ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1790, 1 July 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

n "THE BUTTERFLIES." •q I' 1? breezy, bright, and humorous en- £ tcrtainment provided by "Tho Butterflics" at the Opera Ilouso still attracts c large audiences. Tho season is drawing rapidly to a close, and these accomplished players will soon be on their way tu other parts. Their current programme is ], full nf diverting songs, concerted numbers (1 and sketches, and-all seem to bo thorough- ■■ ,ly appreciated by the large audiences which nightly attend. Miss Armitage's Yorkshire dialect songs, and the items y contributed by Miss Smart- and Miss Clold, if aro always fresh and acceptable, whilo o .Mr. Wylio- Watson, the comedian of the n troupe, keeps the house in good humour jj nil the time he occupies the stage. Mr. j_ Waller is also .seen to the best advantage ,t in comedy work, while Mr. Dennett, tho =, pianist, never fails to delight those who I. hear him. The season will end on Wednesdav night. THEATRE ROYAL. "Demos the Motor-cycle King" is one t of tho new attractions at the Theatre Royal this week. He made his first a p. j. pearance last evening before a crowded e house. The first act was to ride round 0 the stage on an ordinary motor-cycle at a ® fair pacc. This beinj concluded) a backi ._ curtain went up and mscloscd an.ordinary j motor-cycle standing on the inside of a i. huge wheel, which revolved on an axle, v "Demos" mounted the mac'iinc, after liav--1 iiig told the audience that the act to come was his idea of looping the loop. Tho ? motor-cycle was started, and remained j ,stationary for a few moments, tho wheel meanwhile gaining velocity. Tlisn 1. "Demos" rode round tho inside rim of the wheel four or five, times, jumped off the 'machine, and made his bow to the audience. The "Two Franklins," billed as having come direct from America, set the audience in good humour. The duo presented an up-to-date American comedy sketch, "Tho Messenger Boy and the neiresj." It vras an exceedingly diverting act, full of comicality all the way. .Tndg--5 ing by the applause which they received 6 at the finish, "The Franklins" made a hit with Theatre Royal patrons last evening. Bletsoe'.s Crimson Ramblers put on another change of programme—the best of their repertoire so far. Every member of this .combination appeared at his_ or 6 her best, and during th?. hour in which 6 they occupied the stage there was not a dull moment. Mr. Albert Bletsoe, the comedian of the company, has become a firm favourite, and was compelled to respond to three encores. His comicality, "The Music Hall Shakespeare," was indeed a clever piece of work. Miss Maude Bletsoe's contralto voice was heard to advantage in "Wilderness," a very pretty song, and she was obliged to respond to repeated recalls. In concerted numbers, the Ramblers were also good, and in fact these versatile people iust "filled the bill" in any part they played, whether serious or comic. When Miss Billie Wilson had finished singing "Have you over Loved any other Little Girl," tho audience wanted more. She camo back and gave ' some clever child impersonations. The accompaniments were played by Miss Ruby, Dent. Several artists aro making their last performances at this theatre this week. Thev include Carno and Francis, athletes; "I'lio Seven Mangeans," a clever trou.pe of aerial tumblers; and lions. Herbert, the man who makes music from articles commonly used on dining tables. Miss Olivo Singciair, late of tho Crimson . Ramblers, sang a couple of songs in the - second part of the programme, and Gertie i Jolms gavo of her best in her latest 5 special lines. -Tho programme -will be re--1 peated. throughout the week. THE NEW DANDIES. The programme presented by the New Dandies at tho Concert Chamber of tho r Town Hall is as fresh and full of humour as any concert entertainment. could be. Tho reputation of tho Dandies increases with each entertainment, and the ■ (current programme is ono of the best. Mr. Atliol Tier and Mr. George Edwards supply a humorous fund of songs and stories in their' own characteristic man- - ncr, while tho vocal items of Messrs. 3 Ford Waltham, Robert Agnew, and other ' members of tho company aro greatly up-, j predated. Mr. Joseph Brennan, niono- . loguist and raconteur, has a style all his own, and has made himself' ono of the pritno favourites in a company which . contains many talented performers. Miss Peggy Ross, and the other ladies of the 5 company aro responsible for a varied : selection of merry ditties, 'which aro well I received. 5 HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ; Tho second series of those remarkable i pictures presenting Victor Hugo's immortal story, "Les Miserable*," was presented at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. The first set of pictures gained £,uch ail i instantaneous success that it was not to 1)0 wondered at that every seat in the ■ commodious theatre was taken last night. Tho pathetic and dramatic story was fol- ■ lowed with interest by every person pro--1 sent. The series commences with tho \ rescue of Cosette by Jean ; Yaljean, who thon takes her away to Paris. Here again i he is discovered by Inspector Javert, and - in an endeavour to preservo his safety, 1 takes to flight with tho child. Tho dramatic episode is' clearly shown -where Valjean, by tho. aid of his herculean strength, climbs to the top of a conventwall, dragging Cosetto, after him. Tho two remain in the convent until Cosette grows to be a beautiful girl, -when Valjean decides to take her into the world. Cosette meets Marius, and tho two form a mutual attachment, which is continued through tho trying times of tho French Revolution. Terrible scenes are faithfully depicted, leading up to the incident which places Javert in the hands of Valjean. Tho latter spares his persecutor, and is later spared in his turn. , Cosette and Marius are united, and the final seen? shows the death of Valjean, who, in the latter part of his life, has been neglected bv those ho loves. Just before the end the young people arrive to gladden Vatican's heart before he passes "the night behind which is dawn." All tho scenes of the well-known story aro strikingly realistic," and the film, in a wonderful wav, presents tho immortal and masterful story. A strong series of supporting pictures aro shown, including an amusing comedy film, entitled "Babies Prohibited," in which a young couple, wrapped up in the mvsteries surrounding their first child, "aro hurt .and amazed at tho inditVirrence, and at times hostility, shown bv others towards the' infant. Pathc's . "Gazette" presents many topical subjects, while a fine scenic film is shown of the Caucasus Mountains. "Lea Miserables" ■will be shown again this evening. THE ICING'S THEATRE. The outstanding picture in the new programme shown at the King's Theatre last night was the pictorial dramatisation of Sir A. Conan Doyle's detective story, "The Sign of Four," in which "Sherlock Holmes," the character of world-wide Renown, placed his remarkable abilities at the disposal of a. young lady who was being defrauded of her rights by her cousins. In collaboration with Dr. Watson, "Sherlock Holmes" elucidatrs several mysteries, and, after all exciting chase, captures the thioves, who are making oft with the iewels of the wronged young lady. The New Zealand Animated Gazette proved very interesting,' showing scenes from the Wellington students cap-ping-day procession, and views of tho opening of Parliament. I he Dean s Daii'Miler." an American drama, was full of the human interest necessarily attaching .ion happy love story, which ,• t times is threatened by obstacles. I liese ob-laclcs, in a way picture-plots have, aro surmounted at the right moment, "lironeho Billy's Ward' is a love drama in which the kind guardian stormy (lueuches his own love and places his ward in the keeping of another. Plac:d in- a real cowboy .setting, the picture was very The Gaumont Grannie snowed lonic vcltllv line views of military manoeuvres a I -Vldershnt and in Spain, nnd a vm- laushaUU* film wi»". one showing a si>riV* of cinnint drawing depicting a hungry ino">c|niio worrying a stout man. T , ho"pVogrammo was. well received. EMPRESS THEATRE. pew programme was screened at the Empress Theatre yesterday. "The Houf'o of Darkness," by the A. B. Company, is the latest star item. The slory is about di famous judge who becomes insano and is sent to a sanatorium whero he soon becomes well known as one ol the most violent patients. Music, however, charms anil iiuietens hint. One day he escapes aiid goe.s to the house of a former nurse who is now the wife ot a musician. In his demented state of mind he as-umes his authority us judge, «nd at once sentences her to death. The sentence is to bo carried out by himself without delay. % acgi4cn.t tho. naiuaic Icayia of

the power of music over liim ,'iiul by playing saves lior life. There are several dramatic scones of thr> highest order and the story throughout is well staced mid acted. "Bread oil the Waters" (Edison drama), mid "Saved by a Child" arc both Rood seccml items and it would be hard to say which is' the better of the two. "It Made Him Mad" (Vita comedy) and "The Water Kymplt" (Tyler comedy) are good laughable items mid relieve the programme of overmuch seriousness. HAMI LTOX-I'T.IIIII El! SEASON. The box plans for the fir?t six nights of the ITamillon-lMimmor season, which commences at the Opera House on Thursday evening next arc now on view at the Dresden. This combination is at present, experiencing a very successful season in Christchnrcli. The opening play there, "A Woman of Impulse," which will also inaugurate the season here—was received with enthusiasm. The spirited action of the piece and the excellent treatment which it received at the hands of the company quite took the southerners. This augers well for the Wellington season. "A Woman of Impulse" proved a capital "draw" in Australia. But a success in Australia- is not always necessarily a success in New Zealand so the result of the tour in Invercargill, Duncdin, Tinuiru, and Christchnrcli is very gratifying to the management. "A Woman of Impulse" will occupy tho first three nights of tho season. Then will follow "Dr. Wake's I'atient," for three nights; "The Second Mrs. Tangueray,'.' and "A Message from Mars" will also be staged. Day sale at Christeson's , SHORTTS' THBATRE. "The Three Artists" is the name of the big picture nt Shortts' Theatre at present. Together with a new list of supporting items it was screened for the first time yesterday. Tho story of the 'l'hreo Artists is rather tragic. One of them, Henny, is the wife of one of the other?, and by her desertion from her husband to her friend she gives rise to hatred between them. Eventually her husband kills, her mid is in turn himself punished. In fact, the only man who escapes is tlie man who induced .Henny to leave her husband. "Final Jubilee" (Vifaigraph drama) is the second picture in order of merit, and an Edison comedy "A Rcluctant Cinderella," is the best of tho comic items. ORPHANS CLUB CONCERT. A grand concert by the Orphans Club, in aid of the Senior Cadets' Band, will bft held in the Town Hall at 8 o'clock to-morrow evening. The concert will he under tho patronage of their Excellencies tho Earl and Countess of Liverpool. Tickets (2s. and Is.) may be obtained at the Wellington Piano Company, and tlio Dresden. Holders of 2s. tickets may book without further charge. The box plan is at tho Dresden.