ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1769, 6 June 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. Good business is reported from tho Theatro Ji-oya], whero a capablo compnny is performing under tho Fuller-Brennan banner. Tho artists include Miss Violet Carmen and A. J. Lawronco, musical 6kctch artists; tfoe Esma Duo, Fritz Von Liston, Madamo Marvell, tho dog Mik, and tho Screnaders (in their last nights). HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "Cleopatra," at His Majesty's 'i'licatw. continues to bo popular. It is a long film—perhaps a little- too long for the avorago picture patron, but anjono at all inlercstftl in history will appreciate it fully. .Some pc-yplo are of opinion tli.lt such liistorical pictures are the Best sort of pictures, aid supersede _ the picture dramas, that seldom contain much that is new or interesting, relying entirely upon scenic effect. Altogether there is a lot in such an opinion. For instance, by Boeing "Cleopatra" one is able to get a hotter idea of tho conditions of tho times from tho picture than from reading. And with a clear picturo of anciont ligypt, one 19 in a better position to construo historv. Tho scenery is gorgeous, and, with the exception of ono or two "stage scenes," genuine. Tho part ci Cleopatra is very well' acted indeed, but, ■on. the other hand, "Anthony" seems rather too docile and indecisive for a Roman general of the times. Lovo r.'.ay make a difference to a man, but a hardened Roman soldier would not forget how to be angry. But, altogether, tho picture i is a fino one, and interesting to see. "His Wifo Came Back" is the latest "Bunny comedy, and "Training a is tho second comic item. The Oauj mont Graphic always welcome on a programme, and this one is quite as interesting as usual. .

THE KING'S THEATRE. The King's Theatre was well patronised last night when "Zaza" was again screened. Tho piece is acted by French artists and it must be admitted that they are as good, if not better, than English artists. In this particular instance the part of Zaza is admirably acted. The story is not unusual in any way, nor is it particularly thrilling, but it has a distinct air of probability and truth about it that makes it intererting. Women will appreciate it more than men, since tho leading theme is that of a woman's love for children. The geeeral setting; and scenery aro like most French productions—very fine— none of tho scenes being manufactured, or, to use a colloquial word, "faked. W. W. Francis, in picturo and song, is a popular item. It i 6 not often that ono sees the original character in a moving picture explaining the various points of interest in the picture. "What a Change of Clothes Did" is the best comio item on tho programme. Maurice Costello takes tho leading part in it, and is as usual very amusing. "Will Willie Win," is another good comio. To-night will bo a benefit night for tho Athletic League Football Club.

THE NEW THEATRE. The new programme, screened yesterday, at the New Theatre, centres on tho feature item "Nick Winter and the Stolen Favourite." As the title suggests the story, is of a racohorse and of ,a detective. Pour followers of tho turf oome to tho conclusion that if they can stop ft horse named Whirlwind from running, they will majto a lot of money. They therefore decide to steal tho horse. Before they commence their operations they aro lucky enough to find a man extremely like Nick Winter, the famous detectivt. They pass this man, Tattooed Jim, as he is call* ed because he has an aee of spades tattooed on tho jialni of each hand, off as Nick Winter, and manago to steal tho horso; easily enough. Tlio real Nick Winter sees in a newspaper that the horso has been stolen while under his corc. This touches his professional pride and ho at onco takes the case up. There then follows a series of exciting sftenes in most of which Nick Winter is victorious. After much trouble ho manages to restoro tho' horso to his owner and looks after tho animal during tho training before th<S race. A few uays before tho great event the thieves make ono last effort to soeuro tho horse. Tho great similarity bo» twesn the detective and Jim helps them to a, groat extent, and it is only at tho last moment that Nick Winter frees himself and puts the desperadoes to llight. At last tho day of tlio face arrives and tho horso is a warm favourite when the owner is informed that liis jockey has lioen kidnapped. Onco more Nick Winter comes to tho rescue and himself rides Whirlwind to victory. After tho race ho lays a plot for tho thieves and ingeniously captures them. Tho supporting items are well up to standard.

THE EMPEESsS THEATRE. "Betwcon Orton Junction and Fallon, ville" and "The Adventure of the Ambassador's Disappcaranoe" arc the two leading items on the new programme screened (it Hie Empress Theatre last evening. The former is an exciting love romance woven round a railway accident that was avoided. The heroine is called Edna Men-ill, and her two suitors Edward Burko and "Jim" Mercer, "Jim" is a common-place station agent, and Burko an' engineer on tlio same line, Burke passes through "Jim's" station on his daily run with "local fifty-ono." Pour minutes after tho train has left "Jim" learns from the Station at Orton Junction that a special freight train has passed through, tho st.v tionmaster. forgettine to hold it up. A. collision is inevitable. "Jim," however, telephones to Edna, telling her to ride to Smith's Crossing and stop tho first train 6he sees. She is just in time, and the accident is averted. "The Adveutu/rti of the Ambassador's Disappearance" is a' detective story. A gang of "crooks" kidnap the ambassador of a foreign, nation, and mystify the police. Lambert Chase, detective, is calkd in, and begins to tracle'tho gang. Concealed in a box, ho is carried to their den, and when > they open Hie box he jumps out with a six-shooter jn each hand and a whistle in Ills mouth. The police at once respond, and the arabnijsi'dor is released. Of the other items, 'The Power of Sleep" is the best drama, ami "Genoa" the best scenic. 'To-day "The Black Countess" will be screened dining tho day sessions only. SHOHTTS'' THEATRE. A new programmo was sorcencd ytfsteiday at Messrs. Shortts' Picture Theatre. Tlie featuro item is entitled Sacrificed to the Lions," and tells the story of tli<* revenge of a tribe of Indians who have been deprived of their territory. They threaten to sacrifice tho governors daughter if their wrongs are not righted. UI the minor items, "A. Scrap of Paper, "When a Wo in an Won t, and Pmmo P. 0." are the best. Tlwy complete quite an entertaining selection of items. THE DANDIES. On Monday next, in the large Town Hall, Mr. Edward Branscombo will piesent his premier English costume comeay company, Tho Dandies, for the first t'mo in Wellington. This company includes Miss Lily Fitzgerald, soprano; Miss Peggy Ross, contralto; Miss Rita Fitzgom d, soubretto; Mr. Ford Waltham, bass; Mr. Gcorgo Edwards, light comedian; Mr. Percy Agnow, tenor; Mr. Irank Poachy, entertainer; Mr. Marshall Lawrence, baritone- Mr. Joseph Brennan, monologuist and raconteur; Mr. Phillip Hardman, pianist; and Mr. Athol Tier, charaiter comedian and eccentric dancer. Tho company comes from Australia, whore, it is said, it was considered the very best company of its kind under t'lio Branscombo banner. In their respective lines, tho performers are claimed to bo of exceptional ability. The stage manager, Mr. Peafhey, will arrive to-morrow, and will supervise tho building of tho stago,- tho setting of the prosecnium curtains, lighting. etc. After the opening oil Monday next tlie company will move into tho smaller concert hall for the long winter season. In view of tho fact that hundreds of people wero turned away nightly during tho season of their contemporaries recently, tho management it advisable to provide against n. similnr contingency on Monday next. The box plan is at the Dresden, and day *a!o tickets niay I>® obtained at Christeson's.

This evening Mr. M'Oabo delivers liis farewell illustrated lecture in Wellington. From the standpoint of evolution, and with the assistance of many remarkable slides, he will endeavour to show how mpdern science explains this "Wonderland of the South," with Us scenic marvels and unique race of native inhabitants. "Tho Romance of is a sflrrinT chapter in tho story of life on the earth. On Monday Mr. M'Cabo appears in Wanganui. •