ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2185, 25 June 1914, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE KENNEDY FAMILY. The final concert of the Kennedy Family was given in Wellinnion. la.st evening, ; and those people who have not availed themselves of the opportunities of heaiing this gifted family have missed performances that were well worth going some distance to hear, lhcir programmes have boon full of variety, brightness, musieianly feeling and skill, and their versatility is qv ito amazing, as tlio instrumentalists scorn to bo equally at home with mandolin, mandola, cornet, guitar, and flute, as well a3 the violin and 'cello. Ihc audience last evening were very enthusiastic, not ovn stopping short at triple Tho. programmo was practically a repetation of the ono given tlie previous evening,. with ono-or two exceptions, and again, the concerted numbers by the company, with vocal effects uy Miss Grace and Miss Fitzgerald, voro-particularly delightful. Tho violin solos, played by Mr. Keith Kennedy, Aigeunerweisen" (gipsy music), and tlio sextet from "Jjucia di .Lommcrmoor (the latter played unaccompanied) gave him excellent opportunities for displaying his fine technique, and m response to an eneoro he gave a delightful rendering of "Tho Canary." Miss Dorothy Grace ogain sang very charmingly, arid tho audience found it very hard to_ part from her, all her receiving two and sometimes three encores. Miss Rose Fitzgerald also mot with very cordial receptions, and her battle song, "The M'Greg,or's Gathering," was sung with fiiio spirit. It i 3 possible that it was chosen because of tho anniversary which yesterday celebrated—that of the battle of Culloden, fought many years ago, on June 24. Naturally'for this she was encored, as for all her other, songs- later in the evening. - ; The. ducts by Miss Dorothy Grace *ith Mr. Lance Kennedy, and 1 with Mi"ss Fitzgerald, wcro also very enjoyable. Mr. Laurie Kennedy againdelighted'overybue with his 'cello playing, and a second hearing of tho. quaint, old world "'"Chanson a boire,' with its clever suggestion, of men's voices singing, was very taking. It was full of •colour, and a curious charm. Mr. Lanco. Kennedy's fiuto playing was another'pleasant number on the pro grammo, and was thoroughly enjoyed i as also was his singing in tho duet •with Miss Dorothy Grace, and in his solo "Life." The last item on the programme was "Tho Lost Chord," which was altogether instrumental, Mr. Laurie Kennedy playing the 'cello and cornet, ■■ Mr.- Keith Kennedy the violin, and Air. Lanco Kennedy the viola, with Madamo Bertha Kennedy at the piano, where she was practically for tho whole of the evening. Undoubtedly there arc a very versatile partj of musicians. • THE DANDIES. The Dandies, who have earned a Kreat popularity during their stay in Wellington, are now nearing tho end of their season. The company has madn many friends during its stay at t-o iown Hall, and many of these will doubtless make the most of the fe* upportunities left them. A complete chaiiKo of programme is announced for to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The Merry Mannikins was perhaps the most' popular of the turns at His Majesty's. Theatre'last night, tho exceedingly clever manipulation of tho marionettes evoking considerable amusement and admiration. The clever Lamys in their sensational and novel aerial acts delighted the audience, and elicit-ed-rounds, of applause. Misses Miliar, Millie Doris, the- Gomedy 'Fourj.i Law-■ rence Hay, and Bcvan and Flint also ■ appeared, and wore well received. Altogether tho programmo is well up to the high naii-1' uller, Ltd. * .

.KING'S THEATRE. . Tho star film at the King's Theatre, '.'The Curse of War," continues to draw largo attendances. The picture is said tc have cost a largo amount to produce and it is complete in every detail, each incident .providing something serisa-i tional. Another particularly good film is "Lawyer-Quince," founded on AV. \Y. Jacobs's humorous story. Tlio plot is well carried out, and tho picture af- ■ plenty of amusement. On the scenic and educational sido "Tho Panama Canal" holds prido of place. A matinee porformanco is announced for Saturday afternoon. SHORTTS , PICTURES. The picture that is teeming with exciting incidents, that vividly. portrays n great moral and holds its spectators in a grip of dramatic suspense from be- ( gining to uitl is tho picture which is most popular with the kincmatographloving public to-day. Just such a picture is the intensely dramatic motion piny, "His Neighbour's Wife" (a 2400 feet film produced' by the Famous Player's Film Company) which is tho star item of an exceedingly attractive progranimo to be screened at Sbortte' continuous pictures, Willis Street, during this week, commencing this morning. The story is of a colonel who, tired of married life as it appears to him, contracts an intrigue with his neighbour's wife; but the latter's husband's unexpected return' her unfaithfulness. Distracted by the discover the husband acquaints the colonel's wife of tho intrigue nnd threatens to shoot the colonel, but is itaypd by r>. of the true wife to elope with him. The elopement is arranged for 10 .o'clock at; nighty but the wife is a. little late , . On arriving, attired in her husband's great coat, she is seen by the neighbour and believing her to be the coloiiel he fires. The woman staggers and falls snd- the neighbour is satisfied that his revenge is complete*. Fortunately tho wound inflicted is only a slight one, and tho wife, is able to reach her homo. The knowledge cf her sacrifice makes colonel realise .his own falseness. Happy reconciliation ends the play. Other films to be shown include: "Broncho .Wih-'s Elopement" (S. and A:), "Tho . ffirl From tho Sky," "Tho Diminishing i Cyclist"' (a novel comedy), "The Hour j of Terror" and '• V Visit to tin. Iron >' Foundry" (Lux industrial). ' THE EMPRESS THEATRE. i The leading attraction of tho new 1 programme to be presented at the Era- ! press Theatre continuous pictures to<Jay and to-night will bo .ho romantic "feature" drama, "Studio Love." I Gerald, a young artist, engages an I orphan girl, Muriel, as a model for his I studio. . Irma,. a former model, is in love I with Gerald, and as time passes Muriel also becomes enamoured with Gerald. Tho artist, however, prefers Muriel. Inna, visits the studio and comniissions Gerald to paint her portrait. When the artist is executing tho order, Irma uses all her wiles to win Gerald. Ho remains .unmoved, and Irma decides on a scheme to capture him. Muriel and Gerald get mnrned, and it is when ho leaves M? homo to take his masterpiece painting to tho exhibition that Irma carries out her scheme. The picture is attractively staged and artistically acted. There will be a varied series of supporting subjects. MISCHA ELarAtf, VIOLINIST. Tho corning of Mischa Elnian, the great violinist, will doubtless be welcomed by lovers of music. The occasion, it is stated, will stand out as a red letter day in the history of our music. Wβ have had groat singers and great pianists, but the visits of great violinists have unfortunately been few and far between. In Mischa Elman it x≤ stated wo have tho pinnacle of virtuosa and it is claimed that never in the history of great players, has one man commanded the homage of his fellow artists so completely as this Russian genius., He is said to have nil the requisites of greatness, his tech.-

nique being bewildering, and his tono t!io wqndcr of tho ngo. Two concerts in tlii.s city will be };iv<ni «m lhiirsday ami Saturday-of next week at tho Towu Hall (largo chninboi-) on July 2 and i. On each night Miseha Elmaii will piny one ol tlie lamous concertos, and ho will dip into tho choicest literature over written for the violin, including a composition of liis own each evening. Apart from the artistic vnluo of the performances hurn the educational aspect must not bo oyprlooUe:l so it will i\ot be surprising ii Ulinan repeats here his plicnomeiial sueeoss in Australia. Only two concerts can bo sivon here. Jkllle. Kva Gauthier, the brilliant French-Canadian lnezzo-so-{niiuo, will bo tho vocalist each evening; sho will render some of the classics and delve into tho popular songs of Hie. concert artist. Mr. Percy Kaiin, who occupies n prominent, position in London musical circles, will bo the pianist; he has now been witli Elniali for tho past five years. Applications for the advance booking are now being received by the Dresden Piano Company for tho I.os. Cd. seats. This enables the largo number of country peoplo who have written to. tho management for seats to have an equal opportunity with tho townsfolk of securing some, of the best scats at each concert. lOlman appears in tho other centres of tho Dominion after his season here. "the"rosary." This remarkable play will''be staged to-inorvow night for the first time in the Dominion at tho Grand Opera House. "The Rosary" is a groat play. It is great in its frank ingenuous appeal to the best that is in men and women, and in tho way it utilises moral material and works it —in its unity, its strength, and simplicity—into appealing situations. There arc critics who persist in maintaining that purpose is incompatible with art. It may bo so in unskilful combinations, but in this play there is not a moment's diversion of tnought from the gripping force of tho drama as a drama. It is an example of a. type of play which is growing in popularity, and will dignify and . populariso tho stage and make tho theatre a place, of rational and absorbing entertainment. The. story of tho play is of tho simplest. It is that of a .young millionaire who grows to doubt the faithfulness of his wife, and for a time is made tho tool ofj a scheming scoundrel posing as his friend. But watching and waiting, analysing and understanding, is a. good priest, who, by his insight and knowledge of human nature, brings about a final reconciliation. The character of ■the priest is .taken by Sir, Harrington Reynolds, the distinguished American actor, who created the character in Now York. Ho is ably seconded by Miss Jessio Arnold, tho leading lady, who essays the difficult part of enacting "Twin Sisters," and does so' so ably that many in tho audience think that there aro two playing the part. Tho rest of tho company are all members of the original cast, so a most excellent performance should bn given to-morrow night. The box plan is at the Dresden, and day- salo tickets may now be purchased at Christcson's,

OrEK'A HOUSE. "EVERYBODY'S PICTURES." Great changes have taken place or late in connection with the old Opera House—and to-day it stands out as one of the prettiest and most comfortable picture theatres in the Dominion. The main entrance in Manners Street has been very considerably enlarged, and the approach Is now a most inviting one. The dazzling army of electric lights, fine plastic and dc-corativo work, all weld together in happy nnd successful combination. The crush- : Toom at the top of the marble staircase leading to the dress circle is a most spacious promenade." Its handsome decorations aro in the new art style, Vallate'."- The' : 'cdfliifg "' is" 'elaborately' treated with hand-painted scrolls and conventional poppies, whilst the walls are panelled and show dainty, handpainted scones, floral and figure subjects, difficult to adequately, doscribe, but charming to view. The dress circle ceilings are very neatly panelled out. The old-fashioned match-boarding gives place.to the- up-to-date and moro artistic method, with chaste colouring and floral designs. The walls are of rich shades of golden brown, in imitation of a silk brocade, a margin of azuro blue, giving a striking note of colour. The upper circle has been brought up to the highest pitch of artistic comfort. It is practically a replica of tho dress circle, and is fitted with exactly similar seating. On «ach side of the upper circle a decidedly novel feature has been introduced, which fills up what would otherwise ho so much waste space. A couple of "rockeries" havo been cleverly constructed.. The rock work, sconescape, ferns, palms, trees, waterfalls, etc., are picturesquely blended, and please the eye. The dome, proscenium, and balcony fronts arc very fine, tho co'ouring being entirely new, rich and harmonious in tones of azuro blue and cream, lavishly gilded. Tho dome is resplendent witb new plaster work and panels of purple and white. This on a pale blue ground Rives a decided charm to the wholo house Every seat in tho theatre is the latest patorn tin-up chaiv upholstered in blue plush. Special installations to ensure proper ventilation have been installed. The "old" Opera House hns never looked so well. The. orchestra will be a feature, and will play at both afternoon and night sessions. The opening oxhibitiou of Everybody's Pictures .will take place on Monday nigbt at 7 o'clock.