ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2865, 1 September 1916, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE BIRTH OF A NATION. Patrona ol' the wonderful kinenia production "The Birth of a Nation" were fully rewarded for their attendance at the Town Hall last eveninj;. The strength of this great picture is being proved by the increasing attendances, it attracts each ■ night. The picture tells in a manner which can only be appreciated to the full by actually witnessing it of a period in the history of (he people which has had the most lasting etfect on the nation. It is the best pieces of film ever shown here. There is no exaggeration, tho story as told by the picture being all related in Thomas Dixon's novel and play, "The Clansman." The events on which that story in founded liapponed during the period of- tho Civil War, and the succeeding period, when committees of vigilance nad to be set up in several parts of the States, anjl a great secret organisation called the Ku Klu-t Klan was established. Tho battles of the war, and tho exploits of the Ku Klux afford scope in plenty for a great pictorial spectacle. This evening His Excollency the Governor ajid the Countess of Liverpool will attend the performance. • HORACE GOLDIN.

Horace Goldin, Hie Russian conjurer and illusionist, mystified another Wellington audience at the Grand Opera House last evening. Jlr. Goldin is no ordinary exponent, of the art of sleight-of-hand. Uis skill is extraordinary, and he had his audience gasping long .before he'had reached the dose of his portion of the programme. Ho piled wonder ou wonder in a lavish manner, amrtcareely once did ho allow even a hint of how it was done to escape hitn. He produced live gold-fish from the atmosphere above the footlights, and a bowl of gaining spirits from under a loosely folded shawi. Birds and animals were ovolved from the interiors of empty vessels, aud a young woman was pnssed through a 6heet of plate-glass, with easy dextrity. It was all very entertaining and perplexing. Jlr. .Goldin concluded with his Moorish mystery, "The Tiger God," a bewildering production which included the dissolution into thin air, as far as could be seen, of a girl aud a real live tiger. The cohqurer was supported ably by a company,, of vaudeville performers, including Mies Barbara Babington, a charming serio; Hisses Hay and Crawford, two particularly clever and attractive dancers; the wondrful tumblers, Jlenetti and Sidelli; and other pefrormers. The programme will be repeated this evening. THE RUSSIAN MUSICIANS. The second recital by the brilliant Russian musicians—-M, Michael Piastro and JI. Alfred Alirovilcii —given in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, last evening, was an unqualified delight, and there Is littlo to add to what has already been said about their musicianship. 31. Piastre's playing of the lovely "Spanish Symphosy" lor the violin (by lalo) was one of those rare treats that do not come to us once in a decade, and in the vivacious "Caprice Viennms" Mfreisler) ho swayed the audience as only a master violinist'can do. The violinist was also heard with superlative pleasure in a splendid Sonata by Nicolaeff, the ChopinAver "Nooturne in 33 Minor," and Wieniawski's ever delightful "Souvenir do Moscow." Mr. Alfred Mirovitch, the pianist, was heard in the Bach-Stradal

"Organ Concerto in ]j Minor," in which lie displayed adraimblo power and insight, the "Moonlight Sonata" of Beethoven, tho "Valee Gracieuse" (Mirovitoh), "Liszt's. "Campanella," and Busoni's transcription of.. Beethovon's "Scottish Daiices." . His performance in tlie Nicolaeff "Sonata" was of rare artistic quality. Many will learn with pleasure that a, farewell concert riiaj be arranged for at a later date. HIS'MAJESTY'S THEATER. Miss Madge Maitland, "The Irish Girl from America," is. the attraction at His Majesty's Theatre thus week. Miss Maltlaud is one of the strongest artists that has appeared on the Puller circuit, and she easily upholds her international reputation. She sings all manner of songs well, and her Irish humour is piquant. Miss Maitland has already made 'herself a great favourite. Bort La Blanc and his revue company are in their last week, and they present a merry farce in "At tho Exposition." Other artists on tho programme are Bert Coleman, an adept wliistler nnd humorist. "The Four Kings" are a clever set of young people, the Ernestos aro neat hand-balancers, and La Tours repeat their popular act.

the king's theatre. The final screening of tlie Triangle drama, "Jealousy," which makes such n strong Appeal to tlie emotions, will bo given at" the King's Theatre to-night. A good supporting programme is also shown. '

\ MARGUERITE CLARK. Tlio reappearance of the popular and .charming actress, Marguerite Clark, at the King's Theatre to-morrow should be heartily welcomed by picture-lovers. Miss Clark is not only versatile and clever, there is also a personal attraction that is irresistible. "Seven Sisters," the picture in which she will star, is described as a' Rumanian romance that is both deliriously quaint and amusing, though striking deeper dramatic notes as occasion requires, The story centres around a Rumanian custom which forbids a younger daughter to marry until all tlie sisters older than filie are married. How Mici, who is t'he fourth of seven sisters, and her lover get over the difficulty makes, it is said, an altogether delightful story. The picture is produced on a lavish scale by the Famous Players Co., and has been a big success wherever shown. The I supporting items are said to bs excellent.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.-To-night will be the last chance of witnessing at Everybody's "The Sins of the "/others," a society story portraying the life of a girl afflicted with the gambling fever, inherited from her mother. The star picture is supported by many stirrinj* itonus. "The Waif," a finely conceived story of .the life of a New York street urchin, will be presented at Everybody's to-morrow. A feature of tL'e picture'is said to be the excellent acting of Jlatty lioubert, a boy of about twelve. Interspersed among the more' serious; portions of the story are flashes of humour. "Around the World in Eighty Minutes" is a clever cartoon of Chaplin, while the fight for St. Eloi is graphically described in an official war film.

EMPRESS THEATRE.. To-night the laughing success, "My .h® screened at the Empress theatre lor the last time. - To-morrow a picture production of Robert W. Chambers's novel "The Fighting Chance," will be presented by the Lincoln, flayers, a "<; w American producing company. "The Chance" is one of most popular books, and the play is said 10 intensity every phase of tlie story. On its first production in America the screen version of "The Fighting Chance" rail lor sn months in New York and Chicago. A big programme will support the star feature.

PICTURES AND PAINTING

An 'exhibition of lantern slides of the works of famous painters was given in the Dominion Museum lust night, under the auspices of the New Zealand Academy of I'ine Arts. Mr. IT. Griffiths delivered a brief lecture or talk about art and its relation to nature, comparing the work of great painters in their interpretation of nature. Ho also made some effort to show that classification of knowledge and theories about art was possible! His", treatment of the subject was fresh and vigorous.