ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1880, 14 October 1913, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CLARA BUTT. Tho third concert of tho Clara Butt and Konnerloy Rumford season takes place this evening, and another groat audience Is anticipated, as the sale of tickots, according to tho management, is tho heaviest yet experienced at tho box office. On Thursday a farewell concert will'bo given, and on Friday the party will leavo for tho South. No roturn dates will bo arranged owing to other engagements. Madame Butt will sing tins evening the grand operatic aria "Divinitos du Styx " (Alcesto), Glnck, "Der Wanderer" Schubert, "Tho Angelus," "Tho City ( Child" (Stanford), two Irish songs'ar-j rangod by Hubert Hughes, "The; Lover's Curse, and " 1 Know my Love." "Abide With Mo" will bo sung (by requost) as an extra number,' with grand organ accompaniment by Mr. Bernard Pngo. . Mr. Kennerloy Rumford will Bing "Largo al factotum," "Barber of Seville ), "Zuei brauno Augen," and " Mit einer .Wasserlilie," Grieg, "Rose of Killarney" Stanford, "All Thro' the Night" (Old Welsh), and ho will repeat "When Childlier Plays," Walford Davics, by request. Mr. William Murdoch and Mr. Movat Carter will each contrib lto solos. Tho 55., 3s. and 2s. tickets can be obtained at Christeson's. •

BRENNAN-FULLER COMPANY. Vaudeville is proving to bo quite a success at the luxurious His Majesty's Theatre. The bill was freshened up considerably last evening by the appearance of several new artists. These included Vaughan and Berry, two smart Australian contortionists, who aro possessed of extraordinary physical elasticity, and whose turn is lightened by some laughable comedy business. Th<\ Bright Sisters are also new to Wellington. They are a duo of bright young girls, who know how to dress and oscliow the vulgar in thoir songs and dances. Still another newconier is Marjorio Daw, an attractive young lady, Ivho whistles a number of popular songs very sweetly. Albert and Rozella Bpecialiso as the human midgets, the faces only of the performers appearing through a curtain at the baolc of tlio little stage.' Tho turn is one that should delight children rather than adults.. Conway and Synnott are a couple of expert jugglers, who appear in a sketch entitled "A Tramp's Dream," which title, by tho way, is not reflected to any extent in the act. One of the successes of the evening is "the Era; Coloured Comedy Four, who sing rag-timo and other melodies harmoniously. Of the four, Billy Brown, the humorous comedian, who was in Wellington with Kersand's Minstrels, is.the bright particular star, inducing plenty of hearty laughter with his quaint byplay and facial contortion. Miss Lily Vockler, another now performer, sang a rather tear-stained ballad of a newsboy's love, and was quite a success in the vocal absurdity "I Don't Care if the Mormons Come." Miss May Brilliant, a likeablo little body, with a pleasing soprano voice, specialised in the ballad "Take Me Back to Dreamland," and appeared to advantage, in a bright drummer-boy song. Marcell and Bell, dancers and contortionists, contribute an excellent turn, Marcell (tho male performer) being an extremel.y neat and clever contortionist, whilst his. partner is a graceful poseur and dancer. Not tho least successful turn in the present bill is that of the comedy sketch artists Delova.lo and Gilbert, who make good in a ludicrous naval sketch with appro; priate songs and "gags." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. . • Two fino Edison/dramas : formed a strong feature in yesterday's change of programme at tho Empress .Theatre. "The Crook and tho Girl" unfolds tho story of the machinations of an unworthy nephew, who has been disinherited by a rich uncle in favour . of an • adopted daughter, to steal the i will. Towards this end he hired an-expert criminal, , but, unfortunately for him, this man falls a victim to the charm of tho young lady whom ho lias been set to rob. The entrance of Cupid into tho affair naturally changes matters. The criminal turns King's evidence, and, in a thrilling climax, the scheming nephew is made to bito tho dust. The other Edison production is entitled \"The Meadow Lark," and relates an appealing little story of the love affair of a country girl and a young minister. The other films include a special picture of tho wreck of the Tyrone, some laughable comics, and picturesque scenic subjects. SHORTTS' PICTURES. A Wild West thriller, "Tho Law and the Outlaw," is the principal attraction in the change of programme at Shortta' Theatre. The dratiia is portrayed with realism by the Selig Co., and relates an appealing little story of an outlaw who escapes from prison, and attompts to begin life anew. For a wliilo he is successful, and his rescue of a girl wins him her love. The long arm of tho law discovers him again, howover, and, after a desperate attempt to elude it, the outlaw is once moro imprisoned. To make tho 1 conventional "happily ever afterwards," the outlaw serves his term of imprisonment, and is reunited to tho girl he lovos. The supporting films are, of a high order, and arc as follow: "Freed from Suspicion" (Kalem drama), "Percy's Wooing" (Kalem comic), "Tim's Little Wife" (Patho comic), "French Naval Manoeuvres," and tho "Warwick Chronicle." ' ADELINE GENEE AND THE RUSSIAN BALLET. Generally recognised as the world's greatest dancer, Adolino Genee will make her first appearance in ■ Wellington, commencing at tho Opera House on Saturday, October 25, for. a season of soven nights and one matinee. Not only is Genee stated to be the most , highl.V-paid artist'which the firm of J. C. Williamson has yet brought to New Zealand, but in her own domain, as the peerless oxponent of the-dance, she ranks among tho truly great artists of tho present day. Tho history of tho balldt is a most interesting study, and Genee worthily takes her place as a link in that brilliant chain of classic dancers whose names aro enshrined in tho history of art in Europe during the past three hundred years. It is difficult to convoy to even tho mo3t experienced playgoer a true description of the performance which tlio theatregoers will witness during tho coming season. Genco's performance, it is claimed, will show that given appropriate music, scenery, and costumes, a story without words may be made plain even to the dullest in tho house, by means of gesturo, by-play, and facial expression, and by dances, as eloquent as the spoken word. In the ballet "Coppelia," which is in two acts, an interesting and humorous plot is unfolded, with the most convincing effect, and tho denouement reached as. intelligibly as in the most modern drama. Tim 3.ime effect is obtained in the ballet entitled "Arabian Nights," which is described as a "Tragic Desert Romance," depicting a thrilling story of love, hatred, and rovenge. The whole entertainment is said to he crowded with dance features of the most original and attractive character, and strong assistance will bo given by a grand opera orchestra under tho 'direction of Mr. C. J. M. Glaser. The bnx plans will be opened at tho Dresden for tho entiro season on OetoI her 22. The managomont state that there will bo no increase in tho ordin- | ary prices of admission.

"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK." A big audience filled tho Opera House last night to witness the final appear-

anco of tho Royal Comic Opera Company in "The Belle of New York." Tho tuneful music and tho many amusing situations appeared to bo exactly to tho liking of the audience. "LITTLE 80-PEEP" PANTOMIME. Through tho enterprise of Messrs. George Stephenson and Alf. Lindley play-goers will have an opportunity of seeing Stanloy M'Kay's it oval Pantomime Company, they having arranged with that entrepreneur to mako a tour of tho Dominion. The company produces threo pantomimes, "Little 80-Peep," "Old Mother Hubbard," and "Hey Diddlo Diddle" or "The Man in tho Moon." Tho first-mentioned will be staged hero when tho company commences its season at tho Opera House on Thursday night. Though the company is now to tho Dominion, it comes .well accredited from Australia. It was first organised in 1910, and has been tcuring continuously sinco tliem. Mr. M'Kay is noted for the complete man-

ner in whidh he stages his pantomimes, and also for tho costumes which aro on" an elaborate scale.' Tho company h3s just had painted especially for this tour of New Zealand now scenery, by Mr. Harry Whaite, tho well-known scenic artist, and a new wardrobe liaß been mado by "Zonda," of Sydney. Also New Zealand will see a number of new artists, whom ho has imported from England, and who have excellent reputations in this class of entertainment. The box plans for tho season are open at tho Dresden. A matinee will also bo given on Saturday afternoon.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Worthy of being numbered among tho best screen dramas shown hero for somo time is tho new star number at tho lung's Theatre, "The Pretty Ward." Tile drama is tho love story of Dora Bouvorie, who is left to her ejdor brother to ward. The brother decides to leave tho country and live in town, and he places tho girl in the caro of their step-father. One Edwin proposes to marry Dora, and tho step-father raises no objection, but says tliat tho brother's consent must be obtained. This tho brother withholds. Stephen, Dora's brother, gambles on races, loses heavily, and is engineered into tho clutches of rascally monoy-lenders. Edwin comes to know this, and for Dora's sake obtains by force tho bills which the lenders hold against Stephen. A, daring rogue of the lending company conspires, to capture Edwin, and recover tho papers. With tho aid of a gang he succeeds. Edwin,, gagged and bound, is then taken'away on a ship. While tho vessol is lying a mile off an island, Edwin fires the craft, and swims for the shore.. Ho is found on the beach by.a fisherman, brought back to a st'ato of animation, and in duo course reaches his home. Very soon ho meets tho villain, who, meantime, has been paying attention to Dora, and has proposed to herl Edwin and tho villain quarrel violently, and a struggle results in the pair falling over an embankment into the sea. The villain gets out, and feels sure that Edwin is drowned. He goes to Stephon's place, and there he and Stephen endeavour to persuade Dora to marry him (the villain). Persuasive art is still being wasted when Edwin'enters. The villain rushes at him, but a revolver calls a halt. Documents expose tho treacherous one, and Dora is Edwin's. Tho supporting pictures are: "Curing Her Extravagance" (comic), "Sugar-cano Industry" (educational), "Patho Gazette" (topical), "Max and tho Love Letters" (Max Lindcr comic), "Tho Otter" (coloured educational), "Counsellor Bobby" (love story). "THE PRIVATE SECRETARY." To morrow night in the Town Hall Concert Chamber theatre-lovers will have an opportunity of . renewing acquaint-ance-with, that hilarious and diverting farcical comedy, "The Private Secretary." Tho cast is probably one of the strongest amateur combinations seen in Wellington for some years, and a firstrate performance is expected. Tho Wellington Gas Company's Orchestra is to provide the incidental music and orchestral selections. The full cast of characters is:—Mr. Marsland, Mr. G. T. P. Williams; Harry Marsland, Mr. 'I. Eller; Mr. Cattcrmole, Dr. H. Halos, Douglas Cattcrmole, Mr. C. Bentloy Russell; Rev. Robert Spalding, Mr. N. E. Aitken; Sir. Sydney Gibson, Mr. Petef Deverenx; John, Mr. C. Pullyn; Knox, Mr. H. C. Grout; Edith Marsland, Miss Ruby Scott; Eva Webster, Miss Marie Fix; Mrs. Stead, Miss Ethel Lissack; Miss Ashford, Miss Ins Lennox. The box plan is stated to bo well filled, and intending patrons are advised' to reservo their seats at once.