ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1625, 17 December 1912, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

« "ON OUR SELKC'I'ION." To those who would learn something of the people of tho way-hacks in Australia, and to all who enjoy a hearty laugh at a primitive form of comedy in which there is no guile, one can alrongly recommend "On Our Selection," now being ployed at tho Opera lions'; by I ho llert. Ilailey Company. There is that in this play which commands llio nlleiiliiiii of all phiy-lov-ors, not perhaps so much in Iho mutter dealt with, as in tho particularly good character types in which llio piece abounds. "Hteelo ll.udd" was one ol llio first .of Australian writers lo get "down lo earth" and prownl. a i'aillilul picl.uni of life out-back, free Uvm nil referelieen to bushrangers and convicts, mid his Instinct led him in the right direction when he evolved llio Kiuld family. Such nketelien as those given by Mr. Ilerl. J)iille,v n-t "Dad," Miejs All'reda llevnn mi "Mum," JlivArlhur Ilortram as "Dave timid," uml .Mr. KduiiiiKl Diiggan as "Muloney," are among the few thai will live long in llio memory. The ploy has a, likely plot, there is abundant, notion, n wealth of comedy, and it all hangs well leiielher. TITKWONDHIIFI.tr. OMWCS, The Wonderful Olimvi will no dtiubl, "draw" at the Theatre Royal thhi Week, Thoy are all meii-Tivo in niimhei'- raliip ing from a liny slip of it. f-oveii-ycar'old bey lo lusly "neavy-weighl'i." All IlllVe a lino souse of comedy, and are almost: uiinuliiral in thedaring eleverilew and vuiie villi which Ihey pwlonn llielr ii'ieks, whether it be clover knock-about flelni" eenlorlionislic business mi the ground, ol' iu frolicking about, the men high In llio uir. Their pyramid bii.dncHs iiiwiitei whilst, it amuses. There is nu labouieil effort when one wishes lo iiM-clid lo llio shoulders of his ooniriule, who happen.') lo be standing on Hie shoulders of llio only ono without humour, (IVi'liapn carrying so much weight makes him "heavy.") They simply walk up ono another like Hies up "a wall, with never a symptom of failure or "I'ako" clTui'l, One act which created ureal applause was llio jump of I lip men standing on a third's shoulder on to the brawny shoulder of another. Ono would fancy that; tho weight of receiving a single, 'man on onn'.-i shoulders would bo enough, but lo gel u. double length of man, and take il, smiling, appeared to bo quite ah ordinary leal. The Olraes aro extremely clever at comedy trick tumbling, ami ratal shrieks of liuighrrr by their, merry aniics, which were quite qlever in each instance, Ono member of the troupe is exceedingly adept at somersaulting, all ways and anyhow. On - ono occasion ho turns a handspring, a somersault, and finishes up by landing upright on the .shoulders of one of the strong men, who appear!) to bo walking casually across tho stage. Only ono of the troupo talks—ho is as loud as his hats, and lias a lino liirsiito crop. The dudo is particularly.neat and consistent in his work, the clowii tumbles with amazing facility, and tho youngster is extremely, clever.

Harold lieath. Black and Bronte, tho National Duo, Miss Ida Berridg'e, and Mr. Harry Linden were heard in new songs, dances, and sketches, and tho "Crimson Ramblers" (now in their last week) supplied the first part of tho .programme entertainingly. NEW THEATRE The new programme screened at tho New Theatre has for its star picture a sensational film, entitled "The CorkScrew Gang." It is a stirring tale of tho operations of a gang of robbers and the elVorts of detectives to-bring thorn to justice. Towards the end of the .gang's career a detective in disguise went to the. rendezvous of the'gang, arid called for a drink. He was identified by one of the robbers, and his plans were crushed. However, whilo one of the gang was performing a robbery, the victim was accidentally killed. The robber, "Handsome Charles," knew that he would be accused of murder, and that flight .was imperative. Ho prepared to quit, but missed tho train. Then ho decided to spend the evening at a lady friend's place, where a number of acquaintances had been invited. Tho detective knows ; ono of the women of tho circle, and, gees to the party witli them. With tho assistance of police ho effects the .arrest of some of the gang, but Charles escapes. Up a stairway he hurries, closely followed by tho police. He gats on : to a rcof, and as lie is still pursued, goes from one roof to another by along the telegraph wires. 'A. leap from ■ a wof into tho harbour gives him a good lead of the man nearest him, but the detective and others get a boat, and chase him. He reaches land first, but they overtake him,, and a desperate ligbt ensues. He breaks free from their grasp, and/once more •plunges into the water. This' time it is n long swim,-and ho reaches tho landing too exhausted-to pull himself up. When he is on the point of drowning,-tho-boat conies up, and the men in it save his life and arrest him at tho same time. "The Beetles" is a remarkable picture, which purports to be a drama enacted by Professor Lysohki's beetles. The insects are seen fighting with swords, conducting a battle, which includes the storming of a castle, and doing other extraordinary things. "The Brotherhood of Man,". "Alkali Ike Plays tho Devil," "One Touch of Nature," and "The Grit of the Girl Telegraphist' 1 aro among the other pictures.

THE KING'S THEATRE. New subjects were screened at the King's Theatre Inst evening, and those who wero present saw a capital programme. Tho best film adumbrated a capital drama, entitled "Tho Golden Cage." It unfolds an interesting 6tory of the love affairs of a great actress. The production is magnificently mounted,, and is cleverly acted. The picture features Saharot, a continental actress and danseuso of great personality and chaining, appearance. ''The Burning of-a Match Factory" is a genuine fire picture, which was taken, by the Vitagraph Company, whoso operator happened to be present at the time of tho outbreak. . In "Two Cinders"—a Vitagraph comedy—John Bunny fills his I 'part as the lucky suitor admirably. The expressions and .actions of this familiar picture actor provide ample cause for laughter. "Flirt or Heroine" is another photo-play by tho Yitagrnph Company, which features Maurice Costollo and Miss Florence Turner. Julia Harley goes out to India, where she falls in love with Dr. Kenneth Leslie. She is apparently a flirt, and ho thinks that sho has been trifling with him, so ho writes telling her that he never wants to 6eo her again. Timo passes, cholera breaks out, Julia volunteers as a nurse, and. Kenneth also goes. Ho is stricken"down with cholera, and Julia insists on nursing. him. He recovers, and .during,his convalescence Julia reveals her true' self, and he is not slow to declare his love for her. Numerous other pictures are shown, and altogether the current programme is an excellent one.. Capital orchestra, accompaniments are supplied by the King's Orchestra. SHOBTTS' THEATRE. A complete change of programme was screened at Messrs. Sliortts* Theatre last evening. The feature item was tho Holand Foundry, which discovers tho secret for making steel. Fiet, an old workman, is at the foundry with .his eon Joachim, who is a hard-working lad. Ho is in love wiith a girl who wants to marry a man with money, so Joachim falls an ensy prey to a secret agent, who is after the great steel secret. Ho is detected in the net of stealing tho secret. To escapo pursuit he tips up a great converter, which sots the whole factory on fire. Old Piet becomes awaro of his son's rash act, and to do justice gives his son up. But Joachim is quicker, and flying from his country, seeks to expiate his (juilt in life-long cxilo. Tho next test'item is entitled "An Unexpected Fortune," and purports to deal with certain aspects of journalism. It is not very strong in realdsm—just about as strong as some of the war pictures which purport to date from 18C0, and other years long before the kinematograph was thought of.' However,, it evolves some rather dramatic situations, and these— whether realistic or untrue to life—wf.ll always command gazers. Tho minor itoms are good, and inclndo several excellent comic sketches. This programme will be screened again to-day. , PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A very fine new programme was screened at the People's Picture Palace last night. One of the two chief pictures was "Lieutenant Daring and the Mine Plans." The story is a most exciting and thrilling one. Lieutenant Daring visits a certain houseboat, and thcro ho meets a man and a woman, the man supposed to be oil

artist, ami llio woman his model, .llio man ufl'urs to paint liioiiUiiiiuit Darings porlrnit, ami tlio lieutenant commissions him lo do so. Tho silling is taken at. llio lieutenant's house, and while it is in progress some harbour mine plans lor Wing arrive. A whilo later Daring is willed away, and while ho is out the bogus artist steals a seruliny of thorn and paints n eojiy of thorn on llio tody's shoulders. Il'« replaces llio plans just a muinciit Ix'forn During re-enters, Tho lieutenant nwuinm tho Killing, hut notices tho plan on tho woman's «lionlclor». aiid j-.triUKht-M'lil' (Iciioiiiichs llio pair. However, they liiii.l and gag him, and oft" Ihey mako wil.li Iho plans, lie tilrugglos vainly, hut his in'g fit, llormird dog, with wonderful Migacil.V, kiiuivs the bonds through, and During is reh'iised. A i.lirilliuy chaso then heglus. Twin, motor-cycle, aeroplane, niolor-laiineh, oeean lino/ —all aro on/,'iiged, and in Ilia end llio nontenant runs llio pair to earth, and delivers Ilium iulo llio hands of tho police. "Tho Wnyfiii'f'i-i" is another star film. It is n. hlorv of I he Amorieiin West. Jim Koyuoldn liieu'l,', Willi mi lleeident. His wife nurses lihn in I heir oiil.-Ikic.lc dwelling, and soon lihi liisiirniico money arrives. .Tho wife cluiiinw in I>'| counting it out wTion I'cdro, it Me.xlean renegade, pusses by. Ho sets Mid gold, mill in determined to havo it. 110 iiiJiii for lodgings for tho night, and llio riii|iu«l, Is granted. In I.lm night I'imli'o. goen lo whore llin money lies, and ii about lo lab il when Reynolds's wife, who had Miivpieions of Pedro, surprises liiiu. .Hint binds liim securely, and leaves Jlln in chiirge of him whilo she go:s for Hi* Fihoi'ilV. Jim falls in a faint after a whilo, and Pedro, seeing a red-hot poker in llio (ire, hitches his chair ovor to tho kl.iivo, He gels lilts poker in his teeth, and manages lo burn his bonds. Just at Unit moment Jim tonics to. A fioreo fight I'm' a. revolver ensuos. Pedro gob tho best or JJovnnlds, and is about to kill him when Mio wife returns with tho-sheriff. Tho Hll|)|iorting pictures aro excellent. Among thoni are: "Mary's Policeman, "Tho Ogre of the Pond," "The Parasite, "When ftithnr had His Way," and tho third of llio Balkan war scries.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE.. "llin Uist Memory," a story of senraliiliinl adventure, was well told by the picture machine nt tho Empress Theatre in (ho new programme presented last night. Tin- central figure of the story is a wealthy business man who gets a hurry call to attend on important meeting. He ,s«l» out by motor-car, but.the car breaks down, and they hire a nbw-'oric at an inn along the road. An.unknown traveller who happened to rcsemblo the hero asks lo join tho party ,an<l he is permitted to do so. They aro overtaken by a etorm whilo running' along a forest road, and tho car is smashed up by a falling tree, and all the occupants of it are killed rave ono —tho one about whom the story is writlon. He comes, to his senses bruised and hurt, but he cannot remember who he is or anything of his former life. After a series "of adventures his memory is partially revived when he strays into the country near his own home, and finally he goes into his own house, where the sight of his little girl's picture restores his memory completely. He is mistaken for a burglar, and roughly handled by a couple of policemen, but everything comes right in the end. "Friend" is another storyfilm, by the American Biograph- Company. There are two men in it and one girl. First the girl likes one man, and then he goes away for a while, and the other man, his friend, conies around. He falls in love at .sight—anybody would fall in love with tho A.B. "girl— and there is a mix up when lover No. 1 comes back. In the end, No. 1 gives way- to his chum,'; and No. 2 lives happy ever afterwards. Supporting pictures, comic and-otherwise;'in the programme are:. "A' Disappointed Mamma," ''The Parasite," '"Old Mother Hubbard," and the Gaumont Graphic.

. BARTON BROS'. CIRCUS. On the occasion of its last visit Messrs. Barton Bros.' circus, which is now about to open a season in Wellington, enjoyed .a wide popularity- Mr. F. J. Barton recently returned to New Zealand from a tour in search of fresh attractions, and, so successful was his quest, that a nrcat improvement, it is stated, lias been eifeeted oven upon its former excellent showing. 'The now organisation includes artists who havo gained a big reputation in the principal centres abroad, the majority of whom have recently made their initial appearance in this Dominion under tha Barton regime. Among the most conspicuous of the new performers ore: Hailley, Marguerite, and Hanley, a Comtinental troupe of head and hand balancing gymnasts. The Baker Family, who come direct from the Royal Hippodrome, Ireland,-are described as a show in themeelve.s. Happy Jncklcs is-an entertaining mirth-maker, who conies from the famous Bostoclc and Wombwell circus firm. Tho circus has toured down the Main Trunk lino from Auckland, plnyiinr in tho principal provinces en route, and "judging by the comment of .various exchanges,, the circus, as at present constituted,', is a credit to tho managerial head of the.firm and should havo n successful season.. A menagerie of wild beasts has been added to the show and this will bb on exhibition free to all at 7 p.m. each evening. • MISS MARY PROCTOR. - Miss Mary Proctor, daughter of the late Richard A. Proctor, tho renowned astronomer, who lectured hero thirty years ago, is following her father's example in giving popular illustrated lectures on astronomy. She has just completed a very successful lecture tour in Australia, .and is now arranging to give her lecture on "Others Worlds Than Our's"atthc Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Thursday evening. . The lecture will be. giren under the auspices of tho Astronomical Section of the Wellington Philosophical Society. Sir Robert Stout will preside.

CATHOLIC SEAMEN'S CONCERT. The Catholic Seamen's Conference held their usual fortnightly concert in the Sailors' Rest last evening before a lar?o audienco of seamen and others. The programme was ono of the best yet-pre-sented, and was evidently much appreciated by tho audienco. The. followingitems were contributed:—Overturns by Miss Jansen; songs-by Misses Bell, Jau£en, M'Jlahon, and Hickey, Messrs. Hickmott, Hynes, Seivers, Colculverwell, Benge, Leydon, Bey, and Challis; recitation by Master Reeves ;duot by Miss Willace and Mr. Seivers j musical monologue by Mr. AVarren. The accompaniments were played by Miss Jansen. Mr. D. Kelly, who presided, thanked tho artists for furnishing so good a concert, and in doing so, said he regretted to announco that it would be tho last ono given by the conference, as the Sailors' Rest is to bo' abandoned. :He also thanked Captain Bonner, who had always placed the hall at their disposal and had arranged-it for the concerts. . Captain Bonner suitably responded.

GARDEN FETE AND CARNIVAL. A grand garden fete and hunters' car-, nival in aid of St. Joseph's Orphanages and parish, Upper Hurt, is being held .on tho Trenthnm racecourse on Now Year's Day, and promises to provide ono of the pleasantest outings-which- the. district has experienced for many years. Amongst other amusements, a big tug-of-war. • is being arranged. Tho extensive programme clsewhero enumerated also includes several athletic events, and an exhibition of jiu-jitsu and wrestling by J. A. Duffy and pupils. Besides several attractive side-shows, luncheon and afternoon tea is obtainable on the grounds, thus enabling visitors and the. local public to thoroughly enjoy tho day's outing in every, way. A very largo and influential committee.is entrusted with tho detailed arrangements of a function which has the added advantage of bsinif in - the special cause of charity—tho happiness of. the numerous orphans who at present find in tho Upper Hutt Orphanage a model homo amid lovely surroundings.