ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 19, 17 October 1907, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

, . ■ . OPERA HOUSE. ■: '.'.'J There is a popular craze among London writers of melodrama. to make' the ' central' 'figure in their productions some shockingly abandoned female, usually beautiful, but vile withal, and weave'around"-licr" a story ,in which she can display'her unconventional instincts right up to the fall of., the curtain.. Such a . drama is, "A Beautiful Fiend," and such a woman is .Wanda Lubinolf,' an utterly heartless Russian adventuress, whose mission is to hound; down to the uttermost depths of misery Nadino Karateff and her brother Sergius, on account of tho former having, been induced to marry her (Wanda's) lover, Count Fedor Karateff. Tho last-named's sole object in the marriage is to gain Nadinc's fortune. Wanda and the Count plot to rid themselves of Nadine and her brother by hiding in the young man's rooms a plan of the Tsar's quarters in. the palace at St. .Petersburg, which tho beautiful fiend lias annexed in tho course of her nefarious practices. This evidence is quite, sufficient to 'effect the committal of brother and sister to Siberia, and off they go in chains, with Nadine's husband,' tho villainous Karateff, in charge of the :escort. But, tho persecuted ones are not without' friends. I van Paulovitch, a Major of the Police and ,an unconf'essed'.lover of Nadine's, has "seen through the plot, which, ho was : powerless to frustrate, and he, aided by a ch'e.brfill'Cockney, Christopher , Crackles, designs; art, exciting escape at .the first ' stopping''place. ■ The fugitives are next seen at tho quayside in Kiga, their prison garb changed' to Bond; Street clothes. They , implore the assistance of a British captain, whose steamer is about to leave port, and reach tho deck as Karateff and Wanda rush, on.' The prototype of Captain Kettle' defies; them and the whole of "'Russia, as an Englishman would be expected to do under tho circumstances, and Wanda winds up a burst of . fury by : accidentally , stabbing her lover instead'.of Ivan, and, seeing her mistake, stabs' herself, and lier. body falls, across that of her lover as the steamer moves away with all- the good peoplo of the play. as' seitgers. ' ■■ ■ Although the -story is redolent 'of horrors' of, Red - Russia, it has tho saving grace in a' thick leaven of the broadest comcdy, and Wanda'is not so far gone as to be bereft of a flippancy,, hardly expected in such a character. Otherwise, the melodrama is compactly constructed, tho action is lively throughout, and the mounting and dressing are irreproachable. Miss Maud Hildynrd as Wanda strengthened tho opinion already formed that slid ,is "a finished nctress, of a; class not often seen in melodrama in this country. She mixed her -villainy with a nonchalant wit, that induced plenty;of giggling, and she liever failed to> thrill in tho more desperate scenes,. particularly that in which she knouts Nadine for being hungry, or something equally inconsequent. She was ably supported by Mr. James Lindsay as the Vicious Karateff, Mr. Conway Wingfield as Ivan, and Miss Guildford Quin as Nadine. The change from. vaudeville seems to suit Mr.. Will ,'Bo.yis,'whose aintits; jokes, and facial expression as. Crackles were a' bright feature of the performance. ' Othei'6 who acted commendiibly were Mr. Prank Stanley as a vodka-swilling innkeeper, Mr. Bovd Irwin as Sergius, Mr. ,R. Beckett as Malachi, Mr. Tracy Barron as tho bold British skipper, and Miss Violent' Dene as Patty Wqodlands, the beloved' of the funny man. Among"the many truly magnificent sets of scenery, those of the Chateau Nadine, tho Novski Prospect (a particularly good study in perspective), and the quay at Riga, were very fine examples of the scene-painters' art. "A Beautiful Fiend" will be produced again this evening.

THEATRE ROYAL... .

The varied and 'j».tertaining bill which is "bonis presented at the Theatre Royal this'week was responsible, for .another crowd'cd house last night/ The' present, company is an mutually strong all round combination, of talent, and the merit of the individual ' perfothierg .was; fully appreciated by last night's hudieiice! V further' attraction is announced for Friday evening when the throe Racoons, acrobats anil comedians,- arc announced to make their appearance. SAILOR'S BEST. A most, enjoyable evening was spent at the* Sailors' Rest last, night by a very largo audience of sailors, who really enjoyed the. music provided by the Wellington Banjo, Guitar, and' Mandolin Band, assisted by "the following Indies and gentlemen: Mrs. Kcid, t.ho Misses .barker, Houdon, and N. Turner, and Miss F. Barker (who played the accompaniments): Messrs. Turner,. Jtoid, Iviernan, Godioi 1 , .'lVoohill, May mid Parrell. Each, 'item was ciicorcd. 'l'lio concert for Monday ■nipht it; beingarranged by Mrs. Stevens, and' frieiidi."