ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 320, 6 October 1908, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE OPERA HOUSE. The striking drama "Tho Great Millionaire" was repeated by Mr. Bland Holt's company last night; before a largo and appreciative audience. The play itself is far above the average of melodrama in construction and interest, and the remarkable stage resources for which Mr. Holt is noted aro a great attraction in themsolves. When good acting and the personal clement are also coil: sidered, it is not surprising that the audieiibo should receive Mr. Holt's entertainment with enthusiasm. The play will be performed again to-night. \ WEST'S PICTURES. . West's Pictures and Do Groen's Orchestra —a happy combination—drow an enormous audience to the Town Hall last evening to seo the world reduced to a kinematograph representation of a delightfully diverting character. The name of T. J. West has come to be regarded in l the animated-picture line with the same degree of respect as that of Mr. J. C. Williamson in the realm of the play proper, a name that has been built up by giving uniformly excellent kinematograph displays, allied, to another attractive speciality. As on the last occasion, the entertainment is considerably. enhanced by the orchestral music supplied by De Groen's Vice-Regal Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. Horace Watts, which not only plays selections when the lights are up, but arc.ompanies each picture'with appropriate music Splayed more than ordinarily well,. The pictures—the i interminable ribbon of new pictures—exert a strange fascination over the public. Last evening's programme was diverse enough ta satisfy the most fastidious. The patriotic were permitted to view his Majesty the King and Queen Alexandra being entertained on the ■ steamer Roma by tho King and Queen of Italy. At tho conclusion of a five minutes' view one felt quite familiar with His Majesty. The group was obviously posing for the machine which "got them" life-size in a variety of attitudes and variously x arranged groups. Very interesting were the magnificent views of the FrancoBritish Exhibition, disclosing an architectural opulence little suspected, and introducing ! the audience to a reflection of the gaiety and' amusement to be found at the big show at Shepherd's Bush. There is a certain educative value attached to the series of .views depicting the Astrakhan fishing industry, which is manipulated by a fair distribution of labour between the men and women of Eastern Russia, and the charming studies • illustrative of Tyrolean customs, ceremonies, dances, and religious observances. . Ilnder ■ the same , heading may be classed the group of pictures illustrating little-known Brazil, with its fine river and mountain scenery. There wore no more, popular views than those that came under the heading "Our Navy," consisting of views of the shore training at Whale Portsmouthy the fleet "dressed" for inspection by the King, and miscellaneous views of Jack's life afloat. A number ■of marine pictures taken near Biarritz proved what admirable effects can be obtained in coloured kinematography—warm sunshine, twilight, and moonlight on the water all being represented with the 'greatest fidelity. Of the comic class, "March Winds," "Tho Mummy and the Professor," "The Explosive Calf," and "The Baffled Policemen" wore laughable examples. West's Pictures will be shown at the Town Hall until further notice.

THEATRE ROYAL. The Wide World Pictures at the Theatre Royal continue to attract satisfied audiences. The present programme has a line series of views illustrating life in Madeira, and is particularly strong in fascinating story pictures, so popular with the public. THE ROYAL PICTURES. His Majesty's Theatre was liberally patronised last night, when the excellent programme was repeated. The pictures are exceptionally good, and will be shown for the last time this evening, the usual change being made to-morrow evening. The English mail which arrived last night brought a large consignment' of new pictures from tho leading film-makers, and a further 'parcel is due to-morrow from Sydney. From tlieso to-morrow night's programme will bo selected. It is this constant change of items (tho latest subject procurable) that has mado tho Itoyal Pictures a popular entertainment. THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. The Scarlet Troubadours attracted another large audienco to tho Concert .Chamber of the Town Hall last evening, and delighted all with their fine singing and clover fooling. Tho Troubadours provide . a class of entertainment that tho public want, and. they continue to emphasise that by malting demands upon the capacity of the hall nightly.