ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1807, 21 July 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE NIGHT SIDE OP LONDON." This evening, at tho Opera House, George Marlow's now dramatic company will inaugurate a short season of melodrama, the opening production being tho successful London drama, "Tho , Night Sido of London." This'drama is'reported to have proved a big success in Sydney ami Melbourne, where it ran for nino and seven weeks respectively, to big business throughout. Tho New Zealand production and company will bo in all respects similar to that seen in by Australian theatregoers, and tho public aro promised as fine a show tho people in tho Australian centres saw. "Tho Night Sido of London" is said to bo full of dramatic situations, and to present a succession of vivid pictures of life in London, t'ho" contrast between wealth and poverty being pointedly shown. There is also a problem element in this production, for it is said to deal with certain incidents of tho white slave traffio in London. "Tho Night Side of London" is a play written with a purpose—to expose a great evil, and by doing so, to endeavour to kill it. There has been, and is being, waged a great campaign against this "white slavo traffic" in America and England, and there has been much written, about it lately in many publications and popular magazines. Tho box plan is now open at tho Dresden, whilo day salo tickets may bo obtained at Christeson's. THEATRE ROYAL. Messrs. Brennan-Fuller announce a return; visit of Hugh Huxliam's "Serenades" to the Theatre Royal this evening. This popular costume comedy company, w'hose stay in Wellington will bo very limited owing to their being duo to commence a tour of tho firm's A/ustrali/rai circuit early next month, will present a programme of entirely new numbers. Mr. Styan, eccentric comedian, will make his first appearance in Wellington in conjunction with the Serenadexs. Jennings and Jerald, burlesque comedy players, Tho Rolvos, equilibrists, Mac and Mareo, England's unique specialty artist?, lutty, Roivby, serio and dancer, Joe lockwood, oomed'ian and bone ■ manipulator, and the Harmonious Huxhams will make an enr tire change.

"QUO VADISP" To-night at His Majesty's Theatro tho famous 8000 ft; picture drama "Quo Vadis?" will bo screened for tho first timo before Wellington spectators, when the unfolding of the great film will be further ; embellished by fitting and appropriate music arranged by Mr. E. J. Burke, ohief conductor of tho Fuller Circuit, who will conduct the augmented orchestra. Tho heavy booking of seats for the season, according to tho manag«-. ment, indicates that "Quo Vadis?" is sure to repeat hero the enormous success achieved elsewhere; The management intimate that the reserved sale to date covers large bookings for every night of tho week up to Saturday next, and easily constitutes a record. Among the many hundreds. of spectacles of "Quo'Vadis?" nono stands out more prominently than the "Burning,of Borne"—Nero, the Emperor, satiated with pleasures, seeks somemore stirring sensation—Tlgellinns suggests tho firing of the city, and Nero eagerly accepts tho suggestion, with tho result that Rome-is ; soon in flames. Tho news is brought to the Court at Auturin by an emissary who cries "A sea of fire floats over the city, smoke suffooates the citizens, the people fodnt or throw themselves madly into tho fire, Homo is perishing." Nero, callously replies: "Yo gods I I shall see a burning city and finish my Troyad."i He then speeds to Rome where ho watches tho conflagration and in-his madness sings while the beautiful city is being destroyed. While Home is blazing tho populaco are rushing about in hopeless confusion—buildings fall and tho dead and dying fill the Btreefa. The scones are said to bo awful in their intensity and full of realism. The. peoplo become incensed over tho destruction of the. pity, and in fear of their, violence and to. appease, them Nerodenounces the Christians as being responsible for -the awful act of inoendiarism, and. by his orders they are arrested and oast , into prison^.,TjiQP a, festival, Is ordered Christian martyrs are thrown to the lions and, sacrificed to mako a Eoman holiday. Seats may bo reserved at tho Dresden "Without .extra-fee. : •- ---, • , THE KING'S THEATRE. Tho new programmo to bo £hown for the -first time to-night is headed by two special, features, said to be of a decidedly interesting nature. "The English Derby, 1913," the-most sensational ever known, inasmuch as it will be remembered that the race resulted in the death of an nilfortunate woman, a Suffragette, who throw herself under tho hoofs of tho King's horse,Am ner, and in the disqualification of the winner, Craiganour. The dreadful fatality is said to be very vividly shown ill the picture, as is also the much-talked of "bumping finish," which brought about tho disqualification. The second specially-underlined film is "Spanish Blood," described as a superior drama of life and love in Spain, in which tho popular idol, Asta' Nielsen, is seen to great advantage. Others worthy of note are said to be: "Northern Games," depicting all manner of ice sport 3 at Stockholm; "The Lion and tho Mouse," a Vitagraph drama; "Gorges of Colorado" (scenic); "Tho Way Out,"'with Maurice Costello and Clara Young in the principal parts: "Master and Man," an Edison story j ' "Blindfold Marriage," a Patlie comic; and the latest "Gaumont Graphic." This • generous bill is expected to prove deserving of strong support. f THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "A Night Out," .described as the greatest comedy "feature" yet seen in Australasia, will head to-day's new programme at the Empress Theatre Continuous Pictures. The film occupies over forty minutes in the screening. The leading character . is that of Hubert, a young man who is looked upon oa a model in propriety. His father is a lecturer on public morals. Theso two manage to steal a night out unknown to one another until they meet at a cafe under very amusing circumstances. Tho amusing situations are said to be irresistible. The remaining items include: "His Mother's Son" (A.B. drama), "The Good in tho Worst of Us" (Edison drama), "Red Hicks Defies the World" (A.B. farce comcdy), "Gaumont Graphic" (with tho latest pictorial news of the day), and others. SHORTTS' THEATRE. As the feature item on their new.pro. gFamme to-day, Messrs. Shortt will screen the latest Vitagraph film, "Tho Modern Prodigal." The first part of tho diama deals with tho hero at home. Ho gets tired of being told by his austere father ■that ho had better reform and mend his ways, so he leaves home, and goes out West. - Some timo after he has left, his father's business fails, and his father dies. Tho scapegoat son, however, "makes good" out West, and' returns to find a dismantled home. Ho sets to work to find his mother, and reconstruct his old homo. Eventually, mother and son are re-united, and settle down to a comfortable and happy life. There are also, three comedies.to bo screened: "Hulda, of Holland," "Ono on Romance," and "Tweedledum Drives a Nail." "THE CREATION." Haydn's masterpiece "Tho Creation" is to bo performed in tho Town Hall on Friday, August 1, by tho Royal Wellington. Choral Society, under the condvetorship of Mr. Christian Hollemann, with a band and chorus of 3HO performers. Tho socioty has secured tho services of Madamo Mary Conly, the great oratorio soprano, for this, and the Elijah concert on August 12. .Although Madam has sung in all the principal towns in tho United Kingdom and Australia, this will bo her first appearance in this Dominion. Writing of Madame Conly's singing, the Melbourne "Age" says: "Melba has sung the 'Inflamatus' of Rossini, and Miss. Amy Castles has sung it, but better than either Melba's or-Miss Castles's performance was that given by Madamo Mary Conly in tho Town Hall. . . ." The other soloists engaged for "Tho Creation" on Friday week are: Tenor, Mr. Sydney Butler; baritone. Mr. John .Prousc. An orchestral practico will bo held in St. John's Schoolroom to-night nt 8 o'clock. The box plan will opon at tho Dresden on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock, where 3s. aild 'Is. seats can bo reserved. Tho 2s. and Is. tickets will only be on sale at tho otlice. MR. HERBERT BLOY'S CONCERT. It has been found expedient to niter, from August 6 to August a, the dato of

| tho complimentary concert to be tendered to the well-known violinist, Mr. Herbert Bloy. On that occasion the Wellington "Professional Orchestra is to play Tschaikowsky's great tone poein "1812," in which tho orchestra will bo assisted by tho Wellington City Band. Tho first rehearsal of the orchostra under tho now conductor, Mr. Christian Hellemann, is stated to have been a pronounced success. That gentleman will mako his debut with the baton at next Sunday's concert. THE DANDIES. Tho Dandies completed a highly successful season before a largo and enthusiastic audience at the Opera House on Saturday evening. The company leave to-day on a tour north. CITY BAND CONCERT. The Wellington City Band has experienced persistent bad luck in respect to the weather for its Sunday ovening concerts, and last evening .was no exception to tho rule. In fact, it was about as wintry a night as one could imagine—a galo of wind, accompanied by heavy rain. The concert , was a thoroughly enjoyable one. Although the band only mustered 21 strong, its playing was musicianly throughout, Tho tone is dovoid of objectionable brassiness, tho balance is good, the attack clean and bright (particularly so in respect to the trombone leads),' and the soloists, sure and solid in their work. For a band of its numerical strength the playing of Rossini's overture to "Tancredi" was surprisingly good. Other- pieces played were "Our Lieutenant" (Lings), the gavotte "Sweet Springs" (Greenwood), a morceau "Mountain Echoes" (Hume), and tho orisp march, "The Boys in Blue" (Beyer). The "Orpheus Quartet, who aro popular for their notably good singing of unaccompanied vocal part-songs, were in excellent form. They sang Hattal's "Lovely Night," an arrangement o* "Annio Laurie," "Two Roses," and "The Soldier's Farewell". most artistically. Mr. H. N. Fletcher's sympathetic tenor voice found a suitable vehiclo in Willcby's "Crossing tho Bar" (encored), and Mr.' S. Hutton Bang "Drake Goes West," and "Youth." Mr. A. M'Donald contributed as a iluto eolo Mendelssohn's "Spring Song," and was honoured with a recall. Miss Remington and Mr. Hollow: acted as accompanists.