ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8357, 18 February 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. It was an exceptionally good bill ot fare that was presented to patrons or His Majesty's Theatre last evening, every item being both interesting and enjoyable and tho large audience were not slow to recognise tho merit of tho various cinematograph productions, judging ny tho spontaneous applause* that greeted, every picture. Tho star *cra was Theodore Krema’s play “The fatal Wedding, which had a highly successful run m Sydney. Tho plot has been truly followed, and tho various characters are easily recognised. It is a really splendid photoplay, and it met last night with the hearty approval of the audience. During the exhibition of the picture Miss Fanning, assistd by a specially trained choir of children, sang "The Tin Cap Band" most pleasingly. "The Panthers Prey" is a most thrilling animal drama, showing what a terrible ordeal a woman is subjected to because she will not part with concessions over gold bearing areas. Robert Warest. her husband, receives disquieting rumours from his min© manager, Simpson, that all is not "well at the mine, and he goes to investigate. He is struck down by fever, and eventually dies. Simpson tries to induce Mrs Warest to soli the concessions at a low price, but is unsuccessful, the widow preferring en expert survey to be made, one arrives at the mine with her late husband s trusty friend Jack Bnckland, and bimpson induces her to go to an empty house where two panthers eventually fand their way and attack her. Meanwhile bimpson tries to drug Buckland. but is unsuccessful. Eater Buckland discovers the position of Mrs Warest and succeeds in releasing her. and h.e_ then settles accounts with Simpson and his accomplices in tho way men do when they have to mete out justice in such cases. A rather dramatic love story is provided in Ihe Way, o the Mountains." TVo young men, Don Allen and Bob Taylor, are in love witn Mary Beall, and in consequence Don tries to shoot Bob but is unsuccessful, and instead shoots Mary s little brother. Bob tracks him over the lulls,, and a terrible struggle ensues. Bob bourn left for dead. Ho is later rescued by Mary, anti Don is turned over to the mountaineers and gets the usual finish. strong Vrm Nellie" concerns an athletic gin, who knocks out two (burglars through her knowledge of boxing. The other Items ate equally good. The same programme will be repeated this evening. "THE FOLLIES." "The Follies" presented their programme last night in the municipal concert chamber to another large audience. The good impression they have createa during the opening nights of their return visit augurs well tor the success ot the -whole season. Last night the programme again met with the greatest enjoyment Thera is such diversity of music, song and comedy that those desirous of spending a pleasant night will have their wishes amply satisfied l b y a visit to "The Follies." Last evening Mr Percy Clifton and Mr Percy Dalton were very popularly received for their clever Items. Misses O’Keefe, Lussane, Moore. ,nd Edgar, and Messrs O Keefe, bteyno. b’ergusson. and Black also had good realon to feel encouraged by the hearty recognition given to their efforts. "The' Follies" appear again to-night md every evening during the week. L, THE NEW THEATRE. The attractiveness of the change of programme of the New Theatre continuous pictures accounted for a large attendance.last evening. The * star ( jtem is a sensational modem drama Xne Schemers Outwitted." Philip Legrange and Elsie Bose, two adventurers, plot to obtain the wealth of a widower whose wife is drowned by her motor-car plunging into a river. Elsie obtains a position as • governess to the only daughter of Mr Forgues. the intended victim. Five years later Elsie realises that she has won Mr Porgues' heart, but his daughter Jane resents her father s intention to marry and runs away. Jane obtains a■-situation as a milliner, and forma In casual acquaintance witn a young • man who obtains permission to ask her parent’s consent to their marriage. It’ so happens that the young man was designed by Mr Eorgues to be Jane’s, husband, Although the young couple were ignorant of this. One day the lovers witness a meeting between the schemers Elsie and Philip, which unmasks their duplicity. The climax is happy, for Mr Porgues discountenances Elsie, and grants permission for his daughter’s marriage. A Western drama depicting tho reformation of a surly old ranchman,' "The Shotgun Ranchman," is a meritorious number, sharing honours with "The Samaritan of Coogan’s Tenement," a Lubin drama. Tot another pleasing study is "The Valley of Otta ' (scenic). THE EMPBESS THEATRE. A magnificent mediaeval spectacular picture-drama, "The Knights of Bhodes," comprised the principal film of the new programme last evening at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The proauction deals with the historic siege of Rhodes, in which the Turks vainly attempted to scale tho walls, but wexe heroically beaten back until the gui risen was compelled to surrender by hunger and plague. The Knights of Bhodes, a Brotherhood of soldier-priests, occupying Bhodes, an island close to Turkish territory, when the memory of the crusades was fresh in men’s minds, were the objects of intense hatred by their Eastern neighbours. The Turks also coveted tho island of Bhodes with equal intensity. Tho endeavours of Sultan Solyman 11. to seize the island from tho Knights provide the leading scenes in the >film. But a softer interest is afforded by the love affairs of Vendramin and Marina, whose fates are closely bound up. with the history of the war. The staging of the piece is most impressive. The film occupies about forty minutes, and is interesting throughout. Topical ‘ events in far off lands are depicted in "Tie Ganmont Graphic." A Western drama with G. M. Anderson in a popular role, entitled "Broncho Billy’s Heart." is a favourite already. Other subjects include "The Unveiling of the Cook Memorial," a clear view of the historic function in. Ship Cove last week; "Caught," a C. and M. comedy; "The Editor Millionaire,” comedy drama; and “Strong-arm Nellie” (Kalem comedy). PEOPLE'S PICTOBB PALACE. Large and enthusiastic audiences attended the continuous exhibition of pictures at the People’s Picture Palace yesterday, and all were delighted with the splendid programme that, greeted them. "Brother and Sister" is an exceptionally fine Continental drama depicting a sister’s devotion. It abounds with most stirring scenes that cannot fail to stir those who witness its production. “The Warning Hand” is a capital Essanay film wherein a ghastly hand eaves a man from degradation. It is a thrilling story of the supernatural represented in picture form. The programme is strong In oomio films, chief of which is "Suitors and Suit Cases," a Calino farce in which Calino appears as the governor of a prison. Another splendid item is that depicting the making of a pair of boots in a Paris factory. Altogether tho programme is a most acceptable one, and it will be repeated to-day. "THE EMERALD ISLE." ‘"The Emerald Isle,” a four-act comedy by Bernard St. Clair and Joseph Bradley, us produced at the Opera House last evening by members of the Wellington Celtic Comedy Club, was not destitute of merit. A certain amateurish flavour necessarily infected the whole production, but it was a worthy motiveassistance to St. Patrick's Seamen's Conference —that actuated these tyros in the dramatic art, and this fact justifies i-ome kindliness in the judgment of their efforts. Moreover, the performers did not profess to bo more than amateurs. The club bad reason to be gratified with the attendance, which, in the circum-

stances, was excellent. The class of story out of which “Tho Emerald Isle is constructed has been made familiar by numerous melodramas produced at various times. Michael a “poor hut proud” Irish peasant, with numerous ailments and a winsome daughter, is heavily oppressed by exactions of rent, and his landlord is a conventional scoundrel of the rapacious type. Of course ho wants the hand of a daughter of the household —in this case, a girl friend—and his villainous agent has matrimonial designs on the actual daughter. Of course, too, the respective young ladies have brave and honourable lovers, who suffer to win their prizes, and ultimately overcome the craft and villainy of their detested rivals. For a time, the scoundrels are victorious, and the worthy lovers are imprisoned; but they make their escape, and the cunning plots of the landlord and his confederates are foiled. Finally. the landlord is himself arrested, and the peasants dance an Irish jig in glee at his fate. As the scoundrel Griswald, Mr D. Moriarty was somewhat pretentious; he nad plenty of assurance, but the manipulation of his voice was crude, and the real melodramatic touch of abandoned villainy was wanting. He did his best, however. Mr Charles Gamble as Barney Booney (a young rebel) infused some wit and liveliness into his work, and gave a meritorious performance, much appreciated by the audience. Another part capably conceived was that of the warder, represented by Mr Charles McErlean. who also had some Irish humour and good stage aplomb. Miss Maggie Hannan, as the daughter Molly, was promising, and her singing of “The Wearing of the Oreeu” brought merited applause. Meritorious work was also done by Miss Ivy Scott, as Grace Redmond; and by Sir Denis Kelly, who simulated a “fishy” and unlovable character quite capably. Other members .of the cast were : Misses I. Barrington, N. Strickland. H. 'O’Regan. ,K. O’Eegan, M. Cashman, N. Bell. M. Bell, and K. Jansen. and Messrs J. Turner, P. Fleming. B. Duffy, B. Ryan, F. Skinner and C. Hickmott. Another representation of "The Emerald Isle” will be given to-night. THEATRE ROYAL. Good programmes at the Theatre Royal invariably draw largo audiences, and last night’s change was no exception to the rule. Moreover, everybody was pleased. A unique "turn” was staged by Paul Pedrini. He made his first appearance in Wellington, described as the champion foot balancer of the world. Lying on his back with his feet in the air, this performer balances all kinds of things from a big four-legged table to a heavy cannon. But it is not for this reason only that his act is one full of merit. It assumes the sensational on account of what Pedrini does with his heavy and awkward appurtenances. He whirls them round, first on one foot and then on both, reverses them, and generally juggles with them with seemingly as much ease as a man misses a train. Assistance is given by Toby, a baboon. Tho animal is very clever and humanlike in its actions, which are often of a humoityus nature. Paul Pedrini and his baboon are worth going a long way to see. An artistic novelty was provided by Jules Garrison and his two Roman Maids, consisting of the portrayal by models of tho works of the world’s master painters. The series includes "Wedded," “Spring," "Marcus and Mercia," "Down on his Luck," "The Irish Colleen," "Village Blacksmith,’ ‘‘The Flower Girl," and "Book of Ages.” The latter makes a beautiful scene. Jules Garrison and his Maids also present an excellent act, in which is introduced Mr Garrison’s Italian scena, ‘‘The Italian FPruit Seller,* and "Chief Kipakoo." a North American Indian song story. There are a number of other contributors to the programme, which will be repeated to-night.