ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 25 May 1912, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. "Everywoman" attracted another largo audience, at the Opera House last evening. Only two more performances of this clever and original, play can be given. On Tuesday next Haildon Chambers'* quaint and charming play, "Passcrs-By," will bo seen for the first tiino in Wellington. Although Mr. Chambers began his career in the New South Wales Public Service, and subsequently spent a few years as a stock-rider in the bush, tho author of "Passers-By" is practically n British playwright. '"Passers-By" illustrates the manner in which he uses every available device to hold the attention of tho audience. The production on Tuesday evening promises something quite new, and exchanges refer to the general excellence of tho performance. Tho cast is not a very long one, but oil the principal members are said to bo splendidly cast. Miss Hilda Spong will appear in tho leading role. Her conception is said to be a brilliant and finished piece of work , . Mr. William Desmond Will pJay tho important character of Peter Waverton, whilst Mr. Robert U'hyte, jun., and Mr. Geo. M. Miller will bo seen in responsible parts. THEATRE ROYAL. Vaudeville, brightly presented, always has a good following in Wellington, and tho excellent programmes presented by the Brcnnan-Fuller coalition have had a distinct effect on the patronage accorded to the company at tho Theatre Royal. Among the clever people now appearing are tho Reese Trio, a team of instrumentalists. La Petite Laurie, the child contortionist, Nellie Kolle, and Frank York. On Monday the talented Chinese magician, AVong Toy Sun, who conies n-ith a good reputation as a deceptionist, will make his first appearance. WONG TOY SUN. On Monday ovp.ning next at the Theatre Royal, Wong Toy Sun, the Chinese wonder-worker, will make his first appearance before a Wellington audience. As a magician, Wong Toy Sun is well known, and his tour through Australia under the Brennan-Fuller management has been a decided success. His act has been built entirely in his own workshop, where for many years he studied it out before he was satisfied to perform before the public. He is assisted by several of his own countrymen, all being garbed in the national dress of China. The box plan is now open nt the Dresden. FULLERS' PICTURES. Matinee and evening exhibitions of Fullers' Pictures at the Skating Rink are announced for to-day. The programme is an excellent one. and includes an interesting study of whale harpooning, the "Australian Gazette," "The Spanish Dilemma" (comedy), and tho photo dramas, "Mother's Love" and "You'll Remember Me." KING'S THEATRE. Another crowded house witnessed Sarah Bernhardt'a famous acting in Dumas's drama, "Camille," at tho King's Theatre last evening. . "To Save Her Brother," an American modern drama, gives an excellent idea of the "get-rich-quick 20 cent Wall Street gentleman" of high finance. "The Bell of Penance" and "Seized by a Dancing Fit" are also good items. NEW THEATRE. The Ne.v Theatro was packed to tie doors last .evening, and as usual many had to be content with standing room at the back of tho hall. The star picture, "lola's Promise," is notable in that it includes in the dramatis personae that charming actress, Miss Mary Pickford, of whoso personality and art ono never tires. It is a ringing story of the old mining days of Western America. A handsome young prospector is disturbed .at his work by tho sound of a quarrel, and on arriving in the gully whero the fracas is taking place, finds a man thrashing lola, a young Indian girl. Ho takes her to his hut, attends to her hurts, and after she has recovered, bids her return to her people. The prospector is expecting his sweetheart and her father, who are caravaning through the West, but before they reach his mountain home they are savagely attacked by lola's tribe. Lola endeavours to prevent the slaughter, and gives tho alarm, but is shot down, just before the prospector arrives on the scene, attracted by the shooting. The dying girl has just strength enough to show him whero gold lies before ehe dies, and there, beside her dead body, the prospector finds fortune, and is united to his sweetheart once more. Other pictures in tho new programme are, "Wenona's Broken Promise," "Tho Reckoning," "Joe Becomes a Plumber," "The Grip Snatcher," and "Tho Colonel's Canary." On Monday next a Nordisk "special," 3000 ft. in length; entitled "An Aviator's Generosity," will bs shown. "THE ADELPHI." This afternoon and evening will be the last opportunities of witnessing tho excellent programme now being shown at the Adelplu Theatre. Last night the house was crowded, which seems to show that Wellington picture-lovers are not slow at appreciating the good fare at present offered them by the newest of the city's picture houses. It is to bo hoped that a bumper house will be the return for the public spirit displayed by the management in giving over tho entire proceeds of their first matinee to the fund being raised in aid of our National Gallery. Attention is drawn to the fact that as the management are not participating at all in the takings at to-day'e matinee, competition tickets will not be available for that performance. A complete change of programme will be presented on Monday evening, when the star picture "Nick Wintor v. Mas Ltnder," will bo screened. TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. At to-night's municipal organ recital at the Town Hall Mr.. Maughan Barnett will play Hollin's "Spring Song," a, "Funeral March" (by Mr. L. F. Watkins), a Sonata (Dr. Peace), and Karl-Elerfa "Clair de Lune." Mrs. Gower Burns (soprano) will sing items fTom Verdi, Mallinson, and Landon Ronald. "CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA," . The Royal' Choral Society's performance of "La Cavalleria Rusticana," in concert form, with a chorus and orchestra of 300 will take place on Tuesday next, at the Town Hall. Mr. Phillip Newbury is tho only soloist who has previously sung for tho society. Tho others engaged are: Soprano, Miss Rosina Buckman; mezzosoprano, Misg Muriel Bonnott; contralto, Miss Doris Dall; and baritone, Mr. Hamilton Hodges. The soloists above mentioned should enable the socioty to give a powerful and dramatic rendering of this great opera. Her Excellency, Lady Islington will be present. "THE DANDIES." "The Dandios," Mr. Edward Branscombe's company of comedians, who open a three-months' season in tho Town Hall to-night, como from Australia with excellent credentials. The Australian newspapers were unanimous in praising tho smartness, tho brightness, tho humour, and tho high "artistic merit of the Dandies' work. "Tho ]/ondou artists," ono critic wrote, "have tho happy knack of doing everything just so. No clfeck is ever boggled, no point missed or slurred. Their mirth and song are so spontaneous and so natural, that it really seems that mirth and sung aro the natural essentials of their existence. The vnriety of their performance is delightful. There is not enough of any stylo of song or " business" to grow wearisome, but just enough of each to send tlie audience away with a keen appetite for more. The delicacy and refinement of the Dandies' work is beyond praise." The box plan for the first six performances is now on view at the Dresden, and day salce may bo obtained at Christeson's.