ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1778, 17 June 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE DANDIES. The Dandies continuo to attract "Wellington theatre-lovers in largo numbers, and they aro keeping up the reputation for versatility which they have gained. The current programme contains many excellent items, opening with tho chorus, "Let Us Introduce Ourselves." Messrs. Tier and Edwards, in their duet "Follow On," aro well received, while Messrs. Aguew and Tier do woll with the comic part of tho entertainment. The wliolo entertainment goes with great swing, and the audience appear to thoroughly appreciate all that is presented. Mr. George Edwards gives an amusing song, entitled "The Bad Girl of the Family/' with great vigour* and Mr. Bronnou. adds considerably to the strength of the. programme with hi 9 comic sketch, "Coming Home, and the ©ong, "I Want to Sing in Opera. Miss Rita I'itzgevald, with the songs. "Plumstones" and "'Would . You Miss Me," proves herself tho (possessor ol a voico of considerable sweetness. Ino other artists all do good work. Thie programme will be ropeated this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. The attraction at the Theatre Eoyal Inst night ivas tho "turn' presented by the Four Musical Avolos, who have arrived direct from Europe. Premier xylophonisls they were billed as, and their different numbers were loudly applauded. They gave such pieces as ' In, the Shadows," "My Heir" { Chocolate Soldier"), "William TeU" (Rossim), and "Avolo March" (Chas. Avolo). The last-named was particularly striking, ilie Quealys made a satisfactory first app®. ar r ance, in an original sketch, entitled "Fun in the Kitchen," introducing the song, "Girlie," and the dance and duet ■ "Reuben Johnson's Band." During the sketch clever humour was added in a comedy boxing act. "Rehearsing the Amateurs#" an absurdly funny sketch, was give® by Mr. Frank Hawthorne, assisted by Miss Ida Ingersole and Mr. H. Croydon. It was received with great laughter by the large audience. Miss Gertie Johns, a dainty soubrette, made a welcome reappearance, after a. long abs&ncc, and sang some pretty accompanied •by neat, dancing. The Crimson Ramblers had fresh, fare, and very good it was. une of the best numbers was a weird ste 17, entitled "Jones," by Hiss Billie Wilson, while "Beauty of the Guards, a comical study, was oxceUc\n>tly given by Mr. Albert Bletsoe. who also had a number of other humorous items to delight tho > audience with. ' A character song, Opinions ot tie Ladies/' by . M.r Lo-u Vernon, was also well received, as were numbers by Miss Maud Bletsoe, Miss Bessie Cahill, Mr. Edward Morari, and Mr. Jack Vincent. The Esma Duo continue to succeed, and Mr. Carl Merlyn'SyOriginal burlesque conjuring act keeps this artist a firm favourite. Miss Violet Carmen, the young English artist, still adds to the value of the entertainment. The programme will bo related this evening.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The feature item of tho new programme which was screened last evening at His Majesty's Theatre is entitled "Theodora. The film is 3000 feet long, and takes up the greater part of the programme. The story is- woven round the famous Theodora, who lived at the time of the supremacy of the Byzantine Empire, under tho Emperor Justinian, when the theatre had become almost a, national institution. Theodora was a famous actress, probably the most famous actress in history. Her fame, however, was nat based on her acting, but upon her beauty and power of attracting men. Her parents were humble people, and very poor, and quite unablo to support their three beautiful daughters, of wnsm Theodora was one. Helped by her beauty, however, Theodora berame gipnlar with the public of Byzantium. er skill was confined to tho pantomime arts, and she excelled in buffoon characters. She led o reckless life and travelled a great deal, until, tiring of dissipation, she returned to Byzantium, where she married the Emperor Justinian. Her tyranny, as Empress, is" well known, and many historians ' have recorded against her crimes of the direst nature. She died in the year 648 A.D., in the 22nd year of her Kign. ' A picture with such a subject can hardly fail to' be interesting, and considering the general staging, it may be said to be magnificent. Mdlle. Sahary Djeti takes tho part of Theodora. The supporting items aro likewise good.

THE KINO'S THEATRE. "The Making of the Panama Canal" was screened, together with a fresh list of supporting items, at the King's Theatre last night. Although pictures of the canal have been screened in. Wellington before, there are m*uiy people who have not seen them, and many who wish to see them again. There is no doubt that few pictures have caused such widespread interest. The picture in question is exceptionally clear and comprehensive. From it one is able to gather o very clear idea of the magnitude of the work, and from it also on® may speculate upon the tremendous cost of construction. In a year's time such a picture will be almost historical, foT once the canal is flooded the bottom may never bo seen again, and, although one will be able to ascertain from figures the depth and width of the canal, he will not be able to gather from cold figures what the picture presents. Of the other items, the Edison drama, The Way of the Underworld" is the best, and may be recommended. The latest Gaum&ut. Graphic is as usual interesting. SHORTTS' THEATRE.,' A new programme was screened at Messrs. Shortts' Picture Theatre yesterday. "The Coquette," Pathe colour, ib the premier item. The acting in this picture is unusually good, though the story is not unusual. "Tim Grogans Foundling," by the Vitagraph Company, and an educational picture, taking one by picture to visit a Cripples Home, are both good in diverse ways. The "Warwick Chronicle" and several amusing comic items complete ft good programmo. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The programme at the Empress Theatre was changed yesterday. First and foremost among the' items is The Miraclo of Speed." This film is a pnuine reproduction of the 500-mile international automobile track race, run at Indianapolis) every year. The Indianapolis track is 2J miles round, the surface being of brick, with a finishing straight run of one mile. The official figures for the day of the race show an attendance of 500,000. Mr. Rupert Jeilkins, the well-known driver (who took the wheel of the Mercedes car, and although he did not.win, broke the worlds record), is present while the fito is wing run through,' and explains the features of the race. This.-makes the picture much more interesting than it would be otherwise as on© would hardly know which car was which. Several accidents servo to show how dangerous track racing may be The first prize is ilo,ooo. Jenkins, driving the Mercedes, was seventeen miles in the lead, with only three miles to go, when his machine broke down. Besides this picture, there are several interesting minor items. THE BUTTERFLIES. * The announcement that the talented combination known as '"The_ Butterflies are to pay a' return visilt of nine nights to the city will no doubt be appreciated by theatregoers. The company will appear in the Opera House, ana in their various programmes will submit all the items that helped to make the company so popular in its first season here. Every member of the troupe is an artist in his 01' her distinct line of business, and whether it is Mr. F. W. Dennett in one of his solo pianoforte recitations, or Miss Marion. Armitage in a dialect song, the audience will, it is claimed, find entertainment 01 the highest order. The company is now touring the Dominion, and is reported to bo meeting witk. great success. Ihe bos plan for the season will be opened at the Dresden in the morning. THE HIITT RINK. Skating at the Hufct Rink is becoming more attractive each week. On Saturday afternoon and evening the door lied a happy crowd of skaters, there wilt l>e a ooudlcs' gliding competition on lhureday next, when prizes will be given- Skaters will, it is stated, find every satisfaction in attention and skates. The afternoon sessions are beginning to provide fun and exercise for patrons of the rollers.