ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1804, 17 July 1913, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The programme at the Theatre Royal this week is a good one, and well worth seeing. The Uolvos, hand balancers; Mathews and Mack, comic artists; Dashwood and Renby, and the various other ( novel and versatilo turns mako the even--1 ing pass quickly, and who shall say not profitably ? HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. An emotional French story, called "Great Possessions," tops the bill at His Majesty's Theatre this week. This is in its way a very fine picture, and, as upon the present programme, it is backed up with excellent minor items, it may candidly be urged that the entertainment is a bright one. Tho same programmo will be screened till Monday, when the usual "change" will take its place. Next week it will be "Quo Vadis." "QUO VADIS?" At His Majesty's Theatre on Monday night next -"Quo Vadis" will bo screened for tho first timo in Wellington, and persons whose interest has been aroused by the glowing reports of its sensational snccess in England. America, Australia, 'and, more recently, in Auckland, will ffbuibtless seize the opportunity of seeing tho film and pass their own opinion on it. "Quo Vadis" is said to follow so closely th 6 story told by tho master craftsman, Henryk Sienkiewich in his notable book that scarcely an inoident in all that great work, the omission of which would blur tho understanding and mar the beauty of the author's conception and treatment, has been, allowed to drop. Indeed, tho wonder Is that it has been -possible to cover so huge a field iu so short a space. Ihe picture is stated to be particularly remarkable for its beauty, its extent, its completeness, and its magnificence. Thero are said to be hundreds of wonderful spectacles in the vast 8000 ft. him. Yet it_ is generally conceded that, apart from tho burning of Rome and the mutilation ol the early Christians by lions, none is more impressivo than the reverent section which, discloses tho Apostle Peter and his companion Nazarus i walking from Rome by the Appian Way toward Campania. Gradually there grows into view a figure of Christ, unseen by Nazarus, but causing the Apostle to fall to his knees, und to ask, "Quo vadis, Domine?" On the soreen is thrown tho reply, "If thou desert My people, I am going to Homo to be crucified a second time." The Apostle, is seen to jpise and turn towards -Va seven hills of the city, and to his companion, who asks, "Quo vadis f" (Whither gocst thou?) ho answers, "To Rome," and returns to spread the great seeds anew. Mr. E, J. Burke, chief conductor of the circuit, who has been, highly commended tjy tho Auckland press for his excellent arrangement of the incidental music numbers, will bo brought from Auckland to control His Majesty's Orchestra while "Quo Vadis" holds the screen. Tho management state that box plfvns at tho Dresden already record a number of advance bookings for each; night next week. ' THE DANDIES'. It is annouced that the Dandies will only Temain in Wellington three more nights. They gave their last entertainment in tho Concert Chamber of the Town' Hall last evening, and to-night they will move to the Opera House for their last performances. There will be a'chaiigu of programme every evening till they depart, and on Friday night thero will be a "request" programme. Thera is ho gainsaying that the Dandies are good, and these last entertainments should be of their very best. THE KING'S THEATRE. "Till Death Do Us Part" is being well received at tho King's Theatre this week. It is a good picture and well photographed and acted. Tho story hinges upon tho duty of a man to his wife. The New Zealand scenic picture, t "Mount ligmont," is quite popular, and seems to prove, contrary to many writers, that Nw Zealanders can, and,do, appreciate their native scenery. "T'ie Pawned Bracelet" and ''Picture Comic Cuts" are also worth men-< tioning. . ' THE EJII'RESS* THEATRE-. The new programmo to-day and tonight at tho Empress Theatre continuous j-ictures -will bring forward three "feature"'subjects: The first—tho A.B. Company's poetical fantasy, "The Wanderer" —is said to bo quite a different departure to the general type. It is a story of a wanderer who seeks through his flute the spirit of truth, that his may give it out to tho world as he passes on. his various journeys. . In the Edison entitled "An Accidental Alibi," a man accused of murder is able to prove an alibi by means of a moving picture. The third "star" is the Lubin drama, "Thia Good-for-Nothing." "There are, it is stated, several other pleasing numbers . . ' SHORTTS* THEATRE. A complete change of programme will be screened at Messrs. Shortts? Theatre today. The feature .item is entitled "Thra Mystery of the A.V.Z. Gang." Silviette and her small brother, Pete, on the death of their father, ails -placed under tho guardianship of a business associate, who proves unworthy of his - trust. He gets rid of the boy by having him abducted by the A.V.Z. Agency. Tne sister implores Lieutenant Andrea to find her hrotter. Ho meets one of the gang, and followa him to the train, and plying him with liquor at the -refreshment liar, takes a letter from his pocket addressed to a slum quarter. Following up this clue, Andrea arrives just in time to save the little Pete from brutal ill-treatment. HUTT SKATING RINK. 'On Monday last some of the Hutt ladies organised a skating party, and a larga number attended. The ladies entertained their friends at stvpper, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Tonight there will bo a "ladies' musical men competition," for which a prize is to ba given, and on Saturday night tho final of the men's one mile race for the cup will be got off. On Saturday afternoon tho brass band will be in attendance for the benefit of those who take advantago of that session. The two-step craze is on now, -and the management will gladly teach any of their patrons who wish to learn it, also waltzing and other steps. PIPES AND PIPERS. It would not be surprising to learn that tho Scots community in Wellington were very proud of the Wellington Pipe Band, and equally proud of the very agile and accomplished dancers who are all associated under the Wellington Pipe Band and Dancers' Association. This happy alliance came into prominence last evening, when a concert was given in the Opera House, to assist funds for sending the Pipe Band to the competitions to bo held in connection with tho Auckland Exhibition. Tho proceedings were opened by the Prime Minister, who was escorted on to the stage by the imposing figure of Pipe-Major W. Jr,Simpson. Mr. Massey, without further ado, broke into a eulogy on the pipes (reported elsewhere), which was received with immense enthusiasm by the audience. After an, orchestral selection by the Gas Company's Orchestra, Mr. R. S.' Allwright sang a now and very attractive setting, by Cowen, of the familiar "Blue Bonnets," the old setting of which was, curiously enough, tho song selected by the next singer on the programme, Miss Adelaide Bruce, who was encored.- Later in the evening Miss Biuco sang "Tho Anld Hoose" effectively. Tho Orpheus Quartet was signally successful in an original arrangement of "Annie Laurie," and responded with the partsong "My Love is Like the Red, Red Rose." "Afton Water," by tho samo quartet, was also well received. Songs iu character are very rare on the modern concert programmes, but Madame M. Gi'oome broke away from tho conventional by singing "Caller Herrin'," in costume. She certainly looked the part of the fisher wife. "Ye Banks and Braes" was her encoro number, l'ho same singer infnsed a good deal of spirit into her singing of "A Hundred Pipers." Miss Betty Purdom, a brightly intelligent reciter, with a limited range of tones, held tho attention of tho audience in a dramatic recital entitled "Janie Douglas," and when encored, spolte Burns's lines, "A'e Fond Kiss" sentimentally enough. She was much better suited in the humorous recital "Maister Ridhon's Toilet" (by J. J. Bell). Mr. Harry Phipns contributed "Mary," and Mr. Harry Hall sang a variety of broad comic songs in character, which met with the approval of tho audience. Tho most electric, items on the programme wero thoso contributed by the Pipe Band, and the dancers. The band, ' 1 tvhich consists of nine pipers and three

drummers; stirred the pulses by their splendid playing. Without any conductor, but guided solely by their native sense of rhythm, they played as one man —marches, reels, and strathspeys alike. There was no mistaking the exhilarating thrill their playing created. The dancing was a sheer delight, particularly that of thoso clever girls, Misses Flora Shaw and L. and M. Reid, whoso grace, and light and dainty stepping in the Highland Fling aroused enthusiasm. The Keel o' Tulloch was nimbly danced by Messrs. J. Simpson, W. E. Boyd, H. Anderson, and J. P. D. Lang, which dancers combined with the wee girls in the pretty dance entitled "Lochaber Swords." A rollicking Irish jig was danced by tho Misses Reid and W. E. Boyd, and Miss F. Shaw and Mr. 11. Anderson contributed a • double sailor's hornpipe. Mrs. E. 11. Queree was the accompanist. COSTUME ENTERTAINMENT. . A costume entertainment, in aid of the Roseneath and Oriental Bay Municipal Association, will be held in tho Oriental Bay Kiosk, commencing at 8 o'clock tomorrow evening. The management state that bright songs, humorous items, mirth, frivolity, and merriment, will mark the evening's entertainment. "NIGHT SIDE OF LONDON." "The Night Side of London," described by the management as "a melodrama with a purpose," will be staged at the Opera House on Monday evening by George Marlow's new company. Thjo management add -that it deals with the white slavo traffic. The box plan opens at tile Dresden to-morrow (Friday), at 9 o'clock.