ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1445, 21 May 1912, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatro Royal was packed last night with on audfeuco that was enthusiastic indeed. Tlio new programme was a varied and entertaining one of considerable merit. Among the artists new to Wellington was Sylvesta, court wizard and magician, who comes direct from Europe, and is assisted by Vera de Courtney. Both Sylvesta and his fair assistant are very clever and entertaining, and their "turn" is woll worth seeing. Also making their first appearance were the .Reese trio, a littlo baud of entertainers who have never shown in this country before. The trio arc expert instrumentalists, who introduco La Petite Laurie, an exceptionally clever hand-balancing contortionist. The singing of Miss Vera Harcourt, a Wellington girl, with a remarkably sweet soprano voice, was a treat. Tho recalls which she received wero particularly woll deserved. Tom Lee, the dapper English comedian, reappeared and scored further successes as a uiirth-provokor. Other performers, all of whom added to their good reputations, were: Maio Vine, soubrette, who sang "Band, Band, Baud"; Jack Bonny, character comedian, "Wrong Street Door"; Bella Perman, vocalist and dancer, "Come Down from the Big Fir Tree": Marshall Palmer, baritone, "Two Littlo Eyas of Blue" and "Off to Philadelphia"; Kitty' Itayjior, redound dancer; Frank Yorke, comedian, "Oysters"; Dnniel Llewellyn, tenor; Nellie Kotle, descriptive vocalist, "At tho Piano," ami Barry and Bracy, patter comedians.

FULLERS' PICTURES. The Skating Rink in Vivian Street was heavily patronised last evening, on the occasion of tho weekly change of programme. Headers of Mr. W. W. Jacobs will bo delighted with a picture called "Captain Barnacle's Messmates." The story is tlfat of an old suit who comes a-shore to have a "good time," and expends all his funds in carousing with his friends. Finding himself destitute, he seeks harbourage in a boardinghouse kept by a lady as determined of countenance as she is robust of figure—presumably a widow. She takos an early opportunity of giving Captain Barnacle the option of marrying her or seeking another home. The old salt accepts tho first-named alternative, but quickly repents, and then has a heavy time in seeking by divers expedients to escape from the custody of his charmer. Eventually an old messmate comes to his rescue, and adroitly provides him with a way of escape. Tho other pictures are all good of their various kinds. "Love and Tears" is a drama with a strong cast of tragedy. "The Patho Gazette" presents a varied array of interesting items. "The Deputy and the Girl" and "Modern Fire Engines" are other capital pictures which wero received with evident approval. "Attacked by a Lion" is a vivid presentation of an exciting adventure. A number of pictures in lighter vein serve agreeably to lighten the entertainment. The same programme will be repeated at the Skating Rink this evening.

THE ICING'S THEATRE. Tho-principal attraction in a new programme, which attracted a crowded attendance at the King's Theatre last evening, was a pictorial representation ot Madame Sarah Bernhardt (supported Inner full company), acting m "The Lady of the Camellias," the well-known drama bv Alexander Dumas. Tho drama necessarily loses something through being shorn of the brilliant dialogue which lias made it famous, and the art of even so great an actress as Sarah Bernhardt is Ijomul to suffer when it is confined to dumb show. But in spite of theso limitations, the picture is a notable one, and cannot fail to impress alt'who see it. The drama is splendidly monutcd, tho subsidiary parts arc capably borne, and, in tho title role, .Madame Bernhardt interprets the character of a loving and sublimely unselfish woman, with 6uch power and intensity that she all but triumphs over the limitations of tho silent screen. She has many emotions to portray, from light shades ot love and tenderness to the tragic despair of a dyin<* woman, scorned by the. man for whose sake she, has sacrificed..every--thing. The way in which Madame Bernhardt responds 1 to--theso - exacting <!or mauds goes a.''Tong"-way (-towards JVftityr,. ing the fame which she has enjoyed for many years. ' . , " ~ . ' Tho supporting pictures are well up to the standard. ' .The programme will be repeated this evening.

THE NEW THEATRE. Excellent patronage was accorded the continuous picture entertainment at the New Theatre, Manners Street, at all scs6ious yesterday afternoon and evening, when tho current programme was shown for the last time. The customary change of programme- to-day will introduce a drama, "Sicilian Blood," which depicts the passionate temperament of the natives of Southern Italy. Tho story is said to be a faithful enactment of the type of actual lil'o episodes peculiar to the sunny climes of tho Mediterranean. A Mexican love story, "A Siren of Impulse (by the American IHograph Company),'is described as exhibiting the spirit of the Spaniard when his jealousy is aroused. Tlio new programme will also include a pecnic study, "Tho Iborian Peninsula," an exclusive Bison drama, "The Missionary's Gratitude," a Selig comedy, "A Xirrht Out," and a Hepnux comedy, "When Jones Lost His Latch-key, Iho new programme will bo shown from 11 a.m. till 11 o'clock to-night.

ADELPIII THEATRE. Eight o'clock to-night will see the opening of the Adelphi Theatre by Mr. A. h. Hci'dman, M.P. A rehearsal took place at the theatre last evening, and all ran smoothly. The management state that the pictures will be now to Wellington. The star film is a historical drama, in colour, entitled "The lied Falcon," depicting the stirring times of 1587, in Italy, when Cardinal I'crdinand Medici (known us the Red Falcon) pitted his wit against the beautiful, but scheming, Bianca Capello. Another fine picture is "The Last Adventure of Prince Curacoa," who obtained his name on account of his Bohemian life. Good comedy will be presented in "Tho Turkish Lady and tho Tailor," "One on the Masher," and "Strictly Watched." Instructive aiul interesting features will bo "How Plaster is Made'/' and tho "Trainons." The latter portrays ono of Southern Prance's beauty spots. Many other pictures will also be shown. The music by the Adelphi Ladies' Orchestra is mentioned as a feature. Tho prices of admission arc: Circle, Is. 6d.; .reserved stalls, Is.; and stalls, (id. Booking for the circle nud reserved stalls may bo effected at the Adelphi Sweet Store (next to the theatre), and is free.

THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. All parts of tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall were crowded last evening, when the English Pierrots presented a. now programme oE items. I his clever and artistic company has made an excellent impression in Wellington, and tho new bill last evening was in all respects a great success—the items were good, and the approval of the audience was unrestrained. Especially good were the musical sketches by Miss Elsa Langley and Mr. Maynard Dakin—"Over the Garden' Wall," and a coster song. Another good sketch by Miss Elsa Langley, Mr. Maynard Dakin, and Mr. Leslie Austin was "The Open Door," an amusing comedy wherein a young couple differ as to which shall close the door, and finally decide that the first to speak shall perform tho much-debated office. The entry of a third person creates a diversion, which finally ends in an explosion from the "mute" husband when the stranger kisses his wife. The grand finale of the new bill is a most amusing skit on the modern melodrama, which fairly brings down tlio house. "THE DANDIES." To-morrow morning at nine o'clock the box plan for the fii'st six performances of Mr. Edward Brnnscombe's costume entertainers "The Dandies," will be opened at the Dresden, and on Saturday next, and i'or an extended season, the company will endeavour to make cosy and pleasant the long winter nights. It is said "The Dandies" are excellent antidotes for' dull care and cold weather depression. Their entertainment is stated to be arranged to suit all classes. The company introduce old airs and new ones, ancient and modern operatic selections, comic and topic.il ditlies funny joke-s and stories, comediettas and farcical comedies, novelties in rjuaint and eccentric dance-, burlesques and caricatures, etc. Memhj-s of "The Dandies." all new to New Zealand, are Miss Hilda Lane, Miss. Evelyn Ward. Miss Irene Vere, Mr. Oliver rcncnek, Mr. Gavin Wend, Mr. Georee Morjran, Mr. Claude Pampier, Mr. Leonard Griffiths, and Mr., Percy C'owari