ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1496, 19 July 1912, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"BEN HUE." Long before the doors of tho Opera House ivcro opened Inst evening a queue of people, stretching from the gallery entrance to Cuba .Street waited patiently in the wintry blast for the privilege of getting a good seat to witness the J. C. Williamson -production of "lien Hnr," which iippeurs likely to pack the theatre for many nights to come. As a spectacle alone, the production is one. that must h'nd a place among the most successful audscenically artistic which tho "firm" "has given Kow Zealand for a long time. The atmosphere of the play is realised in the first scene or -tableaux, where the three- Wise lien meet in counsel in the desert, and are guided by the star in tho cast.to Bethlehem. A magnificent scries of stago pictures follow. The scene in the_ galley is strikingly original, conveying ns it does the size of the fighting galleys of ancient Konio, with the Hortator plying two hammers in tho centre to mark the .time of tho slave oarsmen. The voluminous tent of Sheik Iklerim is another scene ablaze with colour typical' of the East; and'markedly beautiful is tho'moonlight scene in the Orchard of the Palms. Histrionically, the performance is satisfying. Mr. Eric Maxon makes a spirited Ben iHnr; Jlr. Leonard Willey a handsome jMessala; Jlr. Eardlcy Turner a very faith-fully-drawn Simonides; and Jlr. Arthur Styan (in a notably Rood make-up) an excellent Shielc Ilderim. Miss Dorothy Dix is ns beautiful as Low Wallace himself hns painted the fair Esther, and Miss Gwen Burroughs ogles and poses with artistic amoiiressiiess as Iras, tho black pearl of the Nils. Tho famous chariot race is graphically, if briefly iipicted, and the rescue of Arrius (Jlr. : Winter Hall) by Ben Hiir is capitally worked. The music of Mr. E. Stillman Kelly will be remembered as nn outstanding feature of the production, which also has the' support of a large chorus and balletr .:'.'•■ . ..

■■'~■-. FULLERS' PICTURES. ■Patrons of. Fullers' Pictures at the Skating Rink were treated to a new programme last evening, tho selection including some very fine studies. Tho star iteui is a wild animal study entitled "Saved by Hor Lions/ , a powerful romance in which the King of Beasts plays a prominent part. Enacted in the natural setting of the African wild,, the study holds the attention a3 much by the picluresquoncss of tho staging as by the plot itself, which is simple enough. A voting girl captures two lion cubs in the jungle, and two years later these strange, pels, .now full-grown, play a leading part in saving their mistress from the clutches of a scheming rascal. The story is full of sensational denouements. There is a. thrilling conflict betwen tho lions and a pack of jackals, which have threatened {he life of the girl, and tho final scene, when the villain of tho'pieco carries off the girl, and is attacked by the lions, is a fascinating one.- To this'excellent study' is added a number of first-class supporting items, among which may be mention-: ed'two very fine scenic studies—"Bettws-y-Coed" (a .picturesque corner of.. Wales), and "Old Madrid" (an interesting series of vieys-of the Spanish capital). Comedy is represented by "Fnnnicus Wante;- to Marry," "The Fickle Spaniard;". '"A Naughty,;' Boy's Exploits." and-VTlie Haunted K<bckor." , "With the ••Boys •of Figure .2" is an interesting study of .life"" ox a' ranch in Western America,-whilo other good photo-dramas, are "The Lesser Evil," "The. Corsican Brothers," and "War's vHayoc/' The programme will ■be repeated vthis,.evening. ... ■ "."V

; . ;, ; - THE .KING'S THEATRE, : . '.One' of the best photo-dramas '■ yet screened :a't the,: King's Theatre was the n)ilitary,romanco "The Traitress," which figured -. as..,the; star -film of : the new .programme last'evening." The; production of the on. the most elaborate ]6oale, the sotting is admirable, and. the acting)of the ■ principals really ,'magnifi: cent; . The period of the story is the FraneoiGerman war qi 1870, .-and:-the place, AlsaM-loriair l e*''T'i.i*r;chAracfer3 jriy, ■elude a young German officer oiid an outpost' troop, an'JOld -French-jiqblem'nri'nnd' his: daughter. , li'» 'sWriVKof -'hWcTi" ■Volunteers, soldiers, and servants. The German' officer, with his hoop, lis detached'from r the main outpost"-and or-dered-to take up his quarters in tho Frenoh noble's castle, and the inevitable happens—the gjrv falls in love with the officer, who is' a man in every sense of the ,tenu, nnd peaked by his apparent slighting of her affection after he has almost declared his'love for her, resolves to botray him and his'troop to a party, of French "volunteers" who are. secreted in the 'vicinity. The plot succeeds, and the young officer and his men are overpowered and put under guard till'dawn, when they are to be shot. But the girl, stricken with remorse, and fearful! of the tragic finale, flees to tho -, German lines, and brings a squadron to the'rescue just at the critical moment. In the molee which . follows tho' advent of,the rescuers, the girl is shot and dies in. tho.arms of the-man whom she betrayed. This brief outline gives but a faint idea of tho merit of tho photo-play, which will be enjoyed by all who admire n good clean romance, well acted, and artistically'produced. Amongst the supporting items is an interesting picture, of the, 1912 Derby at. Epsom; a powerful dramatic study based upon the "Dreyfus Affair"; "Tho Eajah's Casket" (a clever 'illusion film); some charming views of Paris; "Hooligans •of the West," "Indo-China. Rejoicings," and "The Timid Lover." Tho ■programme will beicpeated this evening. . , ' , . ■'

THE NEW THEATRE. Those who have not already seen that remarkably fine photo-play "The Redenip. tion" will have .their last opportunity of doing so to-day and to-night at the New Theatre, Manners Street. In spile of the wretched weather, the patronage yesterday was at times more than the theatre could, accommodate. To-day the • usual change of programme will be screened. .This contains a capital Cincs drama, entitled "All's Well That Ends Well." ."Welcome Homo" is an amusing comic by the Hepwix Co. A dramatic study, which deals with Western life is a picture by the Bison Co., entitled "Cowboy's Loyalty." Tho programme will also includo a number of other interesting picThe management draw attention (o their announcement in. to-day's issuo regnrding a special picture entitled "Tho World Against Her," which they are screening on Monday next. .It is described in the management's notice as "a thoroughly human play of the most intenso dramatic interest." ,

SHORTT'S THEATRE. At Shortt's Continuous Picture Theatre, in Willis Street, to-day a new selection of pictures will be screened. "Nat Pinkerton in the Great Railway Bobbery" is the title of a sensational - detective story, in which this well-known character succeeds, after exciting incident , ;, in running to bay a band of robbers. Some excellent views of liio de Janeiro are also thrown on the screen. '"The Gaumont Graphic" depicts recent interesting events in various parts of the world. The Vitagraph Co. are respon-' sible for a fine comedy entitled/ "The Five Senses." A -drama of the Western typo is unfolded in "Tho Better Man." The management claim that it i? one of the best dramas of its kind. "A Now Beginning" is the title of a domestic dramn, in which the appeal is supposed to bc> chiefly to the fox concerned. "Birds and Animals of Brazil" is an interesting picture, while, "Who's Boss, Eh?" is a, good comic. Tho new programme will be fcrpened from 11 o'clock tin's morning until 11 o'clock to-night.

': THE ADELPHI. Business still keeps brisk at the Adelphi in spite of the unpleasantness of tho weather conditions. Last evening, in addition to the excellent fare provided in fcho .shape of good pictures and suitable music, there was another innovation, in the way of tea and coffee, which patrons wore enabled to enjoy during the interval without , the discomfort of having to leavo their seats, as it was brought io those desiring it by attendants—an idea quite new lo'AVolliiiglon, and one which .tho management think is likely to become, popular'during this cold season. This week's films are nil intorostinft, the sceuics being particularly so. A comedy which causes much merriment is entitled ''Tho Monkey's Bite." Others are "The Tlobo." "Tho Heir Apparent." "The Convict's Generosity," and "The Miracle of Flowers." The Adelnhi Masked Male Quar,te,t are announced to sins to-nieht at 8.30 o'clock "The Soldier's Farewell." The : usual prize, matinee will be given to-mor-row (Saturday) at 2.30 p.m., when erery child will receive a pre'soaU