ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1986, 17 February 1914, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

:—eHIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A number of excellent new turns wero prosontcd at His Majesty's Theatre last night, and the Royal 'Banzai Family made a welcome reappearance.'' Welsh and Ciubasse, ■ announced a", "laughmakers from the legitimate," appeared 1 »., a starring engagement, presenting Wilton Welsh's original 'sketch, 1 1.1 ill • Man M" 811 '* c °py Arcll '- bald It was certainlv an amusing and original sketch, and quite caught on. Ilie two talented artists string long line of amusing incidents around tho delinquencies of one Archibald. Tho Royal Banzai Family, one of the mosttalented groups of Japinese entertainers in the world, showed to great advantage. A gorgeous Eastern stage setting, and rich costumes of silks and velvets prepossessed the audience in their favour. Sensational and risky turns were given by the different members of the troupe in quick succession, till 0310 became amazed at their daring. As equilibrists and pole walkers, their equal would be hard to find, and when it came to juggling the youngest member cf the troupe, on her upturned feet, one of 'the lady members shoved herself inimitable. One of tho most daring tricks was that of climbing to the top 6f a ladder lail horizontally on the top cf another ladder, which was balanced on the feet of one of the lady acrobats. This one of *he family did m the coolest manner,' while the orchestra and front.stalls gazed with slight trepidation as ho climbed higher and higher. A rope stretched from tho dress circle to the stage was used for another act, in which' one of tho Japaneso climbed up, .tight-rope ftishion, and then 'slid rapidly back to the stage. Throughout the turn was sensational and interesting. -Howard's bears and dogs made a first appearance,' and went through many diverting tricks, such as riding in perambulators, see-sawing, roller skating, etc. The animals showed that they were trained tea high state of efficiency, ..and thotimi was greatly appreciated. Many of the old favourites appeared to make-up an excellent programme. The turns will ho presented again this evening. The Royal Banzai Family is appearing throughout this week only. . THE KING'S THEATRE. There is no single picture which stands out vory prominently in the change programme screened, at the King's 'i'heatro last evening, but it is of even quality.-throughout and contains a number of interesting and entertaining items. It attracted a largo attendance.on tho first night of its presentation. Besides, a varied selection cf picture dramas and comedies, the programme includes a number of. excellent New Zealand pictures taken at Wellington and elsewhere. Yachting on tho local harbour on Anniversary day provides one capital ; subject, and glimpses are given also of the early settlers' gathering at Newtown Park and of the Austarlia v. Auckland cricket match. Still another New -Zealand picture —a very fine specimen of its kind — illustrates the production of butter in all its phases. "What Shall it Profit a Man" is a pithy drama with a striking moral. It deals; with the'fortunes of a man.who attempts to cheat his business partner by'a shabby trick and is overtaken by well-merited retribution which quickly brings him to repentance. Pathetic charm is -Jie leading characteristic of another drama "Under tho Daisies," which deals with the" unhappy fate of a young girl who is strangely avenged, after'her death, upon the scoundrel who had made her life miserable. The story tells of a diamatio critic who is left a large legacy on condition' that ho does not marry until he is thirty-five. =vWhile vacation ho inectiri-'aif'gir-h'i\\hb : ili,hfe vl jfi-' duces to follow him to the city, but ho puts pff his marriage with her'on' the plea, .that it would entail loss of his'ioiv 'tune. Neglect,, and- tragedy- soon.- follow,, and the poor girl eventually goes away brokenhearted,to die amidst, tho Ecenes in which she first met her faithless lover. By a peculiar,chain of circumstances tho latter sees the whole miserable story: re-enacted before his eyes in a stage production and the spec-' taole of his own perfidy and its result so oppress him with remorse, .that, he makes an end of his life. Pictures in liappier .vein also find a place in the programme. "When Glasses are not Glasses," and ■ "Heinzo's Resurrection" are both laughable comedies'. Routino life in the'ltalian ,Na'v-y is interestingly pictured in another film, and the "G»umout Graphic'' is informative in its presentation of topical events. The same pictures will be screened this evenivg and on following, nights this week.

THE, EMPRESS THEATRE. At the. Empress Theatre (continuous pjatures). yesterday there wa.s presented with tho new programme, as an additional draw, the athletic', study "Georges Carpentier v. , Bombardier 'Wells,", illustrating;the training methods of those two world-famed athletes, and their contest for the heavy-weight championship, of -Europe and a purso of £'4000... The great event took place at the National Sporting Club, London,-' last December. Tho film is being' screened only four times daily, as fol-lowv-12.30. p.m., 1.30 p.m., G. 30 p.m., and 6.30 p.m. Carpentier is seen in preparation at his quarters near Paris, wliile Wells is shown similarly engaged at Selsoy, England. The scene on the occasion of the contest is a remarkable, one. The spectators are fashionably attired, and among many titled-people present is Lord Lonsdale, who rises and greets Carpentier as he enters tho ring. When the gong sounds for'the start, Avolls assumes a more upright .pose than his adversary. The olimax is unexpected and sensational. The-spec-tators are bewildered, but Carpentier's friends rush towards him and enthusiastically kiss him. On recovering from tho first shock of his defeat, Wells addresses the gathering from the. centre of the ring, but it. is some time before the excitement subsides. The regular change of programme introduces a '■(feature" drama, "A Son" of His Father," a Western drama, by the Lubin Company, tho screening of which occupies over half an hour! "Her Husband and My Wife" ,'Taiinhouser feature comedy); "Scenes in Calcutta" (scenic), and "Tho Altena Sisters" (vaudeville act). The contributions by the Empress full orchestra last evening included selections from "The Belle of New York." "Carpentier v. Wclis" will be presented again to-day (during the day time only).

!) THE BRITANNIA THEATRE. There is a very interesting programme at the Britannia Theatre just now.' The chief film is entitled "T.ic Snartnn Girl of the AY est," nn American drama, with ample of the cowboy element in it. The story is that of a certain stranger on the ranch who captivate* the favourite girl of the locality. This much disgusts the cowboys, one in particular. This young rustic's overtures aro rejected by tho girl, whoso infatuation with the stranger leads to considerable- heartburning. Tho cowboy discovers Hio strange'r gambling heavily one day, and tells the girl. She scornfully oasts asido the advice of her, friend, but decides to test the stranger. Next morning finds her at daybreak watching the cattle. Soon she sees the cattle thief at work —the thief who lias been a sourco of trouble for sometime. She chases and wounds him. Coining up with tlio escapee, she snatches tho mask from his face, and there stands revealed before her her lover. For love's sake she shields him, and at great peril at length' brings about Ms escape, charging Mm to "go, and forget." Among tho other pictures aro: "In. the 'Dark" (comedy), "Greater. Love"' (drama), "Modem Steel I'buit" (industry), "Bowlers' Duel." "Summer in . tho North," "Latest Tonical Gazette."