ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1451, 28 May 1912, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. To-night at tho Opera Houso Mr. J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company, which appeared so successfully iji "Everywoman," will present for thefirst time hero Haddon Chamber's romantic comedydrama, "Passers 13y." It id not often that local play-lovers get an opportunity of witnessing' tho production of an important play before it is first , staged in Australian cities, but this privilege they will have this evening, as ''Passers By' has not yet been presented in Sydney (it is , to bo staged in that city on the company's return to Australia). In "Passers By"■■Mγ. Hnddon Chambers, it is said, has avoided the beaten tracks of comedy, and has mado a very Successful venture into the quaint and unexpected, resulting in an intensely interesting, diverting, and artistic play. It is said to be full of good wholesome comedy, and humorous situations, combined with an element of sentiment and pathos which has assisted to make the production 'Olio of the most successful staged in London and Kew York during the past two seasons. Miss Hilda Spong takes the role of Margaret Summers, tho young mother, who does not mako an exhibition of her troubles, but is content with the possession of her boy and her independence. It is said that Miss Spong is at her best as Margaret, and Mr. William Desmond has achieved, it is stated, one of his best successes as Peter Waverton. Mr. Georgo Miller, who played tho part of Uliiff in "Everywoman," is given on opportunity as Nighty, the.cabman, to display his talents as a high-Glass comedian. Mr. Miller played one of the leading parts in the English production of "The Girl in the Train." Mr.'■■ Robert Why to, it is 6aid, presents a very clever character sketch of the Tramp, and Mr. A. J. Patrick is given tho necessary opportunities as William Pyne to exhibit his undoubted ability. Miss Emma Temple as hacly Hurley and Miss Elsie Clarens as Beatrice. Sainton are also well cast. Ihe company will leave on Friday next for Sydney, so only three representations can be given of "Passers By," for which the plans arc at tho.,Dresden..

THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatre Royal was packed last night when tho Ereiinan-Fuller troupo of entertainers presented a fresh programme. Ono o£ the chief attractions was Wong Toy Sun, the Chinese conjurer. Sun is direct from China, and this was Ins nrst appearance in Now Zealand. This wizard from the Orient was described on the programme as "the great Chinese conjurer and wonder worker," and lie certainly deserves very good praise for his work. His gestures nre quaint and explicit, and his tricks are (lone with wonderful skill. Tho Eoeso trio, who include, the hand-balancing contortionist, La, Petite Laurie, scored further success as expert instrumentalists. Tom Lee, tho English comedian, presented a new set of entertaiming items, and his ability as it fun-maker was clearly shown. The descriptive songs rendered by Miss Nellie Kolle Wfi'O received with applause, and the soprano items of Miss Veda Harcourt were as delightful as former numbers from the young W«llingtonian. Also performing were: May Alpin, soubrette, who sang "I Want a Boy"; Vera. Murray, serio and dancer; Jim Barry, comedian, "Mary Fell in Love With u. Butcher"; Daniel Llewellyn, tenor; Barry and Bracy, patter comedians; Kitty Raynan, foubrotte, "Molly O'Morgan"; Marshall Palmer, baritone, ''Mother"; Maie Vine, .soubrette, "G«orgo, Play us a Walt?."i; Will Bracy, comedian, "Any More"; Bella Permian, dancer, "Because I'm Happier"; and clog danco; Kitty Quin, male- impersonator; and Frank Yorke, comedian, "Them Loving Words." FULLERS' PICTURES. An entirely new programme was staged at the Ingestre Street Sink last evening: Among the best of the dramatic pictures is "A Timely Rescue/' which ■ is the story of two young men in the same office, who fall in love with, their cjnplnyer's daughter. ' Otfo' : 'is 3u'cc(S>fuT,' 'and the other, mad with jealousy, "cooks" his rival's books in. such' a manner that ho must be found out. AVhen the "boss" goes through the books ho detects the errors and misses the cash, with the iesult that -tlio young man is dismissed, and his engagement is broken off with tho girl. A little later the other man tampers with the books once more, and this time, he is found out, and is also dismissed. Both men enlist in the army, and by chance meet in the same regiment, which ia ordered, to South Africa. In an engagement on the field, the innocent man is wounded, and stands in' imminent risk of being captured by the Boers, when his evil rival, "whose conscience has been pricking him volunteers to go to the rescue. He saves his man , , but is shot in doing so'. Just before ho dies ho confesses to his crimes, which ensures for his friend a warm welcome from his employer and his daughter. Another good , picture was "The • Lion's Revenge," in which a renegade trainer is paid out for his treachery by being made sport for the lion through his own ret. '"Surelock Holmes" is a sly.comic, in which two lovers defeat the aims of an allegedly great detective. Other good pictures are:—"A Prospector's Legacy," "Blowing Bubbles," "The . Bay of . Naples," "Microscopic Pond Dwellers," "Captain River's Reward," and "A Te,tective for a Day." THE NEW THEATRE. • Chief among a splendid series of photoplays produced at the Now. Theatre last evening was a romantic love drama entitled "Tho Aviator's Generosity." In this the Nordick Film Company have spafed no efforts to produce one of the linest flying pictures yet seen here. The story concerns a, young girl, her brother, and her lianco. The brdther becomes involved in financial difficulties with, a somewhat unscrupulous moneylender., lie is tho owner of a. flying machine, and challenges his intended brother-in-law, who also Possesses, a machine, to a race for a -yager, 'he girl hears of her brother's plight, and persuades her lover to loso the vace, and ho does so. -By winning the wager the brother is enabled to meet his financial liabilities. He subsequently discovers the plot, and a dramatic swne ensues, in whioh all ends happily. The realistic pictures of the flying machines aro the piece-, de-resistance in this series. Matrons can seo these, nimble structures springing from the ground, flying in the air, and landing after the flight. AH the. intricate mechanism of this type of air ship is seen very plainly, and the onlooker can get a Rood idea of the workings of an rp-to-date flying machine. A complete change is announced for to-day and to-night. It will be headed by a strikingly ingenious trick study, "The Mystic Rink." The Vitagraph Company will be represented by,an ideal (iramagraph, "Jean Intervenes." A scenic selection, "Fiunie," is above the ordinary standard. A.Ciues lomedy drama, "Lawn Tennis," will be amply amusing for young and old. WEST'S PICTURES. There was a large attendance to witness the change of programme at the King's Theatre last evening. The principal film presented for the delectation, of West's patrons this week is entitled "The Coffin Ship," and is really a very plausible story acted with wonderful realism by a company of accomplished Dutch players. Henry Staal, a shipowner, is in a bad way for money. Things have been going against him for foine time, and a climax is reached when his firm becomes involved through some forged bills.of exchange. Slaal has explained the position' to his ton, and has begged him to marry it wealthy widow, but ho loves the suiiriylinircd'daughter of bluff Captain ThoggerH>n. of the bnrquo Aurora. When the bank authorities make things unpleasant the young man comes forward anil snerillces'himself for his fniher.by confessing himself to bo the forger. He is banished the country for two year?, during which time his father's affairs get worse and worse. Captain Thoggerson gives up the command of the Aurora on the grounds that she is unseaworthy, and Staal sees in this a chance to make a little money by over-insuring the vessel and her cargo. Ite makes a compact with a renegade skipper to wreck tho vessel on the voyage home, ff.r which service the skipper is to receive 20 per cent, of the insurance money. \t Barcelona, however, Stnnl's Ron, very homesick, chip' buck tu Holland us mate. During the voyage the captain meets with an accidenl nnd die-. In searching through his papers he find? the agreement with his father, and is horrified at the proposal crime. Rtan.l, hearing that the vessel has reported the skipper s death is desperate, and wishes a sailor to blow up tho lighthouse in order that tho vessel will not bo able to make port; In trying to do so the old Aurora Is wreck. c& and some vivid sMnjy freffl JSAI lift

depicting a wTeck and subsequent rescues by tho lifeline are given. Staal's son is saved, but Staal goes mad and shoots himself on hearing that his son is on board tho vessel. The story is capitally acted, and sueli incidents as the blowing up of the lighthouse, the funeral at wa, and the wreck were richlv dramatic. "The Lion's Kovenge" is another good picture. "Lola's Promise" sees pretty Mary Pickford as loin, still retaining her pluce as the pride of all the picture heroines. "A Violin and a Piper, "A Spanish Dilemma," and "Tho Three Labels are also well worth seeing. SHORTTS' PICTURES. . A complete change of programme, was put on by tho Shortts' C'ontinnnus Picture management last evening. Included in tho new bill are sonio excellent dramatic and scenic films. The comic element has not been forgotten, and those who visited this theatre saw such pictures as "A Message From the Moon," and "Jim Jams." , Special mention should be mado of this week's "Gaumont Graphic." It contains pictures of some of the latest happenings. Notable among these is one depicting H.M.S. Monarch leaving the Tyue on her trials. The 'Varsity boat race was also shown from start to finish. Tho "star" film was one entitled "The Ship Boy.'s Grit." This was a story of a little boy's courageous action in a situation relating to a sinking ship. Karly in life his father (a fisherman) dies, and his mother is left in stringent circumstances. She decides to ship her son on board a ship as boy. He associates with a rough crew, arid is badly treated during the first part of the voyage. His shipmates indulge in a drinking Lout, and, when they ore asleep, the vessel springs a leak. The youngster leaves the tiller, and endeavours to stop tho inrush of. water. He only partly succeed?, and is found in an unconscious condition by tho captain and mato noxt morning. Hβ has saved their lives, however, and instead of being illtreated he is thereafter well looked after by tho ship's company. He arrives home in the usual melodramatic way—with a bag of gold. A scenic picture of beauty is that, showing Rome and the Tiber. The bill comprises other and varied pictures. The same programme will be. screened from 11 a.m. till 11 p.m. to-day. THE ADELPHI. The change of programme at the Adelphi Picture Theatre last evening attracted a large gathering, the tine new building being comfortably filled. The programme is' one of the best that .has been seen in Wellington for some time, tho star films being of a very high standard of artistic excellence. A dramatic study is the pholo-drama "For the Honour of the Family."- The scenes blend ■the 'emotional'with the unexpected, the happy "denouement" bringing about the discomfiture of tho "Lothario," who is cashiered out of the army, i "Puppets of Fate" is a society drama, superbly nefed, and of tho most "intonsu" description. A thrilling climax is reached when the gay young lieutenant who hnd broken the confidence .reposed iu him by his confrere was given five minutes to end his existence with a revolver., lho horror of this tragedy is averted by the intervention of death itself—his heart fails, and he expires with the revolver in his hand. Tho supporting items include the "Carnival, of Nice," "Cattlebreeding in Brazil," "Tho Non-Uiuon Man," "Dupin is a Nuisance,"'and a brief comedy "Nick Winter v. Max Lmder." Max by tho magic art of magnetising, steals much property- of a valuable' nature from the pockets of the unsuspecting, completing tho comedy by getting the reward.for his own capture, leaving the innocent Nick in a sack for the mystified police, whilst he himself makes good his escape. A typical Western drama is "The Sheriff's Punishment." The programme .will, be repeated this evening.

"THE DANDIES." i Them in brightness and diversity in the smart little entertainment provided b> the. "Dandies" at the Concert Chamber, and t,lio-.« who cannot .yet niu hour's.fun out of them should consnlt■■:■ tho pharmacopoeia. Claude DampierVi dry humour as a crusty old Colonel is distinctly good, and the audience could do with a good deal more of :.the Colonel's philosophy. Miss Evelyn Ward sang charmingly, and Miss Hilda Lane and Miss Vere also contributed with grace and vivacity. Mr. Oliver Peacock, Mr. George Morgan, and Mr. Gavin Wood were well to tho fore with acceptable contributions. The "Dandies" are in for a.lon? run at the Town Hall.