ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1826, 12 August 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. So many and 6o varied aro tho turns ■ !■/?■ I ! ,eair * this week that it is dilhcult to differentiate, and all who delight in a loud and continuous laugh can put ui two good hours at this placo Tlio three Decars and' .tomato," the educated clown donkey, provide an exceptionally clever comedy act, their acrobatic feats boing quito out of the ordinary, whilst "Tomato" comes a good second to tho educated pig, which draw such big houses during tho last fortnight. Levato and Collins aro acrobats of'another style, the former's juggling feats being really extraordinary, Every kind of light and heavy article is manipulated in turn, his crownyig performance being the balancing together of a large table and a small table set for dinner, with a shaded lamp, alight, on tho end of a billiard cue. A third stylo of acrobatic feat is. shown by Henchey, Vincett, and Bush, whoso frantic falls and farcical fun cause roars of laughter, whilst a fourth stylo is introduced by tho two Duckworths, comedy acrobats and jugglers, who havo come direct from England. By way of variety, Corona, "tho man who makes the cornet talk,"' is encored again and again for his musical ability, his rendering of "Wellington Beauties," his own composition, and of "You Great, Big, Beautiful Doll" being delightful. More music Is supplied by Max Dull'ck, the musical contortionist, who plays various instruments, from the violin to tho big drum, in all kinds of seemingly impossiblo positions, whilst tho slides depicting how ho travelled "round tho world in a million different ways" aro very interesting. Miss Violet Carmen and her composer-pianist, Alf. J. Laurence, tire as successful as over. Harry Collins is a capital coon impersonator, and tlio Rosebuds, from Australia, as sorios and 'dancers, earn their share of approbation. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Last nigiht's weather was not encouraging to picture patrons, and tho capital' programme' screi>m;d at .His Majesty's .theatre was not viewed by as mauy as it would havo been in ordinary circumstances. It should attract bigger crowds on other evenings this week. Tho leadm o. hl'fi of tho new s?ries is a drama, entitled "Strength of Man." This is a study of tho wild Alaskan country, specially written for tho Vitagraph Co.' by Iwx Beach} tho well-known American, y*} l *;*? novels find sucli a ready sale in \\ ellington at tho present tim-e. Briefly, tho story is of two yonng prospectors who fall m lore with tlw same girl. Where friendship has hitherto held sway, enmity spring? up. Tho two set out upon an 80-milo canoe journey in a race to peg off the same claim, and, before tlio goal is reached, a dqsperata tight ensues between them. Both aro badly •injured, and when a forest firo surrounds tlifiin tlioir plight bccomcs desperate. In these adverso circumstances, a better spirit arises in them, and they agreo to bury tho hatdhet, assist one another' to escape, and leave their lovo affair to bo ultimately settled by the girl. Tho'story has been photographed among delightful scenery, and it abounds in thrilling incidents. Another strong drama is "Tho Well," by tlio A.B. Company. This illustrates tho moral that an evil purpose is apt to defeat its own end. Two farm hands maltreat and rob their master, but the latter recovers his money before tlio robbors have had time to squander it. 'La Dauphino, Provinoo of l r rance," is a beautifully-coloured scenic by Patlio Irenes, who excel in this kind of work. Other good films aro:—"The Awakening" (drama), "Concerto for tlio Violin" (drama), "Making a Dynamo" (industrial), "A Dip into Society" (oomedy), "Her Gallant 'Knight" ' (comedy), • and ''Gaumont Graphic" (topical). Musical items aro supplied by an efficient orchestra, under Sir. John Garry. To-night tho programmo will bo'repeated.

THE KING'S THEATRE. "Tlio Doll " -a Patlie I'reres drama, is tlio principal of tho new series of moving pictures at tho King's Theatre. It is a powerful human study, telling of tho domostic infelicity of a married couple and tho subsequent reconciliation brought ftlxnit by tlio cliild they both lovo so well. Another excellent drama on the new programme is "Brother Bill." This is a Western story of a man's daring and fidelity, and of how he overcailo terrible difficulties to win tlio lovo of a true woman. "Groundless Suspicion" is a subject specially arranged for jealous husbands. It is the story of a j;oung married ma.u, who is driven frantic by the presence of a stranger in his house. Ho afterwards disoovers that this stranger is an eye specialist, who lias performed a successful operation upon tho baby, who,, unknown to its fattier, was blind from birth. Comedy > is supplied b,v a neat little picture play, entitled "Getting up a Practice." A young doctor is refused tho hand of the girl ho loves until such time as ho can point to a substantial practice.' His college friends come to the rescue, and provide a scheriio whereby the young doctor is -urgently required in a case of necessity. He figures in -such a light as to obtain tho favour of the girl's father, and tho marriage is then set down for the near future. Modern methods in a great industry are illustrated in "State Quarrying," while "The Lakeland of Bavaria" provides somethingmore than is generally expected in tho scenic line. In addition, there is tho usual edition of tho "rathe Gazette" to dcpict topical events. The orchestra, under Signor Alf. P. Truda, provides excellent music as. the various films aro reeled off tho machine. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The new bill presented at tho Empress Theatre yesterday included a feature drama entitled "The Heart of Marble." A ppor orphan girl is adopted by a sculptor's mother, and us the time progresses the sculptor gradually becomes attracted, by her, although he had previously loved a noted young beauty, who is characterised as a woman with a "heart of marble." Tho beauty, piqued at the artist's change of affection, determines to bring him to her feet. She ■poses for tho sculptor as a model, and he produces a figure which gaitis him fame. He now woos the beauty, but s'iie is impassive. The sculptor is warned that she does not caro for him. Ho falls asleep, and dreams that lie is a . sculptor in ancieut Athens when Diogenes, tho philosopher, lived. Ho has created a beautiful statue for a rich man, and has fallen in love with his work. He is loth to part with it when the rich man comes to claim it. Tho rich man then orders tho soldiery to carry the statae away, and they are on the point of doing so when Diogenes appears, and tells tliem that tho statue is to decide who tho owiier s'hall be. The sculptor presents his case? and pleads great love, which the statue pays no heed to. Then the rich man displays jewels and money, and immediately tho statue extends its arms to him. The sculptor then awakes, -and finds that it was a dream. Ho subsequently discovers that the beauty is betrothed to another. Ho rushes to his studio, smashes the statue, and falls dying on the floor. Other interesting photo-plays are also on tlio new programme. SHORTTS' PICTURES. "Tho Temptation of Drink," featuring Miss Asta Neilson, is tho star item oil llio current programme at Shortts' Theatre. It .is a story full of human interest. Another good film is tlfc latest "Warwick Chronicle." ' Among the happenings eliown in this picture is a glimpse of the international lawn tennis .match for the Davis Cup, between teams representing South Africa and Canada. Other pictures worthy of mention are: "Beau-Brummel and His Bride," "The Soldier's Lowr," "Hattie's New Hal," ' and "Snowclad Mountains." "THE SMART SET." The capital combination which is appearing under the apt title—"Tlio Smart Set," are giving nightly a delightful entertainment ill which costume comedy forms a feature. Tho company will appear again in tho Town Hall to-night and every evening t ill further notice, excepting on Saturday next, when they appear ; fo" one night at tho King Goorgo Theatre, ' T/>«•!•!■ Jfutt, owing to tho Town Hall be- . ing engaged.