ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 310, 24 September 1908, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The excellent scries of pictures being shown at tho Theatre Roya.l moot with the full approbation of a discriminating public. Tho film descriptive of tho trip.from Quebec to the Niagara Falls is one of. tho best travel pictures seen in.. Wellington, ;' and for the comic element in-kinematography "When Casey Joined the Lodge" would bo difficult to out-laugh. There will be ft. complete change of programme on Saturday. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. .. . His' Majesty's Theatre was packed to the doors again last ' evening 'to - witness a new _ picture programme equally as' alluring as those . that have gone before, and hew' in every particular. Of the series presented last, evening none' was more interesting than ; "A Trip Through Russia"—St. Petersburg, with its cobble-stoned streets, galloping droskies, regiments on parade;'. Moscow in all its minaroted glory, tho great' Kromlin palace, the famous mosquo arid big bell;-and Tiflis in its grime and poverty.. //.Another enlighening picture gave the life history of the firewood supply of Paris. • The dramatic pictures are surprisingly good in their attention to detail, and tho perfection of tho pantomimic acting of those engaged in delineating the stories. Of these "The Jealous Fiancee," "Tho Signalman's' Sweetheart," and-"The Patriot" were the best. There is njways food for laughter at the .Royal Pictures show, though the. humour, of .the. comic .films is of-the extravagant orders "The Dodger" and "On Bad Terms with the Porter" are excellent examples of - kinematographic comody. The usual matinee will.be given on Saturday : afternoon'.'' '' ' \ y-V-- • WEST'S PICTURES; The West's Pictures Company intends opening its : Wellington, season at ..the Town Hall on October 5. The. Company is' bringing De Oroen's' viceregal orchestra to New Zealand for the present' tour;- which'is already booked; up to June next, and' will possibly extend' into September, 1909.'- -

.. THE -SCARLET TROUBADOURS. The many music-lovers of Wellington who will remember the 'enjoyment, derived 'from Mr.-Edward Branscombe's last visit-to New Zealand with the famous Westminster Glee Singers will doubtless welcome ihe advent of another party of vocalists'under his direction, in the forthcoming visit of the "Scarlet Troubadours," who aro anhounced to appear at the Town Hall' on Thursday evoning, next, giving o. series of performancesr.with constant changes of-programme. • This comgany; how? lover, provide" a rather different class of music, their programme being forV the most part of a light and refined humorous/. character I.served up in a quaint .and .riovel form,' tho numbers being . 'acted": •in costume. The musical standard, of excellence; and ' merits Lof'tho artists are. of a .high'order; and the ■male 'quartet tile "Troubadours" is said to bo even' superior to that .which:, Mrl Branscombe bro*ught'''with his last ( Westminster 'Party'.; Part siiigitfg forms, the principal feature of their . performance, and as' ail assurance that this .will prove of an acceptable character, it need but' 'be 'men-' .tioned that " Mr.. '• Edward • "Branscombe , is in London ,'tb"?Jb6- the .highest! ;autbority on this class of music... Additional interest is lent to ' the__various choruses, quartets,., .duos, arid"solos]'"b£,,their- presen-' tation in tho form of short-scories given in. costume with appropriate movement"'-and. /gesture,- and; the introduction'" of clever humour-and refined, witticisins.' ■

WELLINGTON PROFESSIONAL : ORCHESTRA. - • ;

• At tho Opera House to-night,, the Welling.' ton public will have tho opportunity' of- listening to tho first concert given by' the: Professional Orchestra (assisted by Miss Amy Hydo and Mr. Ernest Parkes). Among the items., to.-be given.; are -the, selections: "Forge in the Forest," and "Lustigi Bruder," which are being played, by', -request. These selections were played by the band, at the-last-racing carnival; and caused very favourable comments from 'music-lovers'/'. The. booking at the Dresden up to. yesterday.indicated ,a largo audience, and intending patrons are' advised; by 'the"management 1 to make sure of . their seats by securing- them early to-day. ',' ' ' "* ' : V. "OUR REGIMENT." The comedy, "Our Regiment,'.' will be produced on Monday] night next' in tjio'6pera House'by the Mountebank Dramatic aid of St. John : Ambulance 'Association. His Excellency the Governor',will probably' be• present, ■ and ; Sir, Joseph ahd Lady .Ward have intimated their intention' of attending; tho audience will, also, include , members, of tho House, and 'officer's 'of.-the Defence Department .(permanent and '.volunteer),.-'who have Received permission :to wear.'full-dress uniform.'- The opening performance/promises to be most successful, and the. club is, sparing 110 effort-in -its ; .desire'to- -give Welhngtonians a, treat. • The booking-afc tlio ; Dresden' is said to be most satisfactory,-and bumper houses are said to be; v assuredi • 'The public are'responding in a'liberal maimer,' and such interest is most encouraging "to "the club. V " MISSIONS TO siuiEN. ' A crowded audience/, wa's ' present at the Missions to Seanien"lnstilute.last night, when, the Misses Hurley provided, a concert. The chair was occupied by.'the missioiier,' Mr. James Moore, who," during a short interval, dolivered a temperance address oil 1 the subject, "Facts- for .Thinkers."'-- As a result seven men took the pledge"of' total abstin-' ence.: A . conundrum competition, " which caused a good deal of'amusement,' was won. by sailors from ships-in port:.. ; Several very popular choruses; led' by ithe" missioner, were sung by the audience in good'style. Vocal and' elocutionary items were contributed to. tho programme by-the. following: Mrs.' Rigg,' Misses Toler-Curtis, ,'E. Hurley, D.' Hurley, Doris Stevens, Messrs. O.' Proctor; L.' Wilkins, 1 H. Burdckin, and L. Barnes. Mrs.. Rigg, Miss Hurley, and. Mr. "-F; Proctor acted as;accompanists.' The-performers were accorded a hearty voto of., thanks at ■ the conclusion of tho concert, ;'aiid light refreshments were dispensed. '

The Yorkshire Society held'an impromptu musical evening last night which proved most enjoyable, a good: company being present. Messrs. Coltman, Temporton, Far'r, Morton, and Horrowby contributed items.' Mr. A; Ellergave a couple of violin solos; and; Mr. Allan presided at tho ; piano.