ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1978, 7 February 1914, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. THE OPERA HOT)SE. ? "Tho Chocolate Soldier," as presented by tho Ne\y Comic Opera. D'anipaijy, was witnessed by a lai-go audience at tho Opera Howso last night. Ms'SS Ftarenco Young, as Madina, ugiih wet'it through the pioco in a. vivacious manner, and was especially good in. the musical number "My Hero." Miss Dorothy Brunton, as Maschn, alternately flirted with everybody* and made itiisdiietY and Mr, Phil Smith proved an irresistible kughto'raiser as Casimar Popoft. A strong chorus made the pieco go with much, vim. "The Chocolate Soloier" will lie again presented this evening, wheii, the season closes. ~ HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ''Amateur trials" were continued at His Majesty's Theatre last- night, when a doiMm young men essayed to -tym. favour with' a largo audience. Oil the whole a good showing was. made by tho competitors, and. thd audience, received their efforts with much more- sympathy . .than was displayed *?n Thursday night. In only about three instances Were tho singers "collate! oiit," and thcro was a raarked absence of that orOr-exubcr-aiieo of footing which feds'its onjy outlet itt throwing discarded, remnants of vegetable matter on the heads of tho orchestra, in lieu of thfl stage. : The first amateur was fairly at homo, and' rendered a ploasmg Scotch song in a manner, which warranted his being heard to tho aid. Such good fortune did not meet the efforts of a young . Maori, who, self-accompanied., sang a song of welcomo to H.M.S. New 'Zea- i land, in his ow)i language. Ho persevered to undue lengths;' and it was -no doubt a happy release to both audience, and singer when tho curtain was gently dropped in front of him. Ho was followed by a young mail with good intentions,' hot suffering from execssivo nervousness, who attempted to sing j "Rosmiii' in tho Gloaming." Hi* ivss fairly comfortable till his came to tho I womb "With My Lassie by My Side," I but the.ro shyness overte-ok'Miji, and ht> • left tho stage accompanied, by tho good humoured banter of the' crowd. Tho ■ best attempt waß mado by Mr. Chas. Harrison, who -sapg "The DcathW Army." The sentiment appealed to the audience-, and thrt singer was declared an easy winner. To-night Mr. Harrison will sing off with Mr. E. J. Houston, tho winner of the trials on Thursday night. The winner will bs given a, trial week at His Majesty's Theatre, and ; tho second man will take- a prize of £2 2s. . ,■■■*■ : "KING OF THE AIR," On Monday night, at the King's theatre, tho management will introduce for tho first timo hero the 6000 ft, pictttreplay "King of the Air./' asserted to bo the greatest of all modern photo dramas, Its powerful story deals with nigh life in Paris at tlto present period., and skilfully woven in, until they become part and parcel of tho plot, arc many lip-ta-d'ato novelties and speetacular episodes, In the .Bourse of a Parisian ball., incidental to tho .play, tho .most dis-' cussed dance in. the world to-day, "The Tango," is performed at great length with, strict attention to detail by '"The French Tango Kings," who are credited with being the original and the ablest exponents of this last balUroohi eraze< Special music fl'lß bo used in this connection, and go realistically is the dance shown that it might he learned from tho screen. A striking. Section pietux-eB tho actual aeroplane race far the [Aviation. ■ Derby, from Paris to Holland and hack,. .tho competitors finishing by twice circling tho Eiffel 'Tower, Tho country flown over, is ' reproduced with wonder-': i'nl effect by a. camera, carried in. .06.6 of the planes. So fast do tho ae'rc>pia.noS . ■ travel. .that:it-is.;said_.cspriiss trains_axo_: rp&ssed as'jf-standing still. -The; ..hero contests this race, ..and w'h.on leading, within .200 yds. of tiro winning post; flie apex of sensatifiij is.- reached when Jii.s . aprppjano.collapses a,nd falls, to. the earth,' to/become a": complete, wreck. "King of tho Air" finishes a season at' ;Auekland .to-night, and tho' manager ment states .that its popularity there was so great that hundreds were refused admission. Box plans aro open at the Dresden, and intending patrons are advised to book early. THE BRITANNIA TTiIATttE. ! ."The, Black 13," a highly sensational p ; eturej is tlio "staj" item ni the I Britannia Theatre, It is the tale of a j detective's pluck and endurance in tiro 1 pursuit of a gang of criminals. He 'Succeeds in catching them all, but. hot- until,:! enough sensation lias, been included in the chaso to suit the most ardent lover of 'sensationalism. Another film which is highly amusing "Theso Troublesome Tress.es'," in which John Bunny ■a-ppsars,' "Patho's Gazette," and other . subjects make up a strong programme. EMPRESS THEATRE. , frt tho Empress Theatre; "Gilt-Edge Stock," a Kalem drama, is the principal; attraction, and deals with the. death of ■ a bogus, stock-seller, who. trios to tako advantage of 0.110 of his clients, a. young lady. She shoots him in self-defence, and her fiance, who sees her come froni tho broker's office, takes tho blame' oft. himself. Everything is righted by the dying man.. "Prisoners of War" .and "'Sis Sister's K'ds" aro good films en the programme. . PAUL DtJFAULT SEASON.' The series of concerts-to bo given, .hy Paul Dufault, tho popular Canadian, tenor, wilt open at the Town Hall next Wednesday; tho remaining three conCerts will bo given at tho Opera House on the following Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, During his association with Mme, do Cisneros and Mmc: Nordica, Paul Dti-. fault proved; his artistic capacity in a ; manner which established his reputation einong the musical pnbiio of this side of tho world. Histofc'urn to Wellington as tho bright particular star of his own company wrill bo warmly welcomed. His success during his present Now. Zealand tour js slated to have exceeded all expectations. In Ch.ristchureh,. Where a, seasoni of three' concerts had. been ■ "arranged, at tho final concert of tho three-1 tho Theatre Royal camo so far from ac- ; eommodating tiioso_ demanding adai.i's- - sion that two additional concerts were, immediately arranged for. Mr. Frederic i SMpuian-, the tenor's manager, is renrranging the entire- Kew* Zealand toiir ! to alkw foi - a longer season than was originally mteirdcd. Tho assisting artists with Mr.' Dnfmdt arc Miss Paailiho Bi.udlpy, sopraivo] Ernest Toy, violinist;! and Harold Whittle, pianist. The bos plans will opeiv at tho Dresden, nest Monday morning, / ■. GEORGE WILLOXJGHBY DRAMATIC COMPANY. 1 Mr. George WilloUghby, of the. j Adolphi, Sydney, and Princess Theatres, Melbourne, is sending »airo.thcr of his companies to tho Dohiinion. It will; malio its appearaneo irt the Opera Hoirso I 011 Monday, February, IG, and will play j for. a Rcasoii of nine nights. The- com- i pauy is hoaded by tlrat WcH-kuown arlist Mr, George. Cross: Miss : Vo.r'a , Re.inco is tho loading lady, and they are said tQ ho well siip.p.arted by one of tlin finest conihinationi? Mr. Willoug.hb.v has yet sent to the Dominion. Tho . opening piece will ho. "Tho Beggar Girl's Wedding," a play of London life,' described as full of tragedy, comedy, sentiment, and sonsatioii, AH the scenery and appurtenances will bp brought, so as to present the" drama in ■its entirely, and in tho same stylo of completeness t>s was done in Sydney. The scenic effects are all painted by John S. Mann. "The Beggar Girl's, Wedding" is stated to lift a ploy that ' talks to the andhncc at ..once, anil : grips both young and ohl man Awl women from, tho rise- to the fall.of the eurtaii'i. Tlig. box plan will gpnn 011. Thursday nest nt thoDresrlejii SUfl,da,, julo tlokots.'will. he obhinahlo. at Carißtsioa'iL