ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1589, 5 November 1912, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

; JANSEN. 1 Jan.scn, tho magician, drew another ' large andionee at the Opera House last night. Tlio programme submitted was an excellent ono. Conjuring tricks, illusions, and over varying dovices in magical ' business succeeded each other with startling rapidity. Jonsen, who possosses a graceful stngo presenco, is extremely neat in his methods, and his stago business is oxcellont in its alertness. Ho is supported by a clever company of American vaudeville artists, lincluding Miss Edna Ilerr (tho veilod prophetess), ]\lr. les. B. Bates (oomcdian), Miss Ada Motitagito (a charming young American danseuse). There will be a matinee to-morrow and Saturday, when children will bo admitted to all parts of tho house for ono shilling, THEATRE ROYAL, At the Theatre Royal last evening tho entire first part was given over to a Pierrot entertainment provided by lilctsoo's "Crimson R-amblers," who created ail impression entirely favourable- Tho little company of eight performers does not run to "stars," but thcro ia a commondablo standard of merit maintained which quickly had its effect on the audience, and which was preferable to tho average run of "fill up turns. Mr. Albert Bletsoe, tho director of the Ramblers, is an excellent rough vocal comedian, with virile, exuberant and a big voice, which soon established him in favour. Ho scored in "The Musiclinll Shakespeare" and "My Ninepence." Miss Bessie Caliill's pretty soprano voice was heard to distinct advantage in "Tho Happy Song," sung with taste and expression. Her encore was "A Bowl 'of Hoses," Mr. Lou Vernon had tho assistance of a lively ' chorus in his catchy song, "Margery," and showed even better vocal form in his encore item, "Constancy." Miss Maud Bletsoe, a mellow contralto, of good quality and fair rango, sang "Come, Sing to Mo" and "Love, Love, Lore." Mr. Jack Vincent, a buffo singer, slightly handicapped by a vibrato, was applauded for his singing of "Rose of My Heart," and responded with the breezy ballad, "Three ; for Jack.' Miss Olive Sinclair, a pretty fioubrette, sang "Jones," but was just a little overweighted in the "My' Hero" solo (from "The Chocolate Soldier"). The tenor Rambler is Mr. Edward Moran, who possesses a voice of excellent quality worth- better songs than "Norah," as the encore This singer js. going to bo popular with Wellington audiences. The ensemble of the company.'is distinctly good. They sing both with heart and voice, and infuse a lot of "go" into their work. Ono of the best ensemble number's was that quaint old-time favourite, "Johnny Schoker," introduced to New Zealand a quarter of a century ago by the Swiss. Jodellers. . .

In the second half, Mr. Leonard Nelson sang clover parodies on "All Coons Look Alike to lie" and "Mister Booze," and introduced/a new quasi-dramatic scene, . 'entitled "My Only Pal/' & tuneful vocal soliloquy of an old miner over his camp fire. The sentiment is just . a little mixed, but it is all explained by the disclosure that the pal so well remembered is himself. Hamlin' and Mack, clever American dnilGers, did some rlitymicttl slat-dancing of tho buck and wing order, and introduced the "Texas Tommy" dance, a rag-time dance of quaint character, but much too intricate for ballroom nse in this part of the world. . Mr. Harold Heath, the shapely Cliffe Quartet, and the Anderson Trio also contributed acceptably to the programme. FUELEUS" PICTURES. . A change of programme was screened at the Skating'ltink last evening. ' There is a long and interesting ■ list of items,] and although there is no conspicuous star! picture; ''Swift Waters" forms an attractive dramftette. Two young men are in love with the samo person, and, although they are otherwise friends, the rivalry is strongly pronounced. Onedity the girl, in a playful way, gives them, the slip, and goes, l>v himself, out in u light bark canoe. The canoe capsizes, and she is in danger of being drowned. One of the'-lovers Sees the accident, and immediately plunges in and swims to : her help. Carried down- stream by the current, they both get into the rapids, and it is only after a hard 1 struggle that the man manages to drag the girl and himself to the bank. Both are in an exhausted state, arid they collapse. Meanwhile tlie other suitor has been follow* ing the scene from the land, 1 and comingto tho spot Where the two aro lying on the ledge of a rock, he picks up the girl and carries her to a safer place. Then he is seiiied with the idea of posing as- tlie heroic rescuer. His friend is still unconscious; and so is the girl. Hastily dipping himself ■ in the river he comes back to the girl and restores her to consciousness, She is deceived by his scheme and supposes him to be her rescuer. Later he is congratulated by all on his bravery, much to the amafcemortt of the real rescuer. In the end, however, he is found out by the true man, and forced to declare himself unable to Swim, and a pitiful coward as far as deejt water is concerned. Another good item is entitled, "An Interrupted Elopement." The father rof Bob's sweetheart does not think much of him, and when he surprises the couple together he kicks Bob -into the street. Bob's friends suggest nn elopement. It was largely due to fate and Bob's quick wit that the plan succeeded. Other, pictures: "Motor. Boat ; li-ace,"' "Sirens Call to Duty," "Revenge ■ is Sweet," iStudy in Raccs," and others. :

KING'S THEATRE. "Tho Death Ride" was the most important item on the fresh programme screouod at tho King's Theatre last night. It is an original love story, and contains Some elaborate and striking scjcncs. Most notable of these are tho mooting of tho Aero Club, when the hero ascends in a balloon;, the performance of a troupe of Russian dancers; the working of a wireless station communicating with a ship at sea, and finally tlio death leap from a ship. This last is extremely well acted.The horse and ridoi* plunge into the sea from the deck of an ocean liner. This is probably the liiicst sensational picture that has been shown nt tho King's Theatre. Even if Iho plot were not good, the setting-and acting are enough to make the picture a success. Another good dramatic' item Is "The Innor Circle." A widower is a member of an Italian secret society, who sond a demand for joOOO to a rich man. Tho rich man is defiant, and tho widower who would like to refuse to do the deed is selected to annihilate tho rich man. Tho widower's child is run over by a motor oar and brought into his victim's houso just as tho father places a. bomb under it. Imagine the father's agony when lie learns his child is an occ'up.int of t.ho house. Other items:' Bathe Gazette, "Oh, my Pipe," "The Squaw Man's ltovongo," nnd "Barcelone."

THE NEW THEATRE. Crowded attendances yesterday afternoon and evening greeted the presentation of tlio popular Irish drama, "Arrah-na-J'ogiio.' lit the New Theatre continuous pictures. This ploy was . shotvn for yesterday only. Tne bi-weekly change 'today niiil- in-night will bB headed by n Nordisk "feature" drama, "The Aviator and tho Journalist's Wife." The plot is nlovorly coneoived, and the interpretation is said to be in keeping -frith tlie best traditions of tho Nordisk Company. Smno realism is lent to tho enactment by tho introduction of actual aviation, sce'nos. 'J'lio American BidgTaph Company will bo represented bv their latest dramatic achievement, 'The Inner Circle," which, it is reported, possossesa plot of enthralling- interest. The scenic l charms of tlio Adriatic Sea aro exploited in a travel item of that name.. The coiiicdics, "I'olidjor at School" (Pasquali), and "Per Pareol Post" (Cines) prmniso hearty amusement for everybody. "THE VENGEANCE OF FATE." Tho new programme of pictures. presented at Shortt s Theatre yesterday was welcomed by good audiences during tlio afternoon, and by a crowded houso last evening. The piece do resistance was the fine historical picture entitled "Earl William of Holland," in -which tho (.altnnt Earl is depicted in "the pottip and pa.iiopy of glorious war" storming a fortress, mid also in.gentler and more romantic moods. The moving scene is splendidly portrayed. AnothSr good picture that appeals to tho softer emotions is entitled "Tlio Church Across the Way," very cleverly acted by the talented Vitagraph players. Other good pictures in the latest list aro: "Tlio Naval Review at Spithead," "Kindness to Animals.," "Arabian Afrrtcu-lltirc," "Tlio Smuggler's .Wife" and "The Matrimonii^

Agency." The principal attraction for to-day is "Tho Vengeance of Fate," a striking picture depictng a, mad rush for gold, and Indans on tho warpath.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The new programme at tlio Empress Theatro to-day and to-night will introduce tlio first of a scries of speeial exclusive picture-dramas, entitled "Legitimate Defence." The story deals with tlio fascinating influence of a beautiful . and noted actress to win a man's. affections from another woman. Slowly and surely the actress exerts "her influence, and gradually ensnares tho man. A startling climax, however, is providedby the other woman in the case. This picture occupies over forty minutes. A meritorious study of Western ranch lifo is involved in. tho Selig "feature drama," "The Girl and the Cowboy." There are muny interesting scenes in the travel item, "Brunschweig, Hanover.". An industry which possesses uncommon phases is depicted in the film, "A Granite Quarry." Tho comic section is admirably represented by "A Study in Faces," "An Interrupted Elopement," and "The Negress's Marriage Lot." Tho now subjects will be shown without a. stop •from 11 o'clock this morning until 11 o'clock this evening. STAR THEATRE. "The Squaw Men's Revenge" was an in-: teresting item on the new programme at the Star Theatre last evening when the usual Monday's change was screened. The story tells of a white child that is stolen from its parents by Indians, and in after years married by a gold miner, Who briugs her to the miners' camp; the miners ostracise the supposed Indian woman and her hnsband. In revenge the husband brings tho Indians down to tho Camp, ftnd they bum -and pillage all the camp Contains. The story is really dramatic, and can boast some sccnes of the highest order. "The Death. Leap" is; tho star item,, and despite obvious merits of other pictures, is far and away the best, of the items. Sensational, novel, Well set, and well acted, "The Death Leap" cannot fail to please tho majority of people. The variety of scenes is and one is rapidly carried/from one to another, each more exciting than the last, fill the grand finale is reached in tile death leap itself. The comic section of, the programme is also good, particularly "A Study in Faces' and "Martha's:.- Rebellion." Martha aijd her brother < live together from childhood, but he-becomes unbearable, so having a small annuity left her, Martha, on the advice of -a doctor friend, decides to lcavo her brother to look after .himself. It does not- take long for her brother tp get heartily siclir of housekeeping, so he humbly begs his sister te come home, and he will be good and kind in the future. "Tho Piitho Gazetle" and the "Inner Circle" are also worthy of note, ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY. Music-lovers are promised a' treat in the performance at tho Town Hall on Friday evening next of Coleridge Taylor's charming cantata "A Tale of Old Japan," a-musical setting by the gifted composer of "Hiawatha" of Alfred .Noyes's poem ot the same name. This will be the first performance in Australasia of a work which has earned the jraise of the best musical critics of England, who hailed it as the late Mr. Taylor's masterpiece.. The solo-. ists ivill be Madame Briggs jof Wanganui), Miss Cara Denliard, Sir." Sidney, Butler (of Wanganui), and Mr. Hamilton Hodges, The cantata will be succeeded by Leoni's pretty song cycle, "FairyDreams." The box plan is now open at the Dresden.

■SEAMEN'S CONCERT. The usual fortnightly eoneert' was held in, the Sailors' Rest last evening, under, the auspices of the Catholic' Seamen's Conference.. An excellent programme was presented, and wiis 'much appreciated by the audience. The following-items were contributed-.—Songs by Mrs. Nash, Misses Ciishman, Jensen, and Strickland (2), Messrs. Reade, Walshe,. and Hynes; recitations by Misses Griffin, Lennox, and Russell, and Mr. Hawkins. A step dance was given by Mr. Cavill. The accompaniments were played by Misses Jensen and Segrief. and Mr. Scrimgeou'r. Mr,,, D. Kelly, who' presided, thanked the artists for providing one of the most successful concerts yet held by the society, and' Captain' Bonner for the trouble he had taken in arranging the hall for the concert. ' PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. The opening announcement Of the new continuous picture theatre, the "People's Picturo Palace," appears on another page of this issue. The theatre will be opened on Saturday, November 9.