ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1433, 7 May 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OI'KRA HOUSE. "The J.uck of Hoaring Camp," with its strong tang of Western American life ov ■111 years ago, its knife and gun play and thrilling situations interested another largo audience at the Opera House last evening. The leading roles were entrusted to Mr. Mannering, Mr. Linden, Miss Louise Hampton, and Miss Ilarrie Ireland. THEATRE IiOYAL. MISS CANUTE MOOJtE MAKES A HIT. A large number of acc.rtditeii dramatic and operatic artists have during recent years deserted the theatre proper for the inu-dc-hall, where the hours are short and salaries high. Jt is theatrical socialism, but it pays, and however one may regret it. there is no logical argument* against it. Tho very latest to desert the musical comedy stage for vaudeville is Miss Carrie-Moore, an Australian artist, who, after n meteoric career in Australia, where she reached the highest placo possible, left for England and quickly asserted herself among the best artists in musical comedy and pantomime. It is worthy of note that New Zealand did not see her when she played leads with tho Royal Comic Opera Company, and yet Wellington has been favoured with iier first appearance in vaudeville. This took place last evening in tho Theatre Royal, which was all too .small to accommodate in comfort those who attended. Charmingly gowned, Miss Moore, who has n winning personality, lost no time in establishing herself as nn artist of rare capacity. She was naivete, verve, magnetism, and youthful grace, sings acceptably, and acts fascinatingly. It is a long time since the old Royal has sheltered so gifted a comedienne. In "Our Last Waltz" she appeared as n sentimental ballndist, but something entirely away from tho ordinary run of such entertainers. There was witchery and grace in eveh- look and movement. In a jolly little telephone son-' she was roguish and winsome. To crown her performance she gave flashes of fine dramatic talent in -a monologue entitled 'Woman's Eyes." Tn response to fullhanded applause, Miss Moore sang with delightful naivete "They Never Do That in Yorkshire" 'from "Our Miss Gibbs"). At. the conclusion of (lie "turn," she received an ovation, and several floral tributes.

Among other new artists to appear for the first time in "Wellington last evening were the Siddons, a couple r.f smart aerial balancers and tumblers, who in a quiet way do some .istoundiugly nervy work, calling for rare skill and cool-headedness. In one act tho butts of two billiard cues are placed on the shoulders of one man, whilst the other, assisted by hand-rests at the top of the cues, stands' on them with his hands in mid-air, and while there relinquishes ono of the cues, and still maintains his alarming position. Mr. .Alicit Lauder, a brother of Harry Lauder, achieved a moderate success only. There were gleams of humour in his patter, but his efforts savoured rather nf tho amateur than the skilled professional. Mr. Daniel Llewellyn, a Welsh singer, exhibited a sweet tenor voice, within- trace of silver in its quality, in that fine old bailad "My Sweetheart When a Boy." and fencore) "Mary." O'Dell and Hart, knockabout American comedians and dancers, made things merry for a few minutes. Tho comedy talent of tho male performer was readily welcomed, but his partner, was not over-helpful. Other norformers were: May Nealy, l'lo D'Orviile, Jack Bonny, Maie Vine, and big-voiced Frank Y'orke. Miss Carrie Moore will figure in tho bill for tho present week only. FULLERS' PICTURES. There were few empty seats in the Skating Rink last evening, when a change programme was screened. Tile principal item was a very beautiful coloured picture entitled "Caniille. tho Lady of tho Camellias." It is based upon the wellknown draina by tlio younger Dumas. The nat't of the heroine is: taken by a talented Italian ac,tress. The story is that of a beautvful stage favourite who abandons the applause of the multitude for the sake of her lover, and leans a poor harvest of gratitude. Unmindful nf tho sacrifice she has mads the father of her betrothed induces her to believe that by marrying his son sha will destroy the prosperity of the family. The Lady'of the Camellias rises nobly to the occasion. Turning her back on happiness she goes awnv, and is not discovered by her lover until she is at the point of death. The other pictures are well up to the standard which has been set at the Skating Rink. the world in two hours" is an interesting picture tonr. "Alma's Champion" is a spirited little drama, in which a racing locomotive is introduced with telling effect. "A Note in tho Orange" deals with the escapade of two lively girls who adopt the novel method of nrovidins their maiden aunt with a husband. "Zimmar and Nick Carter" pictures on exciting contest of wits, in which the principal actors ore a. daring and resourceful criminal and an equallv brave and ostute detective. "BntterflW is a beautiful study of insect life. The same pictures will bo screened to-night.

KING'S THEATRE. Seating spaeo was at. a premium in Hie King's Theatre last evening, the weekly change of programme proving a potent "draw." In a series of remarkably fins pictures a military drama, entitled "Drummed Out," stood out prominently. It details the tragic story of a young lieutenant, who is madly in love with ins colonrf's daughter, find sacrifices honour and life itself to His passion. Pressed l>y his sweetheart for money, of which she stands in dire need by reason of iier extravagance. he embezzles a sum with v;hich he has been entrusted bv <ucomrade. Discovery and degradation follow, and the unhappy young oflicer escapes the > final disgrace of being "drummed out" by taking his own life. At all stages, particularly in tho love scenes, the drama is well and powerfully acted, and the pictures are splendidly produced. The film. "Bereft, of his 'IV.n," is in lighter and happier vein. It is a simple little comedy, which nevertheless affords scope for somo very clever acting. The latest number of "The Pathc Gazette" is as rich as its predecessors in .interestm" items. Other good pictures were "The loafer" (a drama); "Calino Trains for a Boxing Contest." ami "The Meeting of tho Ways," a highly interesting drama. "Economy" is an excellent comedy, and "Messina of To-day" is a beautiful'scenic study. Tho programme will be repeated this overling. THE NEW THEATRE. Excellent patronage was recorded throughout yesterday afternoon and evening at MacMahon and Donnelly's continuous picture entertainment at tho New Theatre, Manners Street. To-dav and tonight tho usual complete change will bs introduced, headed by what is described as a very tine adaptation of Dtunas's love romance, "Camillc." Yittoria I.epanto, the eminent Italian actress, appears in the leading role. The staging, dresses, and scenes are said to be very'fine. The plot deals with the affection which exists between a famous Parisian beauty and a handsome young man whoso father objects. The father interviews the woman, and so passionately pleads for tho assistance of Camille to put' an cml (<r tho relations between herself and his son that she consents. The son's infatuation continues, and he filially rejoins Camillo. She is dying of consumption when her lover finds her, and she finally collapses in his arms. Prominent among the supporting subjects is "A Romance of Wall Street" (a Yitagraph drama) featuring Maurice Costelloe in a representation nr life within tho sphere of the New York Stock Exchange, under "frenzied finance" influence. An American Biograph drama, "Tinder Burning Skies," is said to be a stirring enactment. Tho remaining subjects also include "For Love" (Ttnla dratna), "Economy" (S. and A. comedy), and "A Match and No Prize" fCiiies ccmcdy). Tho new programme will lie shoini from 1! a.m. till 11 o'clock tonight. SHORTTS PICTURES. large attendances of tho public witnessed tho new programme at Shortfs Continuous Picture Theatre, Willis Street, yesterday. Ore extremely and. deservedly popular feature was tha Solig film, "A Romance of the Rio Grande." This depicts a romantic story of Iffe in one of ihe wildest parts of North America, and is among tho finest Western dramas that have been seen in Wellington. If is full of thrills, and its repeated advent upon the screen yesterday was ways the sigDnl for rapt nttonUon. VVrr good in: its crcu suu: tlw. .VitMrant

comedy, "Captain Jenks's Dilemma," the acting and especially tho facial piay oi the talented comedian in the namo part being highly artistic. The captain feels lonely, and is advised by another ancient sea-dog, Captain Aquallor, to seek a wife, lie accordingly cnuris a widowed milliner, who simpers responsively, and after a pleasant scene or two on tho sea beach, accepts an engagement ring, Hut when her five children come in to say goodnight he is quite taken by and would like lo cancel the betrothal. Counselled again by Captain Squallor, ho solemnly informs the widow _ that ho lias eight children. She. to his intense, but concealed, disappointment, atl'ects to In' delighted that he, too, has a large family. The-troubled captain is thus driven to apply a practical test. He hires eight young scamps from the streel, t*» go with him to call on the whiow, and turn tue house upside down. The scheme works out; very nicely. The widow realises what it is to have thirteen children in tho house, and in desperation she hands back the engagement ring. The captain goes back to receive felicitations of his old crony upon his escape from matrimony. Other features of the new programme are the picture newspaper, "flauniont Graphic,'.' a coloured scenic entitled "Excursion to the Desert Islands," and "A Pair of Bags" (comic). The programme, will be repeated to-day from ]1 a.m. to 11 p.m. ST. THOMAS'S HALL. The new pictures at St. Thomas's were witnessed by a good house last night. The thrilling detective story of "Zigoinar and Nirk Carter" was a leading feature. Another was "Cfliuillc," based on tlio famous novel of Dumas fils. The talented Italian actress, Yittoria I.epanto, impersonates the Lady of the Camellias, who heroically surrenders her lover in compliance with tho representations of his father, who persuades her that the match will mean ruin to the young man's position and prospects. It is a high-class fiim,_ and was highly appreciated last evening. The programme also comprised "Around the World in Two Honrs" (scemc), "Alma's Champion" (dramatic),

"A Note on. the Orange" (humorous), "Butterflies" (scientific), and the "Patlie Gazette." The same selection of films will be shown (o-night.