ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1751, 16 May 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The vaudeville combination which is ap« penring at tho Theatre Royal, is attracting large audiences. Lillie Mcore, comedienne, and Percy DaKou, rag-time dancer, are popular, and so also are Do Lea and Orma— I "America's Happy Two." The programme will bs repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The excellent variety of photo-plays now being .screened at His Majesty's Theatre is starred by a particularly clever picture entitled "Tho Beetle's Deception." The suppoiving items are "Tho Mexican Army," "The Rio Grande," "Fate," "J'athu Gazette," and "Men w?r» Deceivers Ever." THE >"E\Y THEATRE. The star picture of the new programme of pictures screened at Messrs. MacMahon ami Donnelly's New Theatre ill Manners Street is a powerful photo-drama; entitled "A Father's Forgiveness," or "Tlio Quality of Mercy." The plot of tho drama, whiich is by Pathe Treres, is tlio fairly familiar one of the erring daughter, the angry parents, expulsion from home, the poverty and vicissitudes of a young girl east adrift in a great city, and tlio , iinal reconciliation, 'i'no pitfalls and temptations which boset a friendless girl are strongly- perhaps a little too vividly— portrayed in the development of the story, but the incidents which point tiio narrative are faithfully illustrated, nn<l capablv acted. Adverse . circumstances dog the unfortunate heroine _ right through, but in, the end she wins her father's forgiveness—her mother dies under pathetic circumstances—and shelters once more under the parental roof. Tlio supporting films include: "The Red Man's Bunion," "The Siren's Call to Duty." "Scenes in aim "Winter in Engadine." THE KING'S THEATRE. "The Court Intrigue" and "Planting i Spring Garden," drama and comcdy respectively, are the_two premier attractions at tlio King's Theatre this week. "The l J riee of Jealousy" is billed as "a realistic war drama," though evidence as to tho realism is not given, and the "Gaumont Graphic" is full of interesting happenings. EMPRESS THEATRE. The fascination of wild'animal dramas for patrons of picture theatres is exemplified in tho popularity of the star film in tlio new programme screened at tho Empress Thcatro yesterday, when thpro was screened an elaborate photo-play entitled "Tho Leopard Avenger," by tho Lux Company. The story is founded upon the discovery by a chcmisl—whose laboratory is situated, for tlio sake_ of seclusion, away in the heart of the mild country— of the secret of making diamonds. By way of recreation, he engages in wild animal 'hunting with a neighbour, and during ono of these expenditi'.ons his daughter is given a wounded leopard to tamo as a pet. The leopard becomes qui to tame, and roams about the house at will. The news of the diamond discovery being extremely disconcerting 1° j-he Stock Exchange magnates in the civilised world, an agent is. dispatched to purchaso tho chemist's recipe and buy his silence, riie chemist refuse?, unci, wcthods faihii£t foul deeds are' resorted to. Tlio aßcnt breaks into tlio chemist's house, hilt is surprised by tho leopard, and severely wounded during a frantic and exciting strugglo with the animal, in which tho latter is killed by a revolver shot. Tho commotion alarms flic household, and tlio discomfiture of the agent furnishes the denouement. "Greater Wealth," a. powerfill story of the present uay, "The (drama), "Tho Regeneration of Jvancy (Lubin drama\ "Mirth and Mystery" (a bewildering trick ccvucdy), "Town of Flowers" (scenic), arc amongst tlio supporting items. STIORTTS' PICTURES. One of the best photo-plays scrcenod in Wellington for some time featured tho new programme a'fc Shortts' Continuous Picture Thcatro yesterday. The film, it is entitled "The Keeper of the Secret," is by tin? celebrated Cints-■hoiisfrat and occupies over half all' hour of flio programmo. The play is elaborately put together, tho quality of the acting is .excellent, and the development of the plot' most absorbing. The story" is one of political intrigue, wherein a republican secret society conspires against tho monarchy. Tile developments are verv interesting. The star film is supported, bv: "A Clue 'to her Parentage" (drama). "'Mussel Gathering at Villervil e (scenic), "The Magic Goldfish" (trick), "Three Suitors and a Dog" (comic), "Sammy Goes Yachting" (comic), and "Gaumont Graphic" (topical). POLITE VAUDEVILLE. That competent vaudeville artists are kimongs't the highest-paid performers in the theatrical'profession is probably due. io tho fact that each' performer or net must bo capable of, taking full stago and entertaining nu audience solely on its own merits. In drama, opera, or comcdy tho author creates the situations, gives tlio conception and the story or plot, and 18 sometimes responsible for the success of a performer possessing I l ''' o .,, m '"'° " lan ordinary talent. In vaudeville, however, each performer is solely dependent upon his or her ability to amuse irum somo chosen special standpoint. Tno vaiutovillo company which Mr. V. M. Bcebe will bring to tho Opera House for a season of seven liiglvts, commencing Mmi--dav, May 19, is claimed to be one ot tlio most expensive organisations of the kind that' has over toured Australasia, larttculiir care, it is said, has been taken ill •the selection of the various specialties so as,-to givo the programme that even balance so essential to perfect cnjoymeut of a high-class variety entertainment. Iho inaiUTKemcivt sfato that, cacli item nistinctlv different from its.predecessor'. and a glaiico at the lonsr list of names of o various artists and acts will give some idea of what should be in swre for Iboso who enioy a bright and catchy perfoi nance iMio box plan is now on view, a d reserved teals may bo booked at tlio Dresden without extra ehurge.

OHCHE&TRAL CONCERT. The Wellington Professional Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Herbert. Hloy. will pivo its'sixth Sunday evening concert for (.lie season 1913, at His Mnje tj s Theatre, on bunday next, at 5.30 p.m. The following programme is, as usiiaj, well including, among other pieces Kilcnberg's "Coronation March,' ■. n ! 'Lovc Song" bv Taubert for oboe and strings', Auber's ' overture "Masaniello.' •md tho audience is promised a treat in "Scenes Fittoresques," a siiito by Massenet. Mr.' Bloy, in response to many requests, has consented (0 repeat tho "Tauhauser" overture. A silver coin collection will be taken at the doors iu aid of the library fund.