ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1796, 8 July 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. Every scat in _ the Theatre Royal was occupied. last night, and the new programme of viinulerillo submitted by Brennait-Fullera, :Ltd., mot with applause right through. Several artists made a hrst appearance in Wellington, and at least two of tlio fresh turns wero an unqualified success. Frank Sydney and Company, who take the stage at tlio tail end of tho 'entertainment, undoubtedly provide the star act of tilie evening. Tho setting is "A Morning in a Sportsman's Garden." A liberal array of wicker chairs and bibles aro scattered about, anil with both feet together Mr. Sydney jumps over these ono after another without ever taking a step between, and varies tho entertainment by jumping two at a time. In one jump lie somersaults a height of feet. He next jumps and skips on a bicycle, and concludes with extraordinary _ whirlwind dancing. Ho has a female assistant, and a dummy, who does neat comedy work. Another star turn is put on by the two American performers Matthews and Mack, who appear in. a riot of mirth ajid merriment entitled "Virginius Upside Down." During the few minutes they ore before tho audience these two burlesque almost everything from tho timo of tradss unions back to tho days of ancient Rome. As they disappear behind the scenes they leave the house convulsed in laughter. Miss Vera Walton, an Australian contralto-, also made a first appearance, and pleased tho audience with two songs. As usual Bletsoe's Crimson Ramblers occupied tho first half of tho bill, and this is sufficient to guarantee the standard of that portion of tho entertainment. Miss Gertie Johns is still popular, and the same remark applies to the Two Franklins. These latter have commenced their last week in Wellington, as have ICarno and Francis, athletes and comedy acrobats. ' ' THE DANDIES. Mr. Edward Bnanscombo's refreshingly new and clever company of comedians, who were compelled to tour whilst prior booked engagements wero being filled in the Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall, are advortised to return to their cosy' quarters to-morrow evening. Tho Dandies present a clean, crisp, distinctive entertainment. The management look forward to a hearty reception on tho return of the company to-morrow evening. A specially selected new programme will, it is stated, be submitted, and will include songs ty Mr. Ford Waltham, basso; caricatures by Mr. Athol Tier, tlio eccentric dancing comedian; special items by Mr. George Edwardos and Misses Rita Fitzgerald, Lily Fitzgerald, and Peggy; Ross, and Mr. Robert A grow. Quips' droll stories, and musical monologues will bo given by Mr. Joseph Brennan, and baritone vocal selections by Messrs. Lawrence and Poachey. The box plan is at the Dresden.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The star film of the change'of programme at His Majesty's Theatre is "Tho Pickwick Papers," John Bunny, ns Pickwick, scores a distinct success. Tho first part'opens with Mr. Pickwick seeking data from the cabman, for tho benefit of the Pickwick Club. How the iro of tho cabman is raise'd, and how serious injury to the Pickwickians is averted by tho timely arrival of Jinglo is known to nil. The dinner in honour of .Jingle is thon shown in all detail, as is tho restful oblivion of Mi. Pickwickj tho borrowing of Mr. Winkle's dress suit, and tho quicktempered Dr. Stammer, who challenges Jingle to a dunl. The timorous 111. Winkle is saved from an. untimely end through tho enraged doctor failing to recognise in him tho man who had' insulted liim at the dance. Suspicion, however, is aroused about Jingle, and the next part sees Mr. Pickwick and his servant, Sam Wcller, hot on the trail. Tho amusing sceno in tho Westgato Seminary needs to be seen to be appreciated. Tho compromising situation in which lit. Pickwick finds himself being only excelled by tho antics of Sam "Veller." All is explained away, ho wever, and although Jinglo and his crying escape, Pickwick is released. This picture is well supported with others of hardly less merit, iuoluding "Tho Healer," a drama of the sensational typo. "Saunters Through Ol'd Rome" (a picturesque 6cenic), "The Lager Beer Industry" (cuiicational), the screaming comedy, "At it sAgain," and others.

KING'S THEATRE. , ' A particularly strong change programme was ■presented c<t the King's Tiheahjo last night, "The Man in tho White Cloak," a drama of intense and exciting interest, was the star film. Lady Hamilton ana her daughter Mabel are left almost penniless, and unless money is forthcoming by a certain day their only property will be sold. Lady Hamilton is taken ill, and Dr. Robert Dawson, Mabel's lover, is sent for. Ho is shown a picturo of "The Man in the White Oloak," and is told a legend by Mabel of how her ancestor, fearing ■ the ruin that would come, hid certain treasure, which would be found in the hour of need. _ Robert goes to sleep, and, on awakening. see 9 the ghost of "The Man in the Win'to Cloak," which loads him to a certain spot in the grounds and vanishes. After a little digging the doctor finds a passage, which leads to tho treasure. Ho is followed by Torlce, the scoundrel of tho play, but, after a severe struggle, tho treasure is saved, and all is brought to a linppy termination. A oonrincinf? story of life on the stage is unfolded in tho film, "Under the Make-up." In a fit of jealousy, oaused by his fiancee, a man encourages a ballet dancer to have supper with him. She does so., and estranges hiorself fronv her husband. While contemplating flight, sho oomes across her baby's doll in her bag. Sho is overcome with sorrow and shame, and eventually returns home. Other pictures which go to make up an interesting programme are: —"Th|j Path® Guzette," _ "Cidmnitv Anne's Trust," in Borneo," and "Parcel-post Johnny." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. A new programme was screened at tho Empress Theatre yesterday. "The Yaqui Cur," by tho A.B. Company, is the feature item of this programme. The story deals chiefly with Indians, _ and of tho curious effect which civilisation lias upon somo of them. The leading character is an Indian who has been given an English Bibla which he construes as a gospel of peace. Hie accordingly refuses to take his part in a tribal fight, for which lie is ostracised from his h'ib© as a coward, later he is befriended by a chief of another tribe. He repays this kindness by confessing to tho death of a white mail killed by this cliief. Tho fricnids of tho white man capture him and condemn him to death. His last request is that lie may be allowed tx> smoke one eirnrctte. and si, quietly miffing it. he dies like an Ftifflishman. "The ' Twelfth Juror (Edison drama) is alsn a good, picture. The twelfth iuror is, of course, the real culprit, and ifi sitting in judgment upon an innocent man being tried for a murder which lie (the juror) committed. Ho is unable to persuade the re<=t of the jury that -the prisoner is not guilty, and ivhen. the verdict of murder in the-first decree is brought in, his conscience overwhelms him. and lie confesses. "The Wonderful Pt.it.ue" is tlw bnct. of tho eoinic items. Other items are "The Eavma from Prison" (AX drama) and "Littleknown Fishes of the Mediterranean" (educational). SHORTTS' PICTURES. Tho programme at Shortts* Picture Theatre was changed yesterday. "Tho Clue of the Broken Finger," the leading item, is. as the title suggests, a story of crime. To complicate matters, tho crimo is fix»d upon the wrong man, and an error in the wheels of justice results in tho imprisonment of an innocent man. no esrapes. ami the exciting lino and cry rr,is«i forms the main theme in the story. The police in this picture are more lifelike than tli?y are in most pictures of this nature, and one gets an excellent idea of the modern and scientific methods emnloved bv them in tracking an escapee. "The Portrait." by the Pathe Company, is tlie second dramatic item. "Jones Goes Shopping" and "Mabel's levers" aTC two nmusing pictures that supply tho necessary comio details.