ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1497, 20 July 1912, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. , "Ben Hur," with its splendid anray of stage pictures, its gorgeous colour effects, good music, and commondablo acting, continues to attract very largo audiences to t!he Opora House. It is a curious but incontrovertible fact that dramas with the element of Toligion in their make-up have a distinct attraction for ."the play-going public. One- has only to mention such plays as "The Sign of the Cress," "Sister Beatrice," "The Servant in the House, ' and "Tihe Passing of the Third Floor Back" among many to instance what a powerful influence this is in the- make-up of a successful play. It is, felt all throwjli "Ben Hnr, and though the figure of Hie Nazarene does not appear, the suggestion is even more strongly represented than the reality would Uβ. On tho wfoolo tho story is quite coherently told in the Williamson representation, and as a production it takes rank with, the finest spectacular plays yet produced. Tho acting seta a fair. standard throughout, making the performance thoroughly pleasurable.

FULLERS' PICTURES. Tho principal attraction at Fullers' Pictures just now. is "Saved by a Lion," one off Sebg's animal studies, which has in it more than a suspicion of realism. Two exquisite scenic films are !"Bettws-v-Coed," and "The Town of Madrid." The same pictures will be shown to-night.

THE KING'S THEATRE. ! "Tho Dreyfus Affair," now almost forgotten among modern sensations, is related all over again by the kinematograph nightly now at the King's Theatre. Another' picture describes the beauties of Paris, where the groat drama was enacted in the life. A sporting picture of special interest now showed snapshots of last year's Derby at Epsom.

THE NEW THEATRE. I . Crowds thronged the Now Theatre laSt' evening. Tho drama "Redemption," which tells of the career of a yoiing girl who finds the descent from folly to vice and crime easy, and the path to virtue a difficult one to regain, was shown for the last time. Ono of the new pictures tells a story of adventure. A young girl walks into the haunt of a gang of smugglers,, and is carried off by them. On the contraband ship she is the subject of tho captain's, attentions, but that was only the beginning of her troubles. She wins tho rough man's goodwill, and ha has in the end to protect her from the mutinous crew. Eventually the revenue launch catches- up, and then everything goes well. Even the smuggler captain gets clear by swimming ashore. "All's Well that Ends Well" is a tangled story of "tne course, of true love"—in this case the easiest of all ways to take—could not be picked up by twn luckless young people. It is a Cines drama, acted in the Continenta.l way. The best of the fow comic films was called "A Welcome Home." A strange man.had wandered into the house, and the sweep, a friend of the maid's, was engaged to put him out. Meantime tho head of the house arrived, was mistaken for the, intruder, and thrown out promiscuously. There were, of course, explanations afterwards, but tho comedy was good until they were ready. Commencing on Monday, will be presented for the first time m New Zealand, '"The World Against Her," described as "a thoroughly human play of intense dramatic interest." This production was secured by Mr. Charles MacMahon during his Tecent visit to Sydney. Tho picture is tho work of the famous Nordisk Company.

THE ADELPHI. . Last evening the Adelphi Male Quartette, gave acceptable items. The first, "The Soldier's Farewell/' was delightfully rendered (unaccompanied), arid an encore was insisted upon. The number then given was "The Thuringen Yolkslied," which also met with tie heartiest of receptions. The innovation apparently bids fair to become popular. To-day, at the prize matinee at, 2.30, and to-night, '.lull-be-the last, oportninity of witnessing; the 'present programme as a cb'm'pleto change is announced for Monday night.

"THE GREEN DANDIES." The thousands who' enjoyed Branscombo's "Red Dandies" far so many weeks in the Concert Chamber should, according to report, be equally delighted with anotliCT Branscombe venture, "The Green Dandies," who are due in "Wellington next 'Wednesday, and open in the Concert Chamber the same evening. The new company contains all the elements ' that make for a successful and eminently cheerful entertainment on ttio lines laid down by the previous company. Australian critics have got many good words for Mr. Herbert Walton, character comedian, who has a long record of successes with musical comedy companies, a subtle humour, and a practised art. The vocalists of the new lot of "Dandies," a specially-selected group, are a big feature of the show, which includes a monologuist of parts, Mr. J. Brennan, and a sparkling eonbretto, in the person of Miss Florence Henderson. The season, which begins' on Wednesday next, will continue until September 7.

SUNDAY CONCERT. An excellent programme has been prepared for the concert to be given at the Town Hall to-morrow night by the Wellington City Band (late Garrison Band), assisted by Miss Muriel Bennott, the brilliant soprano vocalist, who will ring Liddell's "Abide- With Me," and Zardo's pretty song "To the Angels." Mr. Fletcher, the- popular tenor, will sing Caruso's ETcat son,?, "For You Alone," etc., and Mr. Minifie will play the fine piccolo solo "Through the Air." The band's items include the popular overture, "Tancrcdi" (Rossini), and the pleasing sacred air (with variations), ''Sandon.- , ; A silver coin collection will be made in aid of the band funds.

BORNEO GAEDINEK BENEFIT. His Excellency the Governor nnd Lady Islington havo extended their patronage to the complimentary, concert to be tendered to Mr. Borneo Gardiner in the. Town Hall on Monday, July 29, nnd the prospec-Cs aro most promising that the youiiß New Zcalander will be greeted with n full house prior to his departure for London to' sefk his fortune- in the "bipr metropolis. Tho programme .comrai.ttco mo unsparing in their efforts to.secure ■'. most attractive programme, which will be advertised next week. Mr. Gardiner will appear twice and render items which (fro considered to'bo'the finest in his. repertoire.