ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1808, 22 July 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "QUO VADIS ?" In every way "Quo Vadis" is a wonderful production, Tliis was tlio general verdict of tlie crowd, which filled every seat in His Majesty's Theatre last evening, to witness tho initial screening of tlio Cines Company's great picture masterpiece. Tlio film occupies the wliolo of the ovening, and lias tlio programme to -itself, in other ways, too, it is remarkable. For its setting tuo Italian Government gave the fines Company special permission to use tho Palatine and tho C'oiisouni, that amphitheatre in liomo which was lor 100 years tho scene of gladiatorial combats. Twenty lions were secured for tho arena scenes, and over 1500 persons appear in tho picture, so that tho cost must have been enormous. T!iio Australian rights alone aro said to have sold at tho high iigure of ,£■looo. When tire picture has been seen, this sum seems moderate, indeed, for sucli magnificent Cinematography; In shaping the historical story into picture form, t.lw> Cines Company has faithfully followed, the lines laid down by tli» author, and the series is something ahead of anything previously, seen in Wellington. Every incident of tho novel appears to have been preserved, and, while every scene has its point of interest, thero is a terseness and gripping power throughout that cannot lull to impress. With the fall of tho curtain there conies a feoling of regret that thero is no more to witness, mingled with a feeling of surprise that the moving picture has reached such a. state of perfection. The setting is on a ihigh scale, and tho acting leaves little to be desired. Never nas the splendour, the riot, the cruelty and tho tragical wickedness of Rome been more vividly brought to tho imagination. There wero even gasps from tlio house last night when the lions wero turned loose on the Christians—so realistic did it appear. A conspicuous figuro throughout the picture is that of A'ero. He appears first in the interior of tho palace listening to a poem "being read to him b.v Lucan, the Court poet, and later presides at a banquet w'Jiera ;i mad scene of revoiry ensues. Costly wines and exquisite delicacies are here served to tho guests, and, while a troupo of Syrian dancers aro amusing them, showers of iroses descend from the ceiling and fall round about those present. Tho rovels continue until break of day, when tho screen shows a delightful view of the Eternal City, beautiful and immense, but corrupt already. Meanwhile the love of Viuitius for Lygia has been unfolded, and tho groundwork of the plot is laid. The abduction of Lygia and the scenes down to the combat between the giants .Ursus and Croto form the second part of the film. Then follow further revels at the Court of Nero, at/Auturin, leading to that stage of the story where Nero is satiated with the gorgeous pleasures of tho palace. He seeks more stirring sensations, and Tigellinus. suggests the burning of Rome. Tho fire is scarco suggested when the city is in flames, and Nero, with his whole court, makes speed to Rome. Iu a safe position, ho watches the conflagration, and in his madness sings 'while the destruction of the beautiful city is being wrought. Theso scenes are intense, but something more awful follows, when the festival is ordered at Nero's amphitheatre, where' a crowd of Christians are to be sacrificed. Prior to the massacre, all the Olympian games of tho Roman era are indulged in with a recklessness that is thrilling, and then the Christians are driven in a body to the arena, to await tho coming of the lions. A further item on another day's "programme" at the dreadful Colliseum consists of tho career of a mad bull with the body of Lygia lashed to its back, but this is cut short when tho giant Ursus throws tho bull, and rescues Lygia. The peoplo aro maddened by the awful sights they havo witnessed, and in response to their demands, Lygia and Ursus aro released. The final scenes deal with the proclamation of GaJba, tho new (but short-lived) Emperor, who wa9 summoned by the Army to assume tlio purple. The repetition of the picture to-night and during tho week should result in packed houses. Special attention is being devoted to the musical side, and, the orchestra has been, materially strengthened for the season of "Quo Vailis?"

THEATRE ROYAL. A large audicnce was present afc the Theatre Royal last night to welcome back "The Serenaders." Mr. Hugh Huxhams brilliant combination aTe making their farewell appearance in "Wellington, and the numbers provided by them last night were an entertainment in themselves, ihe company is very versatile, and numbers grave and gay l were rattled off in great profusion, starting with the chorus "Hero Wo Are," which immediately put the audience in a happy frame, and prepared the way for the good fare which was to follow. The trio, Messrs. Norm&n Leslie,. Mark Phillips, and Gcorgo Lanri, made a great hit with. "Well; I am Surprised," and had to respond to several recalls. A coon : song, with harmony, "Little Puff, of Smoke/ was daintily given by Miss Elsio Barber. "Those Eagtiuie Melodies," as sung by Miss Edith Huxham, was ono of the fea> tures of the programme, as was the wellknown Scotch song "Doech and Doris," given by Miss Gertie This artiste also inn do a good impression l>y tho war she danced the Highland Fling. 'The Cail of (ho Angry Deep," sung by Mr. Mark-Phillips, was Tvell received, and Mr. Hugh "Stcyne, who made a first appearance with the Serenaders, had the houso in shrieks of laughter at his comical song, entitled "Silly Ass." The Serenades tilled the first part of tho entertainment, and filled it welh Many favourite' "turns" were given in the second part or tho entertainment. Jennings and Gerald, burlesque comedy players, camo in for great applause for their act, while lvltty llenby, a serio-comic finger and dancer, was well received. The Kolvos showed their great.revolving pedestal act, and did many otiicr extraordinary feats, which brought hearty rounds of applause to them. The Harmonious Huxhams. who 'are making a reappearance in Wellington, and Joe Lash wood, and Mac and ilaree, speciality artists, all contributed ts> an entertaining programme.

THE KING'S THEATBE: ■. A change programme of higli merit was put on at 'tho King's Theatre last night, and included three strong dranratic subjects, which are well worth seeing. The first of these, entitled "Master and Man," told the story of how a dissipated clubman, having captured a burglar in. his house, comes to an agree.ment bv which both promise to reform from their evil ways. Tho burglar, an cx-convict, is taken into the society man's employ, and in the course of time shows his gratitudo by a magnificent sacrifice. The young wife of the rich mun lias committed petty larceny in order to pay a bridge debt, and to save her tho servant takes tho blame, and goes off to prison. The picturo was well pres_ented', and the theme interesting. "Tho Mouse and tho Lion," a story founded on the old fable, was highly entertaining. In this a ,city waif releases a detective who has been captured by a gang of burglars. "Spanish Blood" was a thrilling picture, tho chief interest snrtounding a Spanish bull fight, in which, a Toreador was fatally wounded. A Spanish love affair was included in tho story unfolded by tho film. Asta Neilson took- tho principal role. "Games of Northern Europe," such as ice-yachting, speed skating, etc., were shown in another entertaining film on the programme, and tho "Gnnmont Graphic" depicted-sonic magnificent T.ilitary displays in England and Germany, and also showed the French candidate for tile English Derby arriving at Folkestone. Other good films were: "A Way Out,"ami "Gorges of Colorado," a fine scenic .subject. Tho King's Theatre management have also secured tho film showing the English Derby, 1913, at which tho sensational Suffragette outriigo occurred, resulting in tho death of Miss Davison. This film is very thrilling.

RRAMJ3N'S CONCERT. An entertainment, which promises lo bo of a distinctly interesting character, will l>« held in (lie Seamen's Institute, in Whitniore Street, to-night. The concert imrt.v of R.M.S. Hemuera, with the latest novelties in two-step and ragtime music, will provide tin ovonimr which, it is claimed, will lw brimful of fun and jollity. Tho entertainment is under tho patronage of Captain Greenstrpot and tho officers of tho ship, and will bo in nid of tho funds of tho,Missions to Seamen. Particulars will be found in our advertising coljynnsj