ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1920, 1 December 1913, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A complete change of programmo will be presented at His Majesty's Theatre this evening, when Messrs. Brennan and Fuller will introduce a number of new vaudeville artists, principal among whom are the Aerial Benos, featuring Ben Beno, America's jtrapeze artist; Henry land May, English trick and comedy cyclists in a novel act; the C'rightons, sensational novelty acrobatic jugglers; Eileen Cajole, specialty artist. The Era Comedy Four, a talented team of coloured singers and dancers, will mako their reappearance for a short season only in a comedy sketch, "The Farmyard." Clement Jlay, the Dicliensonian artist, will appear this week in scenes" and characters from "The Talc of Two Cities," and "Scrooge, a Christmas Carol." Tho Vienna Trio and Miss .Geraldine Morton will present new numbers. To-morrow evening the management announce the first appearance of Callen and Emery, from Daly's and Savoy Theatre, London, and Jack Shield, eccentric comedian.

J "QUO VADIS?" To-night's special reproduction at tho King's Theater of Cinos' magnificent 8000 ft- masterpiece "Quo VadisF" _is an event that is likely to sccuro wido public patronago and approval Its merits are well known. It has been honoured by Royalty, and it appeals to' all classes, for it is questionable •whether there is any moro generallyinteresting period of history than that of the reign of Nero over the Roman Empire, with which subject tho great picture largely deals. Tho atrocities perpetrated on the early Christians in Rome under the instigation of tho. mad monarch; and the burning of the Eternal City by Nero's 'orders are undoubt-edly-'scenes of realism,-tho outstanding merits of which recorded as kinematograph productions it would bo difficult to excel. A feature of to-night's representation it is said will ho the accompanying music by tho King's Orchestra, which has been special])- arranged. Tho season -is limited to six nights, and seats for any evening may bo reserved at tho Dresden.

EMPRESS THEATRE. Large numbers of people witnessed the final-screening of the current programme of pictures at tliq Empress ' Theatre on Saturday. An entirely new set of. films will be shown to-day and to-night, and the new programme is said to -contain pictures of a very high - order of merit. "The Fatal Legacy" is a dramatic film, and is the feature of the programme, whilo another of tho same class will bo found in a strong '' j/icture entitled "A Truo Heart in a Savage Breast." A most interesting representation is the film entitled '■ "Climbing the Great Pyramid," one of tho wonders of the world, and the '' comedy side is well catered for. 'Trimming a Boob," a Lubin comedy, is said to be most laughable, and "Boy ' Wanted," ail Edison film, is quite equal ..to it as a laughter-maker. A number 'of other films of a varied nature go to make up what promises to be an admirable programme.

•"THE GEISHA." A glance at tho box plans for "The Geisha", indicates that thoso who intend to witness in comfort the production by tho Wellington Amateur Operatic Society, which commences at tho Opera House to-morrow evening, have very little time to waste. The bookiug for "The Geisha" shows that there aro always audiences .for liglit opera in Wellington, and as long as a piece is well played, it matters little if the performers be .-amateurs -or • professionals: -As a nfatter.' -of.iiact, with Mr. Torti Pollard in chargo,' the-*perform-ance will bo well up to thcprofessional standard, and in respect, to the chorus and stage pictures will bo, if anything, superior. Tho chorus is so large—eighty voicea—that the scene has had to be set six feet farther back on the stage than Mr. Pollard has ever had occasion to do with his own companies, but tho extra troublo and expense incurred lis worth it, as tho society is to give the public a chorus that is a chorus. A treat in store for the public is the appearance hero of Miss Helen Gaxd'ner, the brilliant Dunedin amateur, who has half a score of oxcellen't performances to her credit. She sings and acts with delightful artistry, and makes a winsome little maid ofr 0 Mimosa Sail. Tho scenery and orchestra will bo up to tho best professional/standard. The box plan is now open at tho Dresden, and day sales . may bo obtained at Christeson's, in Manners Street.

''"WILLIAM TELL." On Thursday and Friday next tho Wellington Musical Union promises a rare feast oE music to its subscribers •and tho general public at tho Town Hall at 8 o'clock cach evening. On' Thursday Rossini's stirring historic opera "William Tell" will bo performed hv a chorus and orchestra, numbering 200. From 37 operas composed by Rossini "William Tell," tho composer's last effort, .is considered .by musicians to be one. of tho best over written. On Friday tho principals for the opera will provide a programme comprising vocai ducts from "II T'rnvatoro" and "Cavalleria, Rnsticana," "Jewel Song" (Faust), "Lo, Hero tho Gentle Lark," with (Into obbligato, and other itemj. Tho orchestra will provide two special overtures under the baton of Herr Sa'uer ; tho union's conductor. Tho cofnmitteo has incurred great cxponsc to 'secure tho special services of Madam Eielvii Ashley, of Melbourne, Mr. Frank Graham, of Invercargill, who is alwhys warmly welcomed by tho Wellington public, Mrs. B. M. Wilson. Miss E. Driscoll, Messrs : C. Clarkson, Courtonay Mohr, E. lire, and .T. Calvert. Arrangements aro beina made to delay the suburban trains till after the concerts. The box: plan at. the Dresden is rapidly filling.