ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1689, 4 March 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Richards' Yaudevillo Company are billed to appear at tlio Opera House lor to-night mill Oireo more evenings. This talented company of versatile artists has created a favourable impression with Wellington Uieatro audiences. Included in tho company are Be Jiicre, a successful magician, Taylor and Arnold, clever nionologuists, and Nulla Webb, nn attractive serio. Tor the remainder of tlio season tho artists of the company will bo seen in a complete change of programme to that submitted last week. THEATRE ROYAL. The newest turn, which is also tlio brightest,' in the new bill presented at the Theatre Royal last night, is that of Fred Curran, comedian. Mr. Curran sings funny, tuneful ditties in character, and h<V does not rely too much 011 grotesque make-up, to the exclusion of real wit Apparently a greait many of his songs are partly, if not wholly, original, mostly clever parodies of well-known music-hall songs. Austin and Cowan, two comedy sketch artists, of more than common were very cordially received in a comic sketch, wilth n good song or two in it. Hassan, the Indian juggler, gavo further exhibitions o£ his skill in legerdemain, and he succeeded in amusing Kind 'puzzling the audienco not a little. La France appeared in more poses under the limelight, and produced some fascinating and novel effeclts, anil she also gavo some diverting impersonations of various sorts of singers. Slavin anil Thompson, patter comedians, wero entirely successful in their, amusing act. Gaps in a well-balanced programme wero filled in by picture jokes on the bioscope.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "Father" is the title of an exceptionally fine dramatic study, now being screened at His Majesty's Theatre. Tho acting is so well carried out, and the plot so interesting, that tho scenes appear to verge upon something very like absolute realism. Tho character of Vivanti, a manufacturer, is taken by a well-known Italian actor, whose acting was most clever. Marny is the natno of another wealthy manufacturer, who becomes jealous at Vivanti's success. Ho employs ono of his workmen —Tonio—to set fi.ro to his rival's factory. The deed is done, and a number •of Vivanti's employees perish in tho flames. Vivanti is arrestod, and sentenced to imprisonment on the excuse that ho fired' his building in order to secure the insurance, money. Marny's troubles then commence, Tonio continually approaching him for sums of money as a bribe to keep quiet. Marny adopts the only daughter of Vivanti, aged about four years. Tho scene changes, anil tho escape of Vivanti from prison is depicted. Ho. takes up tlio role of "Old Andrew" and collects rags. One day Vivanti comes across Tonio in a drinking saloon, and learns from him all about the crime for which he suffered. Vivanti then goes to Marny's house, and threatens his life, but when he sees a young girl in tho arms of a young man, and is informed that it is his daughter, he forgives Marny, and decides to leave the town. Tonio returns to Marny for more money, and, unable to gain' admittance, steals into tho cellar and sets tho place on fire.' The following scene depicts the burning of a huge mansion, which is amazingly realistic. Vivanti, on witnessing tho fire from a neighbouringhill, rushes back to render assistance. Tonio perishes in tho flames, and Marny, who receives fatal injuries, makes a confession on his death-bed, which results in Vivanti being depicted fondly caressing his daughter. The picture gives one the sensation of having witnessed something in the way of dramatic situation which is rather unique. The supporting items are

well up to the 'standard maintained by the Fuller proprietary.

NEW. THEATRE. A new programme was introduced at the New Theatre yesterday. "The Dream" is the title of tho star item. It is a realistic drama woven round the story of an adventurer, who plans that his sister Valentine shall marry ono of the aristocracy. Tho girl sacrifices her. lover, and marries a oount, who dies. She..then seeks -her former love—a young lawyer, Boucher, by name. But, hearing this,.tho late count's private secretary intervenes by falsely swearing that Roucher's papers have been rifled by Valentino. Believing this to bo true, the unhappy Boucher prefers death to doubt in love, and takes her lifo unfulfilled. Another exclusive item is "The Mayor from Ireland." "Pat and Milliner" and "Rudolph Outwitted" aro also good items. THE, EMPR ESS THEATRE. A new programmo was screened at the Empress Theatre yesterday.- Tho feature 'picture is entitled "Unmasked," and is the story •of a scoundrel who, with tlie gift of admirable sang-froid, passes for a gentleman. To make tho illusion more complete lio borrows a fictitious titlo, and poses as a marquis; ho is otherwise when not posing, industrious as an expert cracksman. Having successfully "cracked a crib" he and his "pal" meet to divide the loot, and, among other things, ho finds a letter, to tho owner of the "cracked crib" from au old and wealthy naval commander, in wliicli the latter suggests that he would liko to see his only daughter marry a nobleman. Thinking a chango of air would do him good, tho pseudo marquis determines to marry the only daughter. Ho manages to win his way. The daughter has just been forbidden to marry her cousin, a young naval lieutenant, whom she loves. The process of unmasking the villain' is sensational, and provides a climactic end to an agreeable picture. Other new items are:—"Pirato Gold" (A.B. drama), ".House of Pride" (S. and A. drama), two excellent comic items, awl a fine scenic of Central Italy.

THE KING'S THEATRE. An excellent variety of entirely new pictures, starred by a capital drama, entitled "Father," was screened at the King's Theatre lost evening. Quito a number of tho ordinary run of picture dramas aro of a decidedly weak construction, with a plot lacking in strength'and realism, but the photo-play "Fnther" is without doubt a most remarkable production. There is vitality in the motif, and the acting is clever. The plot tells a. story of how one wealthy manufacturer ruined tlio prosperous life of another. The villain, however, gains little by his deed, and, in fact, he becomes a victim of his guilty consciousness. Later scenes depict a realistic fire, which result in tho destruction of the villain's home, and the reconciliation of the ruined manufacturer to hist lost daughter. In the fire tho villain receives fatal injuries, and makes a confession, which brings about a liappy ending. A capital photo-plav is supplied by the Vitagrnph Company, entitled "Poet and Peasant." A young poet, timl of the dissipations of Paris, decides to go into the country for a holiday. There he meets amljfalls in love with tho pretty daughter ot a farmer. Presently, however, lie returns to Paris, forgets nis love for tho farm girl, and, later, tho girl dies. Ou her death-bed she gives a former lover a trinket (which tho poet gave to her), and asks him to return it to tho original donor should he return. The poet returns, and finds the old farm-house deserted. In tho churchyard he finds tlio girl's former lover, who, in a passion, seizes the poet by the throat, upbraiding liim with treachery to the dead." Then the memory of tlio girl returns to him. and lie gives the poet tho trinket, and bids him depart, whilst ho mourns the loss nf his sweetheart. Other pictures are: "The Double Event" (comedy), "London Gazette." "Animal Preservation," "Australian Gazette," and "Rio de Janeiro" (scenic).

SHORTTS' PICTURES. "The Platform of Death" is the title of the chief picture on th<» new programme nt Messrs. Shortts' Theatre. The hero i's a count who joined a circus. He was not over steadfast in his lovo affairs ornl thereby incurred tho frenzied jealousy of a. fellow artiste. The count's "(urn" includes a daring trick on horseback. Horse imd rider are hoisted on a narrow platform to the top of the lnige tent, ami while thus suspended the platform is decorated with fireworks. .Tust before tho performance the slighted lover drugs tho count's horse. Unsuspicious; the "count ascends on the platform, the firewoTks display begins, and tho drugged horse comes crashing to earth and kills the count. Of the comic Hems 'Bringing Grumnlev Around" is tho met original. Tho other items make ud a pleasant entertainment.