ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

the empress theatre* Crowded sessions were recorded at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures chroughout Saturday. The new programme at to-day’s matinees will com* prise new dramatic, comic* scenic and .ravel subjects. To-night in addition to another new series wiU he presented a sensational Nordisk '‘feature 0 drama "In a Den of Lions, 0 The play, which occupies over thirty-five minutes, is stated to be staged wit han utter disregard of cost. The principal figure is a beautiful young lady wire-walker who is subject to the unwelcome attentions of a lion tamer. The story centres round these ■.two. During the progress of the plot a huge serpent escapes from its cage and a little child is rescued in the nick of time from its coils. The climax is reached when the heroine has a startling experience with a number of lions. an a Den of Lions 0 will be supplemented by other notable subjects. HIS MAJESTY’S. The high standard set by His Majesty's Theatre in ‘‘Queen Elizabeth 0 and 'The Tanama Canal 0 is continued in the star feature of this week's programme. ■‘Oliver Twist 0 is a film of an entirely different class to the two just mentioned. “Queen Elizabeth 0 was a great historical drama, '“The Panama 4 Canal 0 was the record of a giant engineering Feat, but "Oliver Twist" is a record of the lives of the people, or rather of that section of the people which Charles Dickens knew and pitied. The popularity of the novelist has never been surpassed because he wrote down the things that were true. He was always the chamnion of the oppressed. The film which depicts the action of Dickens’s best known novel was taken on the very scenes which inspired the story, the result being that a particularly interesting picture has been produced. Dramatic force, intense pathos, the struggle of youthful innocence against overpowering circumstances, the retribution of villainy, ail find their place, and all the well-known characters are seen. Bumble, BUI Sykes, Tag-in and the rest. The production of the plots of great books is a new departure in cinematography. It can truly bo said that the film makes the written characters more vivid, and enables us to fully appreciate the famous story itself. "Oliver Twist 0 is supported by "In a Den of Lions,” and a large number of ©elect humorous films. Mr John Fuller, eenr., who has recently returned from a tour of the firm’s theatres in Australia, will sing "Sally in Our Ally, 0 and "Pilgrim of Love.” Mr Puller, who is a veteran tenor, was a prominent singer at performances in years gone by, when minstrelsy was a feature of entertainment. The box plan for "Oliver Twist” is at the Dresden.

THE NEW THEATRE. TEo New Theatre continuous pictures drew excellent business throughout Saturday. Two distinct changes of programme are advertised for to-day. The chief attraction will be the Selig Company’s latest “feature” drama "The Damtea " which will be screened throughout to-day and to-night. It is a powerfully written play by McKee Han inn, occupying over thirty-five minutes. During to-day it will bo supported by “The Moonstone” (drama), “A Mother’s Love" (Lubin drama), “Habits and Customs of the Persians'’ and several others. This evening’s series will include “An Irish Girl’s Love” (drama), “Waterfalls ol Jamptland," "Love o n Tough Luck Ranch” (drama and a number of comedies. THEATRE EOT AX.

At the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening there was a numerous and appreciative audience when the current programme by the Brennan-Fuller Vaudeville Company was presented for the last time. The new performers to appear to-night will include Victor the Great, conjurer an dillusionist, assisted by Madame Cothilde, and Little Gladys, and The Three Tit Bits, juvenile acrobatic vocalists and dancers. New items will be submitted -by Miss Eva Mndge, Miss Bessie Slaughter, The Fontenoys, Fred Riyerhall and The Three Brackens. A NICHT WF BURNS. The Scottish Society of Wellington rrarpose celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, in a truly national style at the Town Hall Concert Chamber this evening. Professor Mackenzie will deliver a lecturette on the great poet, and Miss Betty Purdom, who was so successful as an elocutionist at the late New Zealand competitions, will also appear in two of her famous Scottish pieces. Besides the above, there is also a long nroframme of Burns’s songs and Highland ancing by local favourites. The national pipes, so dear to the hearts of all Scotsmen, will also be in evidence. Altogether, a most enjoyable evening is promised for those who hail from the land o' heather.