ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1921, 2 December 1913, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THIS GEISHA." An aUraclion of nueomnion interest is promised playgoers in the initial performance at the Opera House tonight of 'The Geisha." one of the most melodious and jolliest light operas _ of modern times. It has been revived time and again in tlio Old Country, but somehow or ether not in Wellington. With this performance in view it is interesting to recall tlio lirst performance of the work in Wellington now some fifteen years ago, ami to note that it was then given under the direction of the sanio producer who is directing the amateurs ill Wellington this week. Tho cast oil that occasion with the amateurs who aro interpreting tlio parts in tlio local production (given in parentheses) is as followso Mimosa San, Miss Florence Perry (.Miss Helen Gardner); lloily.Seamore, Jliss May lieatly (Miss Eileen Driscoll); Lady Constance Wynjie, Miss Jennie Opic (.Miss Cara Denliard); 0 N>imi San, Miss Beatrice ferry (Miss Daisy Isaacs); Juliette (Miss Adelaide Evans); Wun Ni, Mr. W. S. Percy (Sir. Alec. Newton); Lieut. Heggy Fairfax, Mr. William Paul (llr. V.. R. Meredith); Lieut. Mr. Charles Carter (Mr. Morrison); the Marquis linari, Mr, Alfred Stephens (Dr. Norman Hales); Takamene, Mr. Dave Connor (Dr. Isaacs); Katana, Mr. Ernest Pitts (Mr. Batten). It will be interesting to note two things during the season—how tho opera wears, and what sort of a performance the amateurs give in comparison with tils professionals who have been seen in tlio cast hero. Beautiful scenery has been painted for tho production, and some very clianiimg stage settings arc premised. Mr. D._A. Kenny has been successful in ' securing an'excellent orchestra, which, 011 rehearsal form, looks as though it will 00 a feature of ilic performance. The box plan is at the Dresden, and day sales arc obtainable at Christeson's,

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There were no dull patches in tho now vaudeville programino presented at. His Majesty's Theatre last evening, and i several of tho items were of quite excvptional merit. lu spite of two un-. pleasant weather til© audience was a large one and its members frequently testified to their appreciation, of tho good fare provided ior their entertainment. Opening in a quiet way with some interesting motion pictures of topical events the entertainment rapidly developed interest Mr. Clement May gave another series ol his clever nnpursouations of characters in the works of Charles Dickens. His latest series includes a convincing representation ot tho character of Scrooge, tho miser who was converted into a warm-hearted philanthropist. Amongst tho artists who made a first nppearanco were Henry and May, a pair of clever trick cyclists. Both performed some extremely dimcult feats awheel, with ease awl ptraco and tho male member of the party is m addition mi accomplished comedian who provoked tho spectators to roars ot laughter as ho careered around tho stage on all sorts of queer vehicles. WQ of his mounts took tho "uiso ot an aeroplane with ft busily spinning screw. Although they appeared at the tan-end of tho programmo the "Aerial Bonos are as daring a party of trapeze artists as have ever appeared in. Wellington.. Their performance culminated in some marvellous balancing feats by tho male member of the party as he perched precariously oil a trapeze htnig at the maximum possible altitude above the stage. Not content wstli, standing erect oil tlie trapeM-dmr arid trusting entirely to his foothold as lie twisted and turned in ail directions, lw performed some wonderful balancing feats with a chair, Ho seemed to find it (iviito easyHb-:sit balanced in the ciiiiir with ttui of its legs resting on tbo trapeze. Finally ho blindfolded himselt a nil fell backwards.. from the chair, contriving somehow; to end up hanging': by his foot. Tho two lady members of. the party arc only less dextcrkius and venturesome than their male partner. A less thrilling, .but equally entertaining, turn was that of "tho Creightons,' a pair of accomplished acrobats arid jugglers. Their best teat consisted in olio of them balancing his partner upside down on his head, while they juggled with a set of decorated rackets. "Tho Era Comedy Four'' are a capable team of' coloured comedians and dancers who kept their audience in a eon-, stant ripple of amusement, and also contributed ouo or two serious vocal items which vrcro much appreciated. Another popular artist was Miss Gerildino Morton, a 'vocalist fiifted with a sweet and tuneful voico which was heard to advantage in a number of ballads. "The Vienna. Trio," a harpist and two violinists, so pleased their audience that, a double encore was demanded and given. Miss Eileen Caplo, a sprightly comedienne, contributed a number of imitations of popular musichall artists. The saiiio programme will be repeated to-night and on following evenings this week.

"QtIO'VADIS" AT KING'S THEATRE There was a big attendance at f'o King's Theatre .Vast night, when; tho great "Quo Vadis" picture was revived, it is a wonderful production, and the iilm is an extraordinarily long oue. Tho Italian Govenireont'contributed to the success of the production by giving the Chics Company spcclal permission to uso the Palatine aud the Coliseum, that amphitheatre in lioino which wa* lor - 400 years tine scene of gladiatorial combats. Twenty lions were secured for tho arena, scenes, and over 15DU persons appear in tho picture. The lines of the novel have been faithfully followed, ' and every incident of not o seems to have boon preserved. The setting is magnificent, and tho acting is of a very high order. _ '.! lie splendour and the cruelty of ancient Uolne arc vividly pourtrayed. Nero is conspicuous throughout. He appears first in tiie interior of tile palace listening to 't poem being read to him by Lucan, the. court poet, and later presides at a banquet where a mad scene of revelry ensues. Costly wines and exquisite delicacies are hero served to the guests, and, while a troupe of Syrian dancers are amusing them, showers of roses descend from the ceiling and tail round about those present. The revels con tinuo until break fit' day, _ when tjie screen shows a dclightiul view of the Sternal City, beautiful ami immense, but corrupt already. Meanwhile the fovo <;f Viniiins for Lygisi Ims been mifolded, and the groundwork of the plot is laid. Tho abduction of Lygia ami tho scenes down to the combat between tile giants Ursus and Crete form tho second part of tho lihii. Then follow further revels nt the court of Nero, at, Auturin, leading to that stags of tho story where Nero is satiated with Hie gorgoous pleasures of the palace. lie seeks more stirring sensations, mi Tigelliuus suggests the burning of Itoine. The iiro is scarcely suggested when the city is in flames, and Nero., with Ins whole court, makes speed to Homo. In a safe position, ho watches the conflagration, 'and in his madness singK'iwhilo tho destruction of the. beautiful city is being wrought. Intense >14 tiieso scones are, scenes more awful follow. A massacre of Christians is Arranged, but prior to the sacrifice the Olympian Games of the Roman em aro indulged in with a thrilling recklessness. ■ Tho final scene, where t-yiiia is rescued in the anipithcatro by Viliitius, is a powerful one. THE KM PRHSS TREATR E. A stirring festura drama, entitled "Tho Fatal Legacy," was the outstanding attraction of yesterday's change of programme of tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The plot traces its way through three generations, and shows how a hereditary taint of alcohol bin is guarded against I'nr two geiierai tiunsi hilt breaks out ill the third. o\v-

iiiy to tlio hereditary weakness tlio Jicir iu each gcnvratku) is required to sign a pledge on his wedding day. The complaint breaks criii 111 the giandsGH, Harry, who hccomcs jnakms «i another man's attentions to t-hc girl whom I*o loves. Tim grandfather sees _ ill to grandson tins risk of the craving for alcohol. The girl marries Harry, in the belief iljfit," Guy desired ]u\r only lor her money. Alter the wedding Harry becomes jntosicated, and reveals to his wife tho treachcry by which he, had won her. Slw is shocked at his villainy, and when alio meets (Jtiy at 11 fox-hunt their I'riwKkln'i) is renewed. This angora Harry, wlw then drinks ton freely. Ho mounts n dangcroiM hunter, and, while following Iho hounds, is kilted at a jump through Lis horse ■ falling. Tl» next lilm of imparlance on the bill is the A.K. Company's "masterpiece" drama. "A True Heart in a (savage Breast. The priiwiiKik are a gipsy woman ami her two lovers. She iinds that tho on'J slio prefers is already mamied, and, against, the dictates of Jicr own choice, shi) relinquishes her claim on iiini and accepts tho lii.'u; ska likes least. "Climbing tlio Great Pyramid" is a capital travel and scenic study. There aro several other excellent uunibors. Now selections will be contributed by tue Empress full orchestra this evening.

BOSSINTS "WILLIAM TELL." All important musical event is pro* mised to iho public on Thursday next by tho Wellington Musical Union, at tilt; Town 11 all, when Rossini's opera "William Tell" wilt be performed. Australia's operatic soprano, Madame Evelyn Aslik-y, has been engaged, at heavy expenso, to sing the part of Matilda. The Melbourne "Age," in its criticism, states that this part fount! a skilful exponent in Madame Ashley, whoso top. C, ringing out as it did-, clear and true above the voices and orchestra, was without doubt a great artistic performance. Mr. Frank Graham, well known to tho musical public,' will sins tho part of Arnold, and will bo supported by Mrs. 11. M. Wilson, Miss Driscoll, Messrs. Molir, Cforkson, Calvert, arid lire.. On Friday next, at tlrn miscellaneous concert, nuisMovors will have 'an opportunity of lion-ring Madamo Ashlcv in "Lo, Hero lite Gentle Lark, ' with ftiitotobbli&ttto, ."Tlio Jewel Sons ("Faust"), and will be assofiiatcd'wiito Mr. Frajik Gratam in singing the "Miswere;' duct ("11 Trov-atore").and tlio favourito duet (vein _ "Cavallcna Kusticana." All the. "William Tell soloists will sing special items m that evening, and an excellent concert is promised to patrons. l!ox plan is rapidlv filling at the Dresden, where 3s. and 2s. seats call bis'reserved.

."THE MESSIAH," The lloynl Choral Society has boon very fortunate this your to secure lor "Tho Slcssiah" concert oil December 15 a quartet of soloists which will probably Ix; the finest ever seen on tb.o ono "platform ill Handel's mastorpioee in Australasia. Tito principals". will comprise.Mndanio Evelyn Sclig /B™banc), soprano; Miss Muia Cii.ldow, contralto; Mr. Paul Dufault ,(Xew Ywk\ tenor; Mr. Andrew Black (Sydney), baritone. Tho forthcoming performance of "The Mossiuh" should thus bo tho most memorable within the lite* torv of this enterprising organisation, It is expected that the booking will I.® very heavy, and tho management ' have decided that the ohareoi for reserved seats will bo ss. and'4s., unreserved 3s. The box plan will open at the .Dresden on' Friday morning at 9 o'clock. ■ Arrangements havo been, made with Uw Railway Department to delay tho Hurt ami Johnsonvilio trains till after tho ncrforiiiantti. 1o prevent trnflicKiiig m tickets it lias been decided that ilo person will be allowed to bosk more than ton seats at one time. . An orchestral priiotico will be held at St. l'eters tonight; at 8, .and* the ustial practice lor chorus at Si. Jehu's o); Friday.