ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1837, 25 August 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

"Milestones" was again staged before ■a crowded audienco iu tho Opera Houso ',011 Saturday evening. Tlio merit of the play fully warrants tho warm, popular approval with which it has been received in Wellington. It is barren of the showy features which characterise stage spectacles, but develops an interesting themo in a thoroughly convincing way. The solution of threo generations of middle-class people,, through a period that witnessed development from family life of a patriarchal order to tho assertivo individualism of modern times, is tho sum and substance of the play. Every care has been taken to provide the material environment appropriate to tho successive epochs of the play,' but naturally it is in tho mental attitude of tho characters that the principal interest lies. . This has necessarily cast a somewhat difficult task upon tlie actors and actresses engaged. To-morrow (Tuesday) evening tlie performance of "Milestones" will be given under tho patronage and in tlie presence of His Excellency the Governor, tho Earl of Liverpool, Lady Livorpool, and suite. Tho box plans for all remaining, performances of tho season will bo opened at Tho Dresden at 9 o'clock this morning. : THEATRE ROYAL. ' The Decars and their educated donkey, along with the other artistes who have proved so popular at tho Theatro Royal (luring tho ,weok, wero again accorded a warm reception on Saturday. This week the programme will include ten new artists, amongst whom will bo Miss Glorio Jlayne, Bryant and Bryant, The Lyrical Four, and Tho Leopold Sisters, all of whom come to Wellington with reputations which should result in crowded audiences. "THE. SMART SET." The longer the "Smart Set" romain the smarter they become, and those who liavo witnossed more than 0110 of their performances (and most people in tho city have) will agree that tar from their eiforts deteriorating and growing monotonous, they please the more. Mr. Maynard Dakin improves by acquaintance, and it will be. long before the efforts of his merry band pall 011 a Welt lington audience. / "ANTARCTIC- HEROES." .His Majesty's Theatre, this evening will witness the screening of "Antarctic Heroes," described as an especially lino official record of the work dono by tho Scott expedition right up to tlio final dash for the Pole. The pictures composing the lengthy series were filmed by Mr. K. G. l'onting, E.R.G.S., the kinematograp'hist of tho party, and are said to bo of unusual excellence. Through t'he medium of those valuable pictorial adjuncts to modern science, much in natural history, that hitherto, so far as actual vision was concerned, 'iias been closed to all but the few bravo men who journeyed to the South Polar regions, will bo brought within viow of all. Tho film is said to discloso much that is novel and instructive. Tlie sad fate of Captain Scott, Dr. Wilson, Lieutenants Oates and Bowers, and Petty Officer Jivans lends an additional .tragic* interest to tho series. Tho .film will bo unfolded to appropriate music. Rcservo plans are at tlio Dresden. /THE EMPRESS' THEATRE. A grand spectatcular Western drama, "T-lio Battlo at Elderbush Gulch," billed as tho best feature drama yet produced by tho A.B. Company, will bo' tho main attraction to-day 011 the new programme of tlie- Emjiress Theatro continuous pictures. Tlio management state'that tho story shows how a terrible massacre by Indians originated in a trivial incident. Thoro aro several fino panoramic views depicting a deadly- battle between tlio Redskins and the whites. The bravo manner ill * which ono little party holds out against overwhelming odds is a sight, it is said, which'will creato tho greatest enthusiasm. Tho film occupies nearly three-quarters of aii hour. Tho slipporting series includes "While Baby Slept" (Thanhouser drama), "Strango Places in New York" (Kalem travel), "The Niger from Timbuctod" (scenic), "Jim Joins tlio Harriers" (a Fools-, head comedy), "A Story of Two Sorcerers" (trick comedy), and others. KING'S THEATRE, An attractive programme will be presented at the King's Theatre this evening. It will be headed by a film entitled "The Lion Hunters," whicih the management describes as a remarkably fine and realistic, production, in which there are all tho elements of danger associated with tho hunting of this mighty king of boasts. Tho lions which are killed in order to save tho life of tho heroine in tho picture aro real animals, dowered with all the attributes which render thom formidablo to meet at close quarters. Naturally thoro is a groat deal of risk attached to the production of such a picture, w'hicn makes the subject a fascinating one. An excellent comedy is entitled "Bunny's Honeymoon," m which this popular comedian appears as a blushing bride. Tlio programme also contains tho latest Gaumont A"rapine, "Tho Other Girl," "At Work and. Play in China," "In their Hour of Need," a pathetic Thanhouser drama and a Kalem comedy. ■ entitled "Tho Egyptian Mummy." SHOJtTTS' PICTURES. Some exceptionally interesting films aro promised at Shortt's Continuous Theatre during this week. "The Dead Secret" is ' a particularly fino drama, and the film is over 3000 feet. long, whilst "The' Brighter Star" is another grand drama, and the comic element will be well represented by "Tiny Tim and his Trainer" and "The Deaf Burglar." . ,■. . -HUTT SKATING RINK. - - There 'was a largo attendance at tho Iliitt Riiik on Saturday afternoon, and again iii the evening. The' management announce that , their season will t'loso on Saturday night next. The rink will be open this week on Monday, Thursday, and. Saturday, _ both in tlie> afternoon and evening. A good attendance is anticipated for a final spin during tlie w'eek. ' 1 Yesterday afternoon the Waterside Workers' Band gavo a programme of music at tho Hospital.grounds. During the performance a collection was taken up in aid of the Hospital funds, the sum of £4 realised.