ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1582, 28 October 1912, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ASCHE-DEAYTON SEASON. A memorable dramatic season terminated at tho Opera House on Saturday evening, when Mr. Oscar Ascho and his company gave their last pertormanco of t lie tragedy of "Othello." Tho theatro was crowded, and the audience was most eutliui-iiistic throughout. At the conclusion of the play Mr. Asche and Miss Lily Urayton hail to respond to recall after recall, and were heartily cheered. Thero were, cries for a speech, and finally Mr. Ascho was prevailed upon to address tho house. Ho said he desired to thank tho public of Wellington very heartily on behalf of himself, his wife, and his company for their appreciation of tho plays he had presented to them. He would always look back with pleasuro on his visit to New Zealand, and it was with regret that he said farewell, if not lor nil time, at anyrate, he feared for many yeaTS. It had been a great satisfaction to him from the artistic point of view, and a labour of love—for it was a groat strain in changing tho play so often—to present five different plays in Wellington, performed by his complete London .company, and staged as in Loudon. Ho might nave come and staged two plays, but ho had sent Homo to England specially for the scenery and costumes of "Othello" and "The Taming of the Shrew," in order that New Zealanders might see as many pieces as possible. On the conclu-. sion ot his speech Mr. Asche was again cheered by the audience. THEATRE ROYAL. The new programme at tho Theatre Royal to be staged for the first time tonight introduces a number of fresh' items. Hamlin and Mack will top the bill .with their "Texas Tommy Dance," which is said to be still attracting a great deal of attention in, America. Another American turn will be introduced by Mile. Cecile Eldred, and Care. Other good items on the programme include Harold Heath, the English comedian, and' Miss Lalie.Brooke, in her amusing sketch on "Feminine Fads and Fancies.' FULLERS' PICTURES. The excellent programme of pictures shown by Messrs. Fuller at tho Skating Rink on Saturday afternoon and evening was appreciated by largo audiences, who expressed emphatic approval of the stirring story of the Relief of Lucknow, which the kiuematograpb artists have succeeded in presenting so vividly. 'A Child's Remorse," "The Captain of tho Nancy I.ce," and the other items of a varied programme were also appreciated,. "A SICILIAN TRAGEDY." At tho New Theatro continuous pictures to-day and to-niglit Messrs. MncMahon and Donnelly will present a spe-cially-imported dramagrnph entitled "A Sicilian Tragedy," described as the Cines Company's greatest triumph. This play is acted by a celebrated company of • Sicilian artists, and the local colouring is obtain*! by nativo surroundings. A farmer lives happily with his sisters in a lovely Sicilian village. One sister, Grisicdda, is attracted by Nino, the most notorious rascal in the district. The farmer tries to dissuade his sister from encouraging Nino, and ho forbids the latter from entering his house. Tho plot then proceeds with the results of tho spirit of vengeance. Nino ultimately meets with just punishment. Tho tlicino is unfolded with realism. "A Sicilian Tragedy" will be supported by the leading subjects which figured in tho bill which proved so acceptable to large assemblages on Saturday.

"VENGEANCE IS MINE." This afternoon at tlio matinee, at the King's Theatre, ami to-night (Labour Day), and on Tuesday and Wednesday West's Pictures will screen as their star subject, "Vengeanco is mine" or (lie "Eoma.nce of a Studio Girl/ 1 The story depicts the accidental meeting of a. girl employed by n photographer with a man of wealth whom she eventually marries. Illness overtakes the husband, and they jo to- Cairo, and he falls in love with nil. actress. Thereafter the plot moves rapidly through three acts, and many scenes; which include !M(luel,i a; motor-car, smash, and the death of'Vhe'husbahd and vindication of the wife. This picture can only be- shown for three nights, as arrangements havo been made to produce another fine exclusive cn Thursday night. SHOETT'S PICTURES. A complete change cf programme will be presented at Messrs. Shortt's Continuous Pictnro Theatre to-day and to-night, when the following items will bo screened for tho iiii't time:—" 'Twist War and the Girl." a star drama by the Nordisk Company; "Tho Adopted Son," Selig drama; "The Merchant of Venice," a. coloured photo-play by tho Pathe Company; "Its Vacation," iaibin comedy; "The Tmirisi," A.H. comedy; and tho "Australian' Gazette." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Despite unfavourable weather a full house was experienced at the Empress Theatre on Saturday evening, when the continuous pictures proved heartily enjoyable. The quality and interest of (he A.B. Co.'s drama, "A Child's Eemo'sn," stamps it as one of the best of its type. The' elaborate and well-acted -ockty drama, "How Slio Conquered," is a decidedly meritorious work from every I point of view. The juveniles Te delighted with the doll's evolutions in tno trick film, "Sports in Moggyland." The ■ orchestra enhances the effect of mantic old English picture play, "Tlie Masked Smuggler," by contributing sdec- \ tions from "The Pirates of Penzance. There are a fall series of supporting studies of an entertaining nature. The programme will bo repeated today and to-nigrhh The customary change is announced {or to-morrow, and in liio evening tho first "feature" photo-play, "A Legitimate Defence" will he introduced. JANSEN, THE ILLUSIONIST. • On Saturday next, November 2, in Hie Opera House, will reappear the popular illusionist and transformist, Jansen, of whom it is claimed that he mates of the I unreal tho commonplace, and performs the seemingly impossible with marvellous dexterity. It is stated by the management that Jansen is particularly well equipped with ability, with daring, conception to imagine, and with the capacity to fulfil, and well provided with the paraphernalia, that admits of a spectacular show. He is tho creator of his own illusions, among which the public are promised some that should prove mysterious in the extreme. Everything, it is stated, will be new on the occasion of this visit, and Jansen will be supported by a clever new company. The box plan opens (it the Dresden on Wednesday next. ME, HAMILTON HODGES'S CONCERT. Mr. Hamilton Hodges will give his final concert of tho season on Wednesday evening, when he will sing the songs that will shortly be heard in the competitions and, by special request, will give the old favourites, the "Freebooter" songs. Miss Eileen Driscoll, a mezzo-sopra.no, will contribute an operatic aria by Debussy, and also a waltz song (new to Wellington) by an American composer. Mr. Adolf.Szenes will play violin selections from Beethoveu, Ilaussr, and Dvorak. Miss E. H. Turner is the accompanist. The box plan is open at tho Dresden. CATHOLIC CLUB CONCERT. A grand Irish entertainment will bo given" at the Opera nouso this evening by tho Wellington Catholic Club in aid of tho club's funds. The first part of the programme will bo devoted to instrumental and vocal items, including popular Irish songs. The chief attraction of tho moving pictures which constitute tho remainder of tho entertainment will ho tho graphic portrayal .of "Shauius O'Brien," which will also bo rccited by Mr. C. Archer, the well-known actor.