ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 21 October 1913, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"LITTLE 80-PEEP." Tlie final performance of the Royal Pantomime Company was _ given lastnight at the Opera House beforo.a, large and delighted audience, and to-night "80-Peep" will be presented by tiiom at Dannevirke, to-morrow and Thursday at Hastings, and Napier on following Friday and Saturday. l'he principals, the ballet, and the chorus acquitted themselves well last night, Miss Kathleen Mack (Jack Straw), Air. Bruce Drysdalo (Damn)) Miss Rita Webb (80-Peep), Miss Bertha Ashman (Simple Simon), and the Anderson I rio being particularly successful in earning the plaudits of those present, THE KING'S THEATRE. Tho very large attendance at the Theatre last night, and, the appreciation shown of the films which were screened augurs well for a successful week. Tlie chief picture is entitled "Shipwrecked," in which tho "equality of man" is demonstrated when a millionaire, with his friends and dependants, when wrecked on a desert island, acknowledges his valet as his_ superior, and nominates liim as head of tho community. Tlie millionaire's daughter, who is virtually engaged to a society man, throws in her lot with the valot. after a hard strugglo with her pride, nnd when tho party is rescued by a sailing vessel, after various exciting adventures, including an attack by cannibals, tho society suitor was' discarded in favour of the more useful valet. Comedy is provided by "Cohen's Outing," whilst "Villago Life in Central India," "Just in Time," and "Our Pots," the latter a novel nature study, showing groups of birds and animals being fed, are successful in earning the approbation of patrons. "Tlie Husband's Trick" snows how the budding Suffragette was cured, and "A Box of Canino Mischief" shows what a terrier dog is capable of doing for one he loves.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. , The programme presented at His Majesty's Theatre last evening by the i Brennan-Fuller Company was flecked ] with the names of newcomers who had a brightening influence on the entertain* j ment. Among them was Foolish Ford, an American burlesque comedian, with ■ a genuine sense of comcdy. He is described on the programme as "the man , who broke tho egg at Monto Carlo." , blether he accomplished that daring < feat or no, ho certainly succeeded in breaking the reserve of everyone pre- , sent, and got laughs, for the whole of i the ton minutes he occupied the stage. ; His burlesque act was , the funniest seen at His Majesty's for some time. Another clever pair of new arrivals are Desperado and La Rojse, an exceptionally clever tiimbler who specialises in head and hand springs, somersaults, and funnjr falls, and a , petite and supplo trapeaist, \',hose work is clean and graceful to a degree. Miss Gabriello Hope, an instrumentalist with a certain originality, played deftly on metal and wooden-noted xylophones, an. extraordinary stand instrument manipulated by two .brass violin bows at one time and by tiny hammers at another. The tone was rather uncertain at times, particularly in " The Miserere." but Mendelssohn's "Spring Song" was lather nicely played. An arrangement of sleigh bells, which the, performer accompanies with .the left hand on tho piano, made an appeal to the_ audience and earned Miss Hope a big recall. ] Baintiv little Mlayi Brilliant, .prettily garbed, earned tho favour of the ■wdienco in tho catchy rag-time song "mien t.lie Panzics Rlcom in Juno, and followed it no with " The Daughter of the Regiment," a military lilt of swinging rlivthm and melody. "La Perle is a lady contortionist, who appears to havo no consideration for tftp laws of anatomy. Delavale and Gilbert—the long and'the short of it—are. firm favourites, and their wildly :V>R«rd patter and catchy sayings servo to keep tiie. audience simmering with merriment. Vaughan and Berry are a phir of remarkably clever contortionists and balancers, with elastic legs and indiarubber trunks. The Bright Sisters havo tho charm of youth and know how to dress, but fall short- , vocally. Tho Three Breezes consist of two male performers, who play tho .violin acceptably, but are indifferent comedians. They are helped out hy a clover little ladv with a dark, restful, speaking voice, and a, pretty facility in imitating children. She .also sinas The Apgel with' the Rag-time Heart, which si. i-i----fi»s nothing in particular. Miss Lib Vocklcr extracted mueli _ fun with a hand mirror during: her singmg of the music-hall dittio, I T.uw> ]~ . '. in which she embraces. individuals w • the audience bv reflecting the cnicmrn light Oil their flushed faces to .the immense amusement of those of-tne au cnco not so "honoured. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "An Unjust Suspicion" is the title of the piece de resistance at the Empress Thoatro at present. A young man is discharged from gaol, and tries to ootain honest employment, but tails. From tho beach, he .sees a woman m danger of drowning. He swims out, and saves her. She is the vviie of a detcctivo, who heartily thanks the man for his bravery. This, however, does not provido food for the discharged convict, and, in sheer desperation, he is driven to breaking into a house. There ho comes face to face with the dotective's wife, who expresses surprise and pain at the man's action. She hoars her husband returning, and sue permits tho burglar to escape. The detective _s suspicious are aroused by his wife s agitation. Two other burglars in the meanwhile break into a bedroom occupied by tho detective s little daughter, and steal some bogus notes. When thov leave the house, the ex-convict surprises them, and takes tho notes. The police come up and arrest the three. The discharged convict is brought before tho detective, who believes him guilty, until his daughter denies that ho is tho thief. _ His wife then explains the situation, and the detective releases the man, and besides giving , him money, • writos him a recomniencla- . tion for a position that is available, i Other good pictures aro: lne iwin ' Brothers," "The Split Nugget, and "Objections Overruled.

SHORTTS' PICTURES. Something like, the .ultra in sensation is reached in a picture entitled iho Penalty of Crime," which was screened among other new films, at Sliortt s Theatre yesterday. Tho story unfolded tells how two criminals obtain control over- a girl, who becomes their apviit in a big but unsuccessful crime, which is worked at tho expense of a large jewellery firm. Unfortunatojy tor the gang, tho girl falls in love with the person against whom-tlio ingenuity ot the band is directed, but she cannot bccomo freo until she sees this particular robbery through. After, a rather sensational theft, the criminals and the <nrl aro pursued by tho police and her i lover in a motor-car. The steering ■ gear of tho gang's car breaks, and tho whole party dasli over a huge cliff into 1 a river. The climax discloses tho rescue and forgiveness of tho girl by the ■ man whom she had assisted to rob. f Tho Vitagraph Company supply ft capii tal dramatic study in ''The Only A eternn in the Town," and "The Heart of a Doll," which is another dramatic item : of interest. Other films worthy of P mention aro tho "Warwick Cl'iomc.e E (topical), "A Chip Off the Old Block (comedy), and "A Trip to tho Nile . Dam" (scenic).

MISS CALDOW'S CONCERT. The box plan for Miss Caldow's recital opened at the Dresden vesteiday morning, and tho hooking is states o have been very good. An excellentprogrammo has been arranged, iVlisa

Caldow singing 110 fewer than eight different songs. She will bo associated by Mr. Christian Helleinann (organ), Mr. E. Gilchrist (violin), Mr. C'lias. Clarkson (baritone), and .Mr. Frank Amsden, piano. This is what the Liverpool "Courier" said about tho New Zealande!;'s singing:—"Miss Mina Caldow, a contralto", with a great range of voice, especially sweet and thrilling 011 the lower register, was very successful in her treatment of 'Softly Awakes My Heart,' from 'Samson and Delilah,' and Sanderson's 'Until,' the latter, being sung with much intensity and feeling. In response to a demonstrative recall, Miss Caldow gave an equally fine rendering of 'The Rosary.' " On Friday Miss Caldow will sing "The Wanderer" (Schubert); "Avauera," from Bizet's "Carmen"; Sandersons "Until"; "The First of June"; "Oliver"; "The Little Damozel"; "Novello"; "I Hear You Calling Me"; "Marshall"; "Nearer My God to Thee," with organ accompaniment; and "Tho Rosary" (Ncvm), by special request. Tho prices of admission aro 3s. and 25., reserved, unreserved Is. 'Tlie doors will open 011 Friday at 7.15, and the concert, .Trill conclude at 10.