ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1865, 26 September 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Tho exceptionally clevor feats performed by the Royal Banzai Family at His Majesty's Theatro aro continuing to draw. The various turns which support this remarkablo act are also well up to standard. A matinco is announced for to-morrow. During yesterday afternoon the theatre was open to tho publio for the inspection of the i stage settings and costumes used by the I Japanese troupe of acrobats, and tho opportunity of examination at closo range was taken advantage of hy a largo number of theatro patrons. Tho silk and velvet hangings which take tho place of scenery, and which took oipht persons over two years in the making, aro really wonderful specimens of pitient work, at which the Japanoso excel. With black velvet as a background, a Japanese tea-house, along with dragons, peacocks, and other emblems, are represented by means of hand-embroidered gold thread, interspersed with coloured silks, the result being gorgeous in tho extreme. Tho cost of the hangings alono was over £'5000. Tho many beautiful costumes which form a complete change almost nightly for tlie whole troupe are scarcely less gorgeous. Tho Banzai trouijo have been performing in Europe six and seven times a week for the last eight years without a rest, and on tho completion of tho present. Australasian tour tl-.ey aro returning to Japan for three months. Their reception in "Wellington last week induced the management to retain them here this week,' and therefore tho visit to Christchuroh was omitted, and the troupo will go direct to Dunedin this week-end.

Tho second matinee performance will be given on Saturday afternoon. This will be tho final daylight performance in which the Royal Banzai Family will appear. THE . KING'S. THEATRE. Tho King's Theatre is doing excellent business at prosont. The star picture, "AVamba, tho Child of tho Jungle, 1 ' has met with general approval. Tho Patho Gazetto is as interesting as usual, and some good comedy is provided when John Bunny makes "A Dip into Society." There aro other entertaining subjects. Thoro will be a matinee performance to-morrow at 2.30 p.m. SHORTT'S PICTURES. A new programme was shown at Shortt's Continuous Picture Theatre yesterday, the' paramount film being a drama entitled "Two Spies." It is a war picture and purports to. blend some actual scones in the recent conflict in tho Balkans, with tho_ dramatic episodes in tho lives of tlio cliief actors. Tho plot is quite good and tho story told is a strong one even though the actuality claimed by tho film is shady. "Tho Dream of Two Swallows" is a cleverly worked out fantasy, picturing the unforeseen results which follow tho granting of the wish of two swallows, who, envying man his kingship over all living creatures, wish that they mielvt also, for a time, be human beingß. How they are disillusioned is admirably shown. "How Hiram Won Out" and "Matthew and His Little Pig" aro two good comedies, and "Some Strange Deop-watcr Creatures" is an educational film of interest. Tho Patho Gazette is among other pictures Bhown.. THE EMPRESS THEATRE.

"Indian Loyalty," the feature picture at tho Empross Theatre, (adumbrates Tomnrltablo feats of horsemanship, and also unfolds an interesting, story of crime. Two men. attempt to steal a large sum of'money from a raneh-owner, who hides it in a basin ir» his kitchen. Tho ranch-owner's daughter is roughly handled by the thiew.a, but refuses to disclose the treasure trove. Tho money is discovered, however, and, naturally enough, the men as the Americans are won't to say, "beat it quick." The chase results in one of the fugitives being shot. An Indian mounts his horso, and makes pursuit of the other thief. Overtaking him, the red pursuer leaps from his horso on to that of the robber, and pulls, him to the ground. Tho Kalom drama, "In the Grip of a Charlatan," is an impressive enactment, and "The Houso in the Woods" is a good story of an artist's romance. "Tho Amateur Lion Tamor" is a capital comedy by the Vitagraph Co., and "Tho Ernesto Duo" is also a comic subject of interest. Tho programme will he repeated to-day.

"THE QUAKER GIRL." When the box office for "Tho Quaker Girl" season opened yesterday there was, it is stated, a record demand for seats. It is reported that quito a number had already gathered outside the Dresden at 3 a.m., and before the time camo along to open tho plans, tho queue comprised ovor 200 people, and the day's takings established what is claimed to bo a new record for the Capital City. As is customary in AVellington tho booking was not quito so heavy for tho opening as for subsequent representations. One would' think that natrons of the ordinary stalls would tako advantage of this custom by attending on opening nights when there is always more accommodation in this portion of the theatre. This was very much the case during the Oscar. Asclie and "Puss in Boots" season, as although there were quito a number of empty seats on tho opening nights tho theatro was packed to the doors on each niglit ■ during tho season. A . feature of the new opera is the magnificent scenery and gorgeous dresses. From the rustic surroundings of the early part of tho comedy, where the stago is crowded with picturesque villagers and tho Quaker chorus in their severely simplo brown gowns, white aprons, and caps, most of tho principals aro whisked off to Paris, to plunge into a whirlwind of gaiety, and hero tho smart frocks of the customers and mannequins at Madame Blum's, and the gorgeous ball dresses of tho palace, will Ibe matters of importance in fominino eyes. A feature of the ball-room scene is the Danse de Champagne, executed bv Mr. Leslie Holland and Miss A r cra" Pearce, who aro assisted by ladies of the ballet, and some brilliant electric effects. Positively only the six performances can be given of "Tho Quaker Girl," as on Monday,". October G (thrco nights) "Tho Smishino Girl" will bo staged for tho first time. A feature of tho productions is the largo orchestra and chorus which will be under the direction of Mr. A'ictoi' Champion. Altogether there aro ovor 150 travelling members of the organisation.

THE CLARA BTJTT CONCERTS. Now that tho dates of the Clara ButtKumford concerts arc definitely announced, intorcst in the reappearance in Wellington on October 9 of tho famous singers lias further increased. It is stated that receptions aro being talked of, and already tho Ladies' Fioneer Club have decided to entertain Mme. Clara Butt shortly after her arrival. At tho Dresden box office, according to tlio management, innumerable inquiries are being made daily respecting tho booking arrangements, and Messrs. J. and N. Tait now announce that tho plans will bo opened on Wednesday next. As in Australia, the price of reserved scats will be half a guinea. Mme. Butt and Mr. Rumford propose to introduce a nunibor of songs now to the New Zealand public, and tho great contralto will repeat such favourites as "Abide With Mo." "The Lost Chord." Handel's "Largo," "Land of Hope and Glory." To-morrow evening Mme. Butt and Mr. Rumfoid make their farewell appearance in Melbourne, and thoy . lcavo to-morrow week for Wellington.