ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1838, 26 August 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MILESTONES." new play at tho Opera House, Milestones," was witnessed by a crowded audienco again last night. is no single well defined plot in tho play, but rather threo stories, or perhaps tho samo story in threo ages. It is a fascinating enough theme, and tho working out of it by tho players is admirable. _ Thero is much philosophy in tho stories, and tho man who says "All's right with tho world" may still go homo happy afterwards along with tho man who declares that tho world has long .since gone to the dogs. Tho play does not dogmatise. It tells simply of tlio frailty of humans, which does not appear to have changed considerably with tho language and customs wfhich must always bo its outward vohicle. "Milestones" will bo repeated this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. There wero ten now artists on tho "bill" at last night's performance at the Theatre Royal. Miss Gloria Mayno, lyric soprano, sang several selections from grand opera, whilo a sensational "turn' was provided by Bryant and Bryant, axe, sword, and clectrio baton manipulators. The Lyrical Four provided an interestingly varied musical "turn"; the Leopold Sisters performed somo amazing feats in fne way of chair balancing and tumbling; and Miss Ruby Wallaco proved a dainty serio and dancer. Reappearances wero mado by tho St. Leonards, acrobats and equilibrists; George Dean, "tho singing actbr"; Alf. Branscombo, male soprano; and Corona, cornetist. Tho same programme will bo presented this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE,

It was mado evident at His Majesty's Theatre last evening that popular interest has by no means waned in tho great Antarctic expedition which culminated in t'ho death of Captain Scott and his four companions on their way back from tho South Polo. Tlio principal item on the programme, and one which no doubt accounted for tho largo number of people w'lio attended in spite of very unpleasant weather, was a series of pictures illustrating the doings of . Captain Scott's expedition prior to tho dash lor tho Pole, which camo to such a tragic termination. Tho pictures, taken by Mr. H. G. Ponting, F.R.G.S., aro splendidly produced', and are full of interest in ovory detail. Tho opening scono is a beautiful seascape showing tho Terra Nova battling with •an Antarctic gale. Some fine specimens of seals and killer whales aro included, and tho scientific workers of the expedition aro shown engaged in their various activities. Tho transport arrangements, too, aro realistically pictured, tllio different varieties of sledges being shown in use, and interesting sections of tho film picturo the winter quarters of the expedition, and tho siports (including a vigorous game of Association football), with which tho members of tho exploring party varied their toil. Tho scenery wnich forms tho background to> the_ multifarious activities of the expedition is in many cases magnificent. Tho majestic bulk of Mount Erebus is pictured in several scenes, and jceborgs of overy kind appear. Nothing in the picturo is more interesting than the clear idea it' gives of tho conditions under which the Polar party travelled to success and death. Captain Scott and his four companions aro shown harnessed in yokes and pulling their slodgo with its heavy load, —conditions, it is stated, undior which they travelled for fivo months. Tho tent in which they sheltered so often and in which four of them ultimately, died 13 another detail whidh has a molancholy interest. It was a very tiny habitation, supported by a collapsiblo framowork, and entered by a small circular'opening. In uso. it was banked all round with a wall of snow. Tho explorers slept in reindeer hide sleeping-bags, which filled tho available floor-space, somo in tho centre. Horo was tho lamp and tho cooker, an elaborate contrivance with ono roceptaclo within another. Tho tent picture dhSws Captain Scott, Dr. Wilson, Lieut. Boivors, and Petty Officer Evans. Captain Oates, tho" remaining member of tho Pola" party, is not included in this portion ot tho picture, but his portrait is shown later. From first to last tho picturo abounds in interesting details. Killer whales aro scon swimming and spouting, and seals of different kinds aro shown on tho ico and in tho water. These pictures and others of penguins, and skua gulls are wondorfully dear, and must liavo been taken at closo quarters. The manifold activities of tho' expedition supply a wealth of subjects, fho Terra Nova is soon trawling for deep-sea specimens, and tho catch itself is pictured. Tho activities of the scientific workers were as interesting as varied. They observed air currents by following the flight of small balloons with a theodolite. Samples of water woro obtained from great depths by means of an apparatus which also registered temperatures. Another picture shows a couplo of venturesomo geologists, clambering at risk of their necks up a precipitous ico-slope. Dog, motor, and pony sledges are shown setting out for tlio great Southern Barrior. Taken all in all, t'ho film is a vividly interesting record of facts and scones such as explorers who perish in tho path'of duty aro not often privileged to leavo behind

them. Seeing Captain Scott and tho members of his expedition so busily and happily engaged, it is difficult to realiso the tragedy which so stirred tho whole civilised world'not so long ago. The other pictures which frnd a place in tho programme are all excellent of thoir kind. The same programmo will bo repeated this evening and on following nights. t One of those who witnessed tho presentation of the film was Seaman Williams, who served aboard tho Terra Nova aa an A.B. THE KING'S THEATRE. Danger is one of tho elements that makes for excitement, and, in certain cases, for the keenest interest. • It is tho element of danger which plays such an important part in tho current programme at the King's Theatre. Tho chief film on tho programme is "Tho Lion Huntors," ah excellent depiction ~® S ro ?t African and Indian sport. Thrilling, indeed, is tho quest ox the monarch of the forest, and little (it seems when viowing tho picture) could bo more hazardous. The king of tho animal world and his mate aro a terrible quarry, and at bay causo the man who pursues thom<to carry his life in his hands. The picture impresses this far nioro vividly than could any pen. It shows the huutors starting out, shows their scheme of assault, and portrays a most oxciting climax, in which a woman is rescued through tho slaying of a lion. This is a very fino picture, but tho programmo docs not by any means rely; entirely on tho ono itom. Tho bill is excellent throughout. Tho story of a self-sacrificing father and his pampered son is told in "Tho Sorrowful Shore," a tragedy in which the love of the two men for a shipwrecked girl is a prominent factor. Inimitablo John Bunny finds his way ell to the screen onco more, and, as usual, convulses the liouso. In "Bunny's Honeymoon," John becomes a blushing brido —temporarily—and while in that rolo seizes tho opportunity to euro an acquaintance of an undue thirst. "In Their Hour of Need" is a story in which two ministers of very different types figure. Tho little country town, gets dissatisfied with the bid parson, and gets a now one, who suits admirably till an epidemic breaks out, and tho village is quarantined. In 'the hour of trouble tho young minister vanishes, but tho old ono valiantly faces (loath. Other pictures aro: "Gaumont Graphic," "The Other Girl," "At Work and Play in China," "Tho Egyptian Mummy," and "A Trip on a French llivor."

"TIIE SMART SET." A clover costume comedy company like "Tho Smart Set" is always likely to do good business in Wellington, and, not-H'itihstaiulijit; tlio very unpleasant v,'oather last evening, there was a capital attendance at tlio Concert Chamber on tlio occasion of tlio weekly change of programme. The members of the company seemed to be quite at tllicir best, and t'lio entertainment made a bit all through. 31r. iUaynard Dakin and -Mr. Walter are particularly bright when associated, and the discussion on their respective "love affairs" during tlio early part of tlio 'programme v/as a feature of tho bill. In "The Jovial Man" tlio samo two artists had.tho assistance of Mr. Edward Elliott, and the trio laughed uproariously and harmoniously to liio great delight of the audience. Later Jlr. Dakin appeared alono and sang several songs in his own inimitable stylo, and lio was still wanted by tlio audienco v.'lien ho had answered three recalls. Sir. Elliott, assisted by "Sunshino James," proved that ventriloquism is not a lost art. Tlio discussion during this performance was on "Ited Sox," and "Sunshine James" was in excellent voice. Mr. Edgar Hulland, at tho piano, was all that an accompanist should be, but his work dors not ceaso with that. Ho has a portion of tho programme to himself and his rendering of "Mazurka" (Leschetizsky) secured a doublo eilcoro. Mr. Ernest l'arkos, tho well-known baritone, was liea.rd to advantage in Allitsen's "Rebellion," and in two encore munberfj, which ho was called on to supply. _ Tlio lady members of tho company, Miss Georgio Martin, Miss Gwenyth Evans, and Miss Mona Thomas, have all won their way into popularity with visitors to the Concert Chamber. Their work last night in solos and in tho concerted pieces was well up to tlio high standard that has been set by this hagpy combination, which, for clean, bridit comedy, is capital. This evening the programme will be repeated. A managerial noto to patrons directs'them to watch for tho "New Zealand Rovuo" as something new and original.

TEE EMPRESS THEATRE. Yesterday £ho new programme at tho Empress Thcatro Continuous Pictures introduced "Tho Battlo at Elderbush Gulch," a thrilling "feature" drama by tlio A.B. Company. Two little girls who aro loft orphans aro sent for by thoir uncle who works on a ranch far out in the West. Tlio girls bring two pat puppies with them, but are grieved to find that tho ranch boss will not allow the puppies insido tho house. A tribo of Indians in tho neighbourhood havo boon indulging in a feast, which has concluded when tlio chief's sou and his companion arrive home. Theso two aro hungry aud go in quest of food. They find tho girl's puppies and aro about to decamp with them when tho older girl rushes up to rescue her pets. The girl's screams bring itlie settlors out and they shoot down the Indians. The tribe discovers tho fato of their chief's son and Ill's comrade, and tho wardrum is sounded. A settler gives warning at tho village and although a bravo fight is put up tho Indians slay tlio whites on all. sides. Hurrying on tho Indians attack tho ranch houses. The settlers rally together and keep tho Redskins at bay for a while. A Mexican undertakes to rido for tho troops, and mounting his horse dashes through the circle of Indians and is soon speeding away from tho battlo scene. Just as tho Indians aro closing on tho settlers tho troops arrive, and in a few minutes the threatened massacre is averted. Tho film takes nearly three-quarters of au hour in tho unwinding. Tho supporting items aro all now and interesting. Tho i now selection will bo screened throughout all sessions ito-day.

SnOTITTS' THEATRE. Tlio principal of the new photoplay screened at Shortts' Theatre yesterday is a dramatic study 3000 ft. in length entitled "The Dead Secret." In the picture Miss Leonard plays two characters, mother and daughter, and in many scenes both characters meet and play opposite each other, while other characters appear in tlio same sceno at the samo time. • This picture illustrates on a large scalo tlio possibilities of tho. motion picture camera. Tlio supporting pictures include: "Tho Warwick Chronicle," "Tiny Tim and His Terrier," "Tho Brighter Star," and "Tlio Deaf Burglar." Tho programmo will he repeated to-day.