ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1517, 13 August 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. "Mrs. M'Sweeney" continues to keep audiences at the Opera Houso in a state of merriment, and Miss Maggie Moore, in the title role of the piece, makes tho most of her part. Tho oilier characters play up to her lead ami second her acting 111 a thoroughly appropriate spirit. Miss Gould and Messrs. ]!ussell and Shirley appear to best advantage among the rest of tho company. To-night and to-morrow night aro the last two nights of the season. "SIXBAD THE SAILOR." When so much is crowded into ono great production, it is impossible to do more than mention some of tho outstanding items. Messrs. Coleman, Upward, and Leslie Board have painted no fewer than sixteen distinct and individual scenes. The singe properties, too, liavo called forth emphatic notice. There is a huge sea-serpent with glittering eyes; a lingo bird as big as an aeroplane,' that descends and carries the hero aloft; there are strange, weird animals at tho bottom of the sea; there is a whalo and a mermaid. The Diamond Valley, that place of fabulous wealth which Sinbad had set out to find, is said to be ono of astonishing brilliance. Running into this valley there is the Cascado of Jewels. The whole effect is reported as "something to bo remembered." In the second act the liosc Ballet is said to bo a triumph of blended harmonious colouring. It is a vtritablo feast of roses, red, white, pink, yellow, and damask. They hang overhead in garlands; they strew the stage; they form a thousand shapes and figures; and tliero are flying messengers who camroses and scatter them amongst the audience—all round the theatre. FULLERS' PICTURES. Tho weekly change of programme at the Skating Rink last evening drew a fairly large gathering of the public, notwithstanding'the inhospitable chill of the prevailing southerly. The new series is varied and interesting, and representative of the drama, comedy, and the picturesque in scenery. Among the best of this attractive series is a stirring drama of "Wild West" of American story and tradition, entitled "The Ciaven." Tho central figure in the play a braggadocio, wh"se boastful tales earn for him a spurious reputation as a man of courage. The girl ho marries believes in his boasted prowess, but eventually discovers that he is an utter craven, with not a spark of manhood in him. Deceived by his air of bravado, the people of tho Western town in which ho lives make him a sheriff of the place, and all goes well till a real, livo desperado nppears 011' the horizon, and, with his villainous and equally desperate retainers, becomes such a disturbing factor that tho sheriff is called upon to suppress him. It is then that the coward in him comes to the front, and the wife discovers that he is not. what he professed to be. Eor the honour of tho family, the wife resolves-to do what her husband fears to. attempt— tho shooting of tho outlaw chief—and sho does it. The story is an. absorbing one, well acted and produced, and full of sensational incident'. Tlie supporting items iiicludoa very interesting military drama, entitled "Muggins, V.C.," wherein is set forth n story of valour on the field of battle by a private soldier. The "Pathe Gazette, 1 ' a bright budget of photo-news from over the water; "All in the Wash," 11 rollicking picture farce; a really fine representation of the Los Angeles Fire Department. (TTnited States of turning out to a hurry call; and "The Ranch Girls' Itampop," which,' as the title implies, is a mirth-raiser. Tho series will be, repeated, this evening.

THE KING'S THEATRE.' • Despite the wintry chill of last evening there was quite a large attendance <>i the public at the King's Theatre to witness tlis new programme of pictures. Tho star film is a splendid example of the photo-drama, as it can be produced when the best picture artists are cast, for tho parts, and no pains are spared in tho staging of the play. The period of tho story, which is entitled " 'Twist, War and the Girl," is tho Franco-Prussian War of 1870, long a popular field for both novelist and dramatist. A young German engineer, who is a reservist in the Prussian army, falls in love with a French girl while holding an appointment in Al-sace-Lorraine— then Trench territory. Following their betrothal comes the outbreak of war, the engineer's recall for duty, and his subsequent appearance in the vicinity of his sweetheart's chateau ns an officer in charge o£ a reconnaissance. His party is ambushed, cut to pieces, and lie himself is imprisoned in the chateau. What happens may be guessed. With tho aid of liis sweetheart..he makes good his escape, returns with his troops, and overpowers the French guard. In (he meleo the girl is accidentally shot, but happily recovers. The play, \jrhich takes nearly tin hour to run through', is full of life and incident, and holds the interest right tb the end. Among the supporting items are an exciting series of views taken along the route of the recent Dieppe motor race of 1000 miles—2o times round a forty-eight milo circuit —on tho occasion of the race. A sensational incident in this series is the smash-up of one of tlie big racing cars at a dangerous "s"-shaped bend in tho road, which at that point passes under a railway bridge. "Chantdlly Cream" is one of the richest comedies ever seen at tho King's Theatre, a screaming farce at which tile house was fairly convulscd. Other good studios include somo charming views of Honolulu, a very fine drama entitled "Honour v. Tho Sword," which is, chiefly interesting for a sensational fencing bout between tho heroine and tho villain, to the discomfiture of the latter, of course; "The Furs," a domestic comedy, "and "The Saltara Acrobats." Tho programme will be repeated this evening. THE NEW THEATRE. "She," a sterling picture-play version of Rider Haggard's remarkable romance, drew crowded attendances throughout yesterday at llacJlahon and Donnelly's continuous pictures at the New Theatre, Manners Street. The story is admirableportrayed, and many of the leading episodes are impressively enacted. To-day and to-night new supporting subjects will be shown, in addition to "She," which will bo repeated until to-morrow night. Among the main , attractions of to-day's new items is the Vitagraph Company's latest successful drama "The Unknown Violini«t." which is said to be in keeping frith the best traditions of that company. "Glimpses of Devonshire Coast" (scenic). "Cowgirls' Pranks" (Bison comedy), and "Resignation" (Reliance drama) will also b9 worthy inclusions. The management announce that next Thursday they will present a picture-version of Mrs. Henry Woods's novel "East Lynne." THE ADELPHI. A change of programme was presented at the Adelphi Theatre last evening. The Star pictures were:—"His Father's Son" and "The Tragic Story of Ifona Lisa." These were splendid items, and were supported by a series of other films.

"THE DANDIES." "Tho Dandies" (Green) continue to attract large audiences to tho cosy Concert Chamber in tho Town Hall. As this Inrm oi entertainment.—a bright compromise between vaudevillo and concerthas now been running for nearly twelve weeks, with only one break of a few days, it has teen very clearly demonstrated that thero is room for rhe "continuous comedy concert" in Wellington, during tho winter months at all events. One of the most capable artists of the present combination is Mr. Joseph Brennan, whose monologues are the most welcome items on the programme. Mr. Brennnn ha? the intuition of an artist, and whatever ha does carries conviction, lie was finite admirable lost evening in "Mrs. Duggan," which is almost as good in its way as "A Fallen Stiit," which Jlv. Brennan interprets so cleverly. Last evening this performer lapsed into, comic song, nrnl again showed liis pronounced versatility. It appears to lje. popular of lata to mako sport on the. atago bv burlesquing tho unoffending curatfl. 'Throe or four comedians who have appeared in Wellington recently have followed oue another in specialising in this form of humour, and with little variation the matter has been the same. .Mr. George ITorfrm's contribution is the latest, and possibly the least refined. The patter which he appended last evening to "The Country Curate" wa*. the reverse of edifying. Mr. Herbert Walton-once more ims tho chief laiighter-vaijer, ' Hi* mugs, ''Tko Cruise of the Ajicifnt Liickts"- mi

"The Huntsman," were both entertaining. To vary the ordor of his talent, Mr. Walton rnad'o an incursion into Kipling, and recited "Gunga Din" and "iollow Mo Home;" with some feeling. In tho first poem he neglected to remember that it is a rough Cockney soldier telling tho story, and that tho language should be delivered as such. The innovation, however, was quite acccptable. Mis? Tessa Byrne contributed "A Sleepy Time in Cadiz" and "Almond Eyes" (a pretty song in a Japanese sotting}. Miss lorence Henderson, who has sung of "O'Hara and "O'Brien," arrived at "Jones last evening, and with the lively assistance of a chorus, made tho new song go with a good swing. She also sang the military dittv, "Why Can't tho Girls Bo Soldiers?" and was associated with Mr. Herbert Walton in the, comic duet, The Dolls." Miss Dorothy Manning sang "The Wooing Waltz," and with Miss Byrne revived that very melodious duct, "A Venetian Song." Mr.'Renn Millars serviceable baritone voico was heard • to advantage in "The Corporal's Ditty,' and was effective in tho concerted numbers.