ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1832, 19 August 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATKE ROYAL. The usual change of programme was presented at the Theatre iioyal last jiijjht, ''•ml the theatre was crowded. Somehow vaudeville never wanes in popularity. The best item ill the bill was undoubtedly the turn in which Henchey, Vincetti, and liush, a trio of comedy acrobats, appearoil. Their act is a. mail riot of fun. Two members of tlio troupe make ft specialty of Jailing in every conceivable position to the accompaniment of much noise, but, of course, they suffer 110 damage at nil. With this grotesque l'arco they mix very youd acrobwic feats, mid the result is one of the verv be.it vawlevilto acts that have ever been'shown ill the old theatre. Corona, the cornet player, scorod his biggest .successes with Dixie,' and a polka of his own composition. The Three Decnrs with their donkey, Tomato, were as funny as over in their acrobatic work, and, oi course, tlio donkey's business puzzled unci amused an audience taught to believe (hat the donkey is tho. most stupid of all creatures. Miss Violet Carnient and her composeraccompanist and i-artner tang a few of their own songs in their own way, aiid they certainly won most generous applauso from the audience, especially with tho filial series of choruses to some of tho best known of .Mr. Lawrauoe's songs. Mr. George Dean has conio buck. Ho had new pongs to sing and a new story or so to toll, and lie .showed 'that ho lias forgotten none of tho tricks by which ho used to draw crowds to the Fuller theatres in tho early days of the firm's historv. Another new performer was A'thol, -'a strong man. Ho opens his turn with some poses to show his fine development ond his eompleto oontrol of the. muscle?, and then lie did things with dumb-bells. With one hand he raised 0. 1301b. barbel! and with two a 1801b. bell, holding 'tho latter afterwards with one hand. Also he carried an amazing weight across tho stage—three men and a 1801b. bar-bc-11 011 his back, and a 4511. weiglit in his teeth. Last of all he placed a 4Jcwt. anvil on his chest and allowed two men to strike it hard with 101b. hammers. Tho programme will be repeated to-night.

THE SMART SET. The Smart Set, after a short visit to the Hutt, returned to the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening, and provided rv capital programme, which a large audience warmly fcommended. All memberj of the company were in good voice, and they rendered their items in a manner which could not fail to please. Miss Gweenvth Evans sang with much pathos "Still as the Night," and responded to a well-deserved encore. A concerted item contributed by the male members of the company, entitled "Hoop-la," was well received, and JJisa Georgio Martin did justice to several good pongs. Miss Mo.na Thomas sang "Prince Charming" prettily, and Mr. Ernest Parkcs contributed "Chorus Gentlemen." The request for. an encore was acceded to. Maynard Dnkin, comedian,- sang some mirthful littlo songs, _ which kept the audienco simmering with laughter. His items wero really good. Edward Elliott also made a hit in his comic work. The pianist, Edgar Hulland, gave a delightful rendering of .Rachmaninoff's "Prelude," for which ho was loudly applauded. "Way in tho Backwoods" is the title of a skit on Steele Rndd's novel "On Our Selection." The skit was written by' Mr. Edward Elliott, and tho various characters wero taken by members of tho company, and they provided ample amusement for an audience quick to appreciate good humour. The programme will bo repeated tlvis evening. • . THE JULIUS ICNIGJIT SEASON. The box office for tho Julius Knight season, which is to commence at tho Opera Houso on Thursday evening next, wa3 opened at the Dresden yesterday, ami tho opening and advance bales, it is said, already point to another successful teasoil being added to this popular favourite's present lon<j list. In writing of tho opening production of the season, • the new play "Milestones," tho '.'Sydney Morning Herald" says: "The fact that 'Milestones' is running so strongly in Sydney is especially good to remember in view of the quality of our accustomed stage and- its incessant flow of i'ocd for babes, we havo been so keen to absorb that ini'lk-ajKl-watcT diet, indeed, that it had begun to be believed of us tbat 110 other is to. our taste. The success of 'Milestones' is proof that the drama as art, When it is tho real thing, 'has a great public in Australia waiting for a chance to respond l to such' a call upon it. 'Milestones,' of course, has the ad-vantage-of being a charming' play. It is full of human appeal, and its commingled liumour and pathos bear tho unmistakable touch of nature. Moreover, it embodies a new and attractive idea—that of the development of one set of characters and their descendants during a wholo half-century of their lives. The marvdl is that the scheme was not hit upon before."

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A stirring drama by the Yitagraph Co. is the feature of the new prograinmo submitted to patrons of His Majesty's Theatre last night. , The principal characters aro Lester Phillips, who is engaged to Agatha Remington, and Beatrice Esmond, whoso lover Zolan is jealous of Phillips. The latter succeeds in disentangling himself from Miss Esmond, but the woman,.in order to punish him, ensnares his younger brother, Francis Phillips, and at the same time endeavours to poison tho mind of Miss Remington against Lester. A set of complications tlien arise, and form the groundwork of tho story which is appropriately named "Tho Web." Tho elder brother warns Francis against Miss Esmond, and to savo Francis tells Mis 3 ' Esmond. that his (Lester's) love for Miss Remington was #11 a mistake.' This leads to a quarrel between the brothers, and to another quarrel between Zolan and Miss Esmond. Xolan shoots the latter, and Lester Phillips is accused of the murder. Miss Remington hero becomes tho heroine, and with the aid of Francis Phillips she succeeds in proving her brother's' innocence. A happy ending follows. "Arabia, the Equine Detective," is a drama, by tho Selig Co., and is mounted and acted in a style worthy of this company. Arabia is a horse belonging to the heroine, Violet Ford, and tho picture relates how tho horse recovered a stolen necklace and subsequently proved intelligent enough to indicate the thief. "Nuremburg" is n Pathe scenic, showing different i>arts of tho ancient city of Bavaria. Another delightful scenic by the samo company 13 "The Rapids." Topical events arc depicted by the English edition of the Pathe Gazette, which is npw looked for weekly at this theatre. The humorous side of tho bill is strong in good numbers. Among these may bo. mentioned "Rosic's R<o-

vengo," by the Thannousor Co.;, "By Mutual Agreement" (Edison Co.), and "The Flirty Husband" (Keystone Co.). Musical accompaniments are supplied by an efiiciout orchestra under Mr. John Garry. KING'S THEATRE. At tho head of the u-ew > series of moving pictures at the King's Theatre last night was a Vitagraph drama entitled "Alixe," or-"The Test of Friendship."

This'is a fascinating society story of two men who arc infatuated with Ihe samo woman.' The parts are acted 111 the usual finished style for which the company's actors aro famous (Hid tho theme of the piece grips the attention from start to finish. It is undoubtedly one of the Vitagraph masterpieces and .while it is beine screened the attendances at this theatre aro sure to be large. Vaudeville iu kincmatograpliy is not uncommon, but it is seldom that jVicture-lovers have un opportunity of seeing such famous artists as Ellaliuo TerriS and Seymour Hicks. The film showing these two in a popular turn will therefore prove an attraction to many. Another item of considerable interest is that showing views 011 the Union Company's new ferry steamer Waliirie. Those who have not yet seen the vessel at tlie Queen's wharf may see her at tho King's Theatre. "Paris Fashions" is a subject that will principally interest lady patrons, but the film illustrating Tho Oil Industry" is instructive to nil and a similar remark apnlies to tho topical events portrayed in the tlauinont Graphic. On the romantic .tide of the programme there are such numbers nr. "Thf School Principal," "Tho Kxnress 0.0.D.." and "The Golden Weddine." while for those who. so to tho pictures to have a really good laugh there is the Keystone Company's bright and breezy comedy entitled "The Ambitious Butler." The musical effects are supplied by Singer A. P. Truda's orchestra and the selections last night were of tho very bast. This evening the same programme will bo repeatodi

THIS EMPRESS THEATRE. An ixciting railway drama entitled "Had Blu> But Known" is Ihe litio 01. Hie 'feature on the now* programme which was shown at the Empress Theatre yesterday. The plot deals with a rivalry which exists between u railway engine-driver and his fireman, both of whom are in love with the same girl. This heart affair mouses jealousy, and the bitterness culiiiiuatw in a desperate tight o;i an engine. The train races past stations and the authorities take action in order to avert a tragedy. Their efforts, however, are in vain, a collision ensues, and the successful suitor is among the few survivors. Among other pictures are: "The Mistake" (A.B. drama), "On the Const of the Adriatic" (.scenic), "Flirtation at Sea" (comedy), and "The Acrobat's.Quartet." The programme will be shown again to-day. SIIOHTTS' PICTURES. The leading drama at Shortti' Continuous Picture* Theatre is one entitled 'Tat© and Fortune." It affords situations for fine acting, and this is taken full advantage of by the Gaumont Company. "The Little Wooden Soldier" is a picture which will no doubt be much appreciated by children.. The plot describes a dream of a youngster, who sees his wooden soldiers attacking his new set of lead ones. Ho is very pleased when he awakes and finds his presents still intact. "Othello in Jonesvillc," and "Pedro's Dilemma" are two good •comedies, while, "Warwick Chronicle" depicts recent world's happenings. Other good pictures are also shown.