ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2170, 8 June 1914, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Fred. C. Hagiin and Company repeated tlicir "Pool Room" sketch to an appreciative audience on Saturday evening. Other items, including tli'o lightning-change poseur (Lo W'ittc), RcJlemi (the musician), and the animated doll act were also well received. New turns to appear to-night include "Ware and Norwood," America's premier athletes, and Lyons and Cullum, versatile entertainers from America. Bailey's wonderful dogs will bo seen again to-nighfc in new poses, including D'Arcoy's masterpiece, "Rock of Ages." "THE (WRECK.'" To-night, at tho King's Theatre, will ho the occasion of the initial exhibition in Wellington of tho latest Vitafirapli special star feature drama "Tho wreck,' to be shown in 3000 ft. of motion pictures. ■ It is promised that during tho unfolding something wonderful in tho shape of realism will bo disclosed. Tho sensational happenin" which occurs towards the end of the Play is an actual head-on collision between two express trains, an effect never before attempted. Tho cost of this _ achievement is given as £10,000. TMigmes, trains, and paraphernalia had to bo bought, land purchased, and a ''a'lnay constructed, after which tho difficulties of stage management had to bo contended with, for both trains had, by the necessity of the plot of the story, to carry many passengors. All difficulties however, surmounted, and, at the appointed place in the drama, tho trains dash into each other with such terrific forco that both are reduced to wreckage. The film spectacle is said to be so vivid as to bo almost indistinguishable from reality.

"JUDITH OF BETHUUA." At tho Empress Thoatro to-day and to-night thoro will bo presented publicly, for the first time in any part of tho world, the A.B. Company's huge photoplay "Judith of Bethulia." It ;s reported that this production marks a new era in a spectacular dramagraph. both from the stupendous nature of the work and the brilliancy of the effects. Headed by Miss Daphne Wayne, tho leading lady, the A.B. Company's players, journeyed to Jerusalem, wfo>ro tho drama was enacted, amidst realistic scenes characteristic of the Holy Land. The plot is taken from the Book of Judith, in the Apocryhpa, the period being about 600 years before .Christ. Holofernes, tho Assyrian ' general, led an army of 120,000 men through Palestine, conquering and devastating. Ho turned his attention to Jerusalem, but on approaching Bethulia, the fortified outpost, ho met wtih opposition that barred his progress.' Tho walls wero stormed, hut the attackers were repulsed, and Holofernes then laid seigo to tho place with a view to starving out tho inhabitants. It was'then that the patriotism of Judith, the most beautiful woman in Behulia, caused her to come to tho rescue in heroic manner. The production includes the grand march past of tho Assyrian army, tho storming of the walls, a charge of chariots, and a mystical ballot, "The Dance of the Fishes." The management announces that, owing to tho groat 'cost of the film and condition of pnrchaso it has beon necessary to readjust tho prices of ad-' mission.

THE DANDIES. "Tho Dandies" continue to make more fr.iends with their entertainments at tho Town Hall, and Saturday night's performance was ono of the most attractive yet given by this versatile troupe. Mr. George Taylor's witty songs . aro greatly appreciated, while Miss Linda Bradford is a strong.favourite. Tho tango dancing of Mr. Taylor and Miss Naomi M'Quoin is also a strong feature on tho bill. "CHARLEY'S AUNT." Tho special and final performance of the laughablo comedy, "Charley's Aunt," by the dramatic section of the Now Zealand Natives' Association took place at tho Opera House on Saturday evening. .The house was crowded in every part, and tho laughter and applause testified to tho success of tho performance.