ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2125, 17 April 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GRAM) OPERA HOUSE, . To-night "A Day at the Races' 1 will bo presented for the last time. Tomorrow evening, for four nights only, the musical travesty "The Grafters/' will be staged. So popular was this burlesque said to have been in Australia that for upwards of six months it drew crowded audiences at. tho King's Theatre, Melbourne, and tho Palace Theatre, Sydney, and hi Adelaide and Brisbane it proved equally successful. It is said to be crowded with many captivating musical and' comedy dance features. Amongst the most notable musical numbers aro "Geo, We're Having Lovely Weather," "Wouldn't It Bo « Dream," "I'm Crazy After You," "Simple Quaker Maid," "I'm tho Constable," "Big Chief' Smoke," "Dixie Moon," "San Francisco, 1915," etc. A unique innovation will'be. the introduction of "The Evolution of the Tango," introducing dances from 1685 to 1915. The plans aro at tho Dresden, where a very large sale of seats has boon recorded.

A large booking has been recorded for the Tango Tea Matinee to-morrow after--noon at 3 o'clock. Alt the principals will appear in up-to-date song novelties, 'The Grafters" quartet will render bright musical numbers, End Miss ElaiiWi Ravensbcrg and the Lancaster trio will appear in an operatic scena entitled •Voices From Gipsyland," in costume. In addition to the various gown parades a new version of the tango will be danced by Miss Vera Lindstrom and Mr. J. Crosby, whilst the Frisco Rag and other novel dances will bo executed by the company. Afternoon tea will Deserved in the foyer and the auditorium, and the success of the company's Tango leas in Australia should be a safe augury for their' success here.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tlio Juggling Normans remain the supreme attraction at His Majesty's Theatre. There have been Indian club jugglers in plenty in Wellington before, but the Normans top all other standards m an act that is positively 'electrical, as well as highly picturesque. Other good acts are provided by Woodward and Page, Biff and De Arao. the Lee Chandlers, and Mantell's Marionettes.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Last night saw another crowded house at tbo King's Theatre.-attracted bv the popularity of the star picture, "Napoleon," aud the exceptional merit of tiiu pictures composing what is unquestionably one of the strongest programmes yet submitted. A splendid film which fincb> immense favour with pawons is "His Majesty the Baby,"> a wonderful study of child and dumb animal. life. Another of special interest is the yachting picture, "White Wings at Wellington." There will bo the usual full programme matinee on Saturday afternoon at 2.30, when "His Majesty the Baby" will be much in evidence.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE, The change of programme at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday included tho Gelio Company's sensational "feature" drama, '"Ihe i'ellow Jack." Tho central figures are a wealthy old man and his two nephews, Charles Lebet and Dr. Gewgo 'Lfibet. Malvoiso, ail apache, suddenly develops "yellow jack" (yellow fever), and 'is taken to the hospital, whore he is successfully treated" by Dr. George Lebet. When Malvoise is cured he tells the doctor that lio will always be ready to do anything tho doctor wishes, as evidence of gratitude for the doctor's kindness. The doctor subsequently finds himself in serious financial straits through fast living, and schemes to .cause lias uncle's' death and to have bis cousin Charles ' arrested for'tho old man's murder. Tho doctor calls on the apache to kill tho uncle, and Malvoise agrees : to carry out his promise. Charles, in tho meantime, is refused monetary assistance by his uncle for the exploitation of a patent, and they part after a- heated argument. Later on tho body of tho uncle- is discovered, and circumstantial evidenco points to Charles as tho causo of his uncle's death. A detective finds some bloodstains on a broken window, which ho takes to an- analytical chemist, who discovers that the blood is frow a person who still retains sonio vellow fever germs in his 'system. The friendship between Dr. George Lebet and tho apache-is traced, and, becoming aware that ho is being watched, the apache endeavours to escape, but 'is promptly followed by the detective, Au A-cit-mg pursuit introduces mam- remarkable episodes, and in the end justice triumphs and Charles is exonerated. The remaining items include;. "Vaccinating -the Village" (Kalem "star" com*dv), Scenes in Samarang" (Melies' travel study), "Simple Simon's Narrow Escape (Gaumont comedy), and "Saigon" (Eclair natural colour scenic).

'■ ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY. A benefit concert in aid of the sufferers bytho recent Hutt disaster is to be given in tho Town Hall on Tuesday next by tho Royal Wellington Choral Society. the society's chorus wilt - give choico items from "Messiah/ - ' "Elijah."- and "Maritana." Mr. Christian Heikraiaim will preside at tho organ, and Mr: Frank Amsdcn will conduct. Mr.. W. H. Bowman, the*'champion cornet player of Now Zealand, will play "The Last Chord," with grand organ and piano accompaniment. ■ Miss iMiiia Caldow. amo-nast other items,, will sing the recitativo and aria from "Samson and Delilah," "Q Love from Thy Power" ; Mr. Wakicnrar Eiby, a now tenor to Wellington, will make his debut at this concert. For a violin solo Mr, E. B. Gilchrist is jtoing to play "Le Cyno." Two new soags wifi bo sung by Mr. Hamilton' Hodges, one being Alfred Hill's "Tangi" and the other "A Hero's Death," specially composed by Mr. Hellemann.. Members of tho chorus are asked to bring their Messiah" scores to the practice fanight, in addition to "Maritana." Tlic box plan is at the Dresden, where 3s. seats can be reserved.

LfiO, JAX,. AND MISOHEL CHWtNIAVSKV. •It is-rallicr interesting to note what the Chrislchurc.h"Press'' said six years ago about these three Ivussun instrumentalists, whose remarkable performances on the violin, piano, 'and 'cello have caused excitement, the wide world oyer. "The advent on Thursday .night of tho trio of marvollously clever .vmina •Russian instrumentalists marked a roostnotable era in musical events in Christchurch. Indeed 1 , it is not too much to say that it was, without exception, tiio finest interpretation of instrumental music wo have had. It was not only that the effect of tho combination of tho trio oF artists was marvellous in its warmth of colour and wealth of-tem-perament, but each—so jar as his particular instrument was concerned— achieved a brilliant and complete artistic success. There was h virility and power displayed in the interpretation of tho various numbers- which, when the three players were in combination, nearly resembled the volume and tone of a moderate-sized orchestra." These wonderful artists will appear hen' with Miss Mum! Allan on April '27, at tho Grand Opera House. The plans open to-day at the Dresden.