ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 224, 15 June 1908, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

, KNIGHT HUMPHREY SEASON. 0 f lO Opera House was again crowded on t "jr u ™'\V, night, when Mr. A Julius Knight-, miss Ola Humphrey, and their company gave - tlioir second ])orforrnance of that fascinating 1. and mora or less historical play, " A Royal 0 Divorce. ' Mr. Knight's Napoleon is a convincing impersonation. The face, figure, and manner aro exactly those which thousands of • paintings and engravings harp made familiar 3 to everybody, and his acting is equal even to _ Ills own best. Hiss Humpnrey as tho Em--1 press Josephine reaches higher heights than [ she has before attained in tile series of suc- . cesses of tho present season. The gorgeous r and artistic tableaux a-rc a strong feature of l tho play, tlio ono showing tho retreat from , idoscow being particularly fine. The tragic i stress is pleasantly relieved by the girlish . brightness and innoccace of Stephanie (Miss JMoronce Gleesou) and Blanche (.Miss Elwyn Harvey), and in quite'a different- manner by Jig skilful inebriety of Mr. Dudlev Clint-oil's Grnnaud. , srason, which will bo long remembered by Wellington playgoers, will close to-night with another performance of. tho same play. THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatre Royal was packed from floor to ceiling on Saturday night, and after eight o clock even standing room was difficult to nnd ; The first item on the programme was an interesting biograpli sketch, entitled "In tho Spider's Web." Miss Connie Solomon, serio and dancer, then occupied tho stage, and soon made herself popular. Jock Willis, a comedian of no mean ability, followed, and he quickly had .tho audience in roars of laughter at his witticisms. He sang "Macintosh" and "I Lovo a Lassie." The next it-em was au exceedingly pretty sketch by Misses LilJiaiij and Viola Price, entitled "The Middy and the Jap." They were graceful and accomplished performers, and were well applauded. Then came the two favourites, _ Carlton and Sutton. Their contributions, in tho way of comis songs, dances, funnyisms, etc., were of a high order, and they were twice recalled. Miss Eva Lee and her picaninnies, with their drolleries and pugilistic bouts, met with hearty approval. Miss Blancho Carelli sang expressively and with pleasing clearness, "Oh, 'Twas a Dream!" and "The Old Sweet Melody." The next item was contributed by Miss Brightio Smith, who gave a very pretty and effective rendering of her part. Perhaps tho outstanding item on tho programmo was the "Batchelor's Dream," by Fred Graham and Nellie Dent. The audience's appreciation of the sketch was very marked. [ RICEARDS' VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. Mr. Harry Riekards's vaudeville combination will appear for a short season in the Opera House, commencing on Thursday night, when it is promised that the most eSpensivo vaudeville show that has toured tho Dominion will bo presented. The company has established records down South, eclipsing all prior successes attained by any of Mr. Riekards's previous attractions. The work of tho KJos Sisters, aerialists of unquestionable intrepidity, has been received with unstinted applause. The ",Evenin'g Star" (Dimedin), in noticing tho ' performance, says:—"The peoplo yelled with delight at these skilful and original displays." Speaking of tho Artois Brothers, tho same paper says:—"ln their unique comedy bar act these performers are wonderfully agile and absolutely sure, and their comedy, is as good as tlioir gymnastic work, much in both lines being now, and- all of a verj; high class.'/ Of tho Miles-Stavor-dale, Quintet of distinguished lyusicians, who come direct from America, reports sneak highly. " Voices on strings " i 3 their motto. They are said to oxtract the most wonderful imitations of human voices from. tho strings of many instruments. Miss Alma Gray is another "feature" of the programme. This popular singer and dancer, is already a favourite with New Zealand audionces. Mr. Leonard Nelson's return will also bo warmly greeted, aild tho remaining artists'of tli'o company mil include the English soprano,. Miss Lottio Kay, who makes her first appearance in, New Zealand, Mr. Georgo Dean, vocal comedian , and , descriptive singer, the two Sisters Collier, and several others. The box plan will open .at, Mr. Holiiday's .this morn- ' nig.

MAORI CONCERT. A movement in the right direction is foreshadowed in tho Maori coneort that is to bo held in the Town Hall on July 8, in aid of a fufid to provide skilled nurses to attend to natives suffering from illness in their own homes. It is known that many Maoris, particularly th who were of such an ago that tho old customs and treatment were all sufficient for their needs, have' paid 'tho penalty of their remissness. Tho movement now being set on foot is to provide skilled assistanco for cases of sickness amongst the Maoris, who are looking to the pakeha to assist them m tho endeavour. Tho programme.will consist of waiatas, liakas, poi dances, Maori choruses, etc., which should bo a sufficient attraction to secure a large attendance'; OLYMPIA SKATING RINK.

Tho skating rink-in Ingestre Street was ringing with children's shouts and laughter on Saturday morning. Tho faces of tho youngsters shone with tho fun of tSo thing, lho afternoon and evening■ sessions, when a 1 band was in attendance, were also largely ■patronised. Torday,, there is to bp a one-mil© raco with a modal as the prize. Preparations o,re being made for a masquerado carnival on, Wednesday. An inter-proviricial hockej' match on skates is being arranged for , Thursday. Tho girls' race on Saturday was won by Myra Sampson, of the South Wellington school. ELITE SKATING RINK. Roller skating ,as an indoor wintor pastime grows mo:*; and more popular in 1701lmgton. Afc the Elite Itink on Saturdav, great numbers of people were hurrying nowhere m particular with great energy; but there must havo. been more in it than that, for there is a fascination that grows upon one, and those who como to quia sometimes remain to sfcato. " QUEEN SUMMER." > On Saturday'night " Queen Summer " and the rest of the clover artistic entertainment • U J a 'd of the Free Art Gallery were repeated j. Peter's Schoolroom' before a packed, audience. Miss Newman's songs unfortunately had to bo omitted, as the singer was suffering from a cold. Tho performance ~ fr. om beginning to end, and mot with the evident appreciation of the audience. Considering the largo number of the performers and their youthfulness, it was surprising to sep how thoroughly they entered into the spirit of the thing. Thoro was not one who failed to play/ his or her part well, and tho cleverness of some of the tiny children was quite remarkable. The promoters of the entertainment are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts. • ORGAN RECITAL. Tho public are reminded of tho 'organ-re-cital to-morrow evening in the Town Hall. Mr. Maughan Harriett will submit a firstclass programme. Admission, as usual, is sixpenco and one shilling. GARRISON OFFICERS' BALL. The new Brill Hall at Buckle Street is to receive its " terpsichorean baptism " on' the oyoning of Juno 2-1, the dato fixed for the Garrison officers' ball, always one of the most pleasurable dances of the season. Numerous applications for invitations liavo been received, and are being dealt with, and it is oxpected that tho now hall will lie the scono of a brilliant social function. Among those to bo invited aro tho members of tho AngloWelsh football team, who will tlion bo in Wellington. PUBLIC LECTURE. . Tho next of tho Public Library • lectures will bo given in tho Town Hall to-night. Mr. ' Poynton, who has given so many interesting , popular scientific lectures, is the lecturer, ; and tho!subject;is " Lumiiiiforous Ether, and / its importance.in tho. Cosmos."' The lecturer, besides explaining tho wonders of wireless telegraphy, will show the importance of other to light, heat, electricity, and other forces. Mr. Poynton will also dip, into the future, j and touch upon the. manv. discoveries which t