ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1840, 28 August 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Tho performance of "Milestones" was given before another largo audionco at the Oi>era House last evening.' All those present followed tho _ Story with keen interest, Mr. Julius Knight left nothing to bo desired in his interpretation of tho various ages of man,and Miss Irene Brown, as JUinily Rhead,' was all through most natural and woJ manly. "Milestones" will bo staged for the last timo to-night, and tho se<x ond production of tho season, "Bollrt Dona," will he produced to-morrow* niglj). In "Bella Donna" is promised a play] 1 of great power. In tho play tho dnv* matist has followed tho book closely. Tho scene of tho first act is in tho con-sulting-room of Dr. Isaacson, in Loudon, and tho incidents in subsequent acts take place in Egypt. Tho characteristic scenery is described as delightful. Mr. Julius Knight will appear ill tho part of Dr. Meyer Isaacson, between whom and Bella Donna—a pari) to be played by Miss Irene Browne—tho conflict takes place, which involves tho life of tho husband of Bella Donna, Nigel Armrno. Tho latter is a very old friend of the doctor's. In tho story, the woman becomes infatuated with Baroudi, an Egyptian nobleman, and tho pair plot the murdor by poison of tho < husband., When Isaacson arrives iu Egypt, ho finds his old friend dying slowly from the cifects of tho poison, and in the end tho doctor defeats the' woman, and saves tho husband's life. Tho picture is finally presented of tho wife going out into tho desert hopelesd and despairing. "Bella Donna" was the hit of its year in London, and whilo tragic generally in character, is described bb a play of great fascination. THEATRE ROYAL. ' I' Tho new bill at the Theatre Royal has proved most popular, and attracts largo audiences nightly. Tho' Lyrical Four, Corona, Gloria Mayne, tho Bryants, tho St. Leonards, Gcorgo Dean, Alf. Branscomb.e, and tho Leopold Sisters all contribute to an excellent programme.

"SMART SET." Tlio "Smart Set" Company of costumo comedy artists continues to at>j tract crowdcd houses to the Town Hall! Concert Chamber nightly. This week's J programme is excellently varied 1 , and! there is not a dull moment from start: to finish, On Saturday evening thocompany will appear at Lower Hutt, y 'and oil Monday will return to Town Hall with a new programme, em- . ; boding some unique features. .• $

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ' Olio of the finest series of yet screened is that illustrating tho./' Iflto Captain Percy Scott's expedition}; to tho South Polo. In addition to thai undoubted historical value of tho pic- : turos, they have a decided spectacular', interest, showing some remarkable pieces of Antarctio scenery.' Tlie piotures of tho members of the expedition/ at work, with their sledges and dog. teams, are most instructive and quito, unique. The film is a most realistio one, and no one should 1 miss this op-.; portunity of seeing pictures of one of' tho most famous expeditions in history. The picture will bo shown again: this evening. KING'S THEATRE. '■ Tho principal film this' week at tho King's Theatre 'is tho drama, "Tlio' Lion Hunters." The picture is a most exciting ono, but it is by no means ox 7 aggerated. There aro other excellent pictures on tho programme, including "Tlio Other,, Girl,",. "Tho Sorrowful ' Shore,"'. ,"ls''.;!lh<ar Hour' of ,Need,'V "Bunny's Honeymoon," and ' severat scemo and topical films. .. THE' EMPRESS THEATRE, V Two "features" will bo included to-day's now programme of tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures. They will' comprise tho A.B. Company's sensational story "Tho Gambler's Honour," and the Kalem drama "A Battle in the Virginia Hills." In tho former a gam« bier takes a 'heroic rolo by saving tlio brother of tho girl 110 loves by sacrificing himself. In "A Battle in tho Virginia Hills" is shown an inter-family feud, for'which that part of America is noted. A beautiful young woman sets out to revengo tho shooting of her brother, but she is wounded, and falls into tho hands of tlio enemy. A charming love story is then developed. The other items include: "Highbrow Lovo" (A.B. com- , odv), "Views of Rivor Samoy" (scenic), 11 "The Pigtail" (conicdy), "Simplo Simon's Boar Danco" (comcdy), and "The Runaway" (Thanhouser drama). SHORTTS' THEATRE. A now programme will bo presented to-day at Shortts' Theatre. The chief picture is "Tlio Honour of a Soldier, • a new version of tho old conflict 'twixfr lovo and duty. Other pictures to be shown aro: —"Captain Mary Brown (drama), "Some Fools There (comedv), "Saving Mabel's Dad" (w™" edy) "Billy and tlio Black Hand' (comedy), "Moscow" (sccnic), Gauliiont Graphic. .

ORGAN RECITAL. air. Bernard Page. Wellington's nowmunicipal organist, is to give[ Ins first) public rccital in tho Town Hall on Saturday evening. Sinco liis arrival, _ Mr. Rage' has~ spent much time in practising oil tho large organ, <uid ho lias selected, a programmo for Saturday evening which should test the instrument, he-, sides giving his auditors .1 demonsti.'W tion of his own capabilities. J.ho recital should prove an interesting' olio, and it is hoped that there,will bo a) large attendance of tho public. > MISS MARIE MOTTO'S RECITAL.' Miss Mario Motto has "" nc to « s iUI Now Zealand unheralded by any flourish of trumpets telling us ot her stand* ing in tho musical world m London, and music-lovers in this city havo. been, given tho opportunity of listening to a violinist of exceptional gifts, oho completely hold her audienco at tho recital which was given m tho oycmoj Street Schoolroom last evening. If there be any truth in tho quaint Italian suporstition that the groat Stradivarius nil* prisoned a soul in his violins, then as* su redly Miss Motto gives it a voice and ono would wish that -it should never break away from its marvellous prisonhouse. The programme 0P 01 . 1011 ,. Drahms's "Sonata in G. Major, arranged for tho violin and piano, Miss Fell being at the piano. It is not a. sonata that lias often been performed, at recitals in "Wellington, nor would ona rare to hear it, savo by performers o} th o first rank. Beautifully though the three movements wore played, tho third was, perhaps, tho most delightful, its delicacy and grace being altogether charming. Miss Motto is fortunate m being associated with Miss Fell at tho piano. Tho opening number was followed by two violin solos played bv Miss Motto, ' a "Serenade" (Tsehaikevsky), and a "Spanish Dance" (Sarasate). So insistent was tho applause that followed tlmt'Sho came back and played nil old Dutch Folk Song. Miss Fell played two pianos solos, Brahms's "Intermezzo lit K Major," and his "Capriccio in G' Minor,", witli artistic skill and feeling,, the pleasure that she gave her audience, being strongly manifested. Full of charm were the three numbers that wero next played by Miss Motto— strangely simple and restful compared to tho competitions of. modern masters. They wero an old German air (Matthesou), an old French Gavotte (Lully), and an old' Italian air (Durante). For en oncoro Miss Motto played a humorcsque (Dvorak).