ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1661, 30 January 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"NIGHTBIRDS." ■ The final performance of that tuneful bit of nonsense "The Girl in the Train" was given at the Opera Houso last evening before a very large audience. This evening Joliauu Strnuss's light opera "Nightbirds" will be produced for tho first time in ■Wellington.'

It: is universally admitted that "Nightbirds" is one of those light operas that leave behind thcra a great ileal of hum-, ruing and whistling that goes on for weeks with people whose cars catch melodies quickly. The music, alluring and seductive, is typical of Johnnn Strauss at his very best, at times, in fact, it savours strongly of grand opera, the lengthy finale to each act constituting a veritable feast of harmony. Harmonious effects nro the rule rather than the exception, and whilst quite a high standard is maintained, more than a tew of the airs are of that catchy kind which invade the brain memories for days, and even longer. There will bo but four performances of this opera, as on Tuesday next "The Cingalee" is to be presented for threo nights, followed by "Dorothy" for the two last nights of the season.

HIS MAJESTY'S. ' "Oliver Twist," the star item at His Majesty's Theatre, was well received last evening. The interest is increased by Mr. A. Boothman, who-gives,a running description of the picture. A picture i.-liich attracts much attention is "In the Lions' Den." ' This depicts circus TTTe behind, the scenes, and the plot contains sonie fairly strong situations. An item which was'most enjoyable was the singingof "Sally in Our Alley" John Fuller, senr.

THEATRE ROYAL. ' A,particularly bright entertainment is being given by the Fuller-Brehnan Vaudeville Co. at the Theatre Royal this week. The bill includes such names as Victor the Great, a clever magician; Miss Bessie Slaughter, the big-voiced contralto; the Brackens, wire-walkers; and thc.Lyntons, who appear in refined sketches. , Fred. Kivenhali supplies broad comedy . acceptably, j ■ ' - .

THE KING'S THEATRE. The present programme at the King's Theatre is heaued by "The Mills of the Gods," a powerfully-acted drama, showing how justice was dealt out to a cruel oppressor. -The supporting filing were wcil up to the usual standard", "Tim" being, perhaps, the mostVceptable. This programme will'be continued to-night and to-morrow night, and the usual change will take place on Monday.

THE NEW THEATRE. The final screening of the current series of tho New Theatre continuous pictures resulted in excellent patronage through-, out yesterday. The change to-day will introduce" a capable moving-picture version of Dumas' romantic tale "Monte Cristo." Tue story is peculiarly adapted to motion-picture interpretation. Tho plot deals with the adventurous career of one Dantes, who has many startling encounters, and even narrowly escapes with his-life on more than one occasion. "Monte Cristo," will be supported by "The Substitute Heiress" (drama), "The Peril of the Cliffs" (drama), and others.

' THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The change of programme at the' Empress Theatre continuous pictures to-day and to-night will bo headed by a.great A.8., exclusive dramatic study, entitled "The New York Hat." The story refers to a young village minister and a pretty little orphan girl. The theme is charmingly treated. The remaining items include "Juariita and Juan" (a Lubin lovestory), "Warwick Chronicle", (topical), : "Nanina's Evening Prayer" (domestic drama), "Jinx's Birthday Party" (an A.B. exclusive comedy), "A Trip Through a Canadian Forest" (travel), and, a. number of others. The management announces that the Selig "masterpiece" drama, "The Count of Monte Cristo," founded upon Dumas's famous romance, has come to hand, and will bo presented next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It is announced also that this is the only Selig-copy in New Zealand.

PEOPLE'S PICTURE'PALACE., .-'.- ', To-day's 1 change of programme, at the People's Picture Palace some lejnarKably 'fine subjects. The "star attraction" is a Selig film entitled "The Pirate's Daughter," a thrilling production. A sensational escape from death from a burning vessel, followed, by. a great swiniior life, is depicted in a icry realistic manner. "The Polypus" is an interesting natural-history subject, showing the polypus, or as it is generally called, octopus. It is astonishing tc watch the speed of this ungainly creature as it moves through the water. The .rictirre enables one to see the creature feeding. Throwing out its'long suckers, it captures its prey, drags it in, envelopes it, and then ejects the remains. It is truly a remarkable film, going to show to what pt-rfection the science of kinema'ography has been brought. Tho balance of the programme is of standard quality.

, ■ SHORTTS' THEATRE. The usual change of programme will take place to-day. The.star film is an Edison : drama, entitled "The Strangers and the Taxi-cab." ■ '■;'