ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE ELLWOOD TRIO. Musical Wellington will bo interested in tho reappearance at tho Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall this evening of the talented Ellwood Trio, who since the last sorios of concerts given in Wellington have been under eminent teachers in Europe. A iirst-class programmo has been arranged, selected in order to display the quality of the artists concerned. Mr. George Ellwood, tlio 'cellist, is to play Schumann's "Traumcrie," Popper's "Mazurka," and tho samo composer's "Hungarian llliapsodie." Mr. Harry Ellwood is set down to play TschaikoWsky's "Melodic," Hubay's "La Csardas," and Paganini's "Caprice" among his numbers. The trio will play G ado's "Allegro Moderate," and a Haydn Trio, The vocalist of the evening will bo Mr. John Proußo, who will sing a selection of Korbay's Hungarian Folk Songs and Tschaikowsky's fine "Pilgrim's Song." Tho box plan is at tho Dresden. Two more concerts are to bo given on Thursday and Friday next. KING'S COLLEGE BOYS' COMPANY. Theatregoers will have introduced to their notice- to-morrow evening at tho Opera House a company of English singers and entertainers, headed by tho King's College Boys (London), a quartet of artists, who specialise in tho popular part singing of ballads. Tho programme will consist of harmonised medleys, duets, ragtime harmony, clover comedy, delightful music, humorous sketches, and catchy oddities in tho singing line. A contemporary, speaking of the company's performance, says: "Tho programme is in many ways unique, as it contains music that is dear to the'hearts of lovers of musical comedy, grand opera ensembles, solos, good comedy, and concerted numbers." Tho company includes twelve people of ability, and tho King's Cflllego Boys aro supported by tlio Vienna Trio, musicians of rare brilliance: Miss Marceleno Bpulais is described as a soprano vocalist of agreeable and versatilo expression; Mr. Jack Shields, comedian, whoso turns aro suro to please; Miss lona Augustc, soubrette ana society entortainor; and Mr. Phillip Lewis, operatic baritono. The management state that judging by the booking v/hicli is proceeding busily at the Dresden, the isoason promises to bo a successful 0110.

RAINEY'S AFRICAN HUNT. Tho King's Theatre reopened last night looking bright and fresh. l'or tlio whole two hours the big house was entertained by one picture, "Paul J. liaincy'fi African Hunt." It is unidoubtedly among tho most _ remarkable pictures ever taken, and it must be among tho most valuable. Tho pictures aro said to bo tho outcome of an expedition for the special purpose of photographing the wild beasts of Africa in their native haunts. The expedition; headed by Mr. Rainoy, was a large one, aud an import-ant feature of it was tlio-employment of an army of dogs to worry and overcome some of the fiercest and most powerful animals of'-Africa. And that tlio camera should be employed, with such great effect in the territory of the lion and the rhinoccrus is wonderful indeed. All sorts of cunning devices wore operated so that the camera man could securo the pictures, and at one itago the photographer lived for six weeks-in a tree. In tho preliminary reels the composition of the expedition is shown. The. dogs are a cross Between the staghound and the boarhovnd. Among the horses may -bo noticed two fine whites, both pure Arab. The natives, who aro utilised as bearers and general helpers, number 382, and aro always (by the way) followed b.v the native policemen, proud in the fact that ho is ' tho only '.black allowed . :to-carry a gun.- "• Ono-hundred,..and.f-thirty-fiyo camels wero arranged for, but only 35 were available, and. oxen and horses were employed in tho place of tho missing 100. A method of capture of animals without breaking their limbs was shown. Traps, covered with earth, were set under trees in which bait was plaepd. Tlio traps wero so padded that while tho animal was instantly caught; and firmly held it was not injured. Then, so that a' strong heast would not- break a limb through struggling to bo free from the trap, tho trap was not made a fixture. It was attached to a heavy bush, which the captive could draw slowly about with it. To photograph the animals calmly walking ahout as they do when unconscious l of human presconce was, however, the most difficult problem. First, a waterhole was selected- To this, thirst would drive tho quarry. But how conceal the camera and its operator? Two screens were erected. Ono was a fake, so placed that the animals would examine it, and so arranged that they would find it satisfactory and leave the other screen alone. tinder this system several film's were obtained; but then a better plan wa3 hit on. Tlio camera and t'lio photographer wero hidden in a tree not far from the waterhole, and from this vantngo-pcint were taken the pictures wo ,now may see of tho giraffo, the zebra, tho hippotanuis, the elephant, all coming warily out to quench a thirst. In on 3 portion of tho picture the dogs aro shown overpowering a lion, anct in another part they may bo seen mastering .a cheetah which lias been ousted from a tree. A hippopotamus shot while charging the camera is ono more exciting incident. Throughout, the pictures wero explained by Mr. Barrio Marschel.

I EMPRESS THEATRE. The A.13. Company's feature dramatic 1 photo-play, "The Coming of Angelo," headed the new, programme at tho Empress Theatre yesterday. Tho story adumbrates life in ail Italian fishing village. Theresa, the village beauty, attracts Gudio, the leader of the community', and their happiness is undisturbed until Angelo comes to the settlement. Theresa strives to be true to Gudio, but her love for Angelo eventually overcomes everything. Gudio, heartbroken, prepares a death feast, at tlic conclusion of which a bomb automatically worked, is to explode. lie_ invites Angelo with obvious intent. Gudio locks him in, but Angelo, realising his danger, bursts tho door and escapes. A terrific explosion follows, resulting in Gudio's death, but Angelo escapes injury, and weds Theresa. As adjuncts to the situations thero are some striking scenic backgrounds. "Tho Gamekeeper's Wife" is another good drama, and "A Face at tho Window" is an excellent farce-comedy. Tho programme, which will be repeated to-day, includes other interesting pictures.

* S'HOTITTS' THEATRE. Crammed with sensational incidents, "The Last of the Old Mill" (a featnro drama) was shown for tho first time in Wellington at Shortts' Continuous Picture Theatre yesterday. The jealousy of one sister towards another culminates in striking situations. The jealous girl looks her sister and lier lover in an old mill, and tho man endeavours . to escape by means of the revolving sails. It is presently found that tho mill is oil lire, and tho rescue of tho maiden by her fiance forms th? central idea in a stirring scene. "A Victim of Heredity," a Kalem drama, tells of tho cure of a woman kleptomaniac, "Tweodoldum Lows a Florist," and "Going to Meet Papa" provides good comedy. "Venice" shows tho lovely surroundings of that famous place, and l tlho "Wp.nvicls Chronicle" all -he latest topical scenes. NORDtCA.. Apart from being one of the world's Greatest singers, Mme. Lillian Nordics is said to possess a most interesting and utiiquo personality, and, quite imlike tho usual prima donna, is an all-round woman, and interested in many things outside her chosen art. In addition to being the acknowledged greatest drama-

tic soprano the world lias ever knownt Mme. Nordica lias long hold tlio litle oi being tho most beautiful woman in grand opera. Iler collection of emeralds is claimed to bo the finest in tho world. She has been honoured by royalty more than any other American artist. &'ho was chosen by Frau CJosima Wagner to create tho rolo of "Elsa' 'in "Lohengrin," at liayreutli, and is conceded to bo tlio greatest of all Wagnerian artists. Although American born, blig was first recognised in Italy. Germany soon followed, and in a short time tlio entiro world had recognised her. She is an ardent believer in suffrage for women, and an enthusiastic worker in any more? went tending to the advance and betterment of her sex. Mme. Nordica will open her Wellington season at tho Town Hall on September 25. The artists who will assist hot- aro Paul Dufault, tho Canadian tenor; Franklin Holding, vioumst and Itomoyno Simmons, pianist. Aladanio Nordica, according to a telegram received from Auckland, opened her, New Zealand tour at tlio * Town riall ia&t night) before one of the largest aud most fashionable audiences over assembled in Auckland. Tlio »rcat prima donna sang herself into tho hearts oi her hearers, and scored ono of tho greatest musical triumphs in the musical history of^ the city, bringing forth applause that refused to subside until she had responded to encores after ovcrv number. Mr. Paul Dufault, tho ten'or, pai t'cipated T in tho evening's triumph. I'rnnklm Holding, tho violinist, and Itomayuo Simmons, pianist, were received with hearty appreciation.