ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 444, 1 March 1909, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK." On Saturday evening, Mr. J. C. Williamson's Musical Comedy Company presented "Tlio I'rinco of Pilsen" for tho last time. Thero was a largo audicncc, and tlio piece, beautifully staged and well played, went excellently. To-night, and throughout all this week, the old favourite, "Tho Bello of New York," will be presented. Reports from other centres indicate that this company gives a fine all-round representation of ' "Tho Belle." Wellington playgoers have evidently heard of this, for there has already been ail exceptionally good booking. Amongst musical comedies "The Belle" is in tho front rank. Thero aro many novel, diversified, and amusing characters, who_ keep tho "business" going constantly, whilst the musical numbers aro also specially attractive. The magnificent finale to tho first act is an outstanding feature. THEATRE ROYAL. Tabloid drama, prettily-coloured "magic" films, humorous "fake" pictures, and pictures doscriptive of tours and historic events, comprised the bill which was presented to patrons of the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. 'I ho tabloid melodrama, wherein the hero emerges triumphant from conflict with overwhelming odds, and tho villain either dies a fitting death or lives repentant, is as popular as ever. "Nancy, the Burglar's Daughter," was a good example of this class of picture. Nancy is shown in the first scene, driven from home by a cruel father, and spurned by the well-to-do when she endeavours to earn an honest living, so that at last she determines to suffer the stings and arrows of outrageous fortune no longer, but to end them, to drown herself and her sorrows in a convenient pond. She lias taken the fatal plunge, when the hero comes on the scene, throws off his coat and shoes in businesslike fashion, and rescues the despairing 0110. In scene two, Nancy is shown as a much-altered person married to her benefactor. But a deep plot is formed by the burglar, the father of Nancy. Ho cntices the hero away from the house at a Quarter past four according to tho clock in tlie picture, and as night descends forces his way into the house and commences to rob. But Nancy surprises him, and when her husband comes homo protects him. The old burglar reforms, it is presumed, for in the last scene be is shown taking round tho collectionplate in a meeting. So much for.the drama. In comedy "The Chauffeur's Dream" was a really humorous picture. ' It showed the dream adventures of a chauffeur who, when slumber had closed his eyelids, imagined that he was motoring round the country in a car of magic powers Such a small tiling asa policeman was 110 trouble at all—the car simply flew over his head. After adventures including a descent into the depths of the sea, and a voyage to the centre of the earth, by way of a volcano crater, the motorist awakes to find himself clutching tho washhand basin and endeavouring to steer a somewhat erratic bed. These are only two specimens of tho films, all of which are well worth seeing. For those who cannot take delight in voyages to tho centre of the earth, there are trips round Edinburgh and Glasgow, and to Lake Constance and tlio beautiful upper waters of tho Rhine, where the falls of Schaffhauscn are. Views are also r.hown of Lord Minto's entry into Lucknow. Tho programme will be repeated to-night and throughout this week. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The well-selected and interesting assortment of pictures at present being shown by the Royal' Pictures management at His Majesty's Theatre provided entertainment for a largo audience on Saturday night. In tho afternoon a matinee was equally well attended. The programme will be repeated for two more nights, the weekly chango taking place on Wednesday. SACRED CONCERT AT THE BASILICA, In place of tho usual evening devotions at the Basilica, Hill Street, last evening, a programme of sacred music was rendered- by tlio choir, with tho assistance of several ladies. Miss Putnam ■ capably discharged the duties of organist. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, in a brief address, commended to thoso present the object of the spccial effort which was being made, namely, tho augmentation of tho Penguin Relief Fund. Collectors then wont round, and the sum of £20 18s. was contributed. Tho Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was pronounced at the close. The church was crowded. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Maughan Barnett gavo in tho Town Hall on Saturday night the iast but one of his series of forty organ recitals, under the auspices of tho City Council. Tho programme, which was greatly enjoyed by a largo audience, was selected from standard and lighter works that havo proved most popular at previous concerts. After tho final concert, on Saturday next, Mr. Bariiett will havo played in this series 163 transcriptions from 74 composers. THE CIRCUS. Crowded matinee and evening performances concluded the Wellington season of Wirth's Circus on Saturday. Ilie circus, which is one of the largest., and best ever seen here, opens in Carterton to-night. ■ THE CHERNIAYSKI RECITALS. Mr. Edward Branscombe, who will be remembered as bringing to New Zealand some little time ago tho immensely successful and popular "Westminster Concert Party," and latterly the "Scarlet Troubadours," announces a farewell season of three nights, next Thursday, Friday. ;>nd Saturdayj of his Equally attractive and more musically astounding combination in the Clierniavskis, tho celebrated Russian prodigies. All that tho "Westminster Boys'' were in the department of vocal art, tiie Cherniavskis are (only naturally in a mufih more wonderful degree) in the realm of instrumental music.

JUPP'S BAND. Yesterday afternoon at Newtown Park selections of band music were rendered by Jupp's Band. At- tiio gates holpers wero ready with the collection boxes, and a good amount was received, which will be handed over to tho Penguin relief fund.