ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1767, 4 June 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. "PUSS I.X BOOTS." The whole of tiio liiraibers of tho "Puss in ilo;ts" Company will arrivo in Weiliir'toii this nioruing, ami a lull scenic and lightinif r-hoarsal will lake place this cvnin" under the supervision of the stage manafjer, Mr. ,1. C. Whitiiehl. The plans wi'l be on view this morning for the first ftnr liishts, and for next Saturdays matinee, at the Dresden, where scats in excellent positions ill cither the dress circle or reserved stalls may 1« selected. The panlominio will be interpreted by ono of the strongest organisations of comedians singers, dancers, and speciality artMs'ever got together in- one production bv tho "firm." For si:: years ilr. Williamson endeavoured to induce Messrs. Collins and Hart, the famous acrobatic comedians, to come to Australia, but they were booked too far ahead. However, ho subsequently met them in Berlin, and was successful ill engaging them for tho present pantomime, in which their act, it is stated, is enthusiastically received. Tho Gaudsmidts and their remarkablo dogs form one of the biggest attractions-in tho pantomime. Hiss Violet Loraine, the principal "boy," comes with a big London reputation, won at Drury Lane theatre. Ono of tho biggest features is claimed to bo the famous hunting sceno ballet, in which 31 r. Fred Leslie and Jliss Ivy Schilling aro said to be seen at their best. This marks a new departure in pautomiiuo productions. There are an abundance of amusements in "Puiss in Boots" delight the children. A number of charming ballets to admire, and gorgeous costumes to feast upon, while tho musical items, and tho wholesome fun provided by tho comedians aro factors which aro said to havo considerably assisted towards the success which lias &:en enjoyed by the pantomime.

THEATUE HOYAL. A holiday .audience filled ovory seat and lraned over any back rails available at tho Theatre Koval Inst evening. A bright entertainment was ushered in by the Serenailers (now in their last week), and during the second part attractive turns wero contributed by Fritz von Liston, Jladamo jlarvell's trained cockatoos, Carmen and Jawreneo (musical sketch artists), tho Ksma, Duo, and the llusical Htixhams. With their customary entcrpriso the trio essayed a liarmonised version of tile solo, "Poor Wandering Ono" (from "Tho Pirates of Pcnwmce"), and then, camo down several degrees by singing an arranged version of the comic song, "I'm Afraid to go Homo in-the Dark." The matinee performance was also well attended.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Tho King's Theatre was well patron-'sed yesterday afternoon and evening, when u capital selection of pictures was screcncil. The chief film of interest is a Patho colour drama, entitled "Zaza." W. W. Francis, the long-distance swimmer, was shown swimming tho Bristol Channel, a distance -of 15 miles, which ho did in 4 hours 'J2 minutes. After the picture had-boon shown, Francis appeared upon the stage nnd gave two songs. Tho programme, which includes numerous other films, will bo repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho star attraction, at His Majesty's Theatre just now is a pseudo historical, study, entitled "Cleopatra." This picture, which is a production by tho Helen. Gardiner Picture l'layers, occupies a considerable timo in reeling olf tho machino, but the large number of patrons present yesterday were moro than satisfied. They displayed their nppreciation in an unmistakable manner. Other pictures of interest on. tho bill aro:—"Tho Gaumont Graphic," "His Wife Came Back," "Our Birds at Home," and "Training a Tightwad'." Tho programme wijl be repeated this evening. THE NEW THEATBE. Crowds attended the New Theatre continuous pictures throughout yesterday. "Zigomar, the Eel's Skin," Leads tie current programme. This picture depicts a continuation of the exciting careor of Zigomar, the king o'f a daring gang of thieves, who figured in two previous Zigoniar dramas. There aro many startling episodes in which tho robber king and his untiring 100, Pauliu Broquet, tho detective, maintain a desperate duel of wits. Prominont among a splendid supporting series is, "A Second Honeymoon," in which Maurice Costollo is the hero. Tlio new programme to-morrow will introduce "Nick Winter and the tSolen Favourite."

THE EMPKESS THEATRE. Packed houses prevailed throughout yesterday afternoon and evening at tho impress. Theatre continuous pictures, when the loading attraction was tho btQiitifullv-coloured society drama, "Tho Black Countess." The outstanding merits of this subject aro tho entertaining nature of the plot, the remarkably fine staging and. tho stylishness of the costumes. A grand spectacular ballet, and a weird Eastern danco by a noted Continental "star" add to tho attractiveness of ( the picture. There are, among others, 'Indian Justico" (an adventure with a wild leopard), "Turkestan" (travel), and "Tho Hamlin Trio" (famous acrobats). "The Black Countess" will bo screened for tho last time to-day and to-night. A new programme is listed for to-morrow. SHOETTS' PICTURES. "As in a Looking-glass," a dramatio featuring Slarion Leonard in tho title role, was screened with great success at all of yesterday's sessions, at Shortts' Theatre continuous pjcturcs. Among other pictures worthy of note was o Vi'tagraph drama, entitled "A Woman.' "A Bricklayer's Joke" and Warwick's latest English Chronicle. These and other interesting items mado tho entertainment a thoroughly enjoyable one. This pro- . gramme will be repeated for the laSt time to-day and- to-night. THE DANDIES. The Red Dandies completed a successful eight nights' season last evening, when "shut out" business was recorded at tlio Opera House. As usual the programme was well diversified, and there wero absolutely uo dull moments. Os Monday next, in the large Town Hall, which has been specially engaged for this important occasion, Mr. Edward Bransoombo will present an entirely new company of Dandies for tho first time in Wellington. This company comes frcsli from Australia, its latest achievement in tho Commonwealth being a continuous season of six months at Brisbane. Quito recently in Auckland tho company is said to have established a pay-box record for a season of two weeks, which had to be terminated on account of prior Ixiokings. Tho management, aver that these, aro sound facts, which may bo verified by press and public nliko in the cities named above. The Dandies organisation is said to be now as perfect as an experienced management ran make it, and there is onlv one standard of quality. Every item to lie presented bv thoso Dandies will, it is said, bo entirely new. Their appeal— liko their predecessors—is to oil people wlio enjoy hilarious entertainment that is scrupulously ' clean and at all times modern. This is cloimcd to bo the sprightliest and most musical costume comeilv company that Australasia hns seen. * Tho company consists of three ipilies and eight men. The box plan opens at the Dresden to-morrow morning, and the charges, etc., are as heretofore.

"THE WELLINGTON FOUR." Messrs. Blo.v, Buckley, Hodges, and Johnstone announce that their combined concert on Wednesday is going to b? H bright entertainment, their objcct beiiiK not so much to disjilay their own talent as to - cater for miiMC-lovors without taxin" their patienco. There is nothni|{ longer than a si.vnvinuto item on the pro. L-nimme. There will be no'waits, no principal fisfUTo, and no "stop-saps. Tho promoters state that every item will be a .'em in its own way, and a contrast in stvlo to its neighbour, anil the programme will be stripped of every element of dreariness. Requests for special numbers Irivo been accedcd to where practicable, anonymous ones, however, being passed over. _____________