ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1756, 22 May 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPEKA HOUSE. Btube's Polito Vaudeville Company dispensed cheerful entertainment again. last evening at the Opera House. The minstrel first, part is given tho welcome of n» old IrieiKl, and as tho performers are brisk and clever, the show goes with a swing from start to finish. A complete change of programme is promised on Saturday evening. : THEATRE ROYAL. The Harmonious Huxhams, the molodious Serennders, Jliss Beattio Jl'Donald, Sherratt and Lang, Amo and Almo, Miss Lillie Jloore, H.-yi'Haine, and Mr. Percy Dalton comprise the .list of artists now supplying a bright programme at the TJivatre Royal. The new lirst part of the Soremuiers is entertaining. The programme will be repeated this evening.

HIS. MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A most interesting picture now showing at His Majesty's Tnoatro ,is that entitled "A Day at Honrnville." 'I'll? film shows a series of views of the model village where Messrs. Cudbury, of cocoa fame, have their works, and where also they sot an admirable t.x.ample of how to plan a town so that the residents in it may be tho happiest work people in the world. It is difficult to imagine, after one has seen the film, how any more could be done to improve the lot of the dwellers in the garden town. The picturo shows the workers at their daily toil in airy, well-lighted shops, and it shows also the porlU'tion. of the appliances used in the manufacture of the product and the packing of it for sale. Most interesting, however, are those sections of the film showing tho beautiful environment in which the people work and' live (for the lactory is really situated in a garden), and the opportunities afforded them for healthful recusation. It is a picture of a. remarkable settlement, and it is by 110 means without its instructive side iii these days when tovriy-planning i-: a subject which is bein<? considered. The other pictures in the bill are varied in character, and they combine to make up a .fine programme.

■ THE KING'S THEATKE. A programme containing more than the usual number of good pictures is now being shown at the King's Theatre. A Trip to Cape Kidnappers" describes « journey to the wave-beaten headland ot that name, and tho leading story mis are two exciting dramas, entitled io liight the Wrong," .which is about a prodigal brother whb returned, and Roderick's Hide," a tale of a frenzied gaJop to save a life. THE NEW THEATRE. ' "Behind the Mask," a excellently staged dramagraph will occupy pride-of place in to-day's new programme at the New Theatre continuous pictures. The subject concerns the efforts of a devoted girl to save her sister from tho clutches of an unscrupulous adventurer. Saharct, the famous Continental actress, will take the leading part, assisted; by other well known performers. The pieco introduces artistic dancing. ,Tlie minor items will include specially-selected subjects, of which "The Victoria Cross" (or "The Charge of the Light Brigade") will be the most notable. THE EILPEESS THEATRE. , The regular change, of programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures to-day and to-night will bring forward a sensational military-spy drama, "A Beautiful Traitor," which is said to .be produced on a scale of magnificence. The screening occupies over half an hour. Tho film is delicately tinted, and this gives some of the scenes, especially that of a grand ball, a brilliant effect. There is a fine view of a huge disappearing gun in action, and also of the blowing-up of a steamer by a submarine mine. The principal figuro is a beautiful countess, who undertakes to assist in stealing a copy of important plans of an American fortress. The supplementary items include "Two Little Pals" (Hcmvick drama), "Orange Growing" ' (Lubin industrial), "The Sheriff's Daughter," and a number of comedies.

THE DANDIES. Mr. Edward Branscombe's company of entertainers, "Tho Dandies," who are lo inaugurate a season at' tho Town Hall on Monday, need no special introduction to New Zealand folk. Last year tho Dandies did record business whenever they appeared, aud at the end loft the public more enthusiastic than they found it. Tho success was solely, attributable to their having "the goods." Mr. Branscombe scrupulously guards against any intrusion of vulgarity or semi-suggestive-ness. Since the Dandies were in New Zealand last year they are said to have appeared with continuous success at their different locations during tho summer in Australia. The companies have keen strengthened and perfected at every point, and their repertoires have been extended by the addition of many original features and many current successes ,-iiti the Cider World. 'The box plau is at thf Dresden. , • OSCAR WILDE. The entertainment to be given in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall this evening is expected to appeal to hll ad-; mirers of the writings of the late Oscar Wilde, who ranks as one of tho lr.cst polished English writers of the last century. His plays, which include' such brilliant comedies as "An Ideal Husband," "Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance," and "The Importance of Bring Earnest," went a long way towards - raising the literary standard of the English, drama, and the keen wit and subtlety of expression have rarely been equalled since by any writers for the stage. Ho also has claims as a poet. The plays mentioned above were very successful in their day, aud are even . now frequently revived. One, however, that we Wive not yet seen is a short pla;v, entitled "A Florentine Tragedy, which is strongly dramatic, and. includes some beautiful word-painting. This will be played at the Concert Chamber this evening bv Mrs. .Tames Hannah, Mrs. Martin Williams, Messrs. J. M -Clarke, r.nd Vivian Eliind. Mr. Clark, who is veil 'known as an elocutionist, will also tccho several stanzas by "Wilde. In addition to this fare, Mrs. Hannah will produce a study in colour and movement, entitled "The Wind Driving the Seasons," in which she will bo assisted by some thirty vouiv ladies and children, including Miss Vera Pe"g, a graceful dancer and poseur. The entertainment will be repeated on Friday evening.

SCOTTISH CONCERT, There was a regular gathering of the elans at tho Scottish Society 5 concert h»U in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening. The character of tho entertainment could be gathered from afar, thanks to tho skirl of the pines. so dear to Scotsmen. The entire programme was made up ol Scotch songs, stcries. and dances. Outstanding features of tile programme were tho excellent playing of the society's honorary pipers, and the dancing of a number of blithesome young girls, including Miss Flora Shaw, an ajyile little dancer who wears on her bre:«st a 'dazzling array of medals won at Caledonian gatherings and competition. Her delightful dancing was best displayed in the picturesque sword dance, ono of the oldest and most r<n*ered of Scottish dances. With Misses D. M Leilan, L. and Jf.'RM-all capital dancerssho also appeared in a Highland reel, and the Reel 0' 'j'ulloch. The programme inciud'd a brief lecture 011,"Tho Pithiness of Scottish Speech," by the Rev. J. Gibson Smilu (reported elsewhere), "a wee erect by the Chief (Mr. A. B. Thomson), songs b'y Mesdamcs A.. Rogers, T. N. Johnson. ,T. Collins, and Messrs. T. Newton, C. J. Houston (a Harry Lauder specialist), anl A. Evans. Little Daisy M'Lellan danced a Highland fling gracefully. A contributor to the evening's entertainment who deserves to be singled out for special comment was Mr. H. Gilchrist, a violinist, of uncommon powors. Though he does not produce a big tone, Mr. Gilchrist imbues anything he plays with a rare degree of sympathy that is finite arresting in its e'Fect. Although his Scottish Fantasia could hardly be classed as such, seeing that it consisted of the playing of one air only—very delightfully played—and an imitation of tho bagpipes, it displayed tho performer as a player of good technical and temperamental equipment. In olden style, tho concert was presided over by t'lio Chief (Mi'. A. 15. Thomson), who solemnly announced each number though everyone in the audience had a programme. Mr. Jas. M'Fellan acted i<s stage director, and Pipers T. Macdonald and A: Frost played for tho dances.