ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1491, 13 July 1912, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

.MISS MARGARET COOPER. , The- individualistic art of. Miss Margaret Cooper is exerting tho eamo fascination over .-Wellington, audiences as it has fci -every centre she has appeared in. This dautty oitist, is simply' irresistiblo, and should bo seen: by everyone , fond of- the naest quality in vocal humour. Her eingwsf: of "Moon, Moon," with its pretty changes and neddle-point finish, was a Revelation in a new sphere of' vocalisation. Then to hear. her. trill the gayest of gay lilts, "Agatha .Green," "Catch Me," Janie," .and "Let Us Waltz Round Together," is to reveal a wealth of delicate comedy which surprises one into enthusiasm for the fair visitor. Miss Cooper , is adequately supported. Mr. Horace (Witty is a'baritone -with a good voice tind pleasing personality, and his singing of "The Ringers" and "Tho Admiral's aara",ia one of the treats,of the evening Mr. H: Scott Leslie is an. entertaining raconteur, and Sijuor Manzoni plays icleverly on the mandolin, v It will ba glad news to many that. In response to several 'requests, a matinee performance will be given qt the Opera House at 2.30 p.m. to-day* when a programme similar to that presented of an evening will be submitted. A complete change is- due this evening. Amon" the bow song 3 Miss Cooper -will sing will be !"Plumstones," "Come to ' Town, Miss Brown," "When I'm Grown Up," and !"Dreamland." Mr. Scott Leslie will tell Siew stories.'and Mr. Horace Witty will teing several new', and attractive songs.

■• ": ... "BEN HUR.", : - 'Although-.there was an' excellent demand for seats yesterday'when the plans Vere opened- for "Ben Hur," the Ixioking {Was'not quite so large for the opening, production as for subsequent representations, so that there are plonty of central Beats in either the dress circle or reserved Btalls for'■-, Wednesday's porfonnanoo, \vhich can be selected at the Dresden unr till o'clock to-day- Those who have-had the privilege of witnessing a production of , tho great dramatic spectacular production, "Bon: Hnr," will realise the enormous amount of preliminary preparations vhich have to be made prior to its presentation in Wellington. Two complete pets' of scenery and effects.-were 1 made in Sydney, so that while the piece is being 6ttged in one centre, the duplicate set is sent on in' charge of advance mechanics n.nd electricians to tho next town. The stage of each theatre where "Ben Hur" is staged has to be strengthened considerably for the realistic fhariot race and tho sensational wreck scene, i A large quantity. of additional ; blocks and lines have to-behung, every particle vt etock scenery has to be. shifted from the stage, extra dressirig-Toom \ accommodation "has to ba provided,. l and;additional electricplant.has to bV installed io present the numerous .'special'.scenio displays. Mr. Williamson's staff of electricians and mechanics anived yesterday, bringing with them a full set of. effects. The balance of the scenery will reach Wellington-this-morning.'. . Tho members of the company -Will arrive from Palmerston North this Bl'tevnoon. • ■■ ... .

FULLEES' PICTURES. ■ ; The Skating Kink, in Vivian Street, iff here Puller's Pictures" are screened nightly, is being well'.patronised. "Two Orphans" is a splendid drainatio study, by the Selig Co., while "The Secret of-'the Miser's Cave," and "The Ranchman's Debt of Honour" are equally good pictures. At 2.30 p.m. to-day there will be o matinee, and the programme will be repeated this evening. On Monday night ft complete change of programme will be presented. ~- .. ■■ . ■:

. . .. • . i ?he present programme "'of photo-playe ,*t the King's Theatre is attracting large attendances. , Among the best numbers of the selection, are :V';The Revenge," "TheDormouse," andTTheSchoo'lmarmof Stqny Gulch." ..There a..-prize matinee this afternoon, and tihe programme will be repeated to-night; A- comple , te change of W a ft&nm<iitit iSWiQßj«eilifoi,/rM(}nday •Slight.,- ,•■...•- ~x?... ~/i ■. • . >-■■-.'. -..-.....

THEATRE. ; : ,' ,| ; ' MacMahop i/and.. Popnelly , apparently. ~Jnade,a..happy •choice-;in the selection of Bubjecta the':change -at-their. continuous.. pictures at the 'New Theatre, Manners.Street,- and- the-attendance yes-'" -.afternoon- tefjtined to the popularity .61.the bill. .The chief item is the Vitagrapb.: drama "Sunset," in. which the principals are:-Jlary Burton, a.ranchoWner'a sister! her younger sister Alice,nnd Stamford, a forest ranger, who comes to board at the ranch. Alice- falls in love with Stamford, who, however, be:omes. in lore with her sister. When she. returns -from school, Stamford proposes to AJice.butshe will not consent to marty him: until: she -has received her sister's epproval.'.Mary gives it reluctantly, with the secret wish that it was horsolf ins Wad of Alice. .' Alone, [ looking, out.'. upon ,the waters of the.soaii'Jlary. meditates upon "what might: have been." lα. the. Cines klrama "Spring and Autumn,", Mary is told by .-her; father that her cousin Max, on elderly mat, is about to visit them. When hi;'arrives, Hilary induces .him to take part,in all her amusements, She lias a-lover, but after complications she discards the young .man'and marries her tousin. ."A Problem in Reduction" forms the theme in ti'Vitrigraph comedy, which deals with anti-fat, and other emphemeral interests of the day. The Hopwix domestic drama "Keformation" t3 a. pleasing story of how an unsober one reforms. '.'St. John's, Newfoundland," is a collection-.of ■panoramica' of the picturesque: North.'..American, port, whilo "Calino as a .Ooffboy l, -raises a hearty Jaugh thrQiighout. Another diverting num*ber is "lea Learns to Danoe." The new Bubjecfa will be shown, from 11 a.m. till 11 o'alock to-night. : Commencing oh Monday, at ;day and.evening sessions, Mac-•Malipij'i-jiria, Donnelly .will introdnco an sxcfiisive" picture (foina, "Hedemplion."

'.. ~.: the ADBLPHI. Lasfnigbt, at tho Adclphi, tho Marked Male Quartette again added to the enjoyment of the programme by ■ .rendering, very exquisitely,. -Ciro Piusuti's "Goodnight,- Beloved," which was accompanied by a charming scenic film entitled ''On the Lake of Zurich." The innovation has become so decidedly .popular, that the management have filially decided to adopt tho idea of an "eye-fester": twice a week, and,' in future, the quartette party will appear on Wednesdays, as-well as Fridays. .There .will be the usual prize matinee this afternoon at the Adelphi, and this evening will. be. the last opportunity of seeing the exceptionally go«;I programme which is .being screened this week. A,complete change'is"announced! for the'.next week, commencing on Monday evening.

..' SHORTTS PICTURES. "A Victinvof Circumstantial Evidence" Is the title of the principal picture of the present programme.now -being screened at Shortt's; Continuous Picture Theatre. It is a powerful dramatic study, and the acting is of a high quality. This fine production is supported by amumber of other interesting films. Sonje additions will .be made to the , programme for this afternoon. For Monday next the management announce that they will show "Vanity Pair," said to be a remarkably good photo-play of Thackeray's great novel. The theatre, is open daily from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. ,

" ' . THE- DANDIES. That, very popular ■ organisation, The Dandies, are to make their adieu appearance at/the Concert Chamber this evening, after a six weeks' Feascm of uninterrupted success. The Dnndies provide a form of entertainment that pleases all olaases; and thopleasure which they have given "during their Wellington seafOn should ensure:them a welcome whenever Mr. Edward Branscombo elects to turn their course this way in thft future. Though the weather was'bad List evening, the Concert , nhambpi- v/n= veil filled, and the cheerful cinallty of the programme, together with tho-cleverness of its performance, gave, entire satisfaction. AH the most popular items which have gamsd favour during the ?e;ismi will lie given thi'p evening, When a bumper shouse is assured. .

frey; Aufldius, Mr. W. Glynne; Vplurnnia, Miss Hardinse-Maltby; Virsfilitt, Mrs. Dowling; arid Valeria, Miss Valeria Corliss. This play is perhaps not so wel! known, 'outside of school circles, as many of Shakespeare's, because it is not often staged, but it should possess a particular interest at the present timo in that it represents a conflict between Eoman capital—the patricians, men "of - the righthand file —and, Roman labour—the plebeians, "the mutablo rank-scented many. Full particulars of the reading, which is to be given in the Sydney Street Schoolroom, appear in our advertising columns.

ORGAN RECITAL. The special request programme to be played this evening at tho Town Hall organ recital will include the Fantaisie on "Carmen," three movements of Widor's Second Symphony, and Wagner's "Preislied." Mr: Maughnn Barnott will also play Handel's Concerto in F, and Guilmant's Adagio from "Ariane." MiS3 Muriel Bennett will sing "With Verdure Clad (Creation, Haydn) and "Should Hβ Upbraid" (Bishop).

. The first annual concert of the Wellington Society of Professional Musicians will take pla/ce in tho Town Hall next We nesday evening. A special itom on the programme will be the Toy Symphony, e composition by Messrs. Maughan Barhett, Lawrence Watkins, .and Horace Hunt, which is being looked forward tb with much interest by the mnsical public. Some very tine vocal and instrumental items will be given by: Misses Phoebe Parsons, B. Richmond, May Donaldson; Messrs..Hamilton Hodges, C. H.'Stephens, Horace Hunt, and F. R. Johnstone.