ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1619, 10 December 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL, Under the influence of capital artists and programmes vaudeville is coining into its own again at the Theatre Royal, where there are now few seats to spare on any night of the week. At present the Fut-ler-Brennan management aro fortunate in the possession ot an exceptionally good English contralto in the attractive person of Jliss Bessio Slaughter, who has n singularly fine voice of uncommon range ana power, which she uses with a good deal of artistic discrimination. It is on rare occasions only that vaudeville managers in this part of the world can secure the services of artists of Miss Slaughter's calibre, and it is a tribute to her singing tliat appreciation is shown of the songs she sings, which are several degrees better in quality than are usually heard at such entertainments. It would be an interesting experiment for licr to try the very best songs iu her repertoire, as it is felt that they would be welcomed just as warmly as they arc in high-class vaudeville in the Old Country. Last evening she sang "The Rosary" (Nevin) quito charmingly, and with a good deal of feeling. Her surprising range was well displayed ill "Never Mind the Weather, Love," which ranges over two octaves, and her third song, "Until," was very nicely expressed. Mr. Harold Heath returned last evening to show his unimpaired skill in pedal agility. He is_ astonishingly neat and graceful in action, and his sense of rhythm never suffers by the intricacy of the steps he evolves. Children on the vaudeville stage are not, as a general rule, in their sphere, but exception must be matin in the ease of the National Duo—a small boy and girl— whoso singing savours of the artificiality of the music hall, but whose acrobatic act is genuinely clever. Black and Bronte presented a pot pourri of comicalities successfullv, and Miss Ida Berridge pleased with her scrio songs. 'The first part was supplied by the Crimson Ramblers, who have established themselves firmly in the good graces of Boval audiences. Mr. Arthur Bletsoe and Miss Maud Bletsoe scored a success last evening in ''Tricks of the Trade," in which the comedian pattered amusingly, and with somu originality. Mr. Bletsoe also raised laughter in his song "The Girl With the' Rooster in Her Hat." -<Miss Bessie Caliill sang "Senora" sweetly, and Mr. Lou Vernon contributed "Down the Vale." Pretty Olive Sinclair caught the attention in "Have You Ever Loved Any Other Little Girl," and responded to a hearty encore with the .TapHibernian oddity "Moloney." "A Ride in a Tram Car" made a lively finale. The Rambler's have an agile and sympathetic acoompanist in Miss Ruby Dent. KING'S THEATRE. "A Roman's Ambition" is thq main item on the new programme which was put on at the King's Theatre last evening. The story is of one Frederick Morin, a well-educated man, and of his wife Juliet. One day the two are invited to a house party at a wealthy friend's residence. Morin, not having the requisite money to live on terms with the people whom he will meet there, does not wish to accept, but his wife insists. They go, and the wife becomes impressed with the life led by wealthy people. On her return, the wife is .dissatisfied, and runs away with Albert Sellande, a man whom she had met at the house party. They go to Geneva, arriving late one evening, and put up at one of its best hotels. A few days later Sellande is arrested _ as a swindler and forger, and she is left stranded. After the terrible events connected with Sellande's arrest, Juliet sets out to walk back' to Paris. The little money sho has is soon exhausted, and in order to get food and a night's ' shelter she pretends to steal. Her miserable plight when arrested touches the heart of a kindly old sergeant, and ho takes her to his wife, a laundress.. Tliei woman gives her work, and as tho months go by, Juliet fights her way baclt to respectability. She is requested one day to carry some linen to one of the big hotels in the city, as the owner is preparing to depart on a hurried journey. At the hatel she is taken up into the travellers' room, and finds herself face to face 'with, Gratten, the man who gave the house party. He .tells her that her husband went mad after she deserted him. She then goes back to her husband, and (somehow .or other)- ho becomes sane again, and they iive together happily afterwards. The next best item is entitled "Wanted a Grandmother," and features the Tvellltnown Maurice Costello—in fact, it appears to be one of his best roles. John Bunny's latest is called. "Love-Sick Maidens," and is one of his best. The other items are' all good. They include a more than usually interesting "Pathe Gazette." THE NEW THEATRE. Some very' good films were shown at yesterday's change of programme at tho New Theatre, in Manners Street. Tho "star" attraction was a strong dramatic study, "The Glass Coffin," by the Eclair Company. Briefly lold, the story was one in . which a young count purchased a property, which at one time belonged to ail Indian prince. Whilst excavating on the estate, some workmen came across a ooffin. This is immediately removed to the house, and when the wooden top and sides are removed a beautiful woman is seen inside a glass cabinet. Just prioi to this discovery the young count has said good-bye to his fiancee. An Indian priest is called in and announces that the princess is not dead, but sleeping. He brings her to life, and sho falls in love with the count, and he with her. A par- . ticular friend of the count also falls in love with the awakened beauty, and, finding that his affection is not requited, enters into a plot with some circus people to steal her away. The attempt is successful, and the princess is badly treated by her captors. Eventually a clown takes compassion on her, and informs the count of her whereabouts. A duel is fought between the count and his friend, in which the latter is killed. . The princess is returned to Iwt discoverer. Just at this time, however, the fiancee also returns. Troublo naturally ensues, and the old Indian priest comes to the rescue and, puts the princess off to sleep again, thus uniting the original lovers. The drama was well acted and full of incident. "A Railroad Lochinvar," a feature drama by the Kalera Company, told of. exciting incidents in tho life of two' lovers—one the eon of a Tailroad president, l the other a daughter of tho superintendent of the line. These two become much attached to each other, and despite their parents' wishes, run, away on an engine and get married. Another capital film was "Coming Back of Kit Denver." Kit Denver is a miner,' who is out of work owing to a coal strike, and together with liis wife and child is reduced to almost the last extremity of poverty. He enters for a boxing tournament, and wins .£2O, and thus saves himself and his. family from starvation. Other pictures were "The Golden City of Burmah," a scenic study of great beauty, and "Zigoto as Laundress." The programme will bo repeated from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. to-day. SHORTTS' PICTURES. Liberal patronage was accorded the continuous picture show at Shortts Theatre in Willis Street yesterday, on the occasion of the change of programme. "The Hazards of Life" is the leading feature of tho new bill. This is a domestic drama of much interest. The story on°ns with the separation of two schoolgirls—Rosa and Vitlorina—who have been close friends for some years. Immediately on leaving school R'osn becomes engaged, and five vears later is living happily with her husband and child. Meanwhile Yitterina has become famous as a danseuse, known as fanny Esperri. Rosa's husband becomes acquainted with Fanny, who has not seen Rosa since they left- school, and is unaware that it is Rosa's husband who is paying her attention. The husband is so infatuated with the danseuse that ho deserts his wifo and sends his solicitor to her to suggest divorce. The wife thereupon psnds a pathetic note to her husband statin" that it is not divorce but her denth°tliat lie wants, and that she will oblige him. To this note she signs her maiden name, and when it falls into the hands of the danseuse, the laiter at once realises that it is her old school friend, Hion happiness sho has been destroying. She immediately rushes off to right matters. Rosa is rescued from attempted suicide in the nick of time, and a reconciliotion is effected. Another attractive item on yesterday's programme was a nrettv little 'Irish story entitled "Kathleen Mavourncen." The Edison Company's production, "Lost in New York,' is (if unusual interest, bc-inif olio of a series of picture representations of the magazine articles. "What Happened to Marv " Olher items on the programme aro "Australian Gazette," "Orator Knight jin.d Cow Charmer." and "Typist for thai

' Occasion." To-dav tho coloured picture. "Tho God of tho Sun," will bo screened for ono day only. THfi EMPRESS THEATRE. The final screening of the current programme attracted full "houses" at tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures last evening. Tho now series to-dav will introduce a sensational-modern drama, "A Rogue of the Turf."' This is a story of the remarkable exploits of a daring adventurer, whose ambitions do not stop at card-cheating and racecourse chicanery, but ho even aspires to marrying tho beautiful daughter of an English duko. . The plot progresses along exciting lines, nml some striking situations aro introduced. This production, which occupies over half an liour, will be seen only at the "Empress." "Tho Girl_ Reporter's Big Seoon" is one of the Kaloni Company's latest dramatic successes - . It is an up-to-date story of a smart American girl. The A.B. Company's exclusive comedy, "A Line at Ilogan's," is said to eclipse oven "One-Round O'Brien," that company's great farco" comedy. There will be several other interesting and amusing subjects. Some vivid scenes taken at Saturday's swimming carnival at tho Te Aro Baths havo been added to tho regular programme. "ON OUR SELECTION." A season of comedy and drama will be opened at the Opera House on December 14 by the Bert Bailey Dramatic Company, which will present a dramatic version of tho famous Steelo Rudd sketches of Hfe "On Our Selection." This organisation of specially-selected English and Australian talent has had a triumphant career since it commenced operations in Sydney early in the present year. The management has a generous repertoire of new pdeces, but "On Our Selection" has held the boards in Australia for nine months without intermission. The production is exactly the same as in Auckland, where it ran for fourteen nights. The box plan opens this morning at the Dresden at 10 a.m. ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. The last of the present series of orchestral concerts by the Municipal orchestra in the Town llall will take place to-night, when the programme submitted will be a popular one. Rubenstein's Wedding March "Ferramors" commences tho concert, followed by Jarnefeldt's Prelude, two' Hungarian dances (Bralims), Finlandia, the tone poem (Sibelius). Tho remainder of the programme can ,be said to be the most popular numbers performed by the orchestra. They-are: "The Death of Aso," "In the, Hall of the Mountain King" (Grieg), from the "Peer Gynt" Suite and Tschaikovski's "Dance of the Fairy,". Chinese dance and Trenac from the Nutcracker suite. Miss Gertrude Hunt will sing "Should He Upbraid" (Bishop), with Orchestral accompaniment, and "Auf Wilderschen" (Mallinson). Mr: Horace Hunt will be the accompanist. Patrons are reminded that this is tho last opportunity of hearing' the Municipal Orchestra under the conductorship of Mr. Maughan Barnett, City Organist.