ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1915, 25 November 1913, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. First among tho liciv artists who appeared last evening at ii's Majesty's Thoatre were Use Tonka Troupe, Japanese illusionjists and wonder-workers. TIIO combination comprises three male performers and a lady, and proceedings commence with somo smart sleight-of-hand work liy tho leader of tho troupe. After his thumbs had been tightly bound together by two members of the audioncc, lio somehow achieved tho seeming impossibility of catching on either arm a number of solid wooden hoops which were thrown at him by an assistant. A new variety of cabinet trick introduced last nigilt also succeeded in mystifying tho audience, 'l'ho cabinet, which stood some feet off tho stage wns just largo euougli to contain tho ladv. Once she was insido tho master magician proceeded to pass swords through tho cabinet- in every direction. Tho swords were the las'go two-handed variety affected by tlio Samurai, tho old-timo Japanese war class, and every one protruded through tho cabinet. Then a largo spear was driven through the centre, and the annihilation of the little lady insido scorned assured. However, when tho swords, etc., were withdrawn she stopped out smiling and unruffled. Tho tour de fnfco of this act, however, was the illusion described as tho magical water fountains. These streams of water poured forth at tho command of tho leader from all sorts of unexpected places, and just as quickly subsided at a wave of his fan. From a glass howl of water tho first stream nroso. This was transferred to the edge of a sword, others wore called forth from the heads of his two assistants, and the scono culminated in a grand finale with dozens of similar streams springing up everywhere, and, most wonderful, they all kept excellent time to the beats of the loader's fan as he conducted the orchestra. Clement May, Dickensonian ■impersonator) was another performer who made his initial bow to Wellington audiences. In a series of quick changes, tho audience were given brief glimpses of tho great Victorian novelist himself, Uriah Heap, Mr. Micawber, and old grandfather from the "Old Curiosity Shop." Before commencing, he quoted from tho author ono of those vivid pen pictures of each character, which Dickc-ns know so well how to write. Then he appeared as Uriah Heap, and succeeded in conveying the oilv, servilp, crirniinn; nature of that person." As tho lighthearted but impecunious Mr. Micawber 110 was also/excellent, but, as the poor old mail looking and inquiring for little Nell, his lost ono, ho made his strongest appeal. Miss Gernldino Morton, billed as Brisbane s Queen of Song, was anotiher newcomer. Possessed of a strong soprano voice of excellent quality, she first sang "Tho Flaming Sword," and as fin encore "Tho Carnival." It is a long time sinco such a splendid voice was heard 011 the Wellington vaudeville stage. Arthur Troutt and his mermaid are still on the programme, and the feats of endurance performed by the "lwman fish" and his lady assistant met a groat reception. Davis, Allen and Davis, a clover American trio, are as popular as ever in their ragtime medleys, while tho "Carlo Mai Trio," acrobatic comedians, crowd many lauehs into their sidesplitting turn. Other artists appearing aro the Vienna Trio and Joe Ljtshwood. A current Fatho Gazette is also screened nightly.

THE KING'S THEATRE.

"The Tiger Lily," the Vitagraph feature drama shown for the first time at tho King's Theatre last evening, abounds in sensationalism. Incident follows incident in breathless fashion, and tho climax is a very powerful dramatic conception, A wicked woman, who keeps a tiger as wicked as herself, is tho leading person in tho plot. Someone entices her away from a fond husband and littlo child. Years roll by, and the woman has reached tho pinnacle of her ambition—the stage. Her husband, now an invalid, and looking sad and careworn, is seen with his child; no longer a child, but grown up and beautiful. Hor mother has captivated a handsome young man,' but when the former husband and her daughter come on the sc-ano, and live next door, it is, of course, quito a coincidence that the young man should for* sako the actress with her tiger, and fall in love—at first sight—with the girl. This leads to the climax —tho woman lets loose the tiger. Her second husband, likewise jealous, stalks, revolver in hand, in search of the young mail who has bereft him of his wife's lovo. Here enters a thunderstorm, and the house wherein the first husband lived is set on fire by lightning. Tho tiger, tho fire, tho lightning, tho woman in evening dress, the man with tho revolver, and the thrilling denouements combine with startling results. The good escape unharmed, the wicked are burnt in tho flames of the house, and so, after all, everything ends well. The other films aro excellent. There is a really good supporting drama, "For His Loved One, ' two laughablo comics, while two interesting" educational films, "Making Osram Lamps" and "The Culture of Bulbous Flowers," and the "Gaumont Graphic" complete a really good programme. The King's Orchestra, Sicnor Truda conducting, contributed wellselected music very acceptably.

THE EMTRESS THEATRE. The Kalom ' Company's sensational drama, "A Midnight Message," is tho foremost production in tho new programme submitted at t3:o Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday. Tiio principals are a wealthy widower, his son, and a young society belle, who marries tlie widower. The sou is inconsolable at tho death of his mother, and when he learns that his father is to marry again he goes away so as liot to bo present at the wedding. On his return the son 13 attracted by the good looks and ploasing ways of his stopmother, who is affable, and also interested in him. A cynical acquaintance of tho father poisons tho old man's mind against his son, and by innuendo engenders violont jealousy. The father imagines that Ms wife finds his son's company more agreeable than his own. He protends to go- away, and intcnas to return unexpectedly. Whilst retiring, tho wifo is suddenly seized by tho butler, who robs her of her jewels, and prepares to,decamp. Tho woman manages to telephono to her step-son's club,_ and he

hastens to her aid. He reaches iier room, and immediately afterwards his fattier enters also. Explanations aro unavailing. Tho father hands tho sop. a loaded revolver, and tells him t-o commit suicide. The son steps into the next room and flings tlm revolver down. When it hits' tli-e floor it oxplodes. The old man, believing his son is dead, is so shocked with tho realisation of tho tragedy that he falls hack, dying from a heart seizure. .The butler is arrested, and proof of tho son's honour is forth.coming in time to cause a reconciliation before tho father dies. 'I'ljo remainder of the scries includes ''Winning his Wife" (Luliin draiiia), "The Blacksmith's Story" (i'olot drama), "On Columbia liiveV" (sccviic), "never Known to Smile" (A.I). farce-comedy), and others.

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