ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 294, 5 September 1908, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Messrs. Meynell p.ud Gunn's dramatic company. continued tho staging of "Tho Little Bread /Winner" last evening, tho attendance demonstrating the liking of the public for a piece ill which children take prominent parts. The . story is a -sad one, but it contains' some patches' of cheery brightness, ■ which; did not' lose their effect upon th* audience. Queenie Williams, as the n'ttlo breads winner, was successful, a,nd Mr. G. P. Carey gave a good rendering of tho part of Lord William Dorrington. Miss Beatrice Holloway did well as Margaret Davontry, and tho other members of the company were in good form. Tho last two nights are advertised. The last two nights are announced of "The Little Bread Winner." On Tuesday night next the management will ,present for the first time in Wellington Arthur Shirley's (author of "The Two Little Vagabonds," etc.) latest English success . "The , Stepmothor.." The piece is one dealing with a question of interest to all classes of tho community. A featurs of the production will be' tho reappearance* of Mr. Ernest Leicester, the popular English actor; in Wellington, in the character of Captain Bristow. The* run of "The Stepmother" is limited to four nights,' and the plan for the season opens at tho Dresden this morning.

' FULLERS' PICTURES. ■ Three .'or four condensed melodramas, as many more uproarious farces, one or two short costume plays, experiences of foreign travel, a spice of science, and a strong seasoning of the grotesque, form the usuid recipe of moving pictures entertainments. With such variety of fare it is no wonder that the public palate is not jaded. At the Theatre Royal last evening Messrs. Fuller ■ and Son put on this menu. Every dish was of the best, and the large attendance signified their approbation.- Melodrama and the costume play were amalgamated in a reproduction of. the audacious 'feats and shocking fate, of Mandrel, a ■ terriblG French highwayman. : Mandrel at bay,, and shooting down a spy, Mandrel relieving awed aristocrats of their jewels,-Mandrel hounded down by the spy's son, and seized by .the police, evon Mandrel-in the act of being broken alive on the wheel, was shown with vivid realism for the excitement of a public that dearly loves a contrast to its humdrum, peaceful life. " Walter, the Rural Postman, is the hero of another picture melodrama. It is described as a " dramatic and realistic scene, lit-which an'innocent'man is sentenced and '■"punished for the crime of others. Circumstantial evidence is strong, but eventually Truth prevails, and the honest postman is sot free." _ Without doubt, it is dramatic and realistic to the last degree. Embraces, pistol-shots; and more embraces make tho action of "The Pony' Express," a story of American adventure. / The romantic events of "Romeo and Juliet" form a twentyminutes' progress/ The lovers are as impassioned as the most exacting person can desire, the "staging" is'altogether gorgeous and there are no waits between the acts. The beginning of the" game of diabolo is thus described in changing'views. Satan is playing " Diabolo," and each timo he throws up his toy there comes forth a small imp which juggles in its- turn. Then Satan throws it up to the sun, which looks at it scornfully, and sends it to the moon, which drops it listlessly, and the " Diabolo lands on the surface of the earth; and delights its inhabitants. The other 'humorous sets mado tho spectators _ shake with laughter. The Rev. Sir. Spalding, in three acts, does riot meet with-the experiences which befall a biorainic comic character in ten minutes. The kinematograph is- specially successful in depicting the foam and eddy of tho sea, and tho set of pictures which describes a trip in a submarino is alone' worth tho price of admission to Messrs. Fullers' entertainment. After a Puck's progress • through America, Franco, Venice, England, and tho realms of Satan, the traveller is transported to tho depths of the sea. He pokes in hulls of sunken ships, with fishes swimming overhead, and just as ho is musing on an environment that should be freo from crime, a desperate encounter of two divers gives him more delicious thrills. ' Tho pictures are all technically good, and there is no flickor. They will be ropeated to-night.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A number of new pictures was added to the_ Royal Pictures programmo at His Majesty's Theatro last night, and tho large auaienco acccpted them with marked approval. Tho quality of the pictures requires no comment, as tho Royal Pictures management has established a reputation. From start to finish the programme was bright ' and interesting, .and comprised some of the most up-to-date expositions of the kinematographic art.' Of tho new pictures last night a striking series depicting "A Day in tho Life of a Sicilian Hermit" was full of emotional and sentiment-awakening incidents, and was projected on the screen with realism and wealth of detail. "Baby's Playmate" is a thrilling story without words. This picture, which is one of tho finest ever shown hare, first discloses a pony and its young mistress, and gradually interest is worked up to tho culminating point at which the'clever equine effects the rescuo of its playma;te by bringing tho fire brigade to the burning haystack on which the child is sleeping. Loud applause greeted the denouement. Coloured moving pictures have been brought to a high state of perfection, and tho lloyal Pictures have a notable examplo in the fairy legend "The Blue Bird." Tho humorous section was added to by "Tho Adof a Bailiff," which proved very laughable. "The American Fleet at Sydney' and tho'remaining.films were repeated with great success. A matinee will bo held this afternoon. THE MALLINSONS. It was gratifying to find tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall crowdcd to tho doors last evening on the occasion of tho second and final song recital by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mallinson. The programmo varied from that of the first rccital in that ten of tho twentyono songs sung by Mrs. Mallinson woro bv miscellaneous authors, of which "Love is Everywhere Around Thee" (Schubert), "Schlaflied" (Moszkowski). "Morning" (Richard' Strauss), and "The Song of tho Road" (Puget) found most favour. The tender lullaby "Schlaflied," sung so charmingly hero by Madame Alida Loman, was rendered with fine feeling. "The Song of the Road" has a bravo rollick, in excellent keeping with Alfred do Muset's jingling lines. Tho gems of tho Mallinson songs sung last evening were "The Rosebud" (a vocal jewel), "Summertide," "Slow Horses, Slow," "Baby," and "Daybreak," but in all the singor's interpretation and the composer's accompaniments wore in perfect accord with tho spirit of tho lyrics. Miss Evelyn Wyman proved herself a student of promise in her pianoforte solos,

tho allegro moderato from Grieg's Sonata in E Minor,'S and Paderewski's "Craeovienno Fantastique." Miss Robe Kussmann's violin solos were Sarnsate's "Ziguc-norwoisen" and "La Folia" (Corelli). . OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. Last night's session at the Olympia Skating Rink was unusually well attended, tho occasion being a complimentary evening tendered by tho management to tho gentlemen patrons of tho rink. During tho evening tho Olympia Band contributed an excellent programme of the latest music. A matinee at reduced rates will, be held this morning, and tho band. will attend both afternoon and evening' sessions. A ladies' night takes placo on Monday, and a carnival on Wednesday. HOME OF COMPASSION. Mother' Mary Joseph' Aubcrt's concert, which will be hold in tlio Town Hall on Monday evening next, in aid of tho Sisters and Homo of Compassion, promises to bo of special interest.' Tho programme arranged by Mr. Robert Parker is varied and attractive, and a.special feature is tho part-singing by the Glee and. Madrigal Choir and tho Wellington Liedertafel. Tho instrumental and solo items'aro to be commended, ■ and should 'prove very welcome to music-lovers. Tho full programme appears in this issue. Seats can- be booked at tho Dresden.

SELWYN FOOTBALL CLUB'S SMOKE , CONCERN. Tho members of the Selwyn Football Club held their annual smoko concert last night, Mr. L. Flowers, vice-president, presiding over 'an, attendance of about seventy. Tho club, which is riot by any means an old oue, has good reason to be proud of its rccord, especially in ' the third grade. During tho evening the following toast list was gono througtt"The ; Club," proposed Mr. L. Flowers'; "The Visitors," proposed by Mr. S. Lfrke; "Tho Oiiicers," proposed by Mr. Murdoch; "The Referees," proposed by Mr. Clark; and "The Press," proposed by Mr. H. Buck. Tho musical portion of tho evening's entertainment was contributed to by Messrs.-C.- Gray, Mills, Taylor, Laughlin, Jlikes, Barr, J. Casey, and F. Cooper. THE'BURNS-SQUIRES BATTLE. Full particulars are announced in our amusement columns with reference to tho cinematographic reproduction of the prize fight between Burns and Squires for the championship of the world, which was fought in the huge stadium in Sydney on August 24, in the presence of over 14,000 poisons. Tho solo biograph rights are stated to have been secured by Messrs. Edwin Geach and Carroll, who are now arrangeing a comprehensive tour, of the world, which includes tho principal cities and towns of New Zealand. Tho Wellington season, which will bo necessarily limited, is announced to commence at the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening next. The management took a great risk in this enterprise, sinoo a big fee had to bo paid for the world's. exclusive rights, and had tho contest, ended , with ono or two rounds, or tho weather conditions proved unpropititious, great loss would.have resulted. Every circumstance, however, proved propititious, and tho pictures were successful almost beyond expectation..

MEN'S LECTURE. Mr. R. H. W. Bligh will give his lecture to men'and lads'to-morrow, at 3 p.m. There will be .'an organ preludo at 2.30 p.m. Mr. J. P. Firth, Principal of Wellington Collego, will preside at the lecture. Mr. Bligh addressed Vcrowd«l\audiences in tho Town Hall two years ago. , MISS AINSLEY'S CONCERT. Tho concerts to be given by Miss Irene Ainsloy (Madame Melba's protegee) in the Town Hall on Thursday and Friday of next week should ' afford a great musical treat. The box plan will bo opened on Monday at tho Dresden. MR. CHARLES SAUNDERS. ' The news of the recovery of Mr. Charles Saunders, the great singer, who was unable to complete his Wellington season last month, owing to a relaxed throat, will bo groeted-.with satisfaction. Still greater satisfaction will bo expressed when it is generally known that . arrangements havo been completed, for. a. return and farewell visit. Mr. Saunders will givo two concerts in the Town ■ Hall on September 16 and 18, in conjunction with tho Wellington Choral Society. No expense will lj'o sparod to mako these concerts thoroughly enjoyable, and tho songs to bo sung by Mr. Saunders jvill be chosen to please all tastes. Tho box plan will bo open at tho Dresden on Thursday next. BOYS; INSTITUTE ENTERTAINMENT.' The musical and dramatic entertainment, to be held, in the Concert Chamber (Town Hall), on Monday next, promises to be most original' and attractive. Mr. James Dykes will dircct tho first part, to which Messrs. A. S. Ballance,!'. Cooko, Morris Fox, Watts, Widdop, Newton, Kenny, T. Brown, Twiss, M'Beth, and Dykes will contribute itoms. An amusing sketch by Mr. H. B. Bridge, "A Women's Election Court Case (2025 A.D.)," constitutes the secoifd part .of tho programme His Worship tho Mayor will preside. An excellent programme has been arranged for Mr. Maughan Barnett's next organ recital, which will be given in tho Town Hall on Tuesday next.