ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1932, 15 December 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S T[IEATJ?E?:'K:, An innovation in vaudeville acts to bo picscntod by the lirennan-Fuilor management at the- change of ,jro„ramnlclit ffis Majesty s Theatre this evenir" is Tabloid Grand Opera Us Francis j'f liubanik and company, which includes Mmo. Enntie Colli, Mexican soprano it is stated that the novoltv lias drawn crowded houses in Svdnev and other Australian centres, and the critics wore pronounced in their piaiso of the act 'Jo-night the company v.il] present with iul scenic effects and correct costume* 'Ihc Bells of San Gabriel," tellim/jp song and prose of a dramatic incident that took place in the paths of San Gabriel Mission, California, in 17SH. The reniaiudcr of the programme wiii inchido Mahoney Bros, and Daisy in a pot pourri of singing, dancing and talking ; the Crcightons, noveltv acrobatic jugglers; Miss Geraklino Norton, balladist; Eileen Caplo, serio and dancer; Lullen and Emery, in miniature musical comedy, and a selection of filmic "ems

THE KING'S THEATRE. "''"'" To-night will witness the first screening at tho King's Theatre-of a massive coloured reproduction of "The, Fall of Constantinople," described as one of the nnost spectacular dramas in cplou-s yet submitted. The film is SOOOiVlong and its powerful etory claims to doscribe in motion pictures tho history of the Ottoman Turks ii? Europe. From Ertoghruc to the present Snitau of Turkey 36 princes in the male line have ruled the Ottoman Empire without a break in the succession. In.the spring of 1453, jilahommed II set out with 300,000 followers. To picrco tho walls of Constantinople the Turks brought with them the largest canon at the timo constructed. Tho Emperor Constantino fought as a common soldier but all m vain. Tho Turks sacked the city, and ever since they have remained in possession. From an historical and picturesque point of view it is stated that "The Fall of Constantinople" must bo considered as a very valuable addition to the great photo plavs of the day. The supporting subjects are: "Fan Making," a splendid industrial; "In tho North Woods," a virile drama"Tho Master Painter," a Viiasraph screen play; "Gauinoni Graphio.""(la3i; edition); and "The Widow's Suitors'" a sparkling Irish comedy. The King's Orchestra will contribute overtures and i incidental music.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE,

The customary complete change of programme to be submitted 10-duy at the Empress Theatre will include" tho A.K. Company's feature drama, "Tho Sham Sheriff." Tho story relates how fond parents believe that their son is doing well out in the West. His letters tell of his prosperity and happiness. As a matter of fact he has become-a dissipated ne'er-do-well. Eventually he writes that ho has been appointed sheriff, and on hearing that good news his old mother goes West to pay him an unexpected visit. Tho result of tho visit is exceedingly interesting, introducing a novel situation. TlnT'iicst jn importance) is the A,B. Company's sensational detective dramatic "feature" entitled "The Van Xostrand Tiara." This is reputed to bo one of the cleverest detective plays ever shown locally. Tho staging is on a lavish scale; arid tho company's players, h-eaded by Mr, Harry Carey as tho detective, cfvo a realistic portrayal. "Scabirds" ~mi the Welsh' Coast" (sccnie), "His Father's. Choice" CLubiu comedyi, and "Betty Buttin and tho Bad Man" (Kalem comedy), arc among the supporting subjects.- . BRITANNIA THEATRE. To-night at 7 p.m. tho Britannia— the latest continuous picture theatrewill •be opened to ' pictures-lovers. The theatre is in the centre of the city's picture world, and with up-to-date programmes should receive a fair share of public patronage. Tho building has been practically completed for somo days, and all the.furnishings and effects havo been installed. Several triais have been made with tho machinery, and tho staff of mechanists and operators aro thoroughly conversant with details connected with projecting films. Mr. A. J. Coleman, managing director of tho theatre, expresses himself as well satisfied with it. It is the fourth continuous theatre which ho has engineered in this country. Ho leaves early next week for Australia and a trip round tho world, and intends to personally pick out film attractions for this house. The programme to be presented to-night includes films by six well-known makers, and comprises scenic, dramatic, topical, and comedy subjects. An 'efficient orchestra will assist.

"THE MESSIAH." t It is a considerable number of years siuco a Wellington audience has heard that fine aria, "The Trumpet Shall Sound." The- difficulty has always been to secure a trumpeter. At- the Town Hall to-uight Mr. Andrew Black will sing this solo, and the trumpet obbligato will be played bv Sir. P. Cole. At tho final rehearsal on Friday night Mr. Black personally complimented Mr, Colo on the way in which ho played tho accompaniment. Miss Mina Caldow. after an absence of six years in England and tho Continent, will make her first appearance in oratorio, and should bo heard to advantage- in "He Was Despised" and the other beautiful con. tralto solos. Tho tenor part, will be. taken by Mr. E. J. Hill, while tlie soprano role- will bo taken by Madame Evelyn Selig, of Brisbane, who is the possessor of a fine voice. The box plan will be at the Dresden till 5 o'clock, and there will also be. a supply of 2s. and Is. tickets on sale at- the box office. ■ The doors will open at 7.15, and tho oratorio concludes at 10,20. Admittance to the 2s. seats will be at tho Cuba Street entrance, while Is. ticketholders will bo admitted at Victoria Street. There will be late trains to Hutt and JoTinsonville, and tho Day's Bay boat will not leave till 11 o'clock. The chorus and orchestra will total 330, under Mr. Hellomann's baton. His Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool will be present.

SATURDAY'S ORGAN RECITAL. There was a marked improvement in I the attendanco at Saturday night's or- j •ran recital at tho Toivn Hall, "and now I that Mr. Pago's work on tho organ is becoming better known to ' Wellington people a full attendance at oho of these recitals seems to bo within reasonable distance. Saturday's programing was composed of several numbers which the City Organist had been requested to repeat from previous recitals. Anions these was tho Good Friday Music from "Parsifal," one of the most beautiful and most popular parts of Wagner's great work. The motive in tho "Flowery Mead" is_ reflective- of tho peace,' calm, and quietness of Good Friday, morning, and the music wag translated, by Mr. Pago with a delicacy and feel-, iiig that gripped the audience- throng} h out. The "Dithyramb" (Basil Hf:r----wood), which, like all tho works of /'the late organist of Christ Church Ca/chodrai, Oxford, is marked by careful w orkinanship and almost fastidious taste, was another item on tho p-rogrs -nunc Its beautiful theme, broken by wi'ul presages, were ably rendered. MacK-owoH's "Woodland Sketches" gave the i',rganist a chanco- to bring out tiw exalt sd poetical feeling of tho great ■Anicn'.ean composer. Other numbers with r i'hioh Mr. Page delighted his audience IV ere tho "Sonatina in A minor," by 7 uirg-Elort • "Fantasia in C," by Ce&'ir Fi->nci;' Rhapsodic (0 filii ot iih'ae), |, v Faiilkes •' and "Chant Sans Paroles/ ' by Leinare' Appreciative applause .ciijne 'from the house at the eloso of eadj. jteiu