ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 28 January 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. "THE GIBE IN THE TRAIN." Music and mirth, are joined together witn happy effect* in ‘The Girl in the Train," which was produced again hc-lore a crowded audience at the Opera Uoumj last evening. Very soon alter the curtain rises, the laughter becomes continuous and hearty. The incidents M'“e rise to the plot, and the subsequent proceedings in the Divorce Court. lend themselves to a highly comic treatment, and are conceived in the dveheet of s pirit by the company. Especially laugh afblo is tho "trial” ot the faxthtul and harshly-j udged Karel Van Huron an Mr \V. S. Percy’s performance, as Van Eyck, president of the court, who is also an enterprising masher and not overburdened with judicial dignity, is loth diverting and clover. The snappy wiiticisms at the expense of dc-tendant , the gay asides; the partiality to _ feminine grace and charms; and the brisk, noisy merriment throughout, make a deUghau burlesque on a court of law. The audience revelled in the fun ot each dialogue and situation as it arose, and the final reconciliation of such a well-match-ed pair was inevitable. Miss Sybu Annulate. as the actress Gonda A an der Loo, confirmed the favourable impression she made on the opening night, and her vocal numbers often earned recalls, “In the Park" being a. catchy and sweet refrain. Her voice is rich and flexible. Also effective in numerous ballads and amorous duets i» Hr Talleux Andrews, an accomplished tenor with splendid tones and range- "'Vanning Little Gonda" and “Just Like My Wno appeared to be great favourites with the audience. Mr VV. S. Percy is vastly > amusing in sundry burlesques, and the adaptation from the bath scene of Kismet was a clover piece of fooling. Admirable suppleness and grace was displayed by Miss Vivian Tallour, a bril(iant dancer who provides one of line most effective interludes in the comedy. There is a long and varied musical programme, given by a capable orchestra sutler Mr Victor Graham. “The Girl in the Train" will be staged to-night and to-morrow nigbt. “NIGHTBIEDS." The second production of the New Comic Opera Company will be the famous light opera by Johann Strauss, Nightbirds," which will be introduced here for the first time on Thursday next, and repeated for the following three nights. "Nightbirds” created a furore in London when presented last year, having already been pronounced a complete success m Vienna, Berlin, and Paris. In Sydney the season was only terminated by the company having to fulfil previously-made engagements. In this opera all the principals of the New Comic Opera Company are called into requisition, and are said to be heard to exceptional advantage. Miss Amy Murphy will make her first appearance with this company. As the season is a limited one, and the management have decided to P T °~ ■aent the complete repertoire only four nights are set apart for Nightbirds. On Tuesday, February 4th, “The Cinga]oe” will bo presented for three nights only, and for the last two nights of the season, stapling on Friday. February 7th, the most popular of all English operas, ‘"Dorothy," will be revived. The box plans are now open for the entire season. THEATRE ROYAL. When heavy rain is falling in the evening most people like to stay at home, unless they are assured that if they visit an entertainment their desire for enjoyment will bo properly satisfied. However. despite last evening’s unfavourable weather conditions, the Theatre Royal hold a large audience, and the verdict nf everybody was that the new bill-of-fare was thoroughly satisfactory. From start to finish the programme of vaudeville items was bright, and all the performers earned the applause of the patrons. Heading the list was Victor the Great, who made hia first appearance here. Assisting him were Madam Clothilda and Little Gladys. Magic and conjuring comprise the stock-in-trade of Victor the Great, and a refreshing feature of note was that, unlike many other sleight-of-hand entertainers, his tricks were novel, and of a type different to the familiar kind. As to how the packing-case mystery and thumb-tie trick were executed many conjectured, but few, and very probablv none, could gather any idea of the method adopted. All one could say was "It was done somehow." The Fontenoys, two dainty haTmonieers, made their initial appearance, and pleased all by their sweet rendering of several ditties. Juvenile acrobats, vocalists, and dancers, in the persons of the Three TitBits, were seen to advantage in some neat work. These youngsters earned warm approval for their efforts, particularly the A-pache dance. The Eyntons. classical comedy sketch artists, provided much amusement. Others who contributed to the programme—which will be repeated to-night—were the Brackens (tight roue tfugglere). Fred Riven hall /comedian), and Miss Bessie Slaughter (contralto). Miss Bva Mudge (quick change artist) was prevented, through indisposition, from appearing, but it is ■probable she will ho able to do so tonight. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Of all Dickens' beautiful stories, none is more beautiful or more ueeervecuy popular and well known than “Oliver Twist." This remarkable story has been dramatised, and in the shape of a kiuematographio film is at present being screened at His Majesty's Theatre. Last evening, when it was shown for the first time, the big building was packed in all parts, and if the enthusiastic demonstrations of the audience can be accepted as a reliable criterion, a better picture lias not been shownin Wellington for a long time. Since His Majesty's was opened the Messrs Fuller have exhibited some remarkable films, and have set a stadnard in moving picture entertainment that has met with the warmest appreciation. “Olivei Twist,” however, is qnite a different film frdm ‘ Queen Elizabeth," "The Panama Canal,” and other notable pictures that have been shown here. Quite different people are met with, the incidents recorded are quite out of the track usually traversed by picture producers. One meets again the characters he so dearly loved to head of—Bill Sykes (a paragon of burglars). Bumble (the most dignified of beadles), Fagin, and the rest—all are there, just as ho had pictured them from the facile descriptive hand of their creator. All the little incidents of the bock, all the littleh alf forgotten happenings, come crowding back on the memory as the pictures are presented. The simple, confiding Oliver moves through the whole, and his passive, heroic struggle against the influence ot the insidious Fagin are admirably presented. It is a beautiful picture, a veritable jxiem among films, and should not be missed. Supporting “Oliver Twist’’ is “In a Den of Lions," a Norrli.sk feature film, sensational enough in its dramatic force to satisfy the most exacting. The other pictures are in seeping with those mentioned, and taken all through the programme is a collection of gems. Tho films will he screened again this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. 'The state of the weather makes r.o difference to the attendances at the Empress Theatre. Last evening the weather was just that sort which might oe expected to prompt people to remain closely in doors, but this notwithstanding there were very many patrons who nail to wait in the vestibule of the theatre before room could be found for their accommodation. Ah day long the place was packed, and tho change in the evening attracted tho crowds stated. “In a Den of Lions.” the star film, is a

Nordiek feature study of exceptional dramatic power and interest. It chow.some splendid glimpses of circnslife, am; tells a very fine story. It occupies thirtyfive minutes in the showing, and has been staged on a most lavish and elaborateoale. The rescue of a child at tho last moment from a huge snake, a trdpeze artist'; Fall to death, and a host of _ other exciting situations culminate in a sensational fall by a woman into a ci ge wherein are several lions. It is a picture that commands attention and dominates tho audience all through, and ’t should be seen by all who like really good studies. "Strange Story of Elsie Mason” is a beautiful study of affection versus duty. A little girl, straying from her country home, is found by a woman who has no children of her own. The temptation to take the child overcomes the promptings to return it to its parents, and so, ignorant of its parenthood, the chilr grows up, iu tho care of its foster mother, into beautiful womanhood. Not till the death of the woman, docs the ?irl discover the truth. She returns o her parents and tho story ends happily. Other pictures are: “Gaumont Graphic, “Ghosts." _ “Life and Industries—Aden,” and “Diddled." NEW THEATRE. Many interesting films, educational and amusing, are included in tho current programme at the New Theatre. The principal picture is “The Danitos, ' a .powerful drama well enacted. It is written by McKee Rankin. In tho early pioneering days the Dauites in America were desperadoes who disguised themselevs as Indiana and harassed the Bottlers. The story tells of how these desperadoes massacred a whole caravan of people, except a woman and her little boy. Eventually tho boy, too, was hilled, and the mother, attired as a man, went out to ’ avenge the tragedy. She is followed by a couple of Danites To a miuing settlement and there dies o’f a broken heart. “An Irish Girl's Dove" almost explains itself by tho title, and deals with a lover who is drowned m a storm. “Waterfalls in Jamptland," Scandinavian sonos, ‘‘Love on Tough ‘.Luck Ranch," ■'‘Stout and Thyno" (spiritualistic), and a number of miscellaneous films make up a very enjoyable programme. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. This popular picture theatre continues to draw many patrons. 'The new programme is thoroughly entertain uigCfiief amongst the films of the present series is a fascinating detective story, "Plot and Counter Plot," which deals with many exciting incidents concerning the fate of a lady and her abduction by brigands. How the detective and his men by a clever ruse succeed in their work of recapture is realistically depicted, and the audience follows with intense interest tho sensational incidents that follow each other in such rapid sequence. “Bidoni and the Lions" is a most amusing picture, showing startling experiences which Bidoni has _ with a couple of lions. Other attractive films include “Makiug Biscuits," and “Borrowed Umbrella.” SCOTTISH CONCERT. Scotch folk gathered in targe numbers at the 'Town Hall conceit chamber last evening to celebrate “Burns's Nicht, under the auspices of the Scottish Society of Wellington. A real Scotch programme was submitted, and met with very hearty approval; so hearty, indeed, that about halt way through the chairman was moved to protest mildly against the regularity with which encores were demanded. During tho first half of the programme a leeturette on Robert Bun t was delivered by Professor Mackenzie. He declared that Scotland owed more to Thrns than to any other purely Scottish character. The items on - the mogramme were as follow: Selections, hon. pipers of society; song, “There was a Lad was born in Kyle," Mrs A. Rogers; sheauntriubhas (Piper A. Frost), Miss Daisy McLellau; song, “Robin Adair, Mrs W. B. Willis; song, “The Nameless Lassie," Mr T. Newton; recitation, “Two Little Scottish Martyrs," Miss Betty Purdom; Irish Jig (Piper T. McDonald), Miss Flora Shaw; selections, hon. pipers of society; Scottish reel. Misses P. Shaw, D. McLeilan, L. Reid and M. Reid; song, "Dainty Davie," Mrs J. H. Johnson; violin solo. “The Auld Scotch Sangs,” Mr E. Gilchrist; recitation, “Tho Twa Texts" (J. M. Barrie), Miss Betty Purdom; Highland Fling (Piper T. McDonald), Masses L. an<l M. Reid; song, “My Nannies Awa," Mrs J. Collins; song (humorous), “Mr John McKie," Mr IV. Lambert. The singers were accompanied bn the piano by Mrs D. MacMillan. Some disturbance was caused at one juncture by a person at tho rear of the hall—surely not a Scotchman!—who interrupted so persistently that he had to be forcibly ejected.