ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1654, 22 January 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The stupendous work in connection with thfe construction' of the l'anania Caual tonus the subject of an altogether remarkable picture which is now being starred at His Majesty's Theatre. That, this picture is in every wuy far beyond the tinsel of ordinary lilms may be sufficiently deduced from Hits fact tliat the Earl of Liverpool and suite are to visit His Majesty's this week. From an educational, historic, and national point of view this extensive lilm probably touches high-water mark in comparison with anything yet seen in iS'ew Zealand. It opens by depicting scenes at Colon, iu connection with the .landing of black labour. Following this are scenes showing monster machines'working at what'appears to bo a marvellous rate of speed. Used as we are in Now Zealand to humbler appliances, tlio huge cranes awl giant buckets are impressive. These giaut buckets, which are attached to a largo long arm, scoop down into 10ft. of water, aud then with a rapid swoop rcappeui above the water loaded with dobris. Further scenes show tremendous chambers of solid concrete, which leads to the' Gatun locksone of the most wonderful engineering feats in the.-world. The-picture story concludes on the Pacific side, andshows scenes'of the port of Panama—the quaint and ancient place whence the Spanish Conquistadores "jumped off" to conquer the Empire of Lucas, in Peru. The viceregal party are.to< be present on Friday evening. The boxiplan is at the Drcs-' den. , THEATRE ROYAL. * Miss Bessie Slaughter, tho popular contralto, is Luck in Wellington once more, and nleases the Wellington audiences nightly at the Theatre Royal. She was ably supported by Miss Eva Mudge, who. showed herself an exceedingly versatile entertainer, and especially clover as a quick-cliango artist. .Fred- Rivenhall, who will bo remembered by some of tho Wellington public,; is back -again with new songs and new jokes. Mark Ericksen, Miss Marta. Golden, and the Brackens also burnish good turns.

-.. THE NEW THEATRE. v ' Goad/ business was' recorded yesterday afternoon and .evening at the New Theatre continuous pictures. • The current bill is headed by a: captivating- love Romance, "The Broken Sword," in which the hero, a young ' military' officer, surrenders his commission in tho army and severs'himself from his family in order to wed tho girl of his choice, Subsequently, while performing'a daring feat as a trick motor-cyclist, he meets with a startling accident. "The Girl in'the Caboose" is an exciting railway drama by thoKalem Company. There aro many other interesting- pictures. The series wilt be screened for tho last lime'to-day and to-night. A complete change is announced for to-morrow. " .' ' . ..-■ ■

■S< , '"' KING'S'THEATRE.V , ,-- , "Greed for Gold" is tho preinicr picture'of the-current programme-at the Ring's Theatre. The production deals "with the success gained by-'a. banker in stock "buving, his career, and bis final pathetic downfall.'The film is well acted, and contains somo.v-sry exciting incidents. Among other pictures aro "Trafalgar and To-day,". "Jim's Joy Day" (comic), /'The Girl in the Caboose"- (drama), '-'Pathe English Gazette," and the "Australian, Gazette." The same programme will.be repeated (his evening. ■■•-... . '-. . SHORTTS' PICTURES:-// 1 The chief picture of interest at Shorfts' Continuous Picture Theatro tea dramatic 'study entitled "Tho Work'of His Hands. "Troupe of Acrobats" is the .title of_a film avhich -'depicts- remarkable feats by clever acrobats... A Western drama.vaf in-' terest is "Red Saundcr's Sacrifice. ..Uthcr good pictures-are: "Pathe Gazette,. . In a ' Garden" ' (drama), ."Weary:; Starts Things in Pumpkinville": J : (Vitagrnph eoiuodyj.and "A native school in Africa. - The programme will.be repeated tor.the last time, to-day,. ; and .'a; new bill H., -tap ( for to-morrow. ..' '•'""» ';,::. ' ';'':■■'''.,

:: ' "TH&'GIRL 'IN ;THE;TEAIN;f ; The claims of "The ; Girlin\tbe .Train," tho new comic opera that:opens its Mason; 'in-Wellington on-Saturday next;', are such' •as aro likely to be emphasised, peeing the excellence of the company that will in-, torprot the '.play.'- It. is said the very, m- ' consequential frivolity of this new musical play, its light "Continental atmosphere, and its beautiful. Leo. Fall melodies, appeals largely to all. ; It is claimed, tojie of ull things extremely -diverting. The. scoro is reputed to be'exceptionally beautiful. It contains, many.attractive solos and duets, and many concerted- numbers which are delightful. The orchestration is fine, the principal musical numbers receiving support from a band in- which the harp is effectively made use of, 1 and the strings and wood-wind are scored for with discrimination. The scenery in "The Girl in the Train" is by the clever youiig Australian artist, Mr.. Leslie .Board." - The Court of Justice lit Amsterdam, in which the play opens, has been-arranged ma realistic fashion. The handsome costuming in this sceno has. also been thought out with a view to .harmonious colour effects. The box plans will be opened for. the thirteen'nights' season at the Dresden on. Thursday. "The Girl in the Train <■ will bo iplayed for four nights only, and will bo followed by. "Nightbirds" for the ensuing four nights, tho season terminating 'witlr revivals of "Tho Cingalee' and "Dorothy." ,' .' ' '"•'.■'..■'

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. '. Crowded sessions yesterday afternoon and evening' exemplified the. popularity, of the current programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures.' "The Plot that Failed" is a thrilling-story of. an attempted theft of aii invention, which is frustrated by the. wit of a girl. "The Gnumont Graphic" shows many interesting scenes and events in. England and on the Continent.-' "The Spoilt Child" is a skilfully-conceived story of an ill-taught child. Tho A.B. comedy, "Papering the Den," affords much • amusement, whilst two other comedies are also responsible for merriment. "The Coast of Maine" and "Rapids, Kuma River,"; arc interesting travel films.' The bill will be repeated for the last time to-day and to-night. To-morrow's new programme will include "The Brand Blotter" (a. romance of Colorado), hnd "Dr. Brian Pclly"(a foreign spy sensation). .

PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. Among tho star items on the present programme at the People's Picture Palace are two line dramatic studies entitled "Tho Two Orphans" and "The Old Chess Players." "The Two Orphans" deals with the fate of two girls, who ; wander into, tho world, and, find that it is alike wide,' and varied," and- stern.; Tho programme will 1m repeated throughout all sessions to-day, and a "change" is announced for to-morrow. . ,- - THE FOLLIES. ' ,' A lightsome entertainment from end to end was presented'in the Opera House t last night by the costume comedy company which is very happily named "Tho ■Follies." The • audience was kept in a simmer of merriment the whole evening through, nnd • occasionally , there were bursts of spontaneous mirth. Mr. Percy Clifton re-established himself as a favourite as soon as ho appeared, and tho other members of the company supported him in their several ways in the business of merry-making. In. a word,, the entertainment is a bright and altogether charming one by a company of.clever performers. To-day, if the weather is wet, there will be a matinee' in the afternoon at 2 o'clock, but if tho weather is fine thero will bo no matinee. The evening show will tako place as usual. ■