ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1953, 9 January 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

.. « _ THE EMPRESS 11IEATOE. Of tho new subjects shown at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yestorday tho most notablo . is tiic A.U. Company's 'feature" drama, "No Place for Fatj.ier." It relates of. a father's devotion for his" son. Tired of the country town,' thq son longs to try his fortune, in the. city.. His old father writes a'recommendation'to a friend, in the city, and thus tho son get« a good startin life. He prospers and marries a society belle. His father happens to call on the sou just as a big ball is being hold in -tho letter's mansion. The son is ashamed of his father's shabbinoss, and tho old man is turned away from the dow. '.(Jetting, into fast company, the son becomes heavily in debt, and hoping to save himself he commits embezzlement. The old father, on learning of.his son's predicament, niakes Rood the stolen money, and thus rescues his boy from disgrace. The old man then sadly passes out of his son's life. _ Tho acting is impressivo, mid tho play' is splendidly mounted. "The Double Ghase," a Lubin comedy-drama, deals with a boyish and girlish love story.'which develops into' an adult'reality. There is an acceptable offering by the Gaumont Company in the shapo of a stirring drama,."The Pointsman's Daughter." Tho remaining items include, "A Cure, for Suffrao,e'ttb.s" (A.B. farce-comedy), and "Gettimr, tho Best of Dad" (Lubin comedy. The Empress full orchestra contributed a new programme of music very acceptably. ' HIS MAJESTY'S-THEATRE. • Mr. Henri French, tho artist who docs amazing balancing [ acts on one wheel, is the star attraction in the'eurrent programme at His Majesty's Theatre. Other performers who. have • interesting entertainment to,offer ;are Carlton Max, a ventriloquist with a versatile dummy, and two,' American whistlers, .Jewell and, Jordan. . THE KING'S THEATRE. ' The representation of the big fight in tho American Civil War, "The.Battlo of, Gettysburg," is the chief attraction at tho'King's Theatre .for, this-week.- The great battle has been ./well for tho picture machine, and the story of the well-known incidents of the famous fight are well reproduced. The supporting films; on the: programme' comprise a. good selection.' : ' To-morrow. ■ afternoon•,, a. - special matinee for school-children and others will be.held,.'when, special. • redactions will.bo made'.for admission. ~ ' .. ' BRITANNIA THEATRE! .; The feature of yesterday's excellent change of bill at the Britannia Theatre is'a' charming Vitagrapli.drama entitled "The .'.Way to Happiiipss."-' Quite different from the ordinary drama, which tells generally of the worst side of one or. two of tho main persons in the plot, this drama relates how a'young society lady, disturbed by "ennui," forsakes' her life of idleness and'visits the slums in an endeavour to do something for her fellow creatures. There she meets a twin soul in the shaDo of Alfred Wallace, a mission worker. ?Tlie two continue.in their good work of making'happiness for others, and are rewarded by gaining for themselves happiness in matrimony. Tho Gaumont Company is represented on the programme by a powerful. drama entitled "The Living Doll," while one of the : popuplar Keystone comedies, .''The Speed Kings," is immensely funny. Other films are:' "Sport in .Merry England." "The Blind Miner'' (Vita, drama),' "Hall Caino at Home." and the latest number of the English Gazette. THE "SMART SET." • • Programmes of exceptional merit are promised at the-Opera, House on Monday next and the' following' evenings, by' the clever and versatile combination, The "Smart Set," who gavo a most successful season hero some months ago, and .arc.now-paying a return and farewell season prior to'their departure for India, China, and Japan, which countries are engaging the company's attentions for somo eighteen months to come., During' the brief Wellington season new musical oddities, pleasant songs,' melodious refrains, smart concerted numbers, and ventriloquial turns will be introduced bv those merrymakers, Mr. Edward Elliott and his partner, "Sunshine James," and "new character sketches by Miss Georgie Martin. Messrs. Walter George and Maynard Dakin. On the occasion of tho present- visit, a revised edition of Edward Elliott's "Kia Ora," the New Zealand will he presented; introducing topical and political events of. the day—a burlesque on everything that- has napnened, or likely ,to happen, in New Zealand. .The box plan is at the' Dresden." MR. JOHN. M'CORMACK. To-night,- in, the Opera House, Mr. John M'Cormack gives tho first of his two Wellington concerts. Exceptionally heavy booking has been registered, and a crowded,house is already assured. A very fine programme has .been arranged for this, evening, and Mr.M'Cormack's famous tenor voice should bo heard to the greatest- advantage.'<: Tho opening number will be Mozart's "U.n Aura Amorosa" ("Cosi' Fan Ttitte"), and tho other numbers will include: "Who Is Sylvia" (Schiibert), J'ai pleure en rove" (Hue), and; "Mother, o' Mine" (ToursV A feature of tho programme will he the Irish songs." "The Minstrel Boy." "The Next Market Day," and "The Lagan Love Song.'" Miss May Huxley, the talented yonns English sobrann. will sing "Caro Nome" (from Verdi's "Rigoletto"), "Deh Vieni nnii T.irdnr" (Mozart). "Ouvres tes Yuex Blenx" (Maseuet), "Ferryman Loye" (Oscar Borsdorf). and "A'Birthdav"(Cowen)..' Mr. Donnld M'Beat-h. tlvi violinist, will plav Ries's "Adagio.". H:\"del's "Arioso." and Van Goens's "Scherzo." and will he pssreiat»d with Mr. O'Brieir-(pianist) in Beethoven's "Rondo," from Sonata in D. The box plan is at the Dresden, and da-v sale's may be had at Cliristeson's. The final concert is announced-for to-mprrow. "THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS." The picture entitled. "The Shadow nf the Cross" ig now on view in Harcourt's Rooms. Panama Street. Tho painting in daylight is.a life-sion picture of tho Christ walking in t-hV Garden of Gothsemane. In the exhibition tho lights are turned down occasionally, and in the centre of the picture is -seen in ' pale outline tho Christ bearing tho cross. It is a most peculiar mid interestini; phenomenon, and the picture is at-. • troctinft considerable attention here, as ' it has in other cities where it has been exhibited. ! COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT. Tho citizens of Wellington, headed by ■ his Worship the. Mayor, are promoting a I complimentary benefit in-the Town Hall ' on January 21. in recocnifion of the valuable services rendered by the late Mr. Henry Fletcher in social and musical circles in Wellingtondurint; the past ten years. Many_ leading_ performers have signified their intention of assist- ) ing at the eoncert, the result of which . should enable the committee to hand • over to Mrs. Fletcher a handsome sum. A charge of 2s. will be made all oyer • the hall, and tlioso desirous of obtaining tickets may do so at the Dresden, whore scats can bo reserved without- extra charge. Anyone desirous of helping in tho'movement by selling tickets may ob lain them either at tho Dresden or from Mr. James Dvkes. of Messrs. Gualter, Dvkes and Co., Foatherston Street, Wellington. '