, Vivian S'.rci*t. Other good films include "The Little Widow,' "Bill and the Lions," "The leanut Industry," "Palho Gazette,' 'Nature in Winter Clothes," "Dark Deception," "Stage-Struck Lizzy, and One Touch of Nature." The programme wilt be. repeated for the last time this evening. THEATRE DOTAL. Miss Stella Ranger, "Australia's Vaudeville Melba," who has been winning the favour of Wellington audiences at the Theatre Royal, was accorded another enthusiastic reception last cveninj. Various other i .ns on the programme were also well received. The usual change is announced for to-night. During the .second half of last night's performance, Ryugoro Shinia, one of the Japanese exponents of jiu-jitsu, issued a challenge to all-comors. " Subsequently the challenge was accepted by the local wrestler, Harry Saiidow, ami the contest will lake place'on misio evening next week. Sliima has to his credit' an unbeaten record in Australia, where his opponents included both boxers and wrestlers. Some time ago lie challenged another Japanese, Miaki, to wrestle for the jiu-jitsu championship of the world either in England or Australia. Although ' a substantial side-wager would have been forthcoming, Sliima received no reply, Miaki evidently nqt falling in with the idoa of two Japanese wrestling so far away from the home of jiu-jitsu. THE NEW THEATRE. ! Friday'* change of programme always attracts large crowds to the New Theatre, and yesterday the continuous picturo show at this house was again very largely patronised, accommodation being taxed to the utmost at the evening session. The leading film on the bill is the American Biograph Co.'s drama, "For His Son." This is an example of the terrible evils resulting from the cocaine habit. A father, who had long since become a victim to the use of the drug, is doubly punished by seeing his son and his son's wife go to au early grave from the too frequent use of cocaine. The picture ends dramatically with the collapse of the father. "One Touch of Nature," a sterling drama by the Vitagraph Co., deals with the courtship, elopement, ;u ,l marriage of a Jewess and a Gentile. Both fathers of the young people take u harsh view of the situation, lm* when those same fathers become grandfathers, the usual picture play reconciliation follows. "Threo of a Kind" is a delightful Edison comedy, more interesting on account of some excellent Colorado sccnery, wherein the play was photographed. "Stage-Struck Lizzie," another comic item, which succeeding in provoking roars of laughter from the crowds that witnessed it. "Frontier of Tripoli" is a scenic number, giving numerous views of the Turco-Italian War.

To-nipht will be the last occasion on which Messrs. MacMahon nnrl Donnelly will issue coupons for tho cstiniatiiip competition, and they wish it stated that these coupons must be returned to tlio theatre by Monday next.

A special attraction is announced for Monday's programme in the shape of au elaborate picture version of Shakespeare's trapedy, "Romeo and . Juliet." This is confidently recommended by the management as one of tho finest films yet produced at the New Theatre.

THE KING'S'THEATRE. To-night will be the last opportunity, which patrons of the King's Theatre will have of witnessing tilt Vitagraph Co.'s wonderful life portrayal of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair"—a picture-that has drawn large crowds to the theatre during the week. "Vainly Fair" will also Ijo screened at (lie matinee this afternoon. On Monday next, (he new programme will include a remarkable circus picture, entitled "The Daredevils." ST.. THOMAS'S HALL. Fullers' Pictures are now to be seen at St. Thomas's.Hall, Newtown, where an excellent programme is being presented I hat is a facsimile of that presented the same evening at the Skating liink, so that patrons may rely on getting no pictures but the latest and best. The programme includes a striking dramatic picture entitled "The Red Cross Martyr, a story of the Turco-ltalian AVar, "The Chief's Daughter," "Lieutenant Rose and the Moorish Haiders," and "One Touch of Nature." The prices of admission are: Adults, Gd.;, children, 3d. . STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Vanity ..Fair" is being very wellpatronised at the Star Theatre, Nowtown. This version of Thackeray's great book 13 most entertaining, and has the additional merit of having been excellently enacted. Other good pictures in the programme ore: "His First Contract," I'athe Gazette, "Tho Chameleon," "A Romance of the Rio Grande," "Max and His Dog Dick," and "A Gipsy Girl's Honour." Last night's performance was a "benefit"' in aid of the Berhampore School picnic funds. THE PARIS PICTURES. An interesting dramatic subject, "The Angel," is being screened at the Paris Picture Theatre, in Ingestre Street. Tho picture, which is a very fine one, is being much appreciated. "Faith" is a romance of merit; and "Mutt and Jeff" is one of the most humorous of comics. In addition, there are other excellent items. In an advertisement in this issue will be found particulars of a Limerick competition, respecting which a prize of seven guineas is offered. THE ADELPHI, OR— P Saturday next, April 20, will see the end of tho naming competition, which is quite tho theme of discussion in the city fat presant. Stress is laid'on the fact that it is originality in choosing tho names which will win tho three prizes offered, and tho mans«ement aro making every olfort to make this point well known. As all tho names received will he handed over to the judges at their offices at 10 a.m. Monday, April 22, country competitors are asked to setul_ for tickets at once. The dato of opening, it was hoped, 'would be announced to-day, but owing to uiiforseen circumstances it is not yet. possible to do so. As, howovor, tho completion of tho building is well in view, it will not be loug before what is claimed to be tho premier picture thoatro in Wellington will throw open its doors to its patrons. "MISS LANCASHIRE, LIMITED." Miss Marie Baines, sister of Miss Florence Bailies, who visited the Dominion some few years ago, is to commence a season at the Opera House on Monday, April 22. Miss Baines is supported by her own company, and the 'piny to be presented is ".Miss Lancashire. Limited." Miss Baines comes to us \vith a very high reputation as a comedienne, and some of her contemporaries describe her as ttoing even as gilod a comedienne as her sister. The management for the newcomers received a letter Iron! his Excellency Lord Islington regrelt.iiig his inability to attend the Wellington performance,'but giving the entertainment his patronage during the forthcoming Auck-

SHOKTT'S PICTURES. Crowds filled Sliortt's Theatre in "Willia Street at the various sessions of the continuous picturo entertainment yesterday. .In the evening the programme was considerably enhanced Ijv the addition of "Tristram and Isolde." This is a rctnai tcably fin a coloured drama, ill two parts by Pathe Freres. The scenery is magnificent, the story passing from a banquet in the hall of lving Mark to rural scenes, sparkling [streams, thick forest, and rugged sea coast. The acting leaves little to be desired, and the costumes, too,.are a feature. Two nights is the limit for which this picture will be .shown. "EVEKY WOMAN." Miss Hilda Spong and J. C. 'Williamson'o dramatic company, which includes Mr. William Desmond, and Miss Emma Temple arc attracting full houses to His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, in the big spectacular morality dramatic sensation "Everywoman." The picce created quite a furore of enthusiasm on Monday fast, and it apparently promises to prove successful right through the Dominion. The Auckland season linishes on Saturday, April 20, alter which '"Everywoiuan" will be presented in tho following towns:— New Plymouth, Monday, April 22; Wanganui, Tuesday, April.23; Palmerston North, WednesUay, April 24; Masterton, April 25. A season in Christehurch follows, commencing on Saturday, April 27. Uamaru will be visited by "Everywouiau" oil Friday, May 1 and ID; Duneclin, irom May 11 "to IS, and the Dominion tour will terminate at Wellington, where the season begins on May 21. The plans will be opened in each of the small towns three days before the opening night, and in tho big cenlrcs four days before the first performance. TO-X'CIHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. The scries of weekly organ recitals in the Town ila'i will be*resumed this evening, when llr. Maughan Harnett will submit a programme well up to his standard. This will include 'Wagner's overture to "Tanuluuiser" and AVidor's Toccata (sth Symphony). Mr. C. 11. Stephens has been engaged as. vocalist, and the songs ho has chosen are D. Bright's "Three Seal Songs" and "Autumn," and "Springtime" (Engdlhardt. ORGAN RECITAL. An organ recital will bo given in the Town TI all, at 8 o'clock this evening,, by Mr. Maughan Barnett. Vocal items will be contributed by Mr. C. 11. Stephens. PIPE BAND. The Wellington Pipe Band will give a performance at tho Botanical Gardens, at 3 p.m. to-morrow. SONG RECITAL. On Friday, April 2G, Mr. Hamilton, Hodges gives his second song recital in the Concert Chamber, when, among the many novelties, will be a group of American Indian songs. These songs, or tribal melodies, are characteristic of the American Indian. Mr. Hodges liav.ing lived tor years among the Indians has caught the motif of each song or melody, and (the management state) one fancies one's self away on the rolling prairie land of the Dakotas. Mr. Hodges has engaged Mr. Baxter Bucklcv as solo pianist, Mr. Herbert Bloy violinist, and Mrs. E. 11. Quereo as accompanist. The box plan opens at tho Dresden on Friday, April 10.