ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1814, 29 July 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. It was not surprising that with such an. excellent all-round programme almost every seat at the Theatre Royal was occupied last night, and judging by the enthusiasm displayed by tlie audience they and their friends are pretty certain to maintain the present run. The principal item was the really i(uirvcll[>us performance of the educated pig, who was produced by Van Camp from a hard bowler hat, along with & live canary, a chicken, a rabbit, and other articles. This is said to bo the only trained pig in the world, but however this may bo it can certainly bear comparison with tho performing seals and other educated animals which always earn kudos for their respective masters. In between repeated visits to the baby's bottle, piggio shakes hands, picks, up a stick, kneels, sits, turns circles, plays hide-nnd-seek, and dances a jig at the word of command. Another most successful turn, is that provided by the Gamrds, comedy jugglers, musicians, and heavy-weight lifters; whilst Miss Violet Carmen, a charming young English artist, along with her composer and pianist, Alf. J. Lawrance, is making a weloomo reappearance. Her selection included "The Ragtime Zoo," "Tho Three Ages of Woman," and "The Aeroplane Girl," each of which was so warmly applauded as to necessitate a reappearance. Tho Two Franklins made a welcome reappearance in their latest American sketch speciality, and, besides -achieving a notable success in "Tho Soldier Boy," kept tho audience in roars -of laughter with their witticisms. The usual vaccination "j-lioke" was followed by a lesson in anatomy, in which it was suggested that one's ears should be on the palms of one's hands, so that when they were cold we could place them in our pockets, tho nose should bo behind the neck so that we could hang our coat 011 it, whilst 0110 eve should be liko that of Polyphomls in the mjddle of tho -forehead, and tho other at the end of tho finger so that we could place it through a holo in tho fence and watch tho football match without payment. Those who favour acrobats should not fail to witness the excellent though ludicrous performance of the Ridgway Brothers, hand balancers anil comedy "acrobatic artists, who give a particularly fine exhibition, particularly with tho punching ball and Singlesticks. Many who have heard Essio Jennings, balladist, will regret that, her visit is drawing to a close, her vocal selections being delightful, especially "Beautiful Garden of Roses." Lashwood and Ren by appear with success in a novel and original act, having many smart "gags." tho former describing how he was locked up. in gaol, took the smallpox, and "broke out." Jennings and Gerald, burlesque comedy players; .Too Losliwood, eccentric comedian; and Miss Kitty Renby, serio and danoer; complete a most attractive programme. ,

"QUO VADIS?" "Quo Vadis?" will continue at His Majesty's Tlieotre this week. As far as it is possible to judge the second week of this film will Ire more successful than the first. As it is a picture that invites discussion and thought, people who have already seen it are 110 doubt advising their friends to go also. One of the best points of "Quo Vadis?" is that it throws a strong historical light on the times it portrays. Nearly everybody has read of tho Coliseum and many have seon it, but few have imagination vivid enough to form an idea of what a Roman amphitheatre was like when thronged with o turbulent Roman crowd with the blood lust upon them. Nor can there be any doubt as to the popular tasto regarding the various gladiatorial shows. Alike in the time of Nero, ond in tho times of other Caesnrs, the Roman populace loved bloodshed, and as the Christians wore, as a sect, considered obnoxious the authorities "killed two birds with one stone" so to write, when they got rid of them and at the same time entertained. Nero himself ha 3 been held up as the most cruel of men, but, as a matter of fact, ho. was only a " cruder example of the leading men of tho times. So one should possibly, when viewing this picture, take into-account the respective value of a "h'nman life during the 'lime of"-Nero and at- present. "Quo Vadis?" will be screuned nightly up to and including next Saturday. Tho" box plans at the Dresden are being very largely drawn upon.

THE KING'S THEATRE. The new programme at the Theatre, screened tor tho first time last evening, contains several items that might bo star items on a less brilliant bill. Although not the feature .itom, ■ ono that is very interesting considering the present controversy in regard to the new American dances, is "Dances of the Ages." This Sicture briefly sketches tho history of the ance from the remote ago 1200 B.C. Somo of tho dances that are now no longer seen aro undoubtedly beautiful, somo exotic, and so appear to us modems, used to tho waltz, over fantastic, and even ridiculous. But one can learn from this pictu/re how it is that] some of tho ancient dances—or classic dances as they are now termed— aro being revived with such success. Tho Greeks, above all others, and especially in connection- with their Dionvsiac festivals, brought the danre to a high degree of artistic excellence. The baccnanals of tho Romans Were much less elegant, and eventually bccanio burlesque and vulgar. The Greeks began by worshipping Dionysius, but the Roman ended by .abusing Bacchus, and turning tho occasion into an excuse for a drunken rovol. "Nigger Jim" is, howover, tho feature itpm, and is founded upon an American production of that name that had a very successful reception* in the States. It is a tale of the turf. The leading character is a nigger boy. The play is well sustained throughout, and should provo more than usually popular. "Hubby Buys a Baby" is the best of the comic items, .and presents John Bunny in a novel role. Tho Patho Gazetto this week is interesting.

"THE SMART SET." "Tho Smart Set," in the Concert Chaw ber of the Town Hall, are staging a firstclass entertainment. Altogether Ihey are a talented little company and show by the choice of their items that llicy know what tho public want. Mi?s Gcorgie ilartin is quite the brightest of the ladies and has already become one of the most popular of the "Smart Set." Both Mr. Walter George and Mr. Maynanl Dakin were received last night in an appreciative manner. Mr. Edward Elliott, the ventriloquist, is both amusing and clever. Best of all were the concerted items. They alouo nre worth going to hear.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The feature picture of -the new programme at the Empress Theatre yesterday, is an artistically acted dramatic study by the A. B. Company, entitled "A Mothering Heart." A young couple marry and embark upon life with humbio domestic surroundings. They are both happy and contented in each other's company until a stroko of good fortune comes their way. This, instead of bringing m'oro happiness, effects something quite tho reverse, amf- results in creating a wide breach in the little menage. A visit to a fashionable music hall cafe is the actual incident which brings the breach to pass. The husband is attracted by a stylishly-dressed woman, who for the time being, finds diversion in bis company. The young wife takes a natural course—she returns to her mother. Tho ballet girl soon tires of tho young husband, and after « disagreement they part. The closing scenes depict a happy reconciliation. Other pictures of the new programme are "Billy's Sweetheart" (Edison drama), "The Rise and Fall of M'Doo" (A.B. farce comedy), and "The New Zealand Animated News" (topical).

SHOIITTS' PICTURES. Scones from Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" ore pictorially represented on the current programme at Shortls' Continuous Picture Theatre. The various situations leading up lo that in which Shylock demands a pound of Antonio's flesh are strikingly portrayed. The story is Familiar where Portia, dressed as a doctor of laws, enters the Court, and Addressing Shylock, say;: "Tarry a little; there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood. The words expressly are a pound of flesh; but in cutting, if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, tll.v lands and goods are by the laws of Veuico confiscated." The following scenes Miow how Shylock's attempt to compass the death of Antonio lire frustrated. <wid they ;iumill.y line. There are many supporting items including a capital Kdison comedy entitled "The One Hundred Dollar Elopement."