ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8348, 7 February 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. "DOROTHY.” "The Cingalee" was presented for the third time at the Opera House by the Wiiliainson Comic Opera Company last night, and met with another very hearty reception. , . To-night "Dorothy" will be revived. This opera has been referred to as the "English Comic Opera that will always live.” and on this occasion there will be an almost entirely new cast, for Mi Reginald Roberts is the only original member who appeared in its presentation some years ago. During its recent production at Auckland it met with an exceptionally enthusiastic reception. The cast will be a very strong one, including Miss Amv Murphy as Dorothy, Miss Dorothy Brunton as Phyllis, Miss Celja Ghiloni as Mrs Privett, and Miss tiy bll Aruudale as Lydia Hawthorne; whilst the gentlemen will be cast as follows: Mr Reginald Roberts as Geoffrey Wilder, Mr W. S. Percy as Lurcher, Mr Victor Prince as Squire Bantam, Mr Edmund Sherras as John Tuppitt, Mr E. Wynne as Tom Strutt, and Mr Talleur Andrews as Harry Sherwood. THE NEW THEATRE. A strikingly sensational clraniagraph, "The Secret Treaty,” occupied pride of &!!! the change of programme yesat the New Theatre continuous pictures. The story represents that Carr, a Minister of Foreign _ Affairs, concludes a secret treaty affecting an important Eastern nation. A spy in the pay of the Eastern nation learns of the treg»y. Ho is instructed, together with Raschaw, a diplomat in the service of the same State, to acquire information as to the nature of the treaty and to defeat its objects. By means of skeleton keys they gain admittance to the Minister’s mansion, but Carr puts them to flight with a revolver. Raschaw obtains an introduction to Mrs Carr, and becomes a guest at a fashionable evening at the Minister’s mansion. Raschaw fossicks out information which be believes will incriminate Carr. The foreigner next intercepts Mrs Carr, and by threats induces her to assist him to get at the safe in which the treaty is deposited. The safe is fitted with patent automatic pistols which discharge when the door is opened. Mrs Carr is killed when Raschaw forces the safe, and he himself is wounded. He snatches a document and escapes. When the document is subsequently examined it is found not to he the much-sought treaty. The mounting of the drama is magnificent and the acting convincing. The leading subject is ably supported by "On tho Trail of the Germ" (Kalem drama). "At the L’Jnngan” (scenic), and other*. HUGARD, THE MAGICIAN. On Monday night next, at the Opera House, for a short season of six nights, the famed conjurer and illusionist Hugard will make his bow to the public of Wellington. His tours of Europe, America, and Australia have been marked with success, and judging by reports to hand he should do well here. One of the features of the entertainment is said to be the absence of cabinets or the drawing of curtains to hide how the trick is done. Hugard performs everything in the open, in full view of the audience. As a card manipulator Hugard acknowledges no superior, and with cards and billiard balls his work is said to be superb. His rifle act is described as the only act of its kind in the world, and has created great controversy wherever the magician has performed. In the second part of the programme he introduces Ching Lung Soo and his assistants in the great Chinese silent act, "A Night in a Peking Palace.” introducing the spectacular illusions "The Birth of the Sea Nymph,” "Paper-tearing Extraordinary,” "The Fatal Arrow,” “Levitation of Sing Soo,” "The Birth of Flowers,” "The Human "The Magic Tableaux,” "TKo Magic Elephant,” and “The Marvellous Screen.” The box plan is at the Dresden, and prices are announced by advertisement. THEATRE ROYAL. Last evening the Theatre Royal was crowded, when the current programme was again submitted. Miss Maud Fanning, coon impersonator, was loudly applauded for her performance. Victor the Great, magician, Arthur Elliott, comedian, and Hedlcy and Bartlett, players of instruments of a varied type, were also popular. There are numerous other contributors to the programme, which will he repeated to-night. ’ HIS MAJESTY’S. "Tae Adventures of Ulysses," the feature Him at His Majesty’s Theatre, drew another large audieace last evening. This picture is a very fine production, and should he seen by all. There are a number of excellent supporting pictures, including "Modern Agriculture," “The Pony Express Girl," and "Won by a Snapshot.” The programme will be repeated to-night. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The new subjects at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday Included a powerful S .and A. exclusive drama, "The Moving Finger.” This Is a story of a woman’s tragic mistake conjured up from the past by the magic of the camera, and set to verse from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat. The narrative is an unvarnished portrayal, simple, but, for that very reason, all the more impressive. "The Warwick Chronicle” depicts among many topical events the first flight of a huge air-ship, and French cavalry manoeuvres. The comedies "Polidor Without a Collar" and "Chips off the Old Block” are decidedly laughable. To-day and to-night other new pictureplays will be introduced, which will be headed by an A.B. exclusive, comedy drama "My Hero," a delightful child sketch, in which two juvenile lovers provide much amusement. Another additional number to-day and to-night will be the S. and A. exclusive drama "The Stain,” a love romance involving a dream and depicting a captivating story of olden times. The management announces the introduction next Monday of Selig’s great historic drama "Christopher Columbus” (or "The Discovery of America”). This notable film was exhibited at the Vatican by request of his Holiness Pope Pius X. The play took three years to produce, and is leported to have cost Mr Selig £IO,OOO. The cast involves 350 performers. During the Sydney season record attendances prevailed at the Town Hall. "Christopher Columbus" will be shown at all sessions next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.