ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1585, 31 October 1912, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ft FULLERS' PICTURES. "A Lion Let L 0090" and tho various Bnpporting items on the same programme were screened for the last iime at the Vivian Street llink last evening;. Tho programme was an unusually bright one, and contained several pictures that in less brilliant company would be "star" items. To-night the usual bi-weekly complete chang© will bo screened.

KING'S. THEATRE. This week West's Pictures at tho King's Theatre are adopting the plan of screening two exclusives, and to-night "The fire of Life," a magnificent Nortljsk 6tudy, will bo screened, whicli describes the efforts of a scientist to perfect a drug which will, set tho world ablaze. During the progress of tho plot, a student steals the secret, and the professor blames his wife for collusion. Incidentally an explosion occurswKich kills tho professor, and his wife also dies from shock, leaving (ho student to pass through tho world without having discovered the one item necessary to the full effects of tho drug. The scenery, staging, and effects are on the 6ame scale as characterises all the NorUisk company's great productions. '

THE NEW THEATRE. Tho New Theatre continuous pictures vroro well patronised at all sessions yesterday.' To-day a specially imported dramagraph, entitled "Vanda," will ho introduced for a brief season of . three, days'and nights. The plot deals with the career of a noted Continental actress, and abounds ill unusual situations. The. usual change of programme to-morrow ft'ill comprise new supporting subjects. &n "Irish programme" is advertised for next Monday, when Dion Boucicault's Jrama, "Arrah-na-Pogue," will be the principal item. Another important picture play, "Th© Aviator and the Journalist's Wife," is to be introduced next Tuesday. -

■ - , SnORTT'S PICTURES. Shortt's Continuous Picture Theatre was Veil patronised ■ yesterday, when the curTent programme was screened, for, the last ■time. "The Merchant of Venice," elaborately staged and capably acted, was well received. To-day a complete change of programme will bo screened, when the following new filths will be.shown: "The Fatal Portrait" (drama), "Her Old Sweetheart" (Vita, comic), Latest tiauinont Graphic,'and many others.

THE EMPKESS" THEATRE. Excellent business prevailed throughout yesterday at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The main interest of an attractive series contres around the "masterpiece" Edison drama, "The Father," tho S. and A. life-story, -''White Roses," end ttie Kaleni drama, "A Political Kidnapping."' The comedies and tho military photo-spectacle, "Italian Artillery Manoeuvres," were also heartily appreciated. The programme will bo repeated to-day, and .-to-night for the last time. A complete change 'is announced for tomorrow, when the new series will' include a special "feature" sensational drama, "Saved, by Wireless."

PEOPLE'S PICTUBE PALACE. Tho directors of the People's Picture Palace, the new continuous theatre now ■under construction in Manner's Street announce that the opening will take place early in Kovbmber. Attractive travel, industrial, 'scientific, and natural history subjects will appear regularly.

' "THE GREAT JANSEN." The s.s. Mannganui brought back yesterday from Sydney "the Great Jansen" and his new company, who commence a short leturn season in tho Opera House on Saturday next. "New Zealand audiences are as appreciative," says Janeen, "as any audience before whom I have ever performed. I have found special appreciation here in all youi; towns, and that is why.l am fcock ngain. My present visit will only be very brief, but I do wish.that.l.could stay, here much longer." The box 'plan'is'sit "the Dres- , den. A matinee, will be given next Wednesday, and also on the following- Saturday,- ■ • ..

ELVJIILTON HODGES.'S CONCERT.; Mr. Hamilton Hodges gave a "requa.t" song recital at the Concert Chamber, the request coming from those interested in the coming vocal competitions. The 6ongs scheduled ■ for that event were -included in ' last? evening's programme. Mr. Hodges's methods are peculiar to himself. He is always interesting because of the supcr-ab.undance of temperament, the vim which hp infuses into his work, ancl the pains he takes to create an effect-; but his forto singing, as often ns not, is a shout, and on occasions in his pianissimo singing the voice, becomes merely a husky whisper, which is accentuated by a certain theatricalism in style. Ho is capable, however, of rising above such aids, as was shown in the Toreador's song from "Carmen," which ho sang very well. He interprets Schubert's songs with a deal of insight and expression. In "The Wanderer" und "The. Erl King," and in "Der Mengierge" ho used the mezzo voce rather effectively, though almost to tho fading point here and there. Ho was, not quite so happy in Blumenthal's charming song "Across the Far Blue Hills, Mario" and the encore "Ointra Mai Fu" (Handel). Wallace's "Freebooter Songs" (the complete bracket), and "Tho Trumpeter" were also sung by Mr.' Hodges in a manner that pleased the audience. Miss Eileen Driscoll, the possessor of a light soprano voice of good texture, aud sunny quality, introduced to Wellington concert-lovers tho extremely beautiful aria from Debussy's "L'Enfant Frodigne" (a very popular one act opera). The number was just a trifle beyond the singer's interpretative powers, but she sang the number very sweetly, and was warmly encored. Her response was the "Ave Maria" adapted from the intermezzo from Mascagni's opera "Cavalleria Eusticana," in which there existed the sajne clement of uneuitability. She was much more at home in tho pretty waltz song "Enchantment" (Scott), which produced as an encore Amy Woodfjrde Finden's ballad "A Request." Mr. Adolf Szenes, a violinist with a big tone, and a certain executive facilplayed Hansen's "Rhapsodie Horigroise," Beethoven's "Romance in G," and Dvorak's "Humoresque." Mrs. Queree made an efficient accompanist.

THE CRIMSON RAMBLERS. At the Theatre Royal- on 'Monday night nest "Crimson Ramblers" will make their initial bow in Wellington. Their performance which occupies tin hour, consists of solos, ducts, trios, quartets, company numbers, nonsense, and sketches. Theso red pierrots are eight in number, and it is as a company they look for success, not as individuals, although each member is an artist in his or her particular line, and possesses a voico of excellent range and quality. The style of entertainment is said to bo new in vaudeville.

.'CELLO CONCERT. At Sir. Frank I'. Jofmstone's 'cello concert, to be held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber next Thursday evening, twenty 'cellists will play in concerted items. This will be a great novelty as it is stated by the management that it has never been done before in Australasia. Besides other items for 'cellos, Mr. Baxter Buckley, Mr. C. 11. Stephens, Mr. Laurenoe Watkins,, Mus. liac., and a vocal quartet will assist. '

"A TALE OP OLD JAPAN." It is exactly fourteen years since Samnel Coleridge Taylor's best-known work, "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast," was first performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London, by tho Royal Choral Society. On Friday. November 3, in tho Wellington Town Hall, "A Tnlo of Old Jnpnn," described by Mr. TayloT as his masterpiece, will bo "produced by the Royal Choral Society of this city under the leadership of Mr. Maughan Barnett. Mr. Taylor once stated that he wrote very rapidly, transmitting his thoughts to paper as fast as they welled up within him. He re(vroto and revised what ha had written oven twenty times beforo he was satisfied. Although only 37 when ho died he _ put his name to more than 200 compositions. A strong cast of soloists has been engaged for this concert. Tho sopranos are Madame Brings and Miss Muriel Bennett; contralto, Miss C. M. Denham; tenors, Messrs. B. J. Hill and Sydney Butler; baritone, Mr. Hamilton Hodges. The box plan opens at tho Dresden this morning at 9 o'clock, where both 2s. and 3s. feats can bo reserved. ,