ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2210, 24 July 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE FORTV THIEVES." "Ike Forty Thieves" attracted an audience that filled every part of tho Grand Opera House last evening. As far as the production is concerned, tho present pautomimo excels all its predecessors within the memory. Whilst acunes or great theatrical splendour succeed one another likes the pages of an illustrated "Arabian Nights," the fun incidental to each was kept going at high speed by those excellent comedians, Mr. Barry Lupino and Mr. Edwin Brett, whose harmonious fooling and smart patter ■ keep the audience in a giggle throughout the evening. The scenery is beautiful, and the dazzling array of superb costumes constitute a tease for the eye. One of the musical features of the opera is the waltz song, "I'd Love to Live in Love-land," the catchy refrain of which is played from the conductor's bench on electric bells placed Tound the balustrade of the dress circle. Next to the soft communings of Mr. Barry Lunino with, himself, the oustanding comical feature is . " '»>' '".iniiS. i< •t s I.",'t Again." which the audience joins with immense enthusiasm. > HIS MAJESTY'S .THEATRE. There is an acceptable variety of items on this week's programme of vaudeville at, His Majesty's Theatre. Courtenay Place. Whilst, the cycling turn given by Gordon and Day is really clever, it is likewise most amusing, and well worth .going to. see. Misses Andrew and Dent are two ladies who contribute piano and violin duets most acceptably. Other turns are given by Armstrong and Howorth (sketch comedians), Miss Ray Devore (ballad singer), and Vincont, Arthur, and Oliver. • . THE KING'S THEATRE. ' An educational film intensely interesting ■ and beautifully photographed, entitled' "Marvels of Nature," heads this week's programme of pictures at tho King's Theatre. The camera mail Jws travelled into the heart of the Indian jungle and secured some truly remarkable pictures. There is a particularly strong supporting programme, among which may be mentioned "The Black Mask" (drama),' "Master of the Mine" (drama), "The Tin Soldier and the Doll" (comic), and tlie "Gaumont Graphic." The usual Saturday, matinee is'announced. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. At the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday the main ".feature" of the new bill was the Radio Company's sensational dramaj "Tho Little Smugglers," a story of a gang of smugglers who use little children for carrying the contraband goods across the frontier. The children take unfrequented roads through the forest, and thus evade the Customs' officers, i Rutli, a young lady, chances to seo a woman of the gang ill-using the children, and lier expostulations bring down the anger of the gang upon her. While at a fashionable gathering she is kidnapped by tho gang. Xho gang take her to their, resort m the forest and bind lier firmly while they retire to their hut, whero they indulge' in a drunken orgy. The little children release Ruth, and that moment the smngglors' hut catclies Arc. Before the drunken members of the gang can escape they are overcome by tho flames, and perish. Ruth's father and fiancco arrivo ou the scene., and take Ruth and the children to her home, where they aro treated hospitably, and given an abode as a reward for freeing their benefactress. ".French Fox '.snippers" is an interesting film depieffng how foxes attack fowls, and alterwards are hunted by terriers until tliey emerge from their burrows. Then reynard is captured alivo by means of a pair of •long tongs. Special mention is also merited by "Tho Queen's Chronicle" (topical), and "Billy's Honeymoon" (Gem comedy); ■ EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. "Protea and tho Infernal Automobilo," a detcctivo drama of absorbing interest, heads the current programme being screened daily by the proprietors of "Everybody's Pictures,". 111 the old Opera Houso in Manners Street. This picture is surely tho last word in "thrills.'' The supporting films are excellent, and include tho latest dramatic, scenic, and comic subjects. The pictures aro screened continuously from noon till 10.30 p.m. POPULAR' COMPETITIONS. The Australasian Competitions Enterprises will open their four nights' season at the Town Hall 011 Wednesday next. A large number of entries are being received from local amateur artists. The-items to be submitted for competition are those chosen from a list of events which have proved must popular in; the large Continental cities, including St. Petersburg, Berlin, London, and Edinburgh. This class of entertainment has been the craze in the cities referred to. A good deal of amateur talent which has not hitherto been displayed in Wellington will, it' is stated, be brought out, and as the competition promises to. be very keen, theatregoers should be able to look forward to a highly-interesting and amusing entertainment. v The box plan for iho four nights is open at tho Dresden, where seats may be reserved. ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS. Mr. Frank Wright, advance representative for Mr. Alexander Watson, one of England's foremost reciters, arrived in Wellington by the Maitai yesterday, to make arrangements for/ a brief season of popular recitals in this city. Mr. Watson, it is stated, was a great success in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney. Full particulars will be announced in to-morrow's Dominion. DRAMATIC RECITAL. The. elocutionary recital by the Rev. Archibald E. Hunt will take placi this evening in the. Concert Chamber. Mr. Hunt , will recite "The Highwayman," ".lack and Jill," "Tho Old Cremona," "A Night with a Baby," and "A Dickens lteverio." Mr. Hamilton Hodges will sing, "0 Star of Eve" (Tannliauser), and Tschaikowski's . "None (But the Weary Heart." Miss Freda Walter will play Sarasate's "Faust" as a violin solo, and with Mr. Eric Meier will'play a violin duet, "Polonaise" (Koteko). Miss Violet Lewis will contribute a pianoforte solo, "Valse Op. 42" (Chopin). In view of the demand for tickets, ticket-holders are requested to secure their seats early. Messrs. J. and N. Tait liave definitely arranged for Mr. Harold Bauer, the famous pianist, to appear in Wellington on August 17, 18, and 19. Mr. Bailor's seasons in both Melbourne and Sydney have, it is stated, been wonderfully 'artistic successes.