ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1578, 23 October 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE ASCIIE-BKAYTOX SEASOX. "Tho -Merry Wives of Windsor," played by tho Asche-Brayton Company a steoinl time last evening, has done much to strengthen liic esteem in which tho organisation is held in Wellington. It is ono of few instances of almost perfect casts which we have had for years, and this in conjunction with the unique mounting given the comedy bv Mr. Asclie. made tho production a thoroughly delightful "»"• While it is mid that Qupen Kliz-ahsth requested Shakespeare to write such n comedy introducing Sir John l-'alstaff as a lover, the favoured author constructed a. play in which there was next to no love at all; i'ur Sir John is feigning love for Mistiess Ford and Mistress' Page at tho urgency of a depleted pouch. The two skittish women have no iovo for Falstali', and really offect littlo ior their husbands. .Master Slender only makes "silly love" to sweet Ann Pago because lie is urged to do so by his uncle, Justice Shallow. Tho only real lover is Master Fenton, who in a dozen lines or so achieves tho object of his passion. Tho keynote, therefore, of the comedy is the pretence of love. Mr. Asclie is notablv good as Sir John Falstaff, and Miss Lily Brayton set tho seal on her popularity as an actress of great talent ami personal charm. Tho pleasing personality of that smart, merry little go-between, Mistress Quickly, found a perfect exponent in Miss Bessie Mojor. It 'is unfortunate that only two performances of the comedy could be given. "OTHELLO." This evening, and on (ho three following nights, with a special matinee on Saturday, Shakespeare's great tragedy "Othello" will be presented, Mr. Oscar Ascho appearing as Othello, and Miss Lily Brayton as JJcsdemona. The greatest interest is being evinced in these performances—the farewell ones of the seasonas repute has it that "Othello" is tho "trump card" of tho repertoire, both as regards Hie njagniiicence of the production itself, and the histrionic merit of the interpretation by the members of the company generally. Miss Brayton, judging from what she has already done., should make a perfect Desdemona. This daughter of Urabantio is a character without a flaw. She is not a type like Juliet, of girlish sweetness and enthusiastic passion, but of a woman imbued with sim.plicity, softness, and humility. Othello and Desdemona are amongst the finest creations of Shakespeare. THEATRE ROYAL.

Of the numerous new turns this week at the Theatre Royal, that of Miss Lalio Brooke provided the audience with much amusement. She appears in a novel sketch entitled "Feminine- Fads and Fashions, from 1529 to 1920." She changes her costume very rapidly, and so manages to hold the keen attention of the house. Her little songs wcro-'nlso much appreciated. Miss Ray Glen 'also introduces n new musical-turn; with a variety of intruraents, including the xylophone, the banjo, and the mandoline. The Anderson Trio, in a neat acrobatic and contortionistic turn, well-deserved the hearty applause accorded them. ' Miss Grace Compton and Miss Florence Wix helped to keep things moving with,funny and clever songs, while Roy Rene, with his Hebrew impersonations, never fails to make his audicnoo appreciative. Other items include: "Tho Cliffo Quartet," "Leonard Nelson," "George Collins," and others. FULLERS' PICTURES. "Shanghaied" is the title of the paramount picturo of the current programme at the Skating. Rink, in Vivian Stieet. "Captured by Bedouins" is a Kalein educational drama, and '"nio Insurgent Senator" depicts some of the sidelights of politics. The present programme, which contains numerous other films, willlio sl'own for tho last timo this evening. A complete change is announced for to-morrow evening.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Tiio Vitagraph Company's remarkable dramatic plioto-pjay "The French Spy" .drew a largo number of patrons to tho Jung's Theatre last evening. The plot' is intensely interesting, the scenes nvo exciting, and the acting is well carried out by this well-known company's tauiiliar artists. This picture, which takes up ,tho major portion of the second half of tho programme, will bo shown again this evening. Tho supporting items are all good numbers, and excellent musical items are provided by a full orchestra under tho baton of Siguor A. Tnlda. THE NEW.THEATRE.o. Patrons of Messrs. M'Mahbn and Donnelly's New Theatre, in .Manners Street, were treated yesterday to ;i welcome revival of the "Quartier Latin" photo-ro-mance, "An Artist's Model." This is the story of tho love of a quondam "demiinondaiiio" for an nrtist whose dead wife bears a striking resemblance to her. The artist was painting a study of his wife n'lieii she died of heart failure, and his discovery of the "demi-moiidaino" inspired in him the idea of finishing the study. She consents to pose as a model for the study, but during the artist's absence on a holiday tour in search of fresh subjects, relapses into her old life. Tho crisis of tho story is reached whon the artist's studio is invaded by a.former lover of tho model. A striking scene takes place, and finally the girl is asked to choose between the two. She decides in favour of tho artist, the villain departs, and everything ends happily. "A Western Courtship" depicts a romance of tho elemental type that is a characteristic of pioneer life, in America. "Love Hath Wings" is the title of a sentimental story, in which an aeropl aho figures prominently. "An Incomprehensible Prescription" is the title of a capital comic' number. Tho programme, which contains a numbor of other pictures, will be repented throughout all sessions to-day. SHORTT'S PICTURES. . "A Ghost of the Past" is tho star film on tho current programmo at Messrs. Shorlt's Picture Theatre this week. Tho story is of the trials, of tho wife of a stage manager, who, hating her husband, leaves him. She has a fine voice and Feenres a position with a theatrical company, presently falling in love with her manager. She, however, declines to marry him, bearing in mind her former husband. The climax of tho story is reached when her husband recognises her and enters the theatre wlrero she is singing and claims Tier as his wife in presence of tho whole audience. The picture is excellently photographed, and generally well laid out as regards 6otHng. "Tho Child" is an excellent dramatic study by the Vitagraph Company. On Thursday night the management will screen "The Petrol Bandits,".a detoctivo drama. EMPRESS THEATRE. A complete change of programme was screened at the Empress Picture Theatre during the day and evening sessions yesterday. The star film, "The Narrow Way," is a powerful drama of the underworld, showing the redemption of a timeexpired convict from tho crooked paths of crimo.- The story opens with a picture of tho convict's home, and tho weary days of waiting endured by his faithful wife, who marks the days on the calendar as his sentence slowly expires. • She meets him at tho prison gate, and he resolves then to keep to tho narrow way. Temptation, tin the guise of a former associate, a counterfeit coiner, crosses his path, and while drinking with his evil nssociatc, the two are watched by police agents in plain clothes. Their movements ace watched, and tho discovery of a counterfeit coin by the publichouse-keeper furnishes the "easii9 belli." The counterfeiter, hard pressed, seek 3 a biding place in the home of his prison friend, hides his coining apparatus under a lied, and makes good his escape. Two tramps steal the bag of counterfeiting tools, and when the police agents search the ex-convict's home they can find nothing to incriminate him, and he escapes a threatened arrest. The fright sobers him, and he decides, once and for all, lo keep to the "narrow way" of honest living. Another good film is "The Girl and the Key," a. romance of the wireless, in which n wealthy stockbroker attempts, fruitlessly, to "freeze out" a business enemy in a deal over "trans-Conlinontals." It is a case of "the woman intervenes." The daughter of the stockbroker is in love with the son of his old enemy, and saves him from | ruin bv a timclv intervention in the wireless oiliee. of her father's yacht. The storv is n most inleresling one, well sf.-ig-ed. 'and the situation? are most exciting, not to sav, tense. Comedy is represented bv "The Toconvenienc of J3e»iit,r,"' 3 nwt' irausia? f»K»; "Tho A>nod«n ID; diwt'' 6 Miio-fiomia love, affauu «4

"Honeybug's First Quarrel." Tho "Thin Dark Line" is an interesting study ot love unci jealousy, the crisis of tlio story lx>ing iin episode which represents (he "thin dark line" (hot separates crim« l'runi righteousness. The programme will lie repented to-dny. mvxich'al okchestha. Tho attendances at tlio Municipal Orchestra's concerts are a standing reproach to the city, but 1 heir's is the loss who so persistently absent, themselves. An attendance of 0011 in a hull which scats 2600 people is rather depressing, yet tho former figure about represents the average attendance at these conceits, which have been kepi, going: almost wholly by Die enthusiasm of Mr. Mnughan Burnett. Here we have a magnificent organ, an excellent orchestra, a great hall, and a capable organist, and conductor vested with civic standing—all the elements which should foster the love of the best music, yet tho encouragement has been of the most meagre order. The programme last evening was of the popular order—light, dainty, coloursomo music, almost without exception. Like the public of other countries, that of AVollington has developed a lasting affection for tho "I'cer Gynl" suite of Greig. There is n wild, strange swectuess in (he changeful harmonies for muted strings in "Tho Heath of Abb"; a delicate spriglitliness in the tine lace-work of "Anitra's Dance," and n world of grotesque humour in the final movement, "In tlio Hall of the Mountain Kings," with its solemn elephantine opening, and madly rushful finale. The only regret was thatthe oilier movement, "Morning," was missing from the bracket, liubiiistein's "Toreador el Andalousa" is a graphic little waltz sketch vivid with the bright colour-sense of typical Spanish music, enhanced by clever orchestration, and the pagan sorcery of castanets and tambourine. The minilwr had to be repealed. The "Andante con moto" movement from Schubert's beautiful "Symphony" (No. 7), with its pretty melodies for oboe and 'cello, appealed strongly to devotees of the symphonic, in music. A musical bon bouche was the "Nutcracker .Suite" of Tseliatkovski, who casts his spell by the vividness of his colouring in reflecting character. Each of tho eight little sketches comprising tho suite are distinct, and each has its own particular charm. Tho overture "Euryantho" (Weber) is nothing distinctive as an orchestral piece. The march from Mr. Barnetl's "Song of Empire" was also included in the programme. Miss Dora Read, the vocalist, of tho evening, is the fortunate possessor of a strong well-cultivated contralto of good quality and range. Though sung with care, her interpretation of Haydn's song, "Hark, What I Tell to Thee,"was rather 100 funereal to bo interesting. The singer was much better in the encore number, "Tho Arrow and the Song." Her singing of "My Dear Soul," a charming ballad by Wilfred Sanderson, was quite admirable, and she pleased again in the encore, "On the Banks of Allan Water." Mr. Horaco Hunt accompanied.