ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1488, 10 July 1912, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MISS MARGARET COOPEII,

A' raro treat is promised tlio Wellingtoii public to-night' when Miss Margaret Cooper and her piano will bo heard for the iirst timo in New Zealand. This talented artist has attracted very largo business in Melbourne and Svdney for two months past. Speaking of Miss Cooper tho Melbourne "Argus said: "Miss Cooper plays her own accompaniments, turning to tho audience as sho sings. Her voice.is wonderfully flexible and of tho serviceable range required by the nature of her songs. They are all songs of Character. Mostly they are of. humorous ch'aractor, but at odd times aro tinctured with a sudden note of sadness or tenderness as tho case may be. Miss Cooper is. first of all an actress, playing a part all tho timo—ploying it with laughter and occasionally only occasionally so as not to leave more than a thought of sadness with weeping. Tho rollicking fun of the lighter sours sho seems to bo thoroughly enjoying. Coquettish she was and sparkling, but always delicate. Her mobilo features constantly played tho charactor she was interpreting; but her restraint was wonderful and tho daintiness was always maintained." Miss Cooper will be supported in Wellington, by Mr. 11. Scott Leslie, a gifted humorist and raconteur; Mr. Horace.Witty, a finobaritono vocalist, and Signor Manzoni a facilo mandolist, and Mr. Charles Lawrence, pianist. His Excollenev the Governor and Lady Islington will bo present on tho first evening.

FULLERS' PICTURES. A bright set of-pictures is being shown at tho Vivian Street Skating Rink. Among tho subjects oro:—"Lieutenant Roso and Hidden Treasure," '"The Bandit's Mask," "An Arizona Escapade," "Alkali Bests Broncho Bill," "A Story of a Circus," "Historical Warwickshire," and "Tho Great Diamond Robbery." NEW THEATRE. Tho supporting items at tho New Theatre wero changed yesterday, although the star item,- "The Midnight Wedding," will continuo to be screened for a few moro nights. Tho next star item is entitled "The Redemption," and is of a highly dramatic ordor, Among tho new ■ items, "Mrs. Carter's Necklace" is magnificently produced, and rivals the lavish sotting of "Tho Midnight Wedding." Tho story is dramatic and uniiivolved. A young man is lucky enough' to aid a wealthy stock-broker, whose motor-car breaks down as he is racing to an engagement. The young man .becomes acquainted with, tho Carters, and calls 011 thorn. Jlr. Carter, about this time, is handling-a large financial problem, and is about to fail for the lack of ten shares in a concern which lie wishes to control. The young man is also in difficulties, and endeavours to raise money on a few. company shares, but no ono attributes any value to them, and 110 becomes desperate. With a view to borrowing money, 110 calls on Carter, and, whilo at tho house, sees Mrs. Carter's pearl necklace, which sho has just broken and brought to her husband, who carelessly puts it in a drawer. Tlio young man, unable to raise money by fair means, resorts to robbery, and, with tho intention Of stealing the necklace, burgles tho Carters' house. Mrs. Carter, coming homo from a party, discovers him, and the man then explains his position, and produces his only Fecurity—tho company shares, and lays them with his hat on the table. Suddenly Mr. Carter is heard descending the stairs, and tho man hides. Mr. Carter discovers the hat, and is about to accuse his wife, when tho family butler comes forward and claims it. Carter then sees the shares, and, looking at them, sees that they are tho very ones that mean so much to him. He buys them from the butler for ten thousand dollars, nnd departs in high spirits, to his room. The young man comes from his hiding place, ana thanks Mrs. Carter for not oxposing him._ As lie goes out, the butler hands him his hat and the cheque, and thus ho is saved from crime. The S. and A. drama, "The Turning Point," is also 'a .fine film. "That Chicken Dinner"' is tlie best of the now comic items," although some of tho others are also very good.

, ; KING'S. THEATRE, fke programme of pictures which is being shown at tho King's Theatre is a varied and interesting one. Tho items include: "Tho Pathe Gazette," "A Gipsy's Honour," "Pate's Buffetings," and "Hydroplanes and Mofyr Boats." SHORTT'S THEATRE. "The Diamond Rose" anil "How States are Made" are tho two leading items at preset to bo seen at Shores Picture Theatre. Tho former is a robbery story, and the latter a tale of pioneer settlement in the wilds of America in the time of the gold-hunting days. The hero is barred from the rush by being shot by the villain, who thus hopes to jump his claim. The heroine, wife of the hero, takes her husband's place, and beats till© villain in j tho furious race to tho claim. Tho race' is the oulminating scene of the picture a£ far as excitement goes, and is very well carried out. Other pictures of merit are "Ireno's Infatuation," "Excursion m tho Ravines," "Cask-making in Burgundy," and various others of an assorted and cosmopolitan nature. '( . ' THE ADELPHI. A featuro picturo of the series being shown at the Adelphi Theatre this week is 0110 entitled "Children Who Labour." Apart from the strong lesson it teaches, it contains an exceptionally well-told story. Amongst other good ; pictures shown are:—"Tho Banker's Daughter," "Winter in the Upper Engadine" (a beautiful scenic), "Tho Mosquito," and several others. The management wish to draw special attention to the fact that for the winter months heaters havo been provided. Next Friday evecisg tho Adelphi Masked Male Quartet will again appear. Booking is free at the theatre, or by ringing up 3142. . THE -DANDIES. On Saturday evening, Mr.' Edward Branscombe's -English costumo company mako their farewell appearance 01 Wellington. This talented company of singers and comedians have become very popular at tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, and last night they tppearcd before an appreciative "house. Recalls wero frequent, Mr. Claude Dampier especially being in- popular favour. Ho was olosoly followed in tho run oi success by other members of the comSany. On Wednesday, July 17, a now landies, company will make their appearance at the Town Hall. BEN HUR, The Auckland season of "Ben Hnr," which is to be staged here by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., on Wednesday night next, was tho most successful over experienced by a dramatic production in that city. On' tho open ; ng night tho wholo of the dress circle and reserved stalls was sold at 65., and during its fortnight's run hundreds were nightly unable to obtain admission. Tho news of its Auckland success is doubtless accountable for the record booking which lias taken placo in the provincial centres where "Ben Hur" is to bo presented, and 011 Friday morning, when tho plnn3 will bo opened for the > Wellington season, the management anticipate a largo demand for seats. Although it is over ten years since "Ben Hur' was first staged in Australia, the sensation which it orcatod at that time in Sydney still lives fresh in tho memories of many playgoers, and notwithstanding tho advancement since made in stage ingenuity it is acknowledged that nothing approaching the great chariot raco has ever been attempted on tho Australasian stage. It was tho big fire which completely destroyed His Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, which prevented "Ben Hur" from enjoying a record run. Tho racecourse production ill "The Whip" presented four galloping horses, engaged in n keen struggle, but that efieet, it is stated, pales beside the chariot race.