ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2208, 22 July 1914, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE FORTY THIEVES." This evening at tlio Grand Opera House, commencing --at ton minutes to eight, J. C. Willrtimson and Co. will offer their annual pantomimo extravaganza, "The Forty Thieves." This year's attraction is claimed to be head and shoulders superior to any previous pantomime offered here .by the big firm. A 'dis'tinct sensation has been created everywhere by Mr. Barry Lupino, who is said to be one of the cleverest comcdians that 'has yet appeared in pantomime south of the Line. Ho is a dancer of' ability, and possesses a refilled and infectious humour. His copartner in , fun, Mr. Edwin Brett, is well-known in pautomiijjc hero. A feature : fs promised in the appearance of "The 'l'hreo Rubes," an acrobatic team whose performance is somowhat of a startling nature. The cast- includes: Miss Mario-Eaton, Misses Winnie Volt, Dolly Harmer, Dorothy Firmin, Gertie Catchford, Messiis. J. B. - Atholwood, William Hassan, Rupert Darroll, Charles Albert. Mr. Emil Biermaai-will direct an augmented orchestra. The stage management is in the hands of Mr. J. C. Whitfield. Late trains, leaving Wellington at 11.30 p.m.. will run to Lower Hutt and rlohnsonville. His Excellency the'Earl'.of Liverpool, Lady Liverpool, and party, Will attend the Grand Opera House this evening.

MISS/HA ELMAN'S FAREWELL. . At'tliQ Town Hall to-morrow evening Misclia : ';Elma'n; the great will make .his last appearance'in the Town Hall ; Wellington. Judging by the reception he received on his previous appearance 'here and the fact that he cannot be heard again, he .should receive a big Elman's first public appearance was .in Ms native town at the age of five, at a. charity, concert arranged by the Princess OurtfSov. Hisi father, • sacrificing .'everything' for his son's future/took him to Odessa, where, though only five, ho passed t'he examination arid gained admission to the Imp'erial School-of Music. '.The celebrated Leopold Auer, while .touring South Russia in 1902, heard the lad play, and was so astonished at the extraordinary talent displayed that he offered to take'him as a pupil provided ha could obtain the necessary permission of the^ Tsar for the Ejman family to reside in - St. Petersburg, where Auer was professor of the violin at the Conservatoire. '. The Imperial consent was finally obtained, and ,in 1903 Mischa Elmaiv aocof&ingly entered the Conservatoire'., , In 19.04 a well-known violin prodigy visited St. Petersburg, and' 'was "loudly; praised "by the critics. Auer was; present,_ !and on being asked his opinion, replied: "I have a pupil who can. play that boy's head off," and as his hearers looked upon the remark as a wild statement, Auer determined to prove ' the truth' of his " assertion,, and arrranged an opportunity for young Elinan to; appear, at the opening con•cert of/ the Deutsche Liedortafel—t'he most important musical society in St. Potorsbiirg; Auer was 1 really to play at this "concert, but at-tho . last moment sent message saying, lie was ill, but that 'ho wo.uld send a- worthy substitute, and accordingly Mjsoha El-. man, a lad of twelve, appeared in hi* place. The amazement, of the audience. may bo imagined,, but ,it was more than equalled, by tlieir" enthusiasm at the close, of .his'first"number. So tremendous was Elman's success that'lio "was .immediately* engaged to appear.in Berlin. His marvellous career since then, is well-known to all the musical world. Mile,.' Eva-'Gau'thier,. t'he. brilliant. French Canadian and Mr. Percy Kalin/ pianist,.;will-again-appear.. Tho: programme will ibe -.an- entirely, now :ono. lie box plan is at tho Dresden and the day sale 4s. tickets/aro now on sale at ; Christeson's.• .Tho ,2s...tickets, will : be ■ sold-at the door and holders .will be admitted by the Victoria Street entrance! : . v . , i

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE', • The principhl tu'nv in the 'current vandeville programme : at..His'; " Mftjcstj'.'s Tlioatre, is. provided, by Gordon and Day," comody- Cyclists, wlioso .work is j both highly amusing and .partiioulrvi'ly clever. .. Another'new item is that. j>rovided by! Fred Swift ("tlio Musical" Nut"), who .entertains the _ audience with musical.numbers in a uniqne manner. Misses, Androw's "and Dent, with the .piano_ and violin, provide-quite a good musical . act/ : whilst the Hughes Tiio, who aro of tho same order, wilder choice music' from uncommon instruments; "Tho Coward," a playlet staged by Irve, Haynian and Co., is about'-tho most popular, itein on the bill.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Among other pictures at present sliowiug at •• the . King's- Theatre .is a very -fine dramatic photo-play entitled" "Tho Black Mask." Tho supporting items include' scenes of anima.l life in the. Indian jungle, the Ganmont Graphic, "Italian Cavalry Training," and "Tho Tin Soldier and the Dolls.','

EVERYBODY'S PICTURES: "Brotea and the Infernal . Autdmobilo" is the title, of an intensely interesting detective" drama now being screened by tha proprietors of "Everybody's Pictures" at the old Opora House, in Manners Street. Supporting', items include a brilliant Keystone comedy, J 'Tlio Chicken Chaser," and tlio latest edition of tlio Patho Gazette. The programme will bo repeated continuously to-day from noon onwards. '■

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. . At the Empress Theatre continuous pictures to : day and to-night will be screened for the last time the Latiuin Company's sensational "featuro" drama, "Tlio Great ltailway Smash," and current supporting subjects. A .complete .change will be introduced tomorrow. , '

POPULAR COMPETITIONS. Dancers, singers, comedians, and other amateur artists are- to. bo given tho opportunity' of a public appearance, at tbo .To vn Hall during the four •nights' season of tlio Australasian Popular Competitions Enterprises,'' commencing' oii Wednosday, July 29. Amo?ig ; ttho maitiy ' interesting. and amusing' items to be submitted will bo Tango La Ruika dancing, blindfold boxing,- revolving pole pillowlighting, chorus aud comic singing, step-dancing,, mouth-organ playing, and dramatic impersonations, -etc. Tlio manag'ement ! request, intending competitors to send in their nominations as' early as'possible in order to facilitate classification., Tho box plan for tho four nights will bo openod to-day at the Dresden - where seats may be reserved. . ,

WELLINGTON LIEDERTAJ?EL. Subscribers and tho public aro reminded of tho first Liedortafel concert of tlio present season, in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, this evening. This year's ■concerts havo an additional interest attached to them, owing to tho LierJertafcl having arrived at its twentylU'sfc yoar of continuous work in Wellington. lfor to-night's concert an attractive programme, has been arranged. The society , will have the assistance of Miss Phoebe; Parsons as solo vocalist, Signor A. P. Truda, llautist, and Mr. A. S. Hilliker, 'cellist, while tho Liedortafel members will lie heard in somo of the best of their reperfxnre, together with now gleca and part songs.