ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1869, 1 October 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE QUAKER GIRL."

Tlio Royal Comic Opera Company, in "Tim Quaker Girl," attracted another largo audience to the Opera House last evening, when tho prettily-staged and handsOmoly-drosscd musical comcdy went with a good swing from curtain to curtain. The charm of musical comedy exists in kaleidoscopic action and airy inconsequence—qualities which aro abundant in "Tlio Quaker Girl." Musically, there are not a great many outstanding numbers to capture tho ear, but thoro is a general fitness in tho score to the atmosphere of tho play which lends a graceful harmony to tho ensemble. Tho chorus, vocally and physically, is a distinct feature, as it uhvays has been with tho Royal Comic Opora Company, and tho principals are in.osfcly well up to tho musical comedy standard. Miss Grace Palotta, whose jocund vivacity is distinctly exhilarating, scores a decided success as Madamo Blum, the inventor of fashions. She is a whirl of delight throughout tho comedy, and sets a pace in action and expression that is difficult for others to emulate. Miss Blanche Browne makes a demure and piquant Prudence, and Miss Olive Godwin acts vivaciously and sings well as the lovo-laden Princess Mathildo. Mr. Leslie Holland is clever as Tony Chute, and in the "Danso do Champagne" displays a fine histrionic capacity as well as a pretty talent in intricate dancing. It is worthy of note that this dance (in which tlio honours are fairly shared by Miss Vera Pearce) was invented by Mr. Hugh Ward. Mr. Jack Cannot (Jeremiah) and Mr. C. R. Bantock (Pym) also add to tho gaiety of "The*' Quaker Girl." The box plans for tho remainder of the season are to be opened this morning.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Another big crowd filled His Majesty's Theatre last night, the attraction being "Schepp's Animal Circus," v.'jth several capital items to support it. The animal circus is a novelty turn, in which foiir Shetland ponies, a number of dogs, and four monkeys take part. The pr.uios have been remarkably well trained in different movements, and one of them causes great amusement by his bucking ability. The dogs display a sagacity not often excelled, and' the monkeys arc thero to illustrate the "monkoy-seat" in jockey ship. Popular turns are contributed to the programme bv Esmeralda, on the xylophone; Ernest I'itcher, comedian; and sevoral others. While the entertainment maintains its present standard good houses should result. ■ I

THE KING'S THEATRE. "His Life for His Emperor," a Yitagraph historical drama, is proving the means of attracting good business at tiic King's Thoatre this week. ■ "Our King's Navy" is also a film that appeals to picture-lovers in this community, as it covers tho subject much better than any previous moving picture yet screened in Wellington. Mr. •Harold Gray sings "Sons of tho Sea" whilo the film is running through the macbino. This evening the same programme of pictures will be screened.

SIIORTTS' THEATRE. At Shortts' continuous pictures in Willis Street tho principal film is "Nick Winter and tho Phantom Thief," a thrilling detective drama. Tomorrow a change of programme will include a Vitagraph society drama, entitled "The Still Voice." Tho'theatre will bo open as usual from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. ] The last appearance is announced for 1 to-day and to-night of tho current bill at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The principal attraction is the society "feature" drama, "Out of the Past." This subject deals with an intriguing adventuress, who bribes a young Government official to sell her a copy of secret Stato documents. In after years she tries to intimidat-e him into desisting from his intention to publicly denounce the thieving directors of a copper mino who are nor confederates. The adventuress states that she will proclaim, her intended victim a thief of Stato documents if he carries out his intention. Tho man disregards her threat, but a discovery that she was implicated in a burglary serves to silence her. There are also, "I Was Meant for You" (A.B. drama), "Indian Appreciation" (Lubin 1 Western drama), "Sicily" (travel), "Tho W r reck of the Veronese" (topical), "N.Z. Gazette" (topical), "Comc'Seben, Leben (A.B. farce-comedy), and others. There will bo a complete change to-morrow.

CLARA BUTT-RUMFORD CONCERTS

Tho box plans for tho Clara Butt and Kenuerley Rumford concerts will, be opened to tho public this (Wednesday) morning at 9 o'clock at the Dresden for the three concerts which aro announced to take place on October 9, 11, and 14. A queue will be formed at the Dresden and patrons will book their seats in turn. Mme. Butt and Mr. Rumford, who aro now spending a brief holiday in Sydney, have given ever 50 concerts in tho Commonwealth without missing an engagement. _ They sail on Saturday next for Wellington. It is five .years since Mme. Butt and Mr. Rumford wore here, but their success in Australia indicates that they have lost- none of their charm or hold upon tho public. Over 120,000 people paid for admission to the concerts in the Commonwealth —a truly remarkable record. Mme. Butt and Mr. Rumford will bo supported by some excellent aitists, for Mr. i William . Murdoch is returning with them, and tho clever jcung pianist will bo pleasantly remembered through his visit here with Mme. Kirkby Lunn. Mr. Vincent Carter, violinist, and Mr. Harold Craxton, accompanist, aro also coming. Mme. Butt will be heard in a number of new songs as well as some of the old favourites, as will also Mr. Kennerley Rumford.

ORGAN RECITAL. Another organ recital will be given on the Town Hall organ by Mr. Bernard Page to-night. A special point of interest is being added to theso popular recitals by the revival by Mr. Page of the old English compositions for the period 1600 to 1800. The first pieco selected is the Concerto in E flat (Feltoii). The Rev. Mr. Felton was the Vicar Choral at Hereford, and the composer of tho well-known gleo "Fill, Fill tho Glass." Mr. Page, in' future recitals, will be playing compositions of theso old composers copied from manuscripts in tho British Museum. Another item is Air and Variation, (upon a theme of Handel's) by Karg-Elert. This composor is ono of tho very modern school, and very few of his works have been played here as yet. The other items of tho programme are Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Bach), Prelude "Tristan and Isolde" (Wagner), and two small pieces by Cover and Mozart.