ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1572, 16 October 1912, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE TAMING OF THE SHRfcW." The Oscar Asclie-Lily Bra.vton Company charmed another well-packed audience lie tlio Optra House last evening in "The 'J'aming of the Shrew," that merry farce, which gave to the world a theory as to how a man should subline a snrewish wife—a theory which would be hard to turn into practice in these days of women's dubs, women strikers, and siit■iragettes. If there is no marked decree of subtlety in "The Taming of the Shrew,there is a racy bluntness about the comedy which gives it a fine tang. The first meeting of iCathnrina ami Peirucliio, and the ludicrous love scene which iollows is most quaintly conceived, and Petnichio's boisterous leigning nf the conscienceless bully (which merges into broad farce in Hie scene in his country house), is n characteristic in which the clever actor can revel with comparative case. The pnitngonistic roles might have been written for Miss Bray (oil and Mr. Asche, so aptly are they fiited. Tliey played the lighting love scene to perfection—sho black with rage and searing scorn, he showing his contempt for her fumings by laughingly crushing her with bear-like hugs, as though she were a very roso of womankind. The comedy, which is admirably mounted, will be ployed for the last time this evening. To-morrow, and ou I'rklay and Saturday nights, and on Saturday afternoon, "The Merchant of Venice" will be presented. with .Mr. Ilscar AselieTisSliylockand ■Miss Lily Drayton as Portia. Sliyloek, the rich Jew, is a fine "actable" character, and nearly every Shakespearean exponent of repute essays the playing of it. The name of Edmund Keane is inseparably associated with it, his first performance being, given in London in 18It. George Frederick Cooke aiid Henry Irving, on tlio English side, the elder Booth, Wnllack, and Edward Booth on the American stage, and Seydelmaun oil the German stage, have nil made the character famous Mr. Oscar Asche is said to give a splendid reading of the part. Miss Lily Brayton is eminently fitted physically, nnd judging from her previous work, should be well suited temperamentally for the portrayal of I'ortia. Positively only four representations can be given 01' "The Merchant of Venice/ On Monday and Tuesday next "The Merry Wives of Windsor" will' 1)D staged,, and the last four nights of the season will be devoled to representations of "Othello," of which a special matinee performance will be given on .Saturday week. The plans for the season are open at t.lie Dresden, and tickets for the back stalls and early door gaiierv can lis purchased at.Christcson's. THEATRE ROYAL. George Collins, the English comedian, who made a successful first appearance at the Theatre Hoval'oll .Monday night, was again well received - last night, and had to respond to several encores. Miss Grace Gompton, a charming singer of chorus songs, has also bounded into favour, while Leonard Nelson, Roy Rene, and other members of the New National Vaudeville Co. continue ill popularity. On Friday next a gold medal will be open for competition by amateurs, who care to sing ono verso and "chorus of Leonard Nelson's song "Mr. Booze." ' FULLERS' PICTURES. Amongst the best of the unusually good scries of pictures which are being screened nightly at Fuller's Skating Rink is tlio dramatic strike film entitled "'Eves That See Not." Other good studies are: "Apple Pies" (a sparkling comedy), "Artistic Glass Works" (industrial), and "Nellie, the' Lion. Tamer" (a wild animal study). ■-THE NEW THEATRE. Big business is being done this week at the New Theatre, where the continuous picture show is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. During flit evening sessions yesterday the theatre was crowded to its utmost capacity. The star item ou the current programme is an Eclair drama, entitled "The Sins of the Father," dealing with a son's hereditary taint caused by tlio drunken habits of his father. The son, who is a total abstainer, proves a clever inventor, but 'after'achieving-great. l success in commercial life, he. is harassed with delusions,'which interfere with his domestic happiness. lii n fit of dementia he attempts to kill his wife, and is arrested and charged with the offence. The court scene is nil especially effective piece of acting, and to make it even more realistic, Mr. Charles Archer, the elocutionist, delivers an address to the jury in the prisoner's defence. Before the issue can actually bo put to tlio jury, however, the prisoner expires in the dock. In addition to this leading film, a number of new subjects appeared 011 the programme yesterday. "A Romance of the Icefields" is a drama set among beautiful scenery. The hero looks to be a big able-bodied young fellow, who would excel in all branches of athletics, but for tile purposes of the picture he has to be unable to swiih. It is then a simple matter to work out the plot. The hero is set adrift.oll ice by his rival in love. The ice drifts towards a dangerous fall, but.the heroine, who has seen her true lover's plight, secures aid, aifd a rescue is effected.. It is needless to add that the last glimpse of the villain shows him to be. the picture of acute and absolute discomfiture. Other good dramatic items aiv "The Passing Shadow" (Essaiinv) and "When Gold is Dross" (Barker). "Reptiles" is an interesting animal study, and "Seeing the Sights" is a very amusing comedy. To-morrow tljero wilt be produce:! for one day and night ono of the Nordisk Company's best * pictures, entitled "An Artist's Model." THE KING'S THEATRE, "The Governor's Daughter," a drama of Eastern Europe, is the most conspicuous | item of the picture programme at the : King's Theatre this week. . The supportI ing films include "Kuala Lumper" (a | scenic sudy), "The Kxtension Table" (dramatic), - and "The Troublesome Daughters" (an amusing comedy). THE ART SHOW. The N.Z. Academy of Fine Arts'' Exhibition, in Whitmore Street, attracted a j large number of visitors yesterday. I Among the more prominent exhibits, i special interest attaches to Mr. John i Duthie's gift pictures to the National Ctal- ! lery, and the fine study, "The Silent Sea," which has been loaned by Mrs. Riddiford, SHORTT'S THEATRE. "Caesar Borgia" is still the star attraction at the continuous picture show at Shortt's Theatre, in Willis Street. Thero will be another opportunity of seeing this beautifully-coloured drama to-day and tonight. The supporting items on' the programme ore of the usual high standard, and include "From Fireman to Engineer," "Swift Wind's Heroism," "Running Away from a Fortune," and others. Something special is promised for Monday next. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. No expense is being scared in converting the Adeljihi Theatre into a luxurious, .up-to-date picture palace, which will reopen next Friday evening as the Empress Theatre, under the direction of Mr. J. U. Williams (of the Greater J. D. .Williams Amusement Company, Ltd.). The introduction of reduced prices for admission— viz.. threepence for the stalls, promises to be a very popular innovation. The building is large and airy and will offer an enjoyable and restful afternoon to ladies and children during tlio ensuing season. The management has arranged a fino scries of programmes, which will afford entertainment to all. , Several elaborate "feature", dramas will appear each week. The music will prove enjoyable, as - a first-class orchestra has been engaged. A large assemblage is anticipated at the inaugural performance next Friday evening. PIANOFORTE RECITAL'. Mr. Baxter Buckley's recital in the Town Hall Concert Chamber I hi- evening will be attended by her Excellency Lady Islington. A varied and brilliant programme will be presented, musing from the classical to the modern school, five items being entirely now to Wellington audiences. The great Saint Saens Concerto, in which Miss Bonify assists, is a crodigious work, demanding extraordinary technique, and is a heavy tax 011 the physical powers of the executant. This will be heard for the first time in Australasia. Items by Debussy, I'aclimanin.ili'. and llaft' are also included. Mr. Ilerlierl Bloy is (0 lie as-ociatcd with Mr. Buckley in the Cc.-ar-Franck S inntu (also new), for violin and piano, and Mr. T; D. Collins lias madp 1111 excellent choice in his selection of songs. The box plan is at the Dresden, nod tickets are obtainable at music warehouse*

SONG RECITAL. Mr Hamilton Ilodgcs's recital tnkes place 1111 Wednesday next, October '-'.I. On this occasion the popular baritone will include three operatic selections, ilie "Bella Siccunie" (Don l'asc|uale,i and the "Drinking S;.;ig" from "Hamlet" (Anibroise Thomas), and by very .-pccial request "L'Oifsou S'F.nvoie" il'aui ct Virginie). Mr. Hodges will be assisted by Mr. Horace Hunt, Mus. liac., who will play pieces by Schubert and Debussy. Signor Truda will play .as a flute solo "Aux Alpes," by Tcrschak" Mrs. E. 11. Oueree is the accompanist. The box plan opens 011 Friday, October 18. MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. The .Municipal Orchestra gives its lltli concert next Tuesday evening, and has prepared a programme of musical attractiveness second to none yet given. The programme for next Tuesday will include works Irom such well-known composers as A\ eber, Tschaikovsky, Schubert, Grieg, and Rubinstein. The "Nutcracker Suite" (1 scnaikovsky) met with such general approval when played at tiie last concert t;iat it has, been included in this performance, 111 response to many requests, Rubinstein's "Toreador Andalouse," Weber s overture "Eiiryauthe," and Grieg's ' I'eer-Gynt" are also 011 the programme. -Mr. Maugluui Harnett will conduct. SUNDAY CONCERT. At the Town Hall 011 Sunday evening next, and under tlio patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Islington, the Wellington Professional)* Orchestra • conductor, Mr.' Herbert Uiov), will give tness2vent.il concert of the ,1012 sea.soii. The programme will include items which have been very popular during the post season, 'JVlinikovski s overture, Sollent'llc, "1812," buing one 01' the feature, I In this item the orchestra will have the I assistance of the Wellington City Band and the Wellington Tramways Hand. ! i^ ms arc Liszt's Kliapscdio No. 2, i.'fM ° non " overture (Amhroise Thomas), ".Lunihauser" overture (Wagner), and two movements from Mozkowski's "Foreign Jans.'' A silver coin collection will by taken at the dcors.