ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1687, 1 March 1913, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE,

"Tlie Making of the Panama Canal" will be screened for tho last time at His Majesty s Theatre to-nifflit'. Those who l v t !, 90011 l ' s P'cture littlo realise what they are missing. The supporting ll'oms are also good items, but are quite ccljpsocl by tho big picture. Scats may bo Iwoked at the i)nssden. THEATRE ROYAL. „ the Theatro Royal, Paul Gordon, tho ting of tho silver wire," continues to create amazement with his astonishing performance 011 tho slack wire. Attired m evening dress ho mounts a wire suspended across tho stage, and without means of balance, save his active arms, he skips and dances bewilderingly backwards and forwards on the wildly oscillating Hire until those in tho audience fairly catch their breath at the daring of it all. Olio of his feats is to place a small wooden ladder 011 the wire, mount it on one side, and descend to tho wire on tho other, and another is to stop into a cask, and jump it along the almost invisible track. "La France" presents a novel act, in which she figures picturesquely as the centre-piece in some very Attractive limelight pictures. Other performers Who succcrd in holding the audienco are Pedrini, the foot equilibrist and juggler. Hassan, the Hindoo magician, Slavin and Thompson, American comic songsters, Ernest Pitcher, oomique, Miss Maud Fanning, Arthur Elliott, and tlw Elliott Sisters. THE KING'S THEATRE. "The Money Lenders" will be screened to-night at the King's Theatre. This will be the last opportunity of seeing this stirring drama and the supporting items on the samo programme. Oil Monday, when the usual change will be screened, a v new drama, entitled "Father," will be put on. THE NEW THEATRE. A special programme for this afternoon's sessions of the New Theatre continuous pictures is announced in addition to tho current series. Of the latter "Tho Driver of the Deadwood Coach" (ICalem "masterpieoe"), "Two Little Rangers" (Western drama), and "Jewel Thieves Outwitted" are the most important subjects. In the last-mentioned there is an exciting pursuit of a motor-car by an aeroplane. There are also travel and comio items. These films will be shown for tho last timo this evening.

SHORTTS' PICTURES. Shortts' Picture Theatro was well patronised yesterday, and tho star item —"A Romance of the U.S. Navy"—was muoh appreciated by patrons. A-number of extra pictures for the benefit of children will bo screened this afternoon.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The final screening is announced for today and to-night of the present programme of tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures. Tho "feature" drama "Restitution" is an elaborately-staged story of to-day, with a plot that sustains interest throughout. The charms of a wonderful city are depicted, with eifectiva natural colours, in "Venice." Iho full orchestra will include in the programme this afternoon and evening selections from "Tho Merry Widow," r '"ho regular change on Monday will bring forward a highly-sensational picture drama "Unmasked," This play arrives with an established European reputation. It will nppear on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at all sessions.

"THE BUTTERFLIES." Gay vaudevillo in its most attractive guiso is promised by "The Butterflies," who open a Wellington season of eight nights at the Opera House on March 7. In reference to a Tecpnt tour of tho company "The Stage" remarked"Mr. Waller is the backbone of the party, and possesses o wonderful amount of versatility as a comedian and mimic. He has surrounded himself with an excellent company. Mr. Fred. W. Dennett is the accompanist. Miss Cecilia Gold is a cliio little comedienno. Miss Marion Armitage, in a slightly different line, is also distinctly amusing. Miss Ada Smart, is a vocalist of no mean order, and renders her songs with admirable effect; and Mr. R. Fostor-Hine, a basso-baritone, also ppoves_ an excellent vocalist. Lastly, there is Mr. 'Wylie Watson, a comedian with an original style. 'The Butterflies' havo made a specialty in 'potted plays' on the lino of the 'Follies.' Particularly good items in this direction are 'Rip Van Winklo,' and 'La Poupee'." The Kimberley "Diamond Fields Advertiser" was equally flattering to "Tho Butterflies":—"To those who visited the show," it remarked, "there is nothing to be said, but from them tho company will surely take away good wishes and the assurance that the memories of their clever performance will not be ephemeral, as the life of their namesoke. To those who omitted to spare them an evening it can only be said that they have missed a treat, a feast of good music. Of tho many bands of minstrels who have visited the Diamond Fields, none have more deserved patronage, and nono have been received with heartier appreciation.' Mr. Waller's impersonation of the Hebrew comedian, personating the personator, convulsed the audience, and tho Hungarian band travesty brought down tho house.

RICKARDS COMPANY. "One of the very best vaudeville companies the Rickards management has over sent to Now Zealand" is the justifiable verdict on the vaudeville company now appearing at tho Opera House. Each and overy member is an adept at his or her particular lino of business, and each has tho polish born of world-wido experience in the delicate art of entertaining. A vaudevillo diamond of the first water is Miss Nclla Webb, a dainty exponent of the np-to-dato chanson, whose stylo is full of witchery, and whose voice is 6ugar-coated. To the succcssful numbers of tho first evening 6ho added last evening a smart 6ong, entitled "Don't Talk in your Sleep," which set tho audienco tittering. Arnold Do Biero, the dexterous master of mystery, completely nonplussed thoso present with his tornado of clever tricks, created wonderment by his cuto thumb-tie trick, and made a big appeal to the artistic Bemse in his picturesque illusion, entitled "Leda and the Swan." One of the most satisfying artists on the bill is Signor Alberto Marini, lately a member of tho Quinlan Opera Company. His singing of "La Donna Mobile" is a lesson in delicately-expressivo vocalism. His voice was heard to great advantage in "The Miserere" duet from "II Trovatore" with Miss Webb. Messrs. Taylor and Arnold are skilled exponents of ragtime songs; Cliinko juggles and balances with amazing adroitness; and Miss ICauffmann is one of the best, of trick cyclists. Tho box plan will be on view at the Dresden up till 1 pjm. to-day, and during the afternoon it may be seen at Christeson's, in Manners Street. FAREWELL CONCERT. Before leaving Wellington, in order to commence his new duties as city organist at Auckland, the Royal Wellington Choral Society is about to tender a farewell concert to Mr. J. Maughan Barnott, tho society's present conductor. Great preparations are being made for a miscellaneous concert to suit all musical tastes, and it is hoped that tho public of Wellington will not allow this occasion to pass without being present, and thus wishing Mr. Barnott "good-bye." 'Ihe concert will talce placo in the Town Hall on Thursday, March 13, and scats may be reserved at tho Dresden on and after the 7th.

ORGAN RECITAL. Tho Municipal Organ Recital will ho given in tho Town Hnll to-night, when Mr. Maughan Burnett will piny Wagner's "Overture to Tannhauser,' Bach's "D Major Prelude and Fugue," and works by Ilollins, Vierne, Henslct, and Schubert. Miss Dora Read will bo tho vocalist.

Mr. W. Smart, pawnbroker, Willis Street, has instructed Messrs. B. Johnston and Co., to sell, by publio auction, v£2ooo worth of unredeemed pledges. The salo will be held at Messrs. E. Johnson and Co.'s rooms, Lamljton Quay, on A\ ednesday and Thursday next, March 5 and C. The auctioneers announce that the salo will conimoiicG at I,'JO p.m. each (lay. Full particulars and catalogues may bo had ffom tho auctioneers.