ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1730, 22 April 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE BLUE BIRD." Maurice Maeterlinck's captivating dream play, "The Blue bird," was again presented to a large audience by tiro very" excellent Williumson Company at 'the Opera llouso last evening. To tlioso wliu have tlio faculty for appreciating its delicate fancy and delicious imaginings, tlio play is a rare treat -which should not bo missed. To all who lovo children—perhaps to parents most particularly—"The Blue Bird" has emotional <bptlis that tlio drama in ordinary does not plumb, and such scenes as "The Land of Memory" and "The Kingdom of tlio Future" are seen by many through mists of tears. The company is a really capable one, and does justice to tho play. The Mytyl and Tyltyl of little Misses Vera Spaull and Gertie Cromer are exceptionally good performances of a class but seldom seen. Air. Maurico Dudley is delightful as Tylo (tho dog), and Tylette (tho cat) is faithfullj; depicted by Air. Ernest Lashbrook. Miss Irby Marshall, as Night is a'commanding figure, and acts with fine dramatic strength and discrimination. Maeterlinck makes Mother Night a very old woman, but in this performance tho producer has gone past his instructions in making tho character a beautiful young woman, whoso picturesque posing only serves to emphasise the player's undoubted charm. Miss Marshall also plays Mummy Tyl excellently well. Mr. Frank Harcourt lias managed to get right into the skin of Gaffer Tyl, whilst Granny Tyl was feelingly played by Miss Vera Keagh. Ono character which is not .made the most of is the Fairy Berylune, played by Miss Georgio O'Meara. She fails to suggest the serines; of tho old woman in the first net, and her manner suffers 110 change with the first twist of the enchanted diamond, when she sliould really become a radiant being with sheaves of golden hair. Evidently tho change is too much fpr tlio 6taga producer, for the fairy still remains tho same faded old lady as when she enters. A fine.lfeaturo of the performance is tlie astonishing ability of the children who in the "Land of Memory" and "The Kingdom of tho ]'\iture." They act with intuitive grace and meaning, and throughout enunciate every word clearly, yet without a trace of elocutionary pedantry.

J.lio Blue Bird" is a charming entertainment for children as well as adults, and the niatinees (the first of which is to bo given to-morrow afternoon) aro sure t;> bo well attended. Last evening's performance was attended by several officers of H.M.S. New. Zealand.

THEATRE ROYAL. . The Fullcr-Breiinan management have evidently struck the, correct recipo lor good business. It is a simple one—good programmes. Last evening tho bill was well up to tho standard, and a thoroughly Good entertainment was given. The newcomers included a bright and fairly original turn from America, supplied by the Lessos, who arc described as "sensational novelty sharp-shooters and extraordinary jugglers." ijeth tho juggling gentlemen and the sharp-shooting lady are distinctly clever. Attired in glistening, summer ciothes, tie lady fires with deadly accuracy jit coloured globes iu receptacles, and asj'-ho pellet takes elfect tanjus balls and billiard cues, are released irons sockets, and neatly caught by the juggler for tho purposes of his performance. Among tho lat'tcr's many delt acts aro tho clever cannon-ball and billiard-cue spinning acts, originally introduced by Cinquevalh, who was the forerunner of many clever jugglers and balancers. . Lcsso is particularly clean in his balancing nets, and tho absolute control which ha has over a Ixiuncing .tennis ball, which he catches (and holds) on litis forehead aiuCear was distinctly _ attractive. Finally, he perches a spinning tub on a chair, which is placed on a revolving electrolier, that is, balanced on his forehead, whilst holding two other spinning, tubs on sticks in one liand, and juggles a couple of tin plates in tho other. The act was well received. Tho other now turn was tlijat provided by tho Clardys, two men, oilo an expert Roman-ring performer, who has a flying doable-somersault in lids stock-in-trade, and tho other a burlesque comedian, who 'makes'fim whilst his partner is regaining' his breath'. The comedian docs a rather startling act by attaching his feet to gear which revolves round a horizontal bar. This enables him to swing round at full length, whilst apparently standing on tho bar. It is what is known as "the giant's swing" reversed. Tho Screnaders presented another attractive first part, in which Mr. Norman Lestfo made a hit in ft Bacchanalian song, to which he had to append "I Was Standing on the Corner of tho Street." Mark Phillips and Hugh Huxliam mado merry in the. humorous duet "My Motor-car" (set to the refrain of "Excelsior"), and Miss Edith Huxhain and Mr. Leslie were hr'ghly amusing in the duot "Tho Lady Palmist." Miss Elsie. Barber sang "My Curly-headed Coon" (with a nicely-harmonised chorus), Miss Gertie M'Leod sang "Run Homo and Tell Your Mother," and Sam lo Mert whistled selections from ."The Belle of New York." Among tho specialty artists Campbell and Airlio are favourites. The audiences never tire of tho lady's ditties-at-the-piano, among which "Mr. Crocodile" and "Enjoy Yourself" aro classics. The Huxhaius trio sang "Estudianlimi" harmoniously, oiid responded to well-deserved applause with an Irish medley that was equally acceptable. Mr. Frank Hawthorne, tho clever Australian comcdian, made good in a comedv sketch entitled "My Wedding Morn,'' in which he was assisted by Mr. Mark Phillips and'JJ'ss Ida Ingersole.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. / A very excellent and entertaining selection of picture films from the leading houses in the United States, England, anil Hiiropo comprised the new picture programme at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. Tho star film, one ol' the finest and most elaborate productions screened at His Majesty's for a long time past, is a mastcrpieco by tho Pasquali House, entitled "On tho Steps of the Throne." The plot of tho drama smacks of the Anthony Hope court novel, and the producers hav'o. spared 110 pains to perfect the details of t'no setting. Princo Vladimiro, hcir-pre-sumptivo to tho throne of Silistria, is made the subject of the regent, an accomplished villain named Backine, whose plot to marry his daughter to tho princo is thwarted by tho lattcr's devotion to his own cousin, tho Princess Olga. Tito prince is then sent to Paris, in the 'Company of one of the regent's hireling,-!, whose instructions are to endeavour, to mako his charge forget his lovo in the giddy whirl of tho French capital. The princo becomes infatuated with a prc r miero danseuse, and tho' latterV lover, a dancer by the liamo of Chiehita, who bears an extraordinary resemblance to tho prince, becomes tho emissary of the regent. .The princo is lured into captivity by th'# familiar trap-door method of removing obstacles in tho path of schemers, and his double assumos the role .pf heir to Silistria. Ho is betrothed to the regent's daughter, and is just, about to bo crowned when the real prince, having escaped miraculously from death, appears on the scene, and all ends well. Other goad items iucludo some excellent moving pictures of tho visit of 11.M.5. New Zealand, and tho motor cycle carnival at Trentham; "A Marriage of Convenience," a fine photo-play by tho Vitagraph Company, "Pizeu Pete," an amusing Western comedy; some interesting studies of tho cormorant in its native haunts; and the Patlie Gazette. The programme will lie repeated this evening.

THE NEW THEATRE. A complete change of programme tooK place at the Now Theatre in Manners Street yesterday, when a sensational detective drama, entitled "Tile Mjtfory of the Elk City Bank," starred the bill. The story commences with the announcement of tile mysterious death of tho nightwatchman at tho Elk City Bank. The HlicritV secures the services of a. noted thief-catcher,' "Arizona Bill," who is deputed to solve tho mystery. During ail all-night watch the detective is astonished to seo a board in the floor raised, and ii cobra—one of tho deadliest varieties of the snake species—glides through the opening. The detective shoots tho reptile, ami then commences, an exciting chase after two Chinese, who the officer of tho law sees stealing away in the moonlight. Tho supporting ifems include some admirable scenes in tho Lake of Trauiic; an emotional photo-play, entitled "Tho Broken Oath," "All For a Girl," a fascinating romance, and a budget uf topical photo-news.

THE KING'S THEATRE. The weekly change of programme at tho King's Theatre last evening introduced sonic excellent studies, including a particularly fins production entitled "Tho Weaker \ r essel."' '('his : -!udy is elaborately mounted, ami is easily ono of the best .efforts of the well-known l\i':he Frercs'

firm. The film is in colour,.magnificently, tinted, and ono of tho features of tlio play is a sensational scene in tlio bull-ring. Tho hero of tho story,' a youth named Pierre, is engaged to a country maiden, but has his affections diverted by a passing infatuation for a circus girl, with whom he elopes to Spain after an unexpected denouement with his fxanceo, who discovers him with the circus girl when ho should have been otherwise engaged. In Spain one Nauroti, a bull-fighter, lulls in lovo with Ida, and in a letter, to her declares that if she does not accept his devotion ho will impale himself upon tho horns of tho bull. The letter goes astray, and, receiving no reply, Nauroti commits suicide. In the revulsion of feeling occasioned by the tragedy, Pierre and Ida discover that their passion is but a fleeting affair, and they part. Pierre rejoins his country maiden, expresses contrition, and is onco more installed in her favour. Another good film is "The Signal of Distress," in which Hiss Flo Turner and the clever dog Jean, of . the Vitagrapli Co., appear in a drama of tho emotional type. "Tho Dandy" is an amusing Vitagraph conicdy. Other items include some excellent scencs on board. 11.M.5. New Zealand and at tho inotor-cyclo meeting at Trentham; a charming scenic study, "In a Japanese Garden"; "Brains v. Brawn," a laughable comedy, the "Gauino.nt Graphic" of'weekly tonics; and "Letters to the Princess", (tho "What Happened to Mary" series).. ; The-programme will bo repeated this evening.-

EMPRESS .THEATRE, - The star film on the new bill at th» Empress Theatre, screened for tho first lime at the day and evening sessions yesterday, is a- spectacular 'drama entitled "The Death of Lucerne." The theme is of the.days of ancient Rome. The story of Lucerne, is the subject' of 0110 of Shakespeare's most powerful studies, and to those who know the history of thi» Celebrated heroine, tho idea of presenting it as a photo-play might appear to be rather daring. In the hands of tho producers, however, the plot is judiciously regulated and amended without detrhctinp from the strength of the drama, which is a moving study of a wife's fidelity to her husband. Another feature drama is "Tho God of Gold," by the Solid Company. I'Mve young men, eicli about to engage in their life's work, choose various avocations. Art, science, the profession of arms, agricultural pursuits, say four of them, but the fifth chooses the business of amassing wealth. All his best instincts, high ideals, his wife and family, the traditions of his ancestors are forgotten, sacrificed to tho pursuit of wealth, and he ends his days in solitude, miserly and suspicious of everyone. As ho sits before his lonely fire, the memories of his youth flit before his eyes. Ho suffers a revulsion of feeling, and falls back dead. The moral of the stor.v is well emphasised. "Sammy Orpheus," a Selig oomedy, introduces a modern Pied Piper of the jungle, calling to him with his flute the beasts of the wild. Other good studies include "Tweedledum as Anarchist," "The Surprise Packet," "A Trip on the Riviera," and a budget of topioal picture news. Tho programme will bo repeated to-day and to-night.

SHORTTS' PICTURES. The new programme at Shodts' Continuous Picture Theatre, screened yesterday and evening, includes a striking drama of tho Texas border in ! the days of the Mexican, half-breed desperado Qei . onimo. whose lawless band* terrorised tho sparsely settled districts. of that wild region'in the pioneer days of the Western States of America. "On-the Threshold" is a domestic drama, by tho Lubiu Com pnny, with a pleasant finiil. "Pimple as, Kent Collector" is nn nniusing comedy. "The God of Gold" is one of the star films of the series portraying the mental degradation of a man who has made the accumulation of-wealth his chief aim in life. There is also tl» "Australian' Ga> zette" of topical'views,'and a New Zealand film depicting various scencs in the hemp industry. The programme will be repeated to-day.