ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1629, 21 December 1912, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"ON OUR SELECTION." Steele Rudd's combdy-drama "On Our Selection" is continuing to draw enthusiastic audiences to tlio Opera House. The Bert. Bailey new dramatic company comprises a clever combination of artists, who till their rather'difficult parts admirably. The" piece will, be produced again evening, and the'season will close on Tuesday night next. "GET-RICH-QUICK WALLINGFORD." On Monday morning, at the Dresden, the box plans will bo opened at nine o'clock for tho first ilvo representations of tiie successful comedy . "Get-Kich-Quick Wallingi'ord," which is to be staged, by J. C. Williamson's new company of comedians at the Opera Houso on Thursday night next (Boxing Night).' As tho numerous inquiries already made in reference to the -booking arrangements indicate there will be a large demand for seats, the management will have a staff of ushers in attendance from 8.30 a.m. to form a queue, which will ensuro that the earliest arrivals shall huvo first choice of seats. The plot of "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford" is very interesting. The first uct begins with tho appearance at Battlesburg of Blackie Daw, who precedes his partner by a day or two, and talks and moves so fiambuoyantly that by the timo Wnllingford arrives, with hia Japanese valet leading a huge bulldog, all is commotion. The Irish landlord, Dcmpsey, has become so convinced of the bona fides of the pair, that he showers free champagne on them, and sends servants all over the place in the effort to entertain such star boarders in a befitting style. Harkins, a unique newspaper reporter, assists' the good cause by. 'scare" articles in the local "Blade," and organises a public reception, so that the first act closes with a brass band marching into the hotel playing "The Stars and Stripes," and accompanied by cheering citizfcns, to whom Wallingford, from the balcony, delivers an invigorating speech, grandiloquently announcing that ho is to manufacture "the sulphur that tops the match, that lights the fuse, that explodes the skyrocket of wealth, success, and. happiness." The partners promptly busy themselves in forming a company for the manufacture of carpet tacks covered with cloth. "Got a paper of tacks," Wallingford orders his servant, "and cover tho tops of a few of them with, that red necktie of mine. Gut the stuff to fit the. top, and glue it on." So tho samples are produced, when the task of interesting local capitalists is entered upon. Having started the bluff in this high-handed fashion, he parries it through with'flying colours. There is a fascinating love story running through the plot. ' THEATRE ROYAL. "Tho Fivo Olracs" are topping the bill at the Theatre Royal this week. Theirs is .quite a clever acrobatic feat. Tho Crimson Ramblers, headed by Mr. Bletsoe, make their final appearance in Wellington to-night. Since their arrival they have made many admirers. A complete change is announced.for Monday night. . THE NEW THEATRE. The programme at present being screened at the New Theatre contains many bright-items. First'and foremost is "Tho Cowboy's Mother," a Western drama by the Selig Company. The story tells of an only son who goes West, and shows' the cowboys that a New Yorker is not the fool that they are apt to think him. "His Honour at Stake" is another well sustained drama. .In tho comic section, of the programme, "Pimple does the Turkey Trot" is the most amusing. This programme will be continued to-day.

THE'EMPRESS THEATRE. The current. bill at the Empress Continuous Picture Theatre drew largo assemblages at. vestcrday's matinees, and last-evening -capacity business" prevailed. The special "feature" draiha, "The Unwritten Law," is a powerful story of life behind the 6cenes at a big musichall. The theme is realistically developed, and the scenes are elaborate. The latest "Gaumont Graphic" is studded with interesting recent events on the Continent and in England.- "For His Honour's Sake" is an elaborately: staged society drama, with a feasible and interesting plot. Everybody is compelled to laugh .at the farcical comedy, "A Shocking Complaint." There are a number .of other excellent studies. This- series will appear for the last timo to-day and tonight. The . new programme on Monday will, introduce a lengthy dramatic story of Richelieu (the famous French Cardinal), entitled "Too Late." The theme deals with the various phases of life and intrigue of tho French court of that time. The management announce a special programme for Christmas . Day, to be shown from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. The chief item will be a fineOkl World portrayal, "Francis of Assisi."

SHORTTS' THEATRE. At Shortts' Theatre, "Letters of a Lifetime" is one of the best of the items, -although "A Reformed Santa Claus" and "The Cowboy's Mother" are both of the highest grade. The Edison Company's picture, "The' Girl from tho Country," upholds the reputation of tho .manufacturers. This afternoon -a ;set of special subjects will be screened'for the benefit; of children. BARTON BROS.' CIRCUS. Barton Bros.' Circus will commence its Christmas season in "Wellington on Monday night, near the Te Aro railway station. Mr. F. J. Barton, tho senior member of the firm, recently returned from an extensive tour abroad, where ho secured a number of new artists from the principal theatres, hippodromes, • and circuses in America and on tho Continent. _ Tho system of the Barton management is, to confine their New Zealand tour to eight months, - the other four months of the year being spent in winter quarters, where the horses, ponies, and other animals aro rested for the ensuing tour. Grooms and tent men also participate in the holiday, during which a member of the firm travels oversea securing new talent and fresh novelties. The firm has reorganised the show for the present tour, and amongst attractions aro Hanley, Marguerite, and Hanley, a triple team of gymnasts and head balancers, who originally came from Ringling Bros.' huge American shows. Their act is described as a very sensational feat. In one scene of their turn the lady member of tho troupe transforms herself into a "human gyroscope," and revolves rapidly on a slack rope. The Baker Family, a troupo of all-round circus porformore from tho Royal Hippodrome, Ireland, who figure prominently on the programme; Happy Jackles, another imported "star," who hails from Bostock and Wombwoll's big English circus, heads the squad of clowns, and evokes roars of laughter with his ringside opinions. Seventy horses and ponies comprise the equina branch of tho show, and a collection of wild beasts has also been added to tho show. These will be on view, free, at 7 o'clock each evening.