ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1702, 19 March 1913, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

• THEATRE ROYAL. Tho° programme to bo staged throughout tins week ut tho.Theatre Hoyal is one of ths most attractive that has been staged I'hero for some time. The vocalists on tho programme, headed by Miss Louie Duggnu, who is billed as "the Devonshire Nightingale;" are fur above the average. 'J ho Jisma Duo were well received last evening, and vrill in all probability _ have; a successful season.'lurt'o. Harsh Little introduces a diminutivo sketch, "Uoiug Back," that does not fail to rouse tho audience, and tho Threo Marsdens contribute one of tho cleverest of tlie items. It should also bo mentioned that tho lady of this troupe perforins the roost sensational turn of tlio entertainment. Miss Lillie Thompson, Slavin ami Thompson, and Henry and May all help, to keep the ball of fan rolling, 'HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ''The Stolen .Treaty" is the most conspicuous item which is at present "on tho screen" at His Majesty's Theatre. Tho story deals mostly with military officers, diplomatic attachees, and palace functionaries of a foreign l'ower. Tho theft of an important document leads to an exciting motor-car chasi?, a brilliant court gala, and eventually to a sanguinary tight in a country'inn. "A Guijty Conscience," the' minor star in the same firmament, or on the same programme, so to speak, is a delicious comic itelh of quite a novel class. This programme will bo repeated .to-night. :

, THE KING'S THEATRE. Two first-class items are now being screened at the King's Theatre at present. "The Black Mask," an American drama telling an exciting story about Lili Beck, the tight-rope walker, and "The Power of Silence." Although the latter is, according to the programme,'not'of the calibre of the former, it nevertheless may be regarded as a star item. The latest "I J athe Gazette" is interesting, as it usually is. The best-received picture was that of tho King's visit to H.M.S. New Zealand, in which one. is hble to recognise threo .prominent New Zealanders. THE NEW THEATRE. The New Theatre have obtained another Ncrdisk film with which to top .their'bill. "Dearly Purchased Friendship" tells the story of a gambler's life, a life crammed with poignant' regrets, broken resojutions, and all the paraphernalia of an uninyiting existence. The supporting items are, on tho whole, good. "A Race with Timo" is the second dramatic piece.

THE EMPRESS THEATKE. "The Telephone Girl," the exciting A.B. drama, will be screened, for the last time to-day and to-night. The story is not only interestingly developed, ibut the sensational episode ill which a burglar is captured alter a desperate struggle is most realistically portrayed. "A World-Weary Man" is a captivating story of a millionaire who finds a now intei'est in life by rescuing a littlo waif : from the slums. "A Trip to Tahiti" 'affords some vivid view's of the Pacific Island on the route to San Francisco. A charming drama of a littlo benefactress and a poverty-stricken homo .is unfolded in "Lady Angela and tho/ Boy." A of programme' is advertised for to-morrow, when among tho leading numbers will be a powerful Selig drama, "Between Love and the Law," an S. and A. study, "The Virtuo of Rajs," and "A Fisherman's Faith." The topical department will be represented by "An Italian Naval Review," and there will also be a number of comedies. SHORTTS'THEATKE. Messrs. Shortts are.screening quite on attractive programme at their picture theatre in Willis . Street. "Alone in Paris" is 'their feature film. "Pals" is the title, of another of their good pictures. The programme will bo changed on Thursday. v

PEOPLE'S PICTUItt/ PALACE. A new solection of pictures was shown at the People's Picture Palace . yesterday. Ont< of th-i principal ltoriis is a story entitled "A Daughter's Sacrifice." It 1® a tale of a simple country, girl, who is in love with a worthy young fellow, of her own. choice, but who is persuaded to marry a worthless but wealthy scamp, in order to save her fftthcr -from financial ruin. Needless to say, the story-teller did not allow thf young bride to remain long unhappy, and the landlord is removed, thereupon the lady marries her first love. "Two Boys" is the title of a 1 story of two lads at a boarding school. One of them is suddenly rendered penniless by the death of his father, ana thereafter, oppressed by a spiteful master, his lot is unhappy. He runs away, and gets other employment, is befriended by strangers, and later it is discovered that after all his father had some valuable mining stocks which save : the boy from dis-j comfort. Another picture relates the experiences of an eccentric person named "Bloomer" on his quest for work. H© finds work of various kinds, and the adventures' ho meots with make ail exceedingly laughable subject. Of another type is a picture description of the work done in the Boulle Institute in France, a technical school in which boys aro instructed in cabinet-making in a manner to fit them to take control of large manufacturing establishments. The programme as a whole is varied in character, and it provides an excellent entertainment.

ALLEN. DOONE SEASON. ' . A season of Irish drama, will bo inaugurated in Wellington at tho Opera House on Saturday next by Mr. Allen Doone and his company. Mr. Doone has played record seasons of sixteen weeks in Mel-bourne-und twenty weeks in Sydney. Among those appearing with Mr. Doono a'ro Miss Edna ltuby, who achieved success during, the last Sydney season, at tho I'alace Theatre, and Messrs. Ronald Riley I 1 rank Cullman, Tom Buckley, J. V. Whito,' Frank Kenny, Ross Creagi, Alf. liainbitd, 0. Edgeworth, F. C. Barry, J. O'Connor, and Misses Ethel Grist, Conni<j Kyte, 'and Aileen Dunn. "The Wearing of tho Green" will bo the opening piece. This costume drama was ono of Mr. Doone's big American successes, and it will be played in 1 Wellington for tho first time. Mr. Doono has secured from America a number of entirely new songs for himself and Miss Keoley. Tho box plan is at the Dresden.

URQUHART BENEFIT. The accommodation of tho Concert Chamber was'severely taxed last evening, when a benefit concert was tendered to tho widow and- children of the late Mr. Crquhart, who were left in necessitous circumstances. An interesting programme was submitted by some of Wellington's- leading .musical talent, and. thoroughly appreciated by all present. It opened with a chorus by Madamo Mueller's puj>ils, who sanj! tho old glee "From Oberon in Fairylund (Stevens) with good expression. The Orpheus Quartet sang "Tho Rosary," "They Kissed," and "Tho Long Day Closes" very sweetly and softly. The members of the quartet", Messrs. S. N. Hutton, H. Phipps, 11. N. Fletcher, and R. S.i Allwright, also contributed solos. Mrs. W. B. Willis sang "Tho Lonely, ltoad," and for an encon; "Tho Lad That Comes at E'en." Miss Violet Mueller sang very sweetly Batten's "April Morn," and when encored, "I Know Not Why." A pleasant variation, were tho musical monologues of Mr. Stanley Rankin, who intoned with intelligence (to his own accompaniment) "A Tale of a Terraco" and "An Old Sweetheart of Mine." Mr. A. Sz.encs's string quartet played Schubert's "Moment Musical," and a Beethoven septet. Miss D. Jones's pretty soprano was not heard to tho best advantago in "The Last Rose of' Summer," in which tlicro was no variation in expression. Mrs. M. SutclifTc's recitations wero highly appreciated. Her selections were "Tho Trooper's Defence" and "Good-bye, and God Bless You," the latter a tender bit of sentiment, nicely conveyed. Miss Gwcnda Watkins sang "A I erfect Day" (with'cello obbligato by Mr. liuggins), and Mr. C. Martin nlso contributed a vocal -jolo. The accompani,vcru by Misses Anketeli, Gladys Watkins, and E. Bavtley. A number of people kindly donated home-made sweets, which wero sold during the evening by a number of young girls and liovs. Mesdames Marsh anil ;UviUcy rendered valuable help during the day by packing the lollies in boxes. Littlo Cecil Haines and Mr. T(. Bishop ■were unable to appear owing to slight indisposition. Not a little of the succcss of tho concert was duo to the energetic efforts of tho secretary, Miss Young.