ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1633, 27 December 1912, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE- ROYAL. Wellington's house of vaudeville, tlio Theatre Royal, was packed to its'- utmost capacity last night, and Die big audience was well-rewarded l'ur- its attendance. Tiie vliolc of the first portion of the programme was given up to "The Eight Grotesques," a delightful band of six men and two women, who made the hour go all to quickly. The whole of the items were excellent, but one can hardly refrain from specially mentioning 11 Us Ann C'armicliael's "Top o' the Mornin'," and "Poor Wandei'iiig One." by Mi.-s Nance Nightingale. The opening chorus, "Hello, there! Hello, there!" was a lipping concerted number, which secured for the entertainers an excellent hearing. Briefly, the "Grotesques" are a tip-top •show in themselves. The marvel of the entertainment was Francis K'. , Curran, who came on billed as the world's champion monopede, in feais of skill and daring. Though robbed of ono leg, Ciirran is more active than many fully-equipped people. Ho is beautifully, built, and wonderfully well-developed, "and with his great strength he combines rare skill. Ho can high kick and jump very nimbly. Four sets- of three-feet hurdles (chairs and tables) placed close together; he cleared with ease. On tlio rings and on tlio bar lie showed himself to bo a mastor gymnast. Altogether, his is one of the most unique and wonderful "turns" yet seen here. Tin? National Duo, two clevftr children, reappeared in attractive numbers. Thornton, an English juggler, made his first appearance. With dishes, billiard balls, hats, drums, and other things, he juggled with a caroless deftness .which marked the finished and talented artist After an absence, of some years, Ernest Pitcher, comedian, onco more entertained a Wellington audience. The droll ono is as mirth-provok-ing as ever. Ho rattles off jokes and witticisms by tho league, and the audience is only interrupted in its hilarity by his disappearance from tho stage. 'Mr. Arthur Ashton and Hiss Nanco Nightingale contributed some selected philharmonic gems, and Black and Bronto reappeared in a comedy dialogue, entitled "A Chance Meeting." ... THE NEW THEATRE. At all sessions yesterday the New Theatre was crowded. As- a holiday attraction,. tlio 1 management put on a lengthy programme of capital films. The picture which appeared to at tract tlio most attention was a Ivalem Indian drama entitled "The .Apache Renegade." This film, it was stated, was taken in tho heart of tho Apacho territory in Mexico, The scenery is magnificent, and gives ono a graphic impression of the Apacho country. Tho story, of course, is threaded by a pretty romance. A trapper's caravan, travelling across tho wilds of tho country, meets some 'cowboys, one of whom becomes, infatuated with one of iiio girls. Shortly afterwards, when tho two were riding, ahead of the van, the cowboy is captured by an Apacho renegade and an Indian. In the melee the girl makes off and informs the others of the occurrence. Immediately there is a hue and cry, and the cowboys set off in pursuit. After some thrilling adventures ivith the Indians, the captured cowboy escapes, and manages to reach the caravans in time to-warn the trappers and their families cf an imminent attack by tho Indians. ; Soon the latter swoop down and a fight ensues. The remaining cowboys arrive just in time, and the Indians are routed and the lovers reunited. "French Alpine Manoeuvres" is an exceedingly, interesting film, depicting a company of French soldiers being exercised in mountain tactics. Other films include: "Narni and its Falls" (scenic), "More Precious than Gold" (dramatic), "Quean-- of the 'Kitchen'' (comic), "A Cowboy Lover" f dramatic)'; and three pantomimes—"Palace of Mystery," "Puss in Boots," and "Robinson Crusoe." The programme will be shown again from 11 a.m. till 11 p~.m, • THE'ICING'S THEATRE. Tho King's Theatre was very well patronised last evening, when an interesting programme of photo-plays, was screened. Chief amongst the. numbers was "Falsely Aecused," in which the leading part was acted by that clcver actress,'. Miss Asta Neilsen, and a picture version of the old familiar fairy story of Cinderella. The programme, will bo repeated this evening, and a special attraction is announced for Monday evening. THE P.i?.P. The usual holiday crowds visited the' People's Picture Palace in Manners Street yesterday afternoon and evening. The management put on a complete change of programme for the occasion, and some excellent films were, shown. The "star" attraction .was "For the 1 King," a tale of old England during the time in which Charles II was at w-ar with his Parliament. Many thrilling scenes were depicted, the most conspicuous being the battle of Worcester, in which Charles II was shown to be defeated. Fleeing for his life, the King sought refuse in the castle of Terringham, under disguise as the Earl of Gordon, but a spy discovered his hiding place, and' sent word to Cromwell. After many exciting" episodes tho young Gordon, with the. most sublime devotion, sacrificed his own life, and succeeded in saving' the King/ A beautiful scenic film, entitled "Tho Large and Small Wauu lakes," appeared to be much appreciated. Berlin is exceptionally fortunate among .capital cities In the beauty of its environs, which afford' innumerable opportunities for healthy recreation of various sorts. The two lakes which this subject illustrated, are in particular. favour ivith pleasure-seekers from the German capital, and the waters were shown to be bearing pleasure-boats of ©very description, from the large steamboats, which carry excursionists to 'tlio chief points of beauty on to the ;shores, down to small rowing boats. On the foreshore. some lovely- views of the many fine villas oould be seen.'. Other pictures' were "Culture of Silkworms," "Blackfoot's Halfbreed," s "Tweed'-edum's Holiday," "His First Auto," awl a fine dramatic study, "The Sleeper.'" The various scenes depicted in this 'picture-drama were taken at tho timo of the Yukon gold rush. They give one c good impression of what'a real gold rush is'like. . The theatre will ue open continuously from 11 a.m. till 11 p.m. to-day. : THE EMPRESS THEATRE. 1 Large crowds found their way to the Empress Theatre in Willis Street yesterday, when a programme of entirely new subjects was put on. The American Biograph Company's latest exclusive dramatic triumph, entitled "The Musketeers of Pig Alley," was made the 6tar attraction. The acting in this picture was capital,, and it was a very popular number with patrons throughout the day, particularly as it was shown entirely without flicker. Another A.B. exclusive drama is one entitled "Hidden Wealth." The above two numbers are supported ■with the following other entirely new items Williams Weekly" (topical), "Against the Tide," and "The- Warwick Chronicle." The same programme will be repeated throughout all sessions to-day. SHORTTS' PICTURES. "Wheels of Destruction" is the title of the prinoipal pic&re of the current programme at Shortts' Continuous Picture Theatre. - This picture, which is claimed by the management to be the greatest sensational photo-play yet screened in this city, depicts a great motor, smash, in one portion of the film, "Waterplane .Elopement"-is the title of a capital comedy by tho. well-known Vitagraph Company. "Those Endearing Charms" is an exceedingly funny Max Linder comedy. The programme also includes the latest ■English Pathe Gazette. The programme will be shown continuously from 11 a.m. •until 11 p.m. to-day. • BARTON'S CIRCUS. Another large attendance greeted tho Barton management last'evening, when' tlio fourth performance of this -popular shoiv was submitted. The programme is nu excellent one, and from start to finish the audience was treated to a succession of clever and daring feats, intermingled with grotesque and hilarious moments. There is no,doubt that the Bnrloli firm have well estimated the wants of an. amusement-loving public. The act submitted by Hanley, Marguerite, and Hanley, a. Continental trio, claims most attention,, but the show throughout, is of high standard, and well worth the large patronage bestowed upon it. Tliero will lie another performance to-nighti for whioli a. big cbango of erosramwe is announced, .