ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8341, 30 January 1913, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE.

“NIG'HTBIBDS.”

The closing performance of “The Girl in the Train” was witnessed by a large audience at the Opera House last night. The sparkling and gracefully scored music by Johann Strause allied to a clover adaptation by Gladys Unger, will be heard in the nerw comic opera “Nightbirds,” which will be staged this evening. The scenic setting is eaid to be very fine indeed, and the dances and melody making, added to a more than ordinarily Brilliant book, promise a treat unusual in light comic opera productions. “Nightbirds” rs considered a picnic of music, dancing, mirth, and drama, a captivating combination of melody and comedy. The cast will include Miss Amy Murphy as Countess Rosalinda, Miss Dorothy Brunton as Minna, and Miss Sybil Arundale as Ilka, Mr Reginald Roberta will bo seen as Count Max Oliquot, Mr W. S. Percy as Mattoni, Mr Victor Prince as Hochiheimer, Mr Edmund Sherras as Prince Orloffski, Mr Fred Winn as Blind, Hr Charles Albert as Dr. Berncastler, and Mr Talleur Andrews as Gabor Szabo. Mira Vivian Talleur will be associated with the corps do ballet near the opening of tie second act, when the charming “Danse de Fascination’' will be introduced. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The very choice selection of motion, pictures on the current programme at Hia Majesty’s Theatre is doing good business for the Fuller proprietary. Last night, when the programme was repeated, there was present a big audience, which showed marked approval of the entertainment offered. Tho adaptation of Dickens’s famous story “Oliver Twist” was particularly appreciated, and as the Long film was unrolled there was frequent and warm applause. While the picture was being thrown, upon, the screen the story was well told by Mr Alfred Boothman. This “star” atractaon was well supported by a number of other fine films, among them being “In a Den of Lions” (a sensational drama) and “The Cockatoo's Matinee’’ (a bird study). The audience was glad to welcome back Mr John Puller, senr., whose fine tenor voice was heard to advantage in “Sally In Our Alley” and “The Pilgrim of Love.” Mr Puller was very heartily applauded. To-night tho programme will be repeated. THE NEW THEATRE. The New Theatre continuous pictures were well attended last evening, when the current bill was screened for the last time. To-day and to-night there will be a new programme, headed by an adaptation of Dumas’ fascinating romance “Monte Cristo.” The story is very suitable for motion-picture enactment. The action is exciting, the theme remarkably interesting. The supplementary subjects will include “The Substitute Heiress” and “Tho Peril of tho Cliffs” (dramas), and others. THEATRE ROYAL. Again last evening the Theatre Royal waa crowded with an audience who all manifested their approval of tho vaudeville programme set before them. a large number of artists contributed to it, and they each possess much talent. Victor the Great, Madam Cothilda and Little Gladys provide a very fine magical

and conjuring “turn.” The packingcase mystery and thumb-tie trick are extremely puzzling, and they are worth seeing. The singing of the_ Fontenoys, tiro dainty harmonisers, gives much satisfaction. The Three Titbits performed some very fine acrobatic and dancing work. Thev also possess considerable vocal ability. There are others contributing to the_ programme, which will be repeated to-night. TH.B EMPRESS THEATRE. There were crowded sessions at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures last evening on the occasion of the last appearance of tho programme. To-d-i"'" and to-night the new bill will include an exquisite character comedy drama (exclusive) of New Engla id iife vironment entitled “The New iork Hat,” by the American Biograph Compauy. The play deals with, a romance of a handsome young village minister and a pretty girl. Other notable pictures will be ‘‘Juanita ana Juan" (Lubin drama), “Xanina's Evening Prayer domestic drama), “A Trip Through a Canadian Forest," and “Jinx's Birthday Party" (A.B, exclusive comedy). The management announces that on Monday will be shown the Selig Company's elaborate SCOOit drama “The Count of Monte Cristo," which is the only copy in New Zealand, and is entirely different to any other of a similar name. PEOPLE'S PICTUEE PALACE. There were large attendances at the People's Picture Palace throughout yesterday. when the current programme was screened for the lath time. To-day there will be a complete change of programme, when some strong attractions are promised. One of the principal films is a Lubin drama “Juanita and Juan," the etory of two lovers who were xiappuy wedded after separation nad disappointment. The development of the story includes some sensational incidents, one being a pursuit of train robbers by two men on a hand-car. “The Pirate's Daughter" is a drama spoken of as a thriller. It is full of sensations, including the burning of a ship at sea and the swim for life of her men. Some charming views of Scandinavian scenery are to be shown in “Waterfalls in Jamptland." The life habits of the octopus con be studied at close quarters in an Eclair educational film. There are also somo good comic pictures to be seen.