ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1966, 24 January 1914, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. "The Count of Luxembourg," that delightful ' piece of light opera, was repeated to a crowded theatre at, t''e Opera, House last night, and will . be staged again this evening. The tuneful music and,gorgeous dresses aro features of the play, whilo.tlie dancing and stage groupings are excellent.- Miss' Florence Youii" and Mr. Frank Green contribute the delightful vocal numbers, while'Jlr. sPhil Smith supplies the comedy work. "AUTUMN MANOEUVRES." On Tuesday night and the four following evenings, J. C."' Williamson's New Comic Opera Company will stage for the first time hero the gorgeously-mounted comic opera success, "Autumn Manoeuvres," which' recently created) nnfcli enthusiasm in Auckland. "Autumn Manoeuvres" was adapted for the English stago from the work .of Karl von Uaronv and D. Brodanski, by. Henry. Hamilton. The music is by Emericah Kalman. The Scenes in tho two acts take place at a military encampment at 'Ambermere Park and in Ambermere' House, and the fact that it is a militaryplay, with a strong dash of sentiment and humour, and With an abundance of delightfully tuneful' and melodious music,' is; doubtless'.responsible' for its' success. Captain-. Frank Falconer (Frank Greene) would have possessed Ambermere had'not ;his father mortgaged the property'to Alix's (Florence Young)' father; "who compelled his daughter to giro up aiiy idea of marrying Falconer upon his ccasiiig to bo heir to the estate. Hence, when tho 12th Hussars come to encamp ill Ambcrmoro Park for their autumn manoeuvres, Falconer decline's to be friends with his former fiaucofy or. even to_ cross her threshold, promising to yield himself up as a prisoner if ho should do so. A 1 ix, umartly taking advantage of an attack on the :camp by another company, - so plays her cards that Falconer, failing to have certain commands out by his officers,'rushes into, the house to discover the reason,- and so falls into tho trap. There is" said'to bo a'pleasant Sulliranesquo touch in Kalman's music. Reginald Roberts has a part to portray which, it js said, .will show the popular tenor at 'his' very best. Miss I 1 lorence Young l arid Frank' Grceno have some magnificent music allotted to their roles, and as Juno Ppmeroy,. Dorothy Brunton will be seen in slier- best character. Phil Smith as Captain Withers of the Broadside Territorials is said to be screamingly funny. [ Messrs. Robert Whyte, jun., Victor Prince,; Charles Albert, and Celia Ghiloni have congenial roles to portray, and a feature of •' tho 'produtcion is the Romany Ballet,' which features Ylasta Novotna, . tho . fascinating Russian Sancer, and diaries Albert. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The Franco Midgets, with their conjuring and tricks, 'are very amusing, and form one'of tho attractions of tho current programme. at His Majesty's Theatre. A daring acrobatifc turn is' put on by Leo and Lionel, while the Eastern dances of Huiitress are exceptionally good. Hamon and Alton, Leonard Nelson, Straubb Sisters, and Creamer and Arnold are. other artists a'ho provide good turns. . "THE : STUDENT OF PRAGUE.'' At tho; King's Theatro on Monday evening there , ~will . bo; screen-, ed for tho .first time in 'Wellington one of'.tho .most recent, of big "star" creations of the kinematograph, "Tho Student.-,of, Pragtio'.' on VA- Deal with Satan.'.'.., Ow.ing to-its,groat length —4600ft.r:the. whole of the. second part the jaJoije.,,. The dramji' ij psypologicat'.a'nd "mysterious ordejr, and,its .initial .appearance in Berlin and on tho Continent, is stated to have armised "much' interest ind created discussion. .It is claimed for the film that, it contains iriaiiy unusual secfcions, which stand'as tlie most bewildering and best achievements in the subtle art of,, dftubte.. photography yet attained. A contemporary, writing in niticism, states:, " 'The Student of Prague" "is, 'without doubt,' tho most remarkable production'ever presented, to' an English cinema audience. Not only is the setting picturesque, : but tho illusion of- realism is accentuated by tho appropriateness' 'of each and every background and-auxilliary.: 1. There is a fiii? choice, of supporting films, _ a' notable'picture amongst thenr being "A Doll for Baby," a Y'itagraph drama of the Western ; Pr;airio. 'flic King's Orchestra, will officiate as usual. Box plans are .at 'the'JDr.esden. '. '..- 1 THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The concluding sessions of the present programme of the Empress' Theatre coi> tinuous pictures'. aro announced for today and to-night. Tho principal, subject is the A.B. Company's sensational "feature", drama,. "The Blue or tho Grey?" a story of tho American Civil War. Deserving of, special praise also are: "Old Moddington's Daughters" (Vita'graph Company's Wild West com-cdy-drama),, "The Moonshiner's Task" (Comet Company's stirring story of illicit whisky distillers), "Highland Waterfalls" (scenic), "Fatty Joins the Force" (Keystone farce-comedy), and "Bloomer, Gladiator" (Cines burlesque). A new series .will be introduced on Mond:iy.. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Call," - a stirring American 'drama, heads the list at- the Britannia Theatre. It is exceptionally well acted,' and shows';how a guilty man's conscience leads to his undoing.. Supporting films include: "On tho Broad Stairway," "How Philmy Won His Sweetheart,". .'lMirtli and .Mystery," "Study rif -Flowers,'.'.' and the latest "Pat-lib Gazette." , •. . ' WIELAERT-PECHOTSCH COM BIN A- _■ TION. An opportunity -wilt .be given at tho Town. Hall,-this evening of hearing the Wielaort-Pcchotsch combination, which is reported to be. an-.'njj-round . highlvtajented ■ -Every artist,, it. is said,.has been beforij itlie public in.various parts of the world, and has "niade good" with New Zealand audiences". The company recently concluded a season of two weeks at the Auckland Town Hall and a'week at.'the Exhibition. Madame Wielaert . is a. soprano', whoso .great ability and interpretative power, it is claimed, place.her in a particularly high position in the rendering of the .works of the greatest composers. ..To-night she will give Beethoven's vocal masterpiece, "Ah, Pe'rfido," a most descriptively .dramatic composition. Hcrr rechotsch,.whoso ability as a violin virtuoso preceded him here from London, will to-night give Mendelssohn's famous "Concerto." Theso two artists will give other numbers also, arid Miss Mabel Seccombe. contralto, Mr. Thomas Harris,, entertainer and elocutionist, Herr Wielaert, solo pianist (conductor of tlie Auckland Orchestral Society), and Madame Pechotsch will contribute to a programme of exceeding merit. MYSTIC PICTURE CLOSES TO-DAY. Tho Wellington season of tho romarkr ablo painting "The Shadow of tho Cross," will conclude to-day, when-Mr. Kilpatrick. will keep tho studio in Halcourt's Buildings, Panama Street, open from 11 to 1 and 2 to 5 o'clock. On Monday tho picture will bo taken to Auckland, tho last stago in the New Zealand tour.