ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1415, 16 April 1912, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. n,3! 1M V as n , '"K attendance at' tho Opera H,,u se Inst <,„„;„„, , vhpn the ,V"";° 0,1 -} °" Arx Ccmpniiy introduced a imbor of now hypnotic specialities. "The lypnotic Indian war dance" was as divertiiiß a. thing as anyone could wish for, and tuo audience applauded with enthu«M°i' t , ".'/'•rosting exposition of the noted trunk illusion was given by Von „}[ ' o Ud "'l'r wo '"lerf«l eccentric jug. atiosU by his clever new "turns."

THEATRE ROYAL. Last night the Theatre Royal was ttcll patronised, and tho bright vaudeville 8 " 1 tho patrons. Sliiimi and ivnmeda, tho two Japanese athletes, gave, a clever exhibition of various phases of Jiu-jitsu. Aada Moret's reapuearance was welcomed She sung two pretty Scotch songs of tho descriptive kind. Los Conev, ono cf tho best of Australasian cornerman, natuio his first appearance in New Zealand, and scored a distinct success. SKATING EIXK. An admirable pictorial representation of bhakespeare's "Eomco and Juliet," the love tragedy the world never tires of, is the pieco do resistance at the Ingestre htrect bkahng Rink. Tho tragedy of old Verona, with its wealth of wondrous passion and romance, is capitally acted by people one would like to actuallv see periorra tho play, and the splendour with which it is mounted and dressed adds another dramatic triumph to tho many which has ken achieved by the kinenmostaph. Having seen "Hamlet," Macbeth," "Henry VIII," ami "Romeo and Juliet," ono may with confidence look forward in the future to seeing Shakespeare's comedies and perhaps some of his less frequently played tragedies, such as "King I.ear," "Antony and Cleopatra," 'Richard HI," and the glorious pageant "Henry V." "The Child of tho West" si a pretty little story, embodying tho awless spirit and rough tenderness of the men of the Western plains of America. In this story a horse thief, captured by the sheriff of the district, narrowly esenpfs being lynched by the Vigilants, who have no time for the law's delays. It is only when tho sheriff prompts the child to plead that her father be given a fair trial that they consent. American ■ picture-plays teem with this simple form of sentiment or what they like to call heart interest. In

'■Tor His Pal's Sake," ono man stands all sorts of cantankerous behaviour from a fickle young "cub" who, with women, does not know his own mind for fivo minutes on end, and even accepts a blow and a revolver shot for his pal's sake, and then patches up a quarrel between a very sweet young lady and tho "cub." A'picture with a fine healthy ring about it is that depicting the winter sports at St. Moritz. It makes the blood leap again to tho ski-jumpers, the toboggan racers, and the bob-sleigh riders sliding like lightning over tho snow glissade. Other good pictures are "Seal-fishing in Newfoundland," "Salonica," "While tho Cook Slept," and "Her Uncle's Consent." NEW THEATRE. "Borneo and Juliet," Shakespeare's great tragedy of love and hate, still remains the reigning feature at the popular New Theatio in- Manners Street. The popularity of this picture is now shared by the new "A.8." drama, 'Tor His Son," a beautifully acted story of thrilling interest. Now pictures are. due to-day. "Borneo and Juliet" will be repeated at all performances to-day'ami to-night,'in addition to which will bo shown a new selection of supporting.items. They will include "The Poison Cup." a He'ljanco drama specially obtained by MacMahon and Donnelly; "Mr*. Sims Serves on the Jury," a comedy introducing an exciting motor race; "Herrinjr Fishing," a particularly lino series depicting the whole process of the great industry, from the crew embarking, to the packed barrels of herrings being shipped for export; and "By; the Light.of.theiMooiy", a..laughable comedy. : • ■ ' • ''". ' . KING'S THEATRE. "Tho Four Daredevils" is Hie title of. :he star dramatic picture that is featured i" !° £? w Programme presented at the Kings Theatre last evening. It is a talo ot circus lifa. and concerns the varying ortunes of four acrobats. One of thi troiipo is Frederick, a more bov, who ii villainously treated by the tramer. Ai length the trainer dies, regretted by none and Frederick suggests a new and darin< ;rapezo act, which is successfully per orined. irederick, now grown to per ect manhood, happens to attract the attritions of a society lady with whom lit alls in love, to the neglect of his old over, Aimoe, ono of the troupe. Feelin* us neglect, the girl follows Frederick tc [lie lady s house, sees them meet, and later taxes Frederick with infidelity, tc which he replies with a blow. Aiinee'< cvo turns to hate, and she waits foi nor revenge. Aimee, hanging from one trapeze, is to catch Frederick flying from another. As he comes hurtling through the air she withdraws her hands, and he talis a hundred feet to the floor, to the horror of the audience. Tho'next second Aimeo releases her hold, and she-falls to her death to the side of the dead man she has loved so well, but not wisely. The picture is splendidly "acted," and there ' s , a real thrill in the dual death scene. A. Child of the West" (Essanav) is a tale of the Wild .West. Jim Eeilly is to bo arrested for horse-stealing, and when tho sheriff knocks at tho door of Jim's shack he asks his little girl Nellie to go and tell the man that ho is not at home. Nellie tries to persuade the sheriff that Jim is out, but to no avail, and Jim is duly arrested. The next day Ihe Vigilank demand the person of\jim, and despite tho sheriff's- protests he is dragged from his cell and taken out to bo hanged, lo prevent the lynching, the sheriff gels tho child to plead to the Volants, and the little girl awakens the men to a realisation of tin- crime they are about to commit, and Jim is given up to a fair ■trml. On the industrial side, I'The Silk Industry of Cambodia" is a particularly fascinating study cf great educational value. Other excellent pictures are: "The Hartz Mountains" (scenic), "Things are Seldom What They Seem," "The Bogus Giant," and "Tho Patho Gazette."

STAR THEATRE. The outstanding featuro in the new programme presented nt the Star Theatre la.'t evening is "The Four Dare Devils," a'tragedy in circus life. It concerns in particular two of a troupe of four, acrobats. The man has the misfortune to attract the attention of a. society lady, nnrl, returning her affections, turns from little Aimee, of the circus troupe. Driven mad by jealousy sho follows him up, sees her worst fears realised, and then, on confronting him with his perfidy, she is struck down. In mid-air she takes her revenge. It is her mission to hang from a trapeze, and catch her false lover as ho flies through the air. When he makes his fly, sho withdraws her hands, and ho falls to his death. Then, filled irith remorse, she throws herself to the ground, and dies beside her false lover. Other pictures of merit nre:—"The Xgaruwahia Eegatta," "The Sheikh's Jealousy," "The Nipper's Transformation," "The Hartz Mountains," and "The Bogus Giant.-" A compact little orchestra combines with the programme to make matters very agreeable at the popular Newtawii Theatre. ST. THOMAS'S HALL. Fullers' Pictures, now being shown at St. Thomas's Hall, are finding much favour with the public of Wellington South. A new programme of distinct merit was screened to the satisfaction of a largo gathering of the public. Tin? programme include:, a splendid representation of Shakespeare's immortal love triigerty, "Romeo and Juliet," played with rave skill bv a company of accomplished players, who succeed even in picture i'ormof conveying some of the emotions which well round the ill-fated lovers of Verona. The picture is commended, to all lovers of Shiikt'Sik'ttro. Other picture- that My well worth swing are "Seal Fishing in Newfoundland," "Km , L'lioli;*-: Cuii-enl." "For lIU Pal's Sake," "Winter Sports nl St. .Vforits , ." (.1 very fun: ilwpliiy of «nort in snotv-lnml). "Tweedledum os :< Foot-bi-.11pr." "Sfllonica." and "While: the Cool; Slept." "MISS UNCASHIIMv. I/I'D." The p.ilronage anrl pi-?.-eiu.p of fho neir Ministry has been promised to Mi>-t Marie Baines and her new companv—tji« Hon. Thos. Mackenzie and his colleagues h.i-r. ing signified, ttioir inhoution of witnowtotj UiQ at the Pjpsra Houas) oa

Monday evening next. Miss Biiines is an Kn-flisli artist of a very high reputation, mnl us dip play achieved such jj'"**' l ' success when it was enacted hern !>y lu-r older sister, playgoers will naturally Ik , curious to mako comparisons between dm (lifl'oronl: styles of the two sisters. Tlu< box i)lnn will l)o npenrd at the Dresden Piano Co. to-morrow (Wednesday), at It a.m.