ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1635, 31 December 1912, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. ~ Quite a number of new artists appeared. on. the bill at tho Theatre Royal last evening, and in every case gavo satisfaction. A particularly novel, daring, and amusing act is' that given by the Les Rinehs, who have a unique manner of exhibiting their powers as strong people. The newcomers—a lady and gentleman— commence by playing' "eat'cheis", with a 501b. weight. Then getting busy,: a plank is suspended between two stands, straddled by six men and boys, and the male Les Rineli, reclining on his back, lifts plank and people into tho air with his feet. Another act by the same performer consists in getting two lads to,seat themselves in' swings at opposite ends of tho pole, and then lifting it with his feet whilst' lying on .his back,, whirls the*plank round and round in the manner of the old Risley act of . honoured memory. A further demonstration of strength is given by the man lifting eight men and his wife into tho air in the same manner as described. The task of getting the lwys into position on tho plank kept the audience in laughter. Tho final act was reserved for. the lady, who holds suspended in tho air a miniature wonder-wheel (as seen at Earl's Court, London) ivith adjustable seats filled with young fellows. Tho weight was computed at 20001b., but it was none too much for the handsome Amazon, ,who held it in mid-air whilst tho shrieking wheel, with its burden of humanity, whirled round. Tho act was solidly applauded. Phillips and Mcrritt, two clever American patter and dance artists, created amusement with their quaint sayings and '■humorous repartee, 'flip comedian makes some .smart utterance!: in the course .of his verbal meanderings. "Love seems to be the only tiling in 'Wellington not controlled'by tho City • Council" found: a ticklish spot in the audience. "The only tilings to control women's rights are men s lefts," was a well-turned . anti-suffragette maxim. l The pair dance well, and. are bright throughout. Thornton i is a .clever juggler, with hats, balls, and 1 milk-pans, and" did some remarkably 'deft palming with playing Tho act would go better if given a, setting, of its. own. A new laughter-maker has arrived in -Ernest' Pitcher, who., simulates a character which :Ainericans would describe as a ' "boob." His patter is ludicrously funny 'from start to. finish, and his concertina-playing is well worth hearing. The National Duo still'figure on the bill. The little girl, who. is , distinctly gifted, lias a ' twang which, is not pleasing, and her pronunciation stands in need of correction. Francis Currau,. a one-legged performer, and apart from his deficiency a splendidly-developed . ; man, gave a fine exhibition on the Roman rings, and trapeze, and did some astonishing one-legged jumping, Tho Eight Grotesques. filled the first; part of the programmo.entertainingly. : HIS" MAJESTY'S. THEATRE. ' The charming picture of the play,. "Sweet.Nell of Old Drury,"- is still.attracting, large hbuses to Messrs. Fullerand Sons' luxurious now theatre in Courtenay Place,, which is certainly the .most comfortable and decorative theatre devoted to pictures in Australasia, A complete chango of programme' is duo tomorrow evening (New ■ Year's night). There will also be a matinee performance in tho afternoon. . THE: KING'S THEATRE.;' No better testimony to the popularity of tho'pictiire shows at the King's. Theatre-. could be had than tho big crowd . which I filled the . house for last, , night's entertainment'.. .Messrs. West's,.Ltd.;.and Linley and-Donovan supplied ' another very attractive programme of exclusive subjects and while it lasts. big business is likely. The films were well screened, ■ and each was accompanied by appropriate music by the King's '.Orchestra. ,'At'the; head of the bill is an emotional romance by the Messter. Co. entitled "Behind tlie Mask." This is a fascinating love story- • portraying the successful efforts . of 1 a devoted girl to ; save her sister from- the clutches of' an' unscrupulous; adventurer. : The: leading parts ore acted by famous ■artists; and the play introduces artistic dancing-and is set . among delightful scenery.: The story relates how Edgar Allan, .a spendthrift, after being practically engaged, to Ellen Smith, transferred liis love to the latter's elder sister because the'; sister was in possession ..of considerable 1 :-wealth.» Ellen -schemed-'to open her-sister's eyes. ' With, that end in view she_ makes ■ inquiries. as' to Allan's, real position and finds that'ho is living 'far beyond- his means, is anj'thing'but a true ' lover, and is in the habit: of frequenting.Maxim's dancing hall. Having a "natural talent, for dancing Ellen enters on .the- stage .and dances -."Behind- a- -'.Mask"; fascinating her sister's lover. '.On the night of her sister's" betrothal "a young masked dancer appears and causes em-. \barrassment to Allan. Unmaskirie. she produces proof of his 1 perfidy and the sis•tcr is saved froih a life of misery. "Lisrht After Darkness", is a drama by the Britannia Co., dealing wjth the love affairs of a journalist. The latter with more zeal than judgment produces•'a : <~'scoop" which ruins his intended father-in-law;; Tho'. two lovers are parted but come together in a : dramatic episode as a result of which.- the journalist loses liis sight.. Through his illness he is nursed; by his ;fiancee until his sight is restored. "The: ticbiavoni Troupe" is a 'Pathd coloured film'showingwhat must surely be the. cleyerest farcical-acrobatic .turn in existence. Pathe's Australian and English ' Gazette's depict topical items in interest- . ing fotan' and thero are supporting dramatic and comic items of good quality. This evening the programme will be repeated. ■

Q - THE NfiW THEATRE. - r " •t Good 1 business was done all day yesi- terday; at. the New Theatre in. Manners | Street. It was ."change day,", and the £' new series was well up to standard. The e - chief: attraction was .a Kale'm : drama, "The' Confederate Ironclad," purporting e to pourtray, an' incident of the American v Civil War.- The "story" is pure "moon--1 .shine" as far as .actual .history is eon-. \ |cerned,-but. it is" an interesting film. The 'narrative is as follows:—Lieut. Yancey's Southern, sweetheart, Roso, is jealous of' 'Elinor, a Northern girl, who is' visiting : her aunt,. • This jealousy is intensfied'by e ai invitation which Lieut. Yancey re-. ceives from tho aunt to call and meet' i her niece. ■ He visits the de Lane home, t,'and while walking along tho river with i- Elinor, lie. shows, her where .a Confecler.ate ironclad.is. being constructed. Elinor, shaving strong Union sympathies, reveals I ' the location of tho ironclad, to the com--3 mander of the Federal gunboats'. An ; at- - "tack, is made on the ironclad,- and -Yancey r rides, to give warning. The Confederates • are temporarily 'helpless, as their powder is exhausted. Yancey, knowing that a ; supply of ammunition is loaded on a , train-.'in : another location, prepares to , bring , the needed powder to his oom- - patriots, As tho train is about to leave, • a Federal scouting party rides up, and ' opens , fire. Rose and -Yancey jump on: p the engine, and make a wild dash to est cape,,with. the powder. Elinor sees the fight from a distance, and sets fire to the bridge-over wliiclr the train must pass. While riding over. the 'bridge tho last .car catches fire. Yancey, who has . been ■wounded, is left in the engine-cab, while Rose crawls over tho loaded train and succeeds iu cutting off the end .car just in , time to escape the • explosion. The powder is delivered to the ironclad in the ■ nick of time, and a fierce battle wages between the Confederate and Union gunboats. The, programme included many ! other good films, chief among which were. ; "A Woman's ' Heroism," "Seatrorins" I (scientific), and "An Occasional Waiter" 1 (comedy). Tho current programme will be screened until further noticc. j ' 1 SHORTTS' PICTURES.'' ■A complete change of kinematograpli pictures was screened at Shortts' Theatrq yesterday. The 'chief item of interest is a Cines drama . entitled.' "A " Sister's .Ordeal," which purports to depict some • of tho side-lights of life in the Wild West, ■ It tells a story of. how I'efer, a . cowboy, wins the'heart, of one of tho daughters of a miner.' The girl's father, hearing of a gold "rush," decides to leave for the spot, to- work a claim. Whilst he. is aVay he requires more money, so Peter is commissioned,to carry the money, to, him." "Whilst" on fho way Peter i* "held up" by ..Sam, who has. a., grievance ■ -against him. Saru and his gang, after robbing Peter of his money, lower him down in an old well. They then depart. Fortunately, however, the daughters of the old miner have witnessed the affair, and they quickly release Peter from Inawkward., position. One of the girls foli low Sam,-and lifter an exciting ride .wcurcs ;the money. She makes pood her ese.-itio, I but is .pursued'by'Sam, ; who captures her. HBißdlng Mr liMitl and foot, lie (aided'by

other members of the gang) lowers the unfortunate giri into a .lion's-'pit,,i'and leaVes her to her fate. ' Peter and:.,'the other girl, however .effect..a' .smart-'and. ,npt untimely, rescue. The' picture, is '.'full: of sensations, and should ■ be- veryvpopular v.'itli picture patrons.' "The Cub Exporter," "The' ; Life of a I f avourite'H6rse," "The Australian" Gazette," a.nd- "Bunny's Sjiicide" are 'among other pictures screened. '! . -

THE EIIPJiESS THEATEE. . The ascendant picture at' the Empress Theatre at present is a dramatic study en•titled "Purifying I'ire." The plot, which) is full of incident, is exceedingly well' acted by Continental performers, who. interpret : their ports admirably. The American Biograph. Co. are. responsible foiv a-pathetic little domestic drama entitled 1 "My Baby." The - picture shows, ■an old. man, who, lias three daughters (two of w.hom are married) talking, to his youngestdaughter, • who I promises never to leave her father. Later, however, .she also is depicted departing for S, new homo., The old father ..then becomes embittered against her, and-refuses'to recognise her as his Several, years; later the, lonely'old man meets, at his gate, a little baby. When,, he learns' whose. baby it is his heart, craves, another sight, and the . influence, of the little one triumphs by effecting a reconciliation. "Buster and the Gypsies" is a picture which should prove very .-charming for.; children. The AJ3. exclusive 'comedy'.-"The Club" Man-and the • Crook" is a very amusing: number, and' the latest ''Gaum'ont '.Gra-; phic. is quite an'interesting feature. The programme will 'be repeated until further notice. '.' ■ .

PEOPLE'S PICTURE; PALACE.' A complete change of programme was screened last evening by the management of the People's Picture Palace. The leading film is by the well-known Eclair Company, and hears, the title "Tom Butler." It is .a sensational detective drama. Tom But)er, who is the imprisoned husband of an actress, manages to break prison. Ho is determined t'o be-'re'veii<»ed*oh his wife, who had been instrumental in getting, him confined.' Bern" a master ill the . art of disguising.himself, lie has no difficulty in' procuring, an. introduction to the' actress. He finds.that'she. isin'lovewith a.young"; .journalist by.';the. name 'of Villars,'. and this!spurs him on to revenge. 'The drama then ; evolves-.itself into a series of -attempts that .the clever and infuriated liustfancl makes upon the now terrified'wife. Several times young Villars saves her, and almost catches Butler, but the latter is almost superhuman jn his methods of escape,';and .lightning-tike; adaption of. disguises. Eventually he is captured by!' the!police, and in a last dash for liberty, lie falls aud kills himself. "Polidor's Patient" shows Polidor at his funniest, and is a most amusing film. "A Real Test" is a solid drama of modern life, and tells the story of one Parville, a:i exchange banker, who is driven to his bed by worry caused by the frivolities of his wife. .In the end, however,'they ."'are'reunited. "The Victorious Army," and "The Poacher's- Pardon"- are- also' good items and contribute to make up. a firstclass programme./; ~ . ■

"THE -FROZEN. NORTH" PICTURES.

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