ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1766, 3 June 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATKE KOYAI/. Tho Fullpr-Brennan management neve*, appear to be at a loss for now artists, and as novelty is tbe life of tho roudevillo business, the Theatre Iloyal manages to top a healthy grip on public favour. Outstanding anion*? tho newcomers last evening were Miss Violet Carmen and Mr. Aif. J. Lawrence, who present a rather novel form of song l and piano entertainment. Miss Carmen (who is appropriately named) is a brunette of engaging appear; ance, who sings snappy songs in an arch manner to tho sympathetic accompaniment of her partner, who 'is very much at homo at Die keyboard, and enters rather weakly into the Vocal fray unexpected. intervals. Jltss Carmen introduced herself iu "Tho Glad Eye," and comwith the pianist in "I Was Meant tor lou. Then came a splash of local colour 111 the Maori ragtime song "Couio Down the Waugauui," to the origin of which Ijoth artists pleaded guilty and throw themselves 011 tho mercies'of tho audience. Tho touch of Maori, in action and dialogue, pleased the audience, which however, laughed at tho liiio "Neath the ehado of tho kauri gum," which was somewhat out of its right setting. Tho pair did .some pretty posing at tho piano in a spot light, aud also showed how two people could sing a duet by playing and singing on a revolving stool. Tho Esrna. Duo reappeared after a brief absenoo and amused the house with song and dance Mudamo Marvell's intelligent cockatoos and macaws were put through their quaint, performance. That pretty dog Mikko engaged in light arithmetical exercises most cleverly, doing all that was asked him. iritis von Liston, with his. clcver whistnig, introduced a whole aviary of English birds and a veritnblo menagerie of animals. His imitations wero very faithf i 'nil 0 Trio gave aii original «li Huxham and tho other members rpi wene all highly successful, there will ba a matinee performs this afternoon. HIS MAJESTFS THEATRE. Cleopatra, an historical picture of some length, which takes up tho greater part ; of • tho lien- programme at Ifis Majesty's theatre, was screened for the first time last , night. The story of Anthony, tho aspirant to the mantle of Julius Caesar, and his romantic attachment to Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, is well known, and tho picture tells little that is now to the well-read historical narrative. Of coui\<« one is able to get a letter idea from tho picture of tho general conditions of tho time. It also impresses better tho tremendous power woilded by the ancients over their slaves and inferiors. In itself tho story is rather-a sordid one njid not nearly so attractive as tho history of Octavius Caesar, better known as Caesar Augustus, who defeated Anthony and soorned tho blandishments of tho great queen. However, tho picture is aptly screened and is well worth seeing. The latest Gaumont Graphic contains many interesting pictures of topical events in various parts of tho world. "Training a Tightwad/ "His Wife Camo Back," "Our. Jiirds at Home" are all good pictures and complete a very preventable programme.

THE NfiW THEATRE. At their change session yesterday, tho managomont of tlio New Theatre featured tho latest "Zigomar" film. To those who like detective stories, and to those who nave seen previous pictures dealing with Zigomar, Nick Carter, and other detectivos of romanco and fiction, tho new "Zigomar" will roquiro no introduction. This time Zigomar has as his enemv Paul Brcqiiot, and as his friend aud ally La Hosario. Though perhaps slightly more incredible than tho first of tho Zigomar series, this picture lacks nothing, as compared to its forerunners, in tlio way of exciting incidents and hairbreadth escopes. The'■scenes throughout the piece are, interesting and varied. Most people will like best the scene underground, where Zigomar and La Rosario aro struggling to save a safo of vaju.iblcs, or tho scene iu which Broquot tries to escape in a motor-boat while Zigomar, in an aeroplane abovo liini, is throwing bombs. This is the "feature" picture of tho programme, but some of tho minor items aro also worth looking at. "A Good-fo'r-NothingV and "A- Second Hohevmoon" nro both unobtrusive little dramas of the higher ojass. "Felix at tlio Ball" and "A Busy Da v V in Junglo Town" aro tho tiro comic items, and "Bonifacio and its Surroundings" is the scenic picture concluding tho programme.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Tho usual weekly change of programme was screened at the King's Theatre last evening. "Zaza," a Pathe colour dr .nia. is the feature item for the week. Ziza is an artist who falls in love with 'a wealthy manufacturer. Ascertaining ho is married, she proceeds in jealous rage to his residence, where she is entertained by his child, and losing all feelings of revenge, she leaves tho house. Zaza becomes a great star, but her accidental gliiupso of tho family life of the maiiufacturer strengthens lier resolve to resist his blandishments. W. W. Francis, the long-distance swimmer, was shown swimming the Bristol Channel from Penarta to Newport, a distance of 15 miles, which he did in 4 hours 32 minutes. Francis personally appeared 011 the platform, aud filing two selected songs in a pleading baritono voice. Thero will.be a special matinee to-day.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. In the change of programme* screened at the Empress Theatre yesterday, the foremost of the new items is "The Black Countess," which may he termed a modern society drama. The pieco is well staged, great regard having been paid to details. The chief character in tho play is a lveolthy and beautiful widow, who amuses herself Ly making men fall in lovowith her. - l'or this reason she has beon named "Tho Black Countess." She entertains on a lavish scale, and one of the initial scenes is of a donee at her house, where the spectator is introduced to a professor of bacteriology and his assistant, Dr. Rogmond. This Dr. Esmond is'engaged to tho professor's daugh-. tcr. At tho dance the Black Countess decides to flirt with Ragmoud, who, not relishing the position forced upon him by his hostess, does what he can to resist her undeniable charms. ' Shortly afterwards tho Countess calls in liogniond professionally. She also arranges that tho • professor shall visit Iter at the inmo lime. The professor arrives aud finds the Countess in Ragmond's arms. He is exceedingly irate, and breaks off tho engagement with his daughter. I/iter, tho only child of tlie Countess fr/ls ill, and is saved by tho' professor and Ragmond. The Countess, out of gratitude, confesses that Ragmond never made lovo to her, and subsequently tho two young pcojilo become re-engaged. -The merit of the picture lies more in tho various scenes than, in the general story, which is.not particularly new or original. Among the' supporting items, ' "Tho Gingerbread Jinn," featuring tho redoubtable Foolshead, is a first-class comic; "Tho Hamelin Trio" is a good acrobatic picture; "Indian Justice," a Lux drama of somo merit, and "Class-mates Frolic" is an amusing film by tho Vitagraph Company. • "THE DANDIES." Ever gay and bright tho "Red Dandies," who at tho eleventh hour extended their season at tho Opera Houso for a couple of nights, entertained an appreciative audienco last evening. Tfio manner in which this little company of comedians, singers, and dancers work toother is really admirable, and they thoroughly deserve tho full measure of support accordcd them. In tho change of prop-ammo presented last evening, that'irresistible comedian, Mr. Claude Dampier, wrecked (ho gravity of his auditors ia his vocal absurdities, "Months and' Months, Sea Trips," "Solomon," and "Vot a Game.' Mr. George Morgan sang a number of comic'songs itnd danced with his custom* nry verve. Messrs. Oliver Poncock Mid Gam Wood sang a number of ballads and Misses Vere, Ward, and Lane contri- ' billed' briehtlv to the vocal sections nf theprogramme. A particularly interesting departure from the ordinary entertainment given by '■The Dandies' will bo made at tho Oncra House to-night for the grand'finale of the season. Tho occasion will be a "topsy-turvy" night, when, during tho second portion of the entertainment,, each member of tho company will enter .011 11 'different line of "business," and submit items that were presented by other members of tho company tho previous evening. Thus the ladies will present the gentlemen's numbers, and vice versa. The "straight" singers will render the humorous numbers, and tho comedinns wd the soubrette will bo called ' upon to imitate the balladists. Topsyturvydom will only reign during tho second half of tho entertainment. The management announce an entirely new company of "Dandies" for Monday noSt,. and that the location of tlieiri reception, will bo the largo Town Hall, _ v ..