ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1859, 19 September 1913, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Tlio Royal Banzai Family, from .Japan, who porform such remarkable acrobatic foats, attracted another largo attendance at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. This star turn is supported b.y Klimo and Klifton, tho Romas, Miss Olga Pennington, Mr. John Fullc-, senr., and Tho programme will bo repeated this evening, and a grand matinee is announced for Saturday.

THE KING'S THEATRE. The current picture programme at the King's Theatre is headed by a most interesting natural history study, in "Paul J. Rainey's African Hunt." The picture depicts all the wild animals of Africa roaming through tho jungle Special arrangements have been made for a-performance on Saturday afternoon, when school childroii and otherß will be admitted at reduced rates of admission.

SHORTTS' PICTURES. A number of new pictures were submitted at' Shortts| Theatre yesterday. "Hearts of the First Empire," a Vitagraph dramatic study, is the feature picture, and being splendidly staged and costumcd ; it met with approval. Tho plot, which is laid in the time when Napoleon defeated tho Austrian's (probably the Wagram campaign), is well acted. Recent world events are depicted in the Pathe Gazette. "Lovo Me, Love My Cat," is a capital comedy, and "The Stolen Bracelet" is a first-rate dramatic subject. The ptcgrnmuio will be repeated to-day.

NORDICA'S JEWELS.

It is a commonplace saying of the stage that a woman's success as an actresses largely measured by the number and value of the costly gems she possesses. "With prosperity come jewels, the outward and visible symbols of success ; but the display of glittering finery is to many women an oppression, and it is, only on rare occasions of a social naturo that tho successful actress or operatic star really empties her jewel casket for tho admiratjon of the public. Frequently an operatic performance will demand magnificent decoration. Lillianl. Nordica,'in "LaGiaconda," for example, displays a superb diamond necklace and swaying ropes of pearls reaching from shoulders to knees. It j has been computed by appraising dealers in gems tliatx her collection of emeralds, diamonds, and coloured pearls is .worth two 'million dollars (£400,000). The nucleus of this great collection -was acquired early by Mmo. Nordica in the first years of her prima-donnahood, when she made a tour of Russia. The Czar and Czarina showed tlieir royal favour by presenting her with a bracelet in tho form of a green'serpent, fashioned of gold and emeralds. Beside the emerald bracelet, there rests in Mme. Nordica's jewel casket a triple rope of pearls that represents in large part the results of her first profitable year, when the Germans discovered in her their ideal "Elsa" of Lohengrin. The pearl necklace was cheap, the exports told , her, at £15,000. In St. Petersburg there came to Mmo. Nor--dica's apartment ono morning, under guard of four soldiers, a gem-encrusted tea service in Russian silver, inscribed, "To my beautiful boy." It was the gift of the lately bereaved Countess Tolstoy. An antique Etruscan bracelet of gold encrusted with sapphires and diamonds is the gift of a countess, cousin of the King of Italy. But most prized by her becauso it was tho sign indisputable of the conquest of audiences in her own 'home, is Nordica's diamond tiara, presented to her when she sang "Isolde" in' New York, repeating the triumph won in Germany. The first Nordica concert will be. given at the Town Hall on September 25. The great diva will be assisted by Paul Dufault, the Canadian tenor; Franklin Holding, violinist, and Romayne Simmons, pianist. -

THE RIVALS. One of the pleasantest entertainments that has been given in Wellington for a long time past was that of last evening when "The 'Rivals," Richard B. Sheridan's delightful comedy, was produced tlio Sydney Street Schoolroombv a number of amateur players for the benefit of the Richmond FYee Kindergartens. Played for the first time at Covent Garden on January 17, 1775, it is as fresh now and as strong in the appeal to the laughter-loving public as in the days of its first success,- although on its momentous first appearance it was not so favourably received owing to the bad playing or Sir Lucius O 1 Trigger. Also, it was said, it owed something of its cool reception to the fact that it embodied a fair amount of malice. However that may bo, tlio defects were remedied before the second performance, and it at once took that place on tho stage which it lias never lost. Last night's performance only served to show how wide the gulf is that separates the comedies of to-day from ,such_ at least as were written by Sheridan in tho eighteenth century. Barely to-day is there to be found such sprightliness, ease, unity, and wealth of broadly humorous incident, and tlio wonder is that .these comedies of Sheriday's are.now so rarely played. 'J-'ho Pjay was staged last evening in the Shakespearean fashion adopted by Mr. Charles Fry, with no scenery beyond tlio furniture, and it speaks will for the acting -that without its aid theatmosphere of the time was so well suggested. It also did away with the long Halts that are so wearisome to endure between tho acts. Tho stage had been entirely draped with green, save for the crimson curtains that screened it at the sides and front, and the colour made an admirable for the very becoming costumes (of the period) that were worn. From beginning to end the comedy went with a swing that is not often met with in productions, by amateurs, and some really excellent acting -was enjoyed by tlio audience. With Mrs. Fell in the part of Mrs. Malaprop some delightful work was looked for, nor- did she disappoint, her impersonation of that very entertaining lady being full of-life and drollery. One of tho best character studies of tho performance was that of Mr. H. E. Nicholls wlio took tho part of Sir Anthony Absolute. Throughout he was admirablo and as the "cool, mild-tempered father" ho was a perfect joy to behold. Most daintily winsome, capricious, and .petulant was Miss Betty, Blake, who impersonated Lydia Languish, and as Lticy, maid to Lydia, Miss Margaret Fell thoroughly carried out the role adopted by Lucy, that of "simplicity"—a very dubious quality in that impersonation. Mrs. Leonard Tripp made a handsome and stately "Julia Melville" and acted her part with much success. Mr. Godfrey as Falkland, and Mr. Bent-ley Ilussell as Captain Jack Absoluto wero very good in their parts, and Mr. W. Gl.ynno as "Fag," gave an excellent representation of tlio "gentleman's gentleman" of thoso days. Mr. P. Board, as Sir Lucius O'Trigger, was not so well suited, but then only an Irishman could with any success take such a part. Dr. Isaacs has been seen to bettor advantage than in tho character ho represented' last evening, that of "Bob Acres." Mr. W. Meek, as "David," servant to Acres, was distinctly good, and satisfactory work was done, by Mr. Natusch as "Thomas," coachman to Sir Anthony. Master J. Baldwin appeared as tho Boy. Miss Grace Kennedy led an orchestra composed of twelve strings, and Miss Jessie Newton playeij tho piano. Miss Richmond, at whoso instance tho play was produced, was tho business manager, Mr. W. Gl.ynno the stage manager, and Miss Graco Kennedy musical director. Tho costumes were designed bv Miss E. Richmond and executed by Missea A. Philjpa nnd E. GrftnV