ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1868, 30 September 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NORDICA TO-NIGHT. Madame Lillian Nordica will sing farewell to "Wellington at tho Town Ilall to-night, tvlicn the final concert of tho great singer's season will take place. A splendid programino lias been prepared, and it includes tho great "Liesbestod," from " Tristan and Isolde," in which .Madame Nordica lias won world-wide fame. This famous deathsong which "Isolde" chants over tho fallen hero, " Tristan," is one of tho greatest examples of "Wagner's supreme art. TJio "Auckland Star" commenting on this great number, says:— " Madanio Nordica displayed her marvellous voice, with its penetrating tone, its surprising amplitude, its training, and flexibility to fine purpose in the famous death song, 'Mikl und Loisc.' The exquisite charm of tho eantatrice's phrasing, intonation and colour proved a revelation." Another fine number in tonight's programme will be the singing of " Le Nil," by Madame Nordica, witli Violin obbligato by Mr. Holding. Mr. Paul Dufault's big number will be tho delicious romanzo Celeste Aida," from Verdi's opera "Aida." When Mr. Dufault sang this number in Auckland, he was obliged to contribute three encores in succession beforo he was allowed to tako final® refuge behind tho scenes. Among Mr. Dufault's other numbers will bo a delightful French ballad entitled "Au Pays"—the story of a French soldier who returns from the war to find his sweetheart faithless, and which the Melbourno "Ago" describes as a "romantic novel compressed into a few lines of verse." Mr. Franklin Holding will contribute threo violin solos, including an arrangement of gipsy airs by Sarasate. _ Madamo Nordica and her associate artists leavo to-morrow night for Christchurch. The plans arc at the Dresden.

HIS MAJESTY'S, The biggest act in tho new programme shown at His Majesty's Theatre last night was that called "Schepps's Animal Circus." Tho troupo of animals comprises ponies, dogs, and monkeys, nearly twenty in all. Tho ponies and the dogs do tricks which, though not all quite unfamiliar, aro still wonderful, and the monkeys do rather clover things in the drollest possible way, as if thoy had a sense of humour of their own. The monkey called "Doc" is a most remarkable fellow, laughing very like a human being at his own jokes, and altogether making fun for tile crowd. The wliolo act is a splendid example of what can be done with animals, one of the best of this class that has yet been presented here. Another new arrival is Esmeralda, styled not undeservedly " Queen of tho Xylophone." Most people havo heard performers of varying degrees of clovernc'ss play the xylophone, but Esmeralda is not' like any of them. She is far and away tho best player on this strange instrument that has been heard in Wellington, playing grand opera and with equal facility, and surprisingly good effect. Miss Doris Tindall, another new artist, is a male impersonator with a taste and an aptitude for comedy. The other performers reappearing with new songs and new stories are Miss Jessio Wilton, Mr. Ernest Pitcher, Mr. Neil Cant, Miss Olga Pennington, Zif, and St. George and Dayne.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Tho brightly-decorated King's Theatre was well filled last evening, the occasion of the screening of a now'programme. "His Life for His Emperor," a. Vita historical drama, is a dramatic representation of an episode in tho life of Napoleon. Duchesne, a secretary, is dismissed from the Imperialservice for insobriety. While lying intoxicated in a wino shop, ho overhears a plot to assassinate tile Emperor. Napoleon is to be decoyed to ail appointed place on the protoxt that a scheme for tho invasion of England will bo imparted to him by an escaped prisoner. To achieve this end a forged letter is sent to tho Emperor, but Duchesno, sobered by what he has heard, arrives at tho, palace in time to convince Napoleon that the letter is a bogus one. Being of similar height and build as the Emporor, Duchesne asks to bo allowed to disguise himself as Napoleon, and to seek out tho /conspirators. This is agreed to, but first of all the disguise is tested, and found to answer perfectly, several of Napoleon's bodyguard accepting Duchcsno as the Emperor. The supposed Emperor then walks into the trap prepared, but unfortunatoly falls to tho assassins' knives beforo the arrival of the soldiery. The plotters are, still exulting over the successful accomplishment of their purposo when tho military arrive and secure them. The film closes effectively witll tho great little. Corsican soliloquising over the corpse of Duchesne." "Our King's Navy" .is probably tho most comprehensive film yet produced on this subject. Appropriately enough it starts ■with a glimpse of tho Nelson Column, Trafalgar Square, (decorated . and wreathed on the occasion of the anniversary of the death of Nelson. Every phase of the Navy follows the latest thing in Droadnought-s, .flotillas of gnat-like destroyers, übiquitous submarines, nosing their way along, and several hydroplanes, the newest arm of the service, aro all seen in turn. Tho men aro shown manning the guns, signalling, at sports on Wliale Island, and at morning prayers on board. A viow of the Royal yacht, with His Majesty the King on board, steaming between tho saluting lines of warships brings a memorable film to a close. Mr. Harold Gray sings "Sons of the Sea" whilothis film is being reeled through. A "Patlie Gazette" shows scenes in tho old Bulgarian capital; Tirnovo, taken tlio day after tho town had been almost levelled by an earthquake,'and the recent Avondale races aro good films of topical interest.

SHORTT'S PICTURES. A now programme was submitted at Sliortt's Picturo Theatro yesterday, " Pickwick Papers," with John 'Bunny as the immortal Pickwick, being the feature film. The first part contains "the Honourable Event," —the duel ■between Dr. Slammer and Mr. Winkle, and the sccond embodies " The Adventures of Westgate Seminary," in which Pickwick, through Job Trotter, Jingle's friend, makes a wild-goose chase to the seminary to present Jingle from eloping with one of tho young ladies. The characters are presented with fidelity, the staging and costuming being true to Dickens. " Intemperance' and "At the Half-Breed's Mercy," are two good dramas, and " A Dollar Did It," is a good laugnto r -maker.

CLARA BUTT. To-morrow morning the box plans for tho Wellington season of Madame Clara Butt and Mr. Kennorlev Rumford opens at the Dresden, and a licavy booking is anticipated. Tho concerts tako place on October 9, 11, and 14. Scats may bo reserved in the gallery and ground floor at half a guinea. Madamo Butt and Mr. liumford leave Sydney by tho Tahiti on Saturday next, and are duo to arrivo on October 8. • They will bo accompanied by William Murdoch, pianist, Mr. Mowat Carter, violinist, and Mr. Harold Crhxton, accompanist.

. ( THE COMPETITIONS. Entries close to-day for the third animal festival of the New Zealand Competitions Society. The secretary's office, 149 Featlierston Street, will remain open until 9 o'clock this ovening.