ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE EMPRESS THEATfiEYesterday's new programmo of tho Empress Thcatro continuous pictures brought forward a sensational "ifcature" drama, "The Mystery of We6t Sodgewii'k," by the Edison" Company. Tlio central figures are a wealthy stock broker, his nieco, and his private secretary. The two latter are anxious to obtain tho broker's assent- to their marriage, but ho threatens to disinherit the girl if she persists in marrying his secretary. The broker is found shot dead in his office. A noted NewYork detective is engaged to unravel tho mystery of the broker's death. The deteetivo by _ careful deductions traces each clue with astonishing cleverness, until there is no to the innocence of tho suspected person. The' suspicion falls on the niece, but it is soon apparent that she did not commit the murder. Then tho secretary is suspected, while the next upon whom suspicion falls is the dead man's brother. AH however aro proven to bo innocent. Finally a lawyer is confronted, and confesses his guilt. The situations aro tense, and the ultimate issue is left in doubt- right up $o tho climax. Another commendable subject is-the A.13. Company's sensational story, "For the Son of the House." There are also "Tho Lakes of Boulogne" (scenic), "The End of the world" (A.B. farce-comedv), "Trimming a Boob" (Lubin comcdv), and others.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ;• To go "headfirst- downstairs" without injury is a difficult feat performed with marvellous skill at His, Majesty's Theatre by Hilary Long, an upsidedown phenomenon from America, who stands on his head and iuniTis down seven stops ill this position without any otjcr support. He also performs many remarkable feats on the trapeze 'whilst standing 011 his head, which ordinary athletes would find it difficult enough to do in the more customary position, and concludes his performance •by sliding down t-lie tight-rope in an inverted position, only his head touching the rope. Peg and the Limit provide endless amusement in "Fun in a Gymnasium," the Limit being the tallest and.thinnest artist on the vaudeville stage, as well as one of the drollest. The feminine fads and fancies from 1820 to 1920, as worn by Lalia Brooke, include the harem, the bustle, the crinoline, the directoire,_ the Salome, tho first fashion plate in the Garden of Eden, and the coat; vest, and trousers comprised of tho Suffragette colours. Kurtis's High_ School Roosters are a wonderful combination, about fifty feathered frolickers showing as much intelligenco as healthy children when sec-sawing, swinging, selecting numbers, and obeying tho word of command. . Ford and Davis aro_ clever and successful operatic vocalists, tho lady having an exceptional voico; Johnson and Conway are dainty Australian scrios and dancors; Gladys and Alber are eccentric comedians, the latter featuring Alber, the crazy, tumbling comedian; Miss May Brilliant, who concludes her engagement this week, is as popular a comedienne as ever; tho Croydons are very _ successful in ' thoir spectro clogdancing specialities; and the three Vardell Bros., who are also closing their engagement this week, aro superior athletes and lmnd-to-hand balancers.

THE KING'S THEATRE, Thero was a largo attendance at the King's Theatre last night to witness the revival of "Los Miserables," tho reproduction in pictures of Victor Hugo's famed masterpiece. When first presented hero'in two separate series on consecutive weeks, "Les Miserables" «as a pronounced success, but now that both scries of 12,000 feet are shown at ono sitting tho success should bo still more pronounced. Features of tho admirable work are tho excellent photography and tho finished acting, whilst the' special music lends colour to the representation. .The unfolding of the inassivo picture takes about 2.J hours, and therefore occupies tho wholo of tho evening. Some time back a plebiscite in connection with a competition was taken in England to decide, what was the most popular book of the day, and the voto was in favour of Victor Hugo's masterpiece "Les Miserables." If a similar vote wero taken in New Zealand as to tho most popular picture shown hero, it- is not difficult to predict how tho majority or last night's attendance would voto.