ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1836, 23 August 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

'MILESTONES."

Another enthusiastic audience filled the Opera House last evening, when the Julius Knight Company gave their second performance of ".Milestones." This delightful comedy promises to hold tho stage lor some timo to come, mul should bo witnessed by all to whom a brilliant play well-acted mokes any appeal.. The company is one of tho best all-round combinations that has been got together in Australosin for some time past, and New Zealanders will re-echo the wish 'that has been epressed in Sydney that Messrs. J. C. AYilliamson will keep it together to hold the place once occupied by the old Brough-Boucica'tilt Company. Sir. Julius Knight Inst evening again showed his versatility in tho role of John Rhead in the three stages of youth, maturity, and infirm old age,. and wag ably supported by Miss Grace Noble and Miss Dorothy Gumming as his two closest companions in the long journey through life. Mr. Arthur Greeuaway was altogether excellent as Samuel Sibley, whose character, instead of developing with time, 6oftens into flabbiness. The Lord Monkhurst of Mr. Leslie Victor is a really clever piece of characterisation, and a worthy successor to tho Dundreary of other days. Miss Irene Browne's ' performance aa Emily Rhead raises pleasurable expectations as to the' two later plays of the season. The other characters were all excellently portrayed. BELLA DONNA. It is announced that owing to the season being for a limited number of nights, that "Milestones" cannot possibly be played beyond Thursday evening next. On Friday evening >tlie new * comedy, "Bella Donna," an adaptation of Robert Hichen's novel of the same name, will bo produced for the first timo in New Zealand, nixl on Thursday, September 4, Bernard Shaw's play, "Man. and Superman," also new to this country, will be presented, this being the.final. production of 'tho season. The box plan for all remaining performances of the season will be opened at flip Dresden, on Monday next ,at 9 a.m. On Wednesday evening next tho Day's Bay boat will bo delayed until 11.15, "Milestones" terminating at 10.10. THEATRE ROYAL.

Vaudevillo habitues are well cator«d for at the' Theatre Royal Ohis week, and last night a good house testified to the quality of tho programme. Next Monday two new artists aro billed to appear far tho change of 'programme. "THE SMART SET." That popular combination of entertainers, the '"Smart Set," who by their talented entertainments have contrived to paok tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall nightly with lovers of their bright dean, refined, and original "business," performed last evening under tho distinguished patronago •of their Excellencies Lord and Lady Liverpool. Needless to say every member of the combination received a full mead of applause, tho concerted items, which seem more popular, if possible, than the individual work of the company, being particularly well received. The visiting Taran'aki footballers wero also present, and like everyone else,, seemed to quickly come under the genial spell of Mr. Maynard Dakin ana his merry band, and consequently became inoculated with the laughter germ. Her Exoeilency was presented during the evening with a beautiful bouquet by members of the company. . "WITH SCOTT TO THE POLE." For Monday night text, His Majesty's 'theatre management announce by separate advertisement a "star" attraction in "Antarctic Heroes," or "With Scott to tho Pole," a picture of great public interest, filmed by Mr. fl. G. Pouting, F.R.G.S., tho eminent English photographer who accompanied tho expedition officially as liinematograph expert. This fine work pidtorially illustrates the doings of tho Scott party in. tho South polar regions, and is stated to bo an invaluable record of the experiments conducted by tho scientists attached to tho expedition, jand of the piscatorial and bird lifo of tho cold zone. A record of this nature auimated by clear motion photography is, of course, much more convincing than the pen picturo with whidh the world tad 'to be content beforo tho advent of tho kinematograph. Quito a.part from the public sympathy which exists for the sad fate of Captain Scott and his comrades, tho film on its own merits is described as being one of 'tho finest educational series ever screened. • "Antarctic Heroes" will be accompanied by speciallyarranged music. Box plans for the season aro now open at the Dresden, where seats may be reserved for, any ovoning.

THE KING'S THEATRE. The present selection of photo-plays now showing at 'the King's Thentre would, to put it colloquially, "take some beating." Among tho best pictures are: "The School Principal" (drama), "Motor Racing in the Isle of Man," "Alice, or the Test of Friendship," and "The. Ambitious Butler." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. How a tiny infant prevents a deadly conflict bet.weon two men is graphically portrayed in tho A.B. "feature" drama, "The Enemy's Baby," which figures in the present programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The plot is interestingly developed, and naturally interpreted. "A Race to New York" is ono of the Edison Company's exciting episodes in the "What Happened to Mary" series. Miss .Mary Fuller appears in the leading role. A collection of scenes in the New South-Wales capital are displayed in "Tho City of Sydney." "The Blue Lake" (scenic), "Her Mother's Oath" (A.B. drama), "Her Birthday Present" (Keystono comedy), and "The Golden Silence" (farce comedy) aro also enjoyable inclusions. Thero will bo a complete change on Monday, including a sensational spectacular "feature" drama.

MISS MARIE MOTTO'S RECITAL. Miss Mario Motto, whose recital is advertised for next Wednesday evening, is said to bo a performer of tho first rank. Sho is of the romantic school of violinists, and her father, being Italian, Miss Motto, it is said, inherits' those qualities of ardour and power of expression so highly developed in tho Southern European nations. It is stated that she has a fine technique and a purity • of intonation especially noticeable in the double stopping ■ passages. Her fire and vitality are displayed in a judiciously arranged programme whioh, it is_ reported, succeeds in proving to her audiences that tho reputation she and • her wonderful "Strad" bring from the Old Country Jnre well merited. Sho will bo assisted by Miss Phyllis Pell, of Nelson, who has just lately returned from London, where .she has been studying the piano.. These ladies

have recently been delighting audiences in Nelson and tho north. The recital is being given under the patronage of her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, his Grace Archbishop Redwood, and Ministers of the Crown. SUNDAY CONCERT. The fortnightly Sunday concert of tho Wellington Professional Orchestra will bo given in His Majesty's Theatre tomorrow night at 8.30, under tho conductorship of Mr. Christian Hellemann. An excellent programme has been compiled, in which will bo included tho overtures "Egmont" and "Stradella." A silver coin collection will bo taken at the door.