ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1854, 13 September 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Professor Norwood, tho successful entertainer, will appear for tho last timo at tho Opera House to-night, when featuro items will be tho order. Miss Winifred Norwood invites tho most sceptical to test her powers of telepathy. SMART SET. Before an appreciative audience, the popular costumo comedy company, the "Smart Set ; " gave a farewell performance last night at tho Town HaH Concert Chamber. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A last opportunity of seeing pictures at His Majesty's Thoatro remains to patrons, as on Slonday the management will transfer operations to tho King's Theatre to mako way for vaudeville. The big picture at His Majesty's to-night will pe "East Lynne," in which Miss Blanche Forsytho acts tho part of Lady Isabel, with great success. There will bo a matinee this afternoon at 2.30 at reduced prices. "RAINEY'S AFRICAN HUNT." The King's Theatre, fresh from tho hands of the contractors and decorators, will reopen dn Monday night with tho wonderful pictorial presentment ' of American millionaire Rainoy's "African Hunt," a film, which enjoys the distinction of having' been "commanded" by tho King and Queen of England at Buckingham Palace, and by the Crown Prince of Germany, at Dantzic. Quite apart from tho great general interest which is said to attach to the great pictorial, the management lays stress upon the point that its many unique soectacles disclose matter of the greatest educational value. A lucid lecture accompanies tho screening and this will be delivered by Mr. Barrie Marschel. Rainey's expedition into the wildest portions of British East Africa, of which the present great* pictorial is the result, was undertaken, it is stated, at a cost of £50,000 and the millionaire has publicly stated that the money was well spent. The wild beasts of Africa snapped by the kincmatographists in their native haunts, include, amongst many others, lions, tigers, elephants, leopards, rhinocori, hyenas, giraffes gazelles, zebras, camels, monkeys, jackals, congoni, oryx, hog, eland, red buck, bush buck, and ostriches. Exciting spectacles are shown in "Hunting Lions with Dogs," "A Fierce Battle Between a Lion and Dogs," "Tho Charge of the Rhinoceri," and the "Treeing and Killing a Cheetah." This last section is said to bo a most wonderful achievement. Box plans for tho season are noj open at tho Dresden. THE EMPRESS THEATRE, The last appearance is announced for io-day and to-night of the sensational drama, "Tho Mirror," by the A.B. Company, and supporting programme of tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures. "The Mirror" tells of a girl who suipmons help by reflecting tho sun's rays with a mirror, so that her lover, a telcfraph oporator, arrives in time to save, er from somo. desperate characters. 4 A famous pleasure resort, in Florida, U.S.A., is displayed in "Tho Millionaires' Playground." "Upper Egypt" affords somo fine views of ancient temples in a wonderful state of preservation. The Thanhouser drama, -"Tho Two Jewels," the Lubin drama, "Tho Unknown," and a number of comedies complete the list. A new series will bo presented on Monday. The full orchestra is much enjoyed nightly. THE ELL WOOD TRIO. Hie southern papers are loud in their praise of the Ellwoods, who are to appear here next Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at tho Town Hall Concert Chamber. Ono journal speaks as follows:— "The theatre was packed to its utmost capacity, the occasion being the reappearance of the Ellwood Trio and Mr. John Prouse. The praises that have been showered on this talented company havo not been too lavish, and the entertainment was first-class. The audionce was enthusiastic, and, like Oliver Twist, wanted more, so that nearly every item was encored.' Georgo Ellwood is a master on the 'cello, his tone leaving nothing to be desired, while ho is clever and throws his whole soul into his work, playing with great feeling, and tho most difficult music seems to come oasy tp him. His brother Harry, oh the violin, is just as expert,, and his numbers are very pleasing. Ho, too, has" been born with a soul for music. Miss Ellwood officiated at tho piano with great credit, while that fine baritone singer, Mr. John Prouse, is at his best, ana tho audience could not get enough of him. All lovers of music should not miss this opportunity of hearing this talented company. 'The box plan for tho- three concerts is now open at the Dresden. KING'S COLLEGE BOYS. An English company of society entertainers, headod by the. King's College Boys (London), inaugurate a tour of New Zealand at tho Opera House on Wednesday. Tho programme is' a varied ono, and the management state that it contains all tho elements t'hat are • popular with theatregoers—partsinging of old English, Scotch, and Irish ballads, humorous sketches, harmonious, medleys, quartets, ragtime harmony, etc. These are supplemented by good music. An entertainment "to suit the temper of the times" is how a Sydney paper speaks of the company's programme. The College Boys are specialists in their line, and are supported by tho Vienna Trio, musicians, who feature a solo-harpist; Marcelcnc Boulais, dramatic soprano; Jaok Shields, comedian; lona Augusto, soubretto; Phillip Lewis, baritone; and Ruby M'Donald, musical directress. Tho box plan opens at tho Dresden this morning for the season of soven nights. NORDICA. Mme'. Lilian Nordica, whom Wellington is to hear for the first time on September 25; is a prima donna witli a world-wide reputation. She studied in Italy, made her debut there, and was at once hailed as a great'operatic ar-, tiste. She has scored emphatic successes in Loudon, .and ( all the other European capitals, and has probably a greater repertoiro thau auy other living singer. Wherever she has appeared she has created great enthusiasm, and her recent AustraJian tour has proved no exception to the rule. At her'first concert in Melbourne the "big audience forgot its usual conservative calm, and after the . rendering of Brunnhilde's "Battle Cry," the house rang with cheers and bravos. Tho musical public will doubtless rejoice in that they are again to hear the captivating Canadian tenor, Mr. Paid Dufault, who is a prominent member of Mme. Nordica's concert party. Last ycar>Mr. Dufault sang his way into the hearts of music-lovers. Mr. Dufault' is an artist of intellectual qualities, backed by a strong musical temperament. His voice is a tenor of superb quality, sympathetic, resonant, and marked by ease of production. Mme. Nordica will also be assisted by Mr. Franklin Holding, violinist, and—Mr. Romayne Simmons, pianist. SUNDAY CONCERT. The Wellington City Baiid will give anothor of its enjoyable concerts at His Majesty's Theatre to-morrow night. A good programme has been prepared. Mr. C. V. Mohr, the popular baritone, will sing "Tho Curfew, etc.; Mr D. J. Evans, tho Welsh tenor, will sing "My Kingdom," etc.; Mr. A. M'Donald, flautist, will play "Sunset." Tho band will play a charming selection from Balfo s "Satanolla," also a pretty duet for two cornets. "Alpine Warbleri" (with band accompaniment), and other items. A silver coin collection will bo made for tho band fund. |

EARLY SETTLERS. Tho winter ro-uniou of tho Early Settlers' Association promises to be an interesting function. A programme of musical items will occupy tho iirst half °f tho,evening. Refreshments will then be provided, and tho evening tlien conclude with an old-timo dance. It is anticipated that many hardy old pioneers will once again revive their dancing days by taking part in such dances as the Sir Roger de Coverley, Varsovianna, and the quadrille. Tickets (2s. 6d.) are obtainnblo at several city shops, a list of which is announced elsewhere. THE "DEVON" CONCERT . At tlio Thcatro Royal last evening a capital concert was given in aid of tho crew of the wrecked st-oa-mcr Devon and thoso dependent on tfhein. Everyone concerned gave their services gratuiir tously, and the uso of tho theatre was kindly given by Messrs. l'Hiller and Sons. The programmo was as varied as anyone could wish, ranging from a comio boxing oontost by two miniature "wliite liopes" about seven years of ago to ballad-singing of a popular order. All outstanding fcaira.ro was tho dancing of that exceptionally clever little gin Daisy M'Lellaii, who, in kilt aJid tunic bespangled with medals, danced 3 Highland fling with admirable graco. She also danced an IrisJi jig and sailor's hornpipe with tho same perfection, but was ihandioapped by having to danco on a carpet which effectually silenced tho beat of the little maid's twinkling feet. Two other little girls, Alice and Violot Campbell, also danced the Highland lling very prettily to tho music of the pipes. A capita! comedy acrobatic act was supplied by the Kidgway Bros., two professionals, who stepped out or their way to give t'he Devon folk a friendly lift. Mr. Dodd3, a rather pleasing tenor, sang "Thora," "Uccauso, and She is Far From tlie Land." Mr. George "Warren was heard in tho sentimental monologue, "His Pipe," and Mr. R. Oswin • recited Gilbert's "Tale of the Nancy Bell." Mrs. Allen, who possesses a pleasing soprano, sang Tosti's "Good-Bye," which did not meet with nearly so much favour as the swinging "Toast to Erin." She also sang "The Flight of Ages." Mr. Dempsey recited with marked intelligence "The Ballad of John Nicholson." and Mr. M'Donakl contributed a ballad of Devon. Hnrrv Sandow's tiny "white hopes," seconded by Tracy and Burns (wlio wero not permitted by the police to spar owing to certain legal formalities not having bw>n complied i with) mado a distinct hit in more ways than one. v 'Tho Hungry' Girl"'and "A Trip to Blackpool" wero recited cleverly by Miss Johnson. As a prelude to each part of the programme tho Waterside Workers' Band (under Bandmaster Sutherland) played some bright march music creditably. At tho termination of tho entertamiment, Mr. S. J. Prout, on behalf of the crew of tho Devon, returned thanks to tho public of Wellington for tho manner in which it had responded to tho call for assistance, and gave the assurance that if any Now Zealanders chanced to be wrecked in England they (tihe men of tlie Devon) would do all they oould to give them as hearty a send-off as had boon given iui this caso. (Applause.) The proceeds of tho concert will add a substantial amount to the fund bein« rajsed in Wellington for the benefit of the Devon's crow.