ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1782, 21 June 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"TEE PARISH PRIEST." 'Tho Parish Priest," a conicdy-drama, by Daniel L. Hart. CastMichael Sullivan Tom Buckley Katherino Oorrigan Ethel Grist Agnes Oassidy Ethel Basliford Frank Dougherty Olive Farnliam Doctor Thomas Cassidy J. Vincent White Doctor Edward Walsli Onslow Edjeworth liev. John Whalen Alien Doono Helen. Durkin Edna Kceley James Walsh Prank Cullenane "Tho Parish Priost," a prettv play of sentiment, was revived by tlio 'Allen Doono Company at tho Opera House last evening to tho delight of many who remembered the piece and Mr. Doone's admirable, performance as tile ljenign, silverhaired lather Whalen, introduced litre some tliree months ago. The play, from an artistic standpoint, is better than any in tho Doono repertoire, and to discrimating eyes tho performance tho central role is tho best Mr. Allen Doone has given us. Tho plot concerns a love entanglement between some of the younger members of Father Whalen's flock, in whoss happiness ho is most deeply concerned. Misunderstandings are' inflamed by jealousy, and tho hot-headedness of youth, and just when it seems that tho rift muri be permanent tho tact of tho wise old parish priest is brought into play to gently, but effectively, heal the breach that separates his loved ones. Tho Father Whalen of Mr. Doone is an artistic performance throughout. Without any apparent strain and without a tingo of tlieatricalism, ho moves serenely through tho play—a quiet but compelling character. Hifl 6inging of "An Old-fashioned Mother" was delightfully in keeping with tho. character and the scene. Another excellent performance was tho Michael Sullivan of, Mr. Tom Buckley, a racy old Irish servant, witli a pretty gift of Tcparteo and a brogue at which no son of Erin, could cavil. Miss E<lna ICeeley was prettily within the picture ' as Helen Durkin, and Miss Ethel Bashford was properly suited as tho toghstrung Agnes Cassidy. Messrs. Clivolarnham. James Cullenane, J. V. White, and 0. Edgewortli were also concerned in tho Pl "Tho Parish Priest" will bo played again' this evening, when the season closes. THEATRE ROYAL. Tho Four Musical Avolos, who aro direct from Europe, gave another very good performance at the Theatre Royal last evening. Their numbers, which include such pieces as "In the Shadows," "My Hero ("Chocolate Soldier"), "William 101 l (Rossini), and "Avolo' March" (Charles Avolo) were loudly applauded. Pun in the Kitchen,", introducing the eong "Girlie," an original sketch by the Quealy's, was also very well produced. "The Crimson Ramblers" wore also \vell received in the numerous items which they contributed. This programme will be repeated for the last time this evening.

■ "THE DANDIES." Mr. Edward Branscombo's new English costumo comedy company "The Dandies" gave another enjoyablo performance last evening. The Concert Chamber was well filled when tho attractive current programme was repeated. To-night "Tho Dandies" will appear at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, owing to the Concert Chamber being temporarily engaged. The company, will return to Wellington for Monday evening and the following nights, wheii the usual programme will bo presented.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The current excellent programme which has delighted largo attendances at His Maiosty's Theatre during tho past week will lie screened in itsi entirety at a matinee performance this afternoon. After being screened at the evening performance it wiil bo withdrawn to make room for Monday's .change of bill. Pictures in the present series special mention are: "Theodora," a fine histrionic drama; "Tho Devil Fish," a coloured film of.decided educational value; and "Polly at the Ranch," ail extremely droll and entertaining comic picture, which provokes roars of laughter. Seats niay be reserved at Christeson's. "LES MISERABLES." .At His Majesty's Theatre on Monday evening next, the star picture of the new programme will bo the initial screening before a Wellington gathering of the first series-of tho remarkable picture drama, "Log Miserables" (founded on Victor Hugo's masterpiece), which recently, created enthusiasm in Australia, and is described as .marking tho dawn of a new era in tho art.of The intensely human and deeply-interesting story of tho convict-hero, Jean Valjcan, of Hugo's famous pages, is said to havo been so faithfully adhered to, that the illustrated narrative may bo as readily followed as tho original lx>ok. . It is easy.to conoludo that tho characterisation of tho drama is on a very liigh ( plano as amongst the- list of artists disclosed by tho cast of characters are tlio names of many of tho distinguished aotors\ of France. Tho photogravure is said to be very fino and crisp; and clear to tho .point of brilliancy. It is- claimed that, taken altogether, "Les Miserables" may bo accepted as the biggest thing in kinematogra'phy to date, which accounts for tho fact' that its vastness renders, it necessary to exhibit tho play in two specially-arranged series of GOOO feet each. In addition to tho spectacular. feature, tho programme includes "Tlio New Patho Topical Gazette," also "Tlio Power of Sleep," "a comic picture, said to bo really humorous, and a beautiful scenic in vivid colouring of "The Padas River, Borneo." . Special box plans for tho "Les Miserables" seaeon will open at Christeson's at 10 a.m. to-day. THE KING'S THEATRE. At tho King's Theatro to-night the orchestral accompaniments will bo a feature of the bill. "Tho Making of tlio Panama Canal," which has been showing during the week will bo screened for tho last time. Another interesting number of tlio Gaumont Graphic will, he also included in the programme. This afternoon West's Now Era Matinee will tako place, when children.'will bo admitted' to tho stalls for threepence. > . '

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The final screening is announced for to-day and to-night of tho current serios of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. Tho main attraction is tho sonsational A.B. drama "A Misunderstood Boy," a talo of a youth whoso impetuosity causes him to bo continually in trouble. He is arrested on a cliargo of murder, but the wife of tlio real culprit saves tho situation by revealing tho truth. "Basso, tho Wonderful Ape," is a clever act by a highly-intelligent animal. "When tho Desert was Kind" (Vita •drama), "A Shower of Slippers" (Edison comedy), and "Angkor—a Ruined City of tho East" (travel), are among tho best items. A new programme will bo shown on Monday. • SHORTTS' THEATRE. - "Tho Human Target" will be shown at Sliortts" Theatre for tho last timo to-day and to-night. Interesting subjects will support this feature. This afternoon items for the children will be included in tho programme. * , THE BUTTERFLIES. During tho return season to Wellington of fho Butterflies, which commences at tho Opera House on Monday evening for a season of nine nights, the members of the company will a series of programmes that for originality and diversity havo, it is claimed, seldom been cquallell in New Zealand. Tho reputation of the Butterflies has already been established in this city, but tlio items they will present during their coming season will bo altogethc-r new. In tho musical number, as well ns in the vocal, the artists will render all new items. Miss Cecilia Gold and Miss Marion Armitage, tho two chnractcr comediennes of tho company, -will sing new songs and introduce fresh items. Messrs. Dennett, Waller, and Wylio Watson appearing in tho Bluo Hungarian Baud burlesque, _ will give renditions of tho latest "ragtime" numbers, as well as tho newest waltz-time crazes. Other brandies of musical and vocal numbers are all 6crved by tho members of this clover troupe, and patrons aro promised an evening's enjoyment,, embracing the latest in musical and vaudeville entertainment. Tho box plan is now open at tho Dresden.