ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1812, 26 July 1913, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Tho melodrama, "The Night Side of London," was .staged by the Marlow Dramatic Company ac tlio Opera Hotiro last evening. 'Die acting is, on (.lie whole, good, but Hie' play itself will give rise to a diversity ol' opinion. The plot is claimed to bo an interesting one, unci lii addition to the largo cast, t'leiv will b« an. army of siipi'iiuinnuies employed in ■ the production. The box plan is now on view at the Dresden.

THE "SMART SET." The "Smart Set," a combination which, has been organised for the past leu years, during which they have visited many countries in the lour quarters of thy globe, will open at the -Town Hull lliis evening. Mr. Maynard Dakin, the popular comedian, who has visited the Dominion on previous occasions—is now associated with this company—both in the management and on the stage, and brings with him a large budget of the very latest songs, monologues, concerted numbers, character sketches, and musical numbers, which so popularised him en his previous visits. The novel methods adopted by the "Smart Set" as a means of introducing their musical faro are attributes which have elicited favourable comment from the press in the. many countries visited by the company. The fun and merriment is headed by Mr. Dakin. first-class programmes of high standard and musical excellence are promised, consisting of original humorous songs, duets, trios, quartets, and ventriloquial items, in which "Sunshine Jame»" plays an important part, 'in the hands of Mr. Edward Elliott, who manipulates the mechanical figure. The concerted numbers form the principal feature of the performance, and although a ttroiig clement of humour pervades the entertainment it is essentially musical throughout. The "Smart Set" arc credited with being the originators of costume comedy companies, and the name is registered by them. The box plan is now open at the Dresden. THEATRE ROYAL.' To-night is tho last night of the excellent programme that has bc«n staged during the week at the Theatre Royal. The Itolvos, the Harmonious Huxhams, and the various individual items, including thoso by Kitty Banby, Joe Lnshwood, and Jennings anil Gerald, together make up a very entertaining programme. Ncir items and several now artists will appear on Monday's change programme.

"QUO VADIS." Their Excellencies tho Earl and Countess oi'i Liverpool extended their patronage to tho management of His Majesty's Theatre last evening, when they attended the screening of "Quo Vndis." Tho picture lias now a wide reputation, and many thousands of people have seen it and praised it. Of course the actual theme —the persecution of tho early Christians—is a subject of compelling interest. I'enpls are naturally attracted' to any pourtrayal of the primitive stages of the religion froiii which the civilised world lias all its best ideals. ' There will be a mntinvc this nftenioou, to which children will bo admitUl.l nti reduced rates.

KING'S THEATRE. "The Lion iiiul the Mouse" and the "English Derby" are tho two best pictures oh the programme at the King's Theatre, which will bo screened for the la-it time to-night. The latter picture will .appeal to all those interested in the turf. The photography is good and clear, so that one can form an excellent idea of the famous race. A new programme will bo screened on Monday, and lliero will be a matinee this afternoon. THE EMPRESS THEATRE.

The current programme at the Empress Theatre is worth seeing. "Dentil's Marathon," tho feature item, involves a very fine character study of tho life of a gambler, who is a bad loser. "A Child's Devotion" 19 nlso a good picture, and "The Greater Gift'.', should not ba overlooked when mentioning the. test items. A nan* programme, as usual, will bo screened o-n, Monday. SHOKTT'S THEATRE. "The Queen of Sheba"—a gorgeous presentation of the visit of tho Queen to King Solomon—is the best item at present showing at Messrs. Shortt's Theatre. ''The Piro fighting Houdoes" is a good second item, and the "Raco for tho English Derby" supplies a realistic picture of England's greatest horse race.

ORGAN RECITAL. There was a very satisfactory attendance at tho Town Hall last evening, when Mr. Horace Weber (organist of the Napier Cathedral) gave an organ recital. Amongst tho chiof items on the programme wore Bach's great prelude and iugiio in A minor, Lemtiro's selection from "William Tell" (Hcssilii), one of Mendelssohn's exquisite "Jjieder Ohne Work , ," and the finale to Guilmant's first sym.piiony. Other composers represented were: ilolloway, Leiuare,\ TaiUkes, Bernard Johnson, Wolstenholmc-, Pierne, and cl' Every. The Orpheus Quartet rendered several pleoaing items. SUNDAY CONCERT. Mr. Christian Hellemanni will make his initial bow to a Wellington audience us conductor of the Wellington Professional Orchestra at the society's concert in His Majesty's Theatre on Sunday evening. The programme will be n varied one, containing items by the following composers :—Uounod, Jieinecke, Tsehaikovsky, Weber, and Elgar, whose new march, "Crown' of Indin," will be performed for the first time. The programmo is advertised in full in another column of this issue. A silver coin collection will be taken up at tha doors. Tho concert will commence at 8..1U p.m.