ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1781, 20 June 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE PARISH PRIEST." The final performance of "In Old Donegal" was given at the Opera llouso last evening by. the Allen Doono Company, beforo nn iimlience that was manifestly pleased with the performance, and, in particular, with Mr. Doone's admirable fooling as Larry Donovan. This evening Mr. Doone will revive "The Parish Priest," a play of an entirely different style to that associated with the popular actor-manager. In this play Mr. Doone assumes tho rolo of tho aged, quiet-spoken Father Wlielan, who is "full of wise saws and modern instances," without being altogether devoid of the national sense of humour. The play was well received when last presented in Wellington, and should attract lovers of quiet comedy-drama. THE NEW DANDIES. Mr. Edward Branscombe's "Dandies" havo become part and parcel of Wellington's winter theatrical fare, and such is their popularity that they are able to piny long seasons without any diminution in »He box-office returns. The present company includes several very talented people, who are highly competent entertainers. Among them are the Misses Fitzgerald, Mr. lord Waltham, Mr. Athol Tier, Mr. George Edwards, Mr. Jolieph Brennan, and Sir. Agnew. Tho Dandies will appear again to-night, but owing to tho hall being otherwise engaged on Saturday evening, they will appear that night at the Lower Hutt. THEATRE ROYAL. The reigning attraction at the Theatre Royal is the diverting act of tho Musical Avolos, who play skilfully on the xylophone. The Crimson. Ramblers continue to supply a bright and breezy first part. Mr. Prank Hawthorne, the ljuealys, the Esnin. Duo, and Lawnence and Carmen also contribute acceptable items to the programme. . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Last evening His Majestj-'s Theatre was open to thoso interested in the Girl Peace Scouts' movement, and the entertainment was for their benefit. There Wis a large attendance, which seems to indicate that tho Girl Scout movement is a popular one. A special picture dealing with' peace scout enterprises was screened, and met with hearty approval. "Theodora," the historical drama woven iround the Emperor Justinian and the actress Theodora; was tho principal item. The picture is a good one, including many scenes of more than passing interest, as is to bo expected considering the famous marriage upon which tho drama is based. By special request, "The Making of the Panama Canal" was also screened. This picture i 3 undoubtedly very popular, and has not yet failed to draw a large number of spectators who go to eee it alono of the pictures. This is not to be wondered at when one considers the immense advantages the canal, will be to New Zealand, to say nothing of its terrible importance iij tho event of a war in which the American fleet is involved. < It was announced last night that Mr. Hayward, of Hayward's Pictures, has donated a prize of two guineas for the best essay either upon the whole of the evening's entertainment, or upon any one of the films. Mre. C. Izard is giving .£1 for the best essay written upon the Panama film, and Mrs. D. Nathan the same sum for an essay written on the whole of the entertainment or upon any single film,

THE. KING'S THEATRE. "The Making of the Panama Canal" is the most appreciated picture on an excellent programme at the King's Theatre. Pictures of the greatest engineering feat since tho building of the Pyramids cannot fail to be interesting. Those who ivish t6 add to the enjoyment of seeing the picture should roat! up before a history of tho great undertaking. John Poster Praser has just published an interesting book on the canal. He also deals with tho earlier attempts cut the canal, besides giving some very interesting figures as to the cost of construction, tho number of men 'employed, tlie number of main mammoth steam shovels used, and the number of deaths. In fact, the workmen employed on tho canal form quite a large colony, and have their own police laws and other necessaries pertaining to local government. Now that the disease-bearing mosquitos are kept from .breeding by putting; kerosene on. the swamps, the death-roll is not so great as it was, in fact, it would have been impossible to have carried the work on had the deadly fever not been checked. Tho supporting items on the programme are excellent.. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. A change of programme was screened at the Empress Theatre yesterday. "A Misunderstood Boy" (A.B. flrama)-is the leading item. Hd is the bad boy of the village. The parents of tho little girl lie loves are not very pleased with his repute. The girl's niother goes away to the city. The father is annoyed at tho boy'sjatest escapade—a row in the village—and orders him away. His daughter defies her parent, and goes with the boy. They are then married. While prospecting in the mountains the "boy" hears a shot, and on investigating finds a dead man. The she'riff comes on the scene, and proceeds to arrest him. The "boy" escapes, and with his little wife flics to another town. The sheriff follows and is about to have • the ■ youth hanged when the real murderer is betrayed by his wife. The young peoplo return home and are welcomed. Of the other items the best is entitled "When the Desert was Kind." The lieroino and her lover accidentally drift apart, and later oh she weds another. Beforo long the husband proves tbimself a bad character, and after an exciting adventure meets his death in the desert. Tliis-re-leases his wife, and she is united with her former lover.

THE BUTTERFLIES. During the forthcoming season of tho Butterflies, which opens at tho Opera House on Monday evening for a period of nine nights, local amnsement lovers aro promised a treat. Since appearing at the Opera Houso three months ago, tho company has added considerably to an already extensive repertoire, and during their appearancc in this city will literally draw upon it. Mr. P. W. Dennett, the solo pianist of the party, will give renditions of Wcble, Sibelius, and Liszt, being Accompanied each evening by a full orchestra under tho personal direction of Mr. Jack Waller. The company is also stated to be particularly strong in concerted work, and during the season there will bo put on various selections from the operas and several potted plays •and burlesques. In the Miser's scone from Les Cloches do Corneville, in wbich tho whole company participate, Mr. Jack Waller is said to display particular merit as the Miser. The Auckland "Herald," speaking of the production, said: "Tho wholo scene was a striking succcss, and was one of the most successful performances yet seen in Auckland." The other members of the company will all appear in new and appropriate items. The box plan is now on view at the Dresden.