ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1941, 26 December 1913, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS'MAJESTY'S. An appreciative audience was present at His Majesty's Theatro last evening, When a- special Christmas night sacred concert'was given. A number of tho items were accompanied with pictures appropriate, to. the occasion. Thij evening tho current vaudeville prcgiamme, which lias proved decidedly popular since first put on at the beginning of tho week, will bo repeated.'- • A special holiday matinee will be given at His Majesty's Theatre this afternoon. Doors will be opened at.2 p.m., and tho performance will' commence punctually' in 2.30 p.m. ' '.'WITHIN THE LAW." At tho Opera House to-night will bo staged tho American record-breaking drama-.''Within; tho Law," un'der the direction of. J. C. Williamson, Ltd'. When a.play runs for .twelve months in New York, six months in London, threo months in Melbourne, and over twelve weeks in Sydney, there must bo something in its construction and in-torprctation-.that appeals to all.classes of theatregoers. Special interest attaches to tho-.production tonight, from the fact that a young actress whoso work has boon 'unusually well spoken, "of abroad will appear for the first time in New 'Zealand. * TJiis.-is Miss Muriel" Starr, whom ono critic id Melbourne is stated to have described as a blend of those gifted artists, Ethel Irving, Margaret Anglin, and Katharino . Grey. Miss Starr was specially chosen in New York to create tho part of Mary Turner in -Australia. Much of the success ■ of tho drama is due to the -producer, i Mr. E. W. Morrison, wdio also plays tho important part of Joe Garson, the forger, with convincing effect. Other j newcomers aro Mr. Lincoln Plumer, an actor of .rcputation',-in-New York, and Miss Mary Worth, a. young 'American character actress. The management announces that tlio,box plan and earlydoor tickets for to-night 1 s performance will bo available'at tho dress circle entrance of the theatro upstairs. THE KING'S THEATRE. .'.. . 'A special -Christmas programme was presented to patrons "of the King's Theatre-last evening, and tho major portion was devoted io-a film descriptive of the birth, life, and death of Christ. - It was a beautiful specimen of kinematoerapliy; produced" by Patho Frercs, and'minute attention''was paid to all tho scenes-in tho lifo.of.tho Saviour, from the Nativity to tho Crucifixion. Qther seasonable pictures were included" in the'programme, a notable one being "A Christmas Carol," by Charles-Diek- * ens. The well-known story was depicted 'in an interesting manner, and ono again became acquainted with Scrooge, Marley's Ghost, Tiny Tim, and tho Turkey.'' "Winter "Sports at St. Morit-z" showed how Christmas' . was celebrated-in that snowy land, and ■ "Nocl,"v"Thc Littlo. Match-seller," and "Her Flowers" went to constitute an enjoyable programme. An attractive holiday programme.- particulars: of which will be found .else-, where,: will be put on to-day. "THE LAST'DAYS OF POMPEII." At the King's Theatre on Monday - evening next a Cines-Ambrosia reproduc tion of Lord- Bulwer Lytton's famous Roman; tragedy,- "The Last- Days of Pompeii," -will be screened for. the first time in Wellington. Tho-pieturp is at present in Auckland, where its success is most pronounced. The film is 7000 ft. long, and will therefore occupy the -whole of- tlio: programme. The pictorial representation is said faithfully to follow. • the main' incidents.Fof'-LyHQii-AO.-omaupe-dealing: with tlio'Captiva-tiin; love story- . of his'hero and', heroine-,■ Glauousr :.aiid '. lone, and .picturing• all tho.' atress ofthe period to • which. the early ..'Christians were subjected in "Rome." Many of the spectacles contained _in; the film are described as awe-inspiring and bewildering, These include reproductions of "The, Storm "in the- Mountains," "Tho Temple of Isis," "The Egyptian Priests in" Conflict with Early Christians,-' "The Sign of-the Cross," "The Croat Circus Ensemble" (in which are seen .50" mounted gladiators and 15lions, tigers, etc.),. "The Vengeance of Vesuvius," "The ..Appalling. Eruption, and Disaster of A.D. 79," and "Tlio Destruction of Pompeii." . This last, section, which pictures the historic eruption •:and shows 'the :. burial of Rome's gay seaside resort- beneath a shower of' - fiery ashes and boiling mud, is described as wonderful' in its realism. "The Last Days of'Pompeii'' will be screened to- special music."- The, present-season-is limited to six' nights. Box plans are now open at the King's Theatre, and seats may bo booked for any evening o'f the' season. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. ■ Tho Empress Theatro Continuous Pictures'were abundantly patronised yesterday afternoon an/I evening when-an • nnpronrioto and enjoyable programme of historic, scenic, educational, and travel items'was presented. A.now programme will be introduced to-dav -and to-nirdit whon'the "feature"' will:'bo- an A.B: society drama "Diversion." This described as a skilfully conceived story artistically .interpreted.-.and;magnificent-ly staged. It will.be supported by "Tlio Revolutionist" (Lubin drama), "A House in Suburbia" (Vitagraph "mas''Constructing a. Dam at Burrihjuck" (a'great. Australian enginoerin;; feat), "Tommy's Terrible Tricks" (Patho comedy),'and others. THE BRITANNIA THEATRE. An attractive Christmas programmo was screened...at. the new continuous picture theatre,' "The Britannia," yesterday. There was a fine Biblical drama, "Tho Life of 'Moses,", while "The Prodigal's Return" Was an interesting and .appropriate- subject. Today's holiday' attractions arc announced to commence'at 10'a.m.'.' The principal item oil the programme is an exciting drama entitled'"A Wild Ride." Tho story tells of'tho family' of M'Graws, who live in ii wild region of Smith Africa, and arc attacked by Zulus. They aro in a desperate, position When Flor-' onco M'Graw, escaping through a window, manages to reach her favourite' ostrich, and on the back of this wonderful bird has an exciting rido whilo on her mission for help. Sho roaches a military station, and her family are rescued just in time. - Other films to be screened, aro "Art v. Music," a comedy by the popular Lubin Company; "The Slave," a powerful drama; "A Carnival .at Nice"; "The Latest Topical Gazette,',' and a comedy-drama, "Bringing a Husband to Time." Popu- ■ lar music Is supplied by the Britannia Orchestra. ' '• '