ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1717, 7 April 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The exceptionally good bill being presented at the Theatre Royal is having tho desired effect, and there are seldom any good seats available after S p.m. To-night the "Screnaders" will appear in an entire change of programme, and tho Pour Stagpooles will figure in a new comedy act. "Bendo," the boneless wonder, and the Harmonious Huxhams will also appear. Those who have not heard the Huxhams should not miss the opportunity of doing so this week. Miss Edith lluxham is t lie possessor of a rich, mellow mezzo-soprano voice of excellent range and quality, and her methods aro most artistic.' HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A complete clianjjc of programme is announced to take place at His Majesty's Theatre this evening. Tho new series,, which arrives by tho English mail this afternoon, includes "Tho fire Cop," by the Selig Company, an exciting tiro drama, which tells of a policeman who rescues two women from a burning building by carrying them over a narrow plank connecting two houses. Nearly overcome by iire and smoke, all arc eventually saved by the timely arrival of tho life net. An item which should prove interesting, depicts trick and fancy swimming by ladies. The photography is excellent. "The Wives of Jamestown," an historical production bv the Kalem Company; "Fooling their Wives," a humorous sketch, and a number of other items, slioutd combine to give a pleasant evening's entertainment. On Thursday and Friday evenings next the management will, by numerous requests, revive tho picture of . the Panama Canal. Those who have not witnessed this fine rilm should avail themselves of the opportunity offered by tho management. THE 'NEW THEATRE. A. distinct chango of programme is announced for to-day and to-night at tho New Theatre continuous pictures. Bath, at matinee and evening sessions tho "feature" will be "Tho Last Obstacle;" a lengthy and elaborately-mounted Continental sporting and. love romance. It represents that Lieutenant llartcr, who is in difficulties, forges the name of his companion, Lieutenant Fclch, to a bill. When the bill is presented it is dishonoured, but Lieutenant. Foldi.subsequently honours it for the sake of old-timo friendship. Tho two are in love with tho same woman, and a racß on horseback is held to decide who shall he the accepted suitor. A severe fall results in the hero being injured mid tho villainy of his rival is exposed. There are many other subjects. "BACK FROM THE DEAD." On the change of programme at West's Pictures at the King's Theatre to-night a Gauinont feature film will be the star item. A desperate criminal changes his identity, and twenty years after persecutes his wife, a noble woman, with threats of exposure because she had contracted a second marriage, believing him to be dead. The scenrs arc set in Paris, some in tho fashionable centres of the gay city, and others in tho Apache quarter. A play with a powerful plot, '"Back from tho Dead" should prove a big drawing card this week. Included in the bill aro two Vitasraphs—'"Signal' of Distress." featuring Florence Turner, and "Dr.. Bridget," a Bunny and Finch comedy. A 500 mile motor-car race is also shown, some sensational' accidents being witnessed during its progress. To all 'the pictures Signor Truda.has arranged suitable orchestral selections. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. . "The Fire-fighter's Love," described as ono of the greatest fire pictures yot produced, will constitute tho principal feature of the new progranimo of tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures today and tp-night. Tho film, which is tho work of tlie Selig Company, introduces a scene in which a whole row of buildings aro ablaze. The firemen ureseonat work combating huge masses' of flames. The hero is a fireman who has a rival in love, also a fireman. The men arc called to a big conflagration, and undergo a terrifying experience through the burning buildings collapsing. The principal rescues the rival in a thrilling manner. Another fine subject will be the A.B. exclusive dramatic story, "A Father's Lesl- - The ever-popular, Western drama will be represented by th'o S. and A. Company's "The Sheriff's Luck." Recent events of note will appear in "Pathe's Australian Gazette." The A.B. Company's farce-comedy, "An Up-to-date I.oc'hinvar," will provide unlimited humour. The Edison comedy, "A Corner, in Whiskers," will also be irresistibly laughable. • SHORTT'S THEATRE. Excellent business \as done at Shortts' Theatro on Saturday. The star picture in to-day's new programme will bo "Tho Moneylenders." Other pictures to bo presented are:—"When. Destiny Guides," "Three Girls and a Man," "London Traffic," aiid "Proposal Under Difficulties." ' PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. That His Majesty's Theatre was well filled last evening—a bittor cold, wet evening I —was perhaps the best evidence.of tho estimation in which' the Wellington Professional Orchestra is held. The programme was an enticing one, and the performance was well up to the standard set this season. Indeed, it would not bo flattering tho orchestra if it were stated that the performanc6 generally, and Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony" in particular, was cleaner and more sensitive than any the orchestra has yet given. The attack was good, the tone body nicely balancod, and there was in every number that something which indicated conscientious endeavour. In the "Unfinished," for example, tho rough places havo been smoothed out, and there was a polis'h, breadth, and dignity in the treatgiven to this noble fragment, and Mr. Horbert Bloy deserves the greatest credit for the pitch of excellence achieved under the circumstances. That such a programme could bo played so well on a couple of rehearsals' is a. tribute to every member of the orchestra. With another dozen capable strings, there aro few orchestral works that Mr. Bloy need fear to play or music-lovers to listen to. The "Cornelius" March of Mendelssohn was played with proper elan and precision, and the subdued sweetness of Von Blon's "LiebfTstrnum" was delightfully suggested. The familiar overture to "Mignon" (Ambroise Thomas) is always welcome. Its refreshing melodies, which include tho solo from the opera "Ivnowest Thou the Land," and the brilliant polacca were played with persuasive ease and certitude. Dainty and charming, too, was the interpretation • given Sullivan's beautiful incidental music .to Shakespeare's "Henry VIII." The concert was brought to a conclusion, by an impressively spirited exposition of the Prelude fo the third act of Wagner's "Lohengrin." Among those present last evening was the Hon'. A. L. ITcrdman, president of the orchestra.