ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 18 October 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" LITTLE 80-PEEP." The Royal Pantomime Company attracted another largo audien.ee to the Opera House last evening, and succeeded in giving even a better performance of the pantomime "Little 80-Peep" than on the opening night, which. augurs Well for its success on tour. The capable and hard-working principal members, of tlie company succeeded in keeping the fun going in capital stylo, and were ably backed by a very handsomely costumed ballet and chorus. Miss Kathleen. Mack, who plays Jack Straw,. is one of the most attractive principal beys seen in Wellington, and though not strong vocally acts easily and gracefully, and becomes the various costumes worn remarkably well. Mr. Bruce Drysdale makes an excellent Dame, and Miss Rita Webb acts demurely and prettily as the coy BoPeep. The Anderson Trio, in their strenuous girard act, aroused the enthusiasm of the audience, and tho dancing of Miss Bertha Ashman (Simple Simon) was a pleasing feature of the performance.

A matinee at popular prioes la announced for this afternoon, and this evening the company will make its final appearance. Later on the company will probably return to play a longer season in Wellington than its engagements permit on tie present occasion. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE). A good average bill is being presented at His Majesty'® Theatre nightly. The names of tho artists figuring on the programme include Mia Marjorie Daw, a siffleuse; Miss May Brilliant, an attractive serio; Albert and Rozollo, midget pantomimists; the Era Comedy Four, and Marcel and Bell, dancers and contortionists. A special matinee at popular prices is aoinoiuioed for this afternoon. KING'S THEATRE. A capital programme of up-to-date pictures is to be. seen at the King's Theatre this week. That inimitable French comedian Mr. Max Linder appears in an excruciatingly funny love episode, in which his smart comedy methods and vivid facial expression find scope for full play. The star dramatic offering is the Oines picture '' The Pretty Ward," which is full of dramatio interest.' "The Ship on Fire" w another thrilling picture, which fireß t'he imagination, and stirs the emotions. There will be a..matinee performance this afternoon, and t a complete change on Monday evening. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. To-day'and to-niglit the special "feature" programmo in celebration of tho first anniversary of the opening of the Empress Theatre as a continuous picture palace will be 6hown.for the last time. The chief subject is the lialem company's drama of Western life, "The Skeleton in the Cupboard," in which a ■pretty girl leaves her father because lie is associated with horse thieves. One of her father's accomplices subsequently blackmails ithe girl under threat of telling her lover of her antecedents. Tho girl is saved from her predicament by a rejected lover shooting the blackmailer. In the A.B. Company's drama, "A Woman in the Ultimate," a leader of a gang of swell thrives compels his step-daughter to act as ft decoy to entice wealthy young men to their house so that they can rob them. The girl falls in love with one of their intended victims and eventually, when the gang is robbing him, the girl summons the police ana tho thieves are caught redlianded. The remainder of the series includes: "Rambles in Pondicherry (scenic), "Nature-Studies in a ton: try Garden," aild r severalcomedies.' Elaborate souvenir programmes will be distributed this evening. A complete change will bo introduced on Monday. "THE PRIVATE SECRETARY." "The Private Secretary" was played again before a well-filled Concert Chamber last evening. The .old farce, whioh wears remarkably well, went with a swing from Btart to finish. The acting of Messrs. Norman Hales, Norman Aitken, and Miss Lissack was capital, and the support given by other membeTS of the cast was quite adequate. If the amateurs can repeat their " Private Secretary" form in other comedies they should not lack the support of tho publio. MINA. CALDOW. Miss Mina, Caldow, tho well-known Wellington contralto, will givo a conoort in tho Town Hall next Friday evening. It is five years since Miss Caldow left Wellington, and during that time she has met with considerable success throughout the United King* j dom. Writing of Miss Caldow's sing- , ing the "Blackpool Times "_ says "One-of the best contralto voices that hate been heard in Blackpool for a long time was that of Miss Mina Caldow, who gave a charming rendering of 'Caro mio hen' and '0 my Garden full of Roses.' In the former item, which was given in original Italian, Miss Caldow showed evidence of high operatio ability, and sang with all the soundness and depth of feeling that it is capable of inspiring in a great such as Miss Caldow undoubtedly is. Miss Caldow will be assisted on Friday night bv Mr. Christian Hellemann, organ, and Mr. O. H. Clarkson, baritone. Tho prices of admission will be 35., 2a., and Is. The box plan will open at the Dresden on Monday at nine o'clock, where Bs. find 2-s. 'seats can be rßsorv* ed without extra charge.