ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 634, 11 October 1909, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"A BACHELOR'S HONFA'MOON.". This cheerful ■ and : entirely • irresponsible farce, continues, to,attract largo audiences to the Opera House, and smali wonder. Though there- is nothing of intrinsic worth in the play itself, it is lifted along with', a bound_by the cleverest combination-of comedians who have .visited Wellington for a long-time. Further, "A Bachelor's Honeymoon" is not a one-part piece—everyone in the cast gets a chan«y,aud they all ."make good." Mr. Hugh Ward, who tops the Inincli, is just delightful as the youngola widower (with two grown-up' daughters), who has married an actress without telling her of his "encumbrances." His simple schooiboyish joy, his. timidity,'his assumed .bravado, and his despair-to make, things right with his moral guardian, his ogreisli Aunt Minerva, are depicted with a natural humour that never oversteps' tho boundary of legitimate comedy. His (lancing is an exhilarating feature Miss Grace Palotta has perhaps a more alluring personality than any actress seen here for avery long ■ time,, anil,. in . that. roguish "Bon jour, Messicur," exhibits that chic and delicate suggestion that can only bo conveyed by the French actress. There is a.'note in "Billy" that should make Miss Rose Musgrove famous, and the manner in which she gives "I'm Afraid to Go Home in the Dark" just fits the .character she revels in; Miss-Ghiloni as Minerva is good, and' excellent performances are given by Misses. 'Ruby 'Baxter,. R«dfern, and Messrs. Vt'ykeham, Greig, and Wallace.• There will only be two more performances of "A Bachdor's Honeymoon," and the .revival of "The Man from Mexico" on Wodnesday, and Thursday evenings will be welcomed by local theatregoers. As a laughter-compelling play the production is almost unrivalled. Sparkle and funthere are in' abundance, comical situations abound, and all have to.laugh and langh again; at the plight of the married man overwhelmed by misfortune as the result of one Peccadillo. The title role is taken by Mr. Hugh Ward, and it is,stated that his rerfdering of it cannot be betttred. Mr. Ward's efforts' are abbseconded by Miss Grace Palotta as Clementina Fitzhugh. Miss Cclia Ghiloni, MissTlose Mnsgrove, and the full strength of the company appear in the cast. Mr. \\ernham S. Ryott, an English actor, makes'his first appearance here in this play, and Mr. William B. Beattie a re; lippearauco. The last two. nights of tho season ■will bo devoted to the revival of "Mr. Hopkinson." ; It is described .as a comedy of a high order, depending upon'the absurd con- , .duct, of a parvenu who has suddenly, by tho inheritance of a lame fortune, entered into aristocratic circles. The plans are on viow.at the Dresden. ■'-~

....,,.. THEATRE. ROYAL.'..;■.-.. . ;,., | : The Theatre Royal was well filled , on Saturday '. night by, expectant picture-lovers desirous | of witnessing.Messrs. .fullers'-new. programme, and one and'all spent a very pleasant couple of hours.: The films were of a ' high order,' and covered a.great variety of interesting• subjects. Perhaps tho most charming 'one,- was that entitled "Across Ceylon," which 1 gave ;it clear impression of that enchanting island. The spectator is conveyed by a railway train over a-'pretty "picco of country, and through the. most gorgeous of scenery. Tho train passes through innumerable tunnels, intersecting rocky, hills, and, upon emerging into'the light of day once more, the traveller's eyes rest upon a scene of unusual beauty, 'l'be'lino traverses country; covered v."ith tall palms and tropical verdure, a pretty roadway runs parallel, and, close- by, a mujestic river, overhung with creepers, sweeps by on its way to the ocean, , very ro'miniscent of the Waikato River in places. Tho natural beauty of the picture is enhanced by tasteful colouring. This film alone is worth a visit to see. Next on the list-was a pathetic story, "What "Women Suffer," depicting the sad lot ; of the woman, whoso husband^is sentenced to two.years' imprisonment for'-embezzlemcnt. Turned out oMiouso and * home, sho and her , children are forced to beg. The term is served, liberty gained, but tho erring one finds his house to let, -and departs for the diamond fields, where ho amasses a largo fortune, .and,'.on-returning, he is appealed '-to for alms by .a beggar in rags, who,turns out.to be his own wife, and—"All's well'that ends' well." ; A talo well■ calculated to delight the heart of youth is depicted in "The: -Ranch-owner's Daughter." The lady is coveted by two cowboys, as well as a-redskin, who looks very terrifying, armed, as he is, with a large tomahawk. Red deed? arc done, but, .ill; the course.of time, the; good triumph, and tho 'wilrdpCTS. reap tho whirlwind they had sown," "A. Gale .at ..Biarritz'-Vj; presented ■ a spectacle of considerable interest the portrayal of aviolqrit storm being,very successful. Mirth , was not'by any means, , neglected, one; of the'most amusing, sketches being called "Ah" txtraorainarjr; Jonrnpy," -iii-'--V ( hich a railway train performs ' .contortions.'.iii,'.the air. ,and' dives beneath; the the, great incon- 1 veniPiicp of the , passengers, and ' the •'delight of.the audirace. "The.Hats of All Nations" ironv. ancient times',proved a film of interest, partjciilarly to the.ladies. Others,run off , .were! tLh? 8 " <m? ht £. '3 he '™S™?' ."Mistaken Identity, ~ VThs Electric Enlarger. , " "BlessinK- , .on « "Salon-e Mad," and "Inl dustrial British Columbia.". The programme will be repeated this ovening... ■■

ROYAL PICTURES. AT THE TOWN HALL., i The Town Halfwii] be occupied by tho Royal ■Picture Syndicate on Wednesday'evening (Labour Might), when the management ; will present one of their delightful picture'entertainment?... A programme of the latest films in the various branches of biographic art will bo shown, and it is guaranteed-that every picture will ba tiew. to Wellington audiences. Every item will be quite distinct from the pictures nt: His Majesty's Theatre, where the Eoyal Pictures also show. A full orchestra has been engaged to play appropriate musical selections,, and Hie cheap prices of admission which mado the 'Royal Pictures- famous are announced, beats can be reserved'at. the Dresden'." . •

;,-■■ . STAR PICTURES;. ■ The- opening exhibition of tho Star Pictures this evening promises to be an entertainment ot high merit..-. Ihe programme has/been carefully selected with a.view, of pleasing tho taste of everyone,' and will include, studies of industry, travel, pathos, and humour. The inauguration of this permanent picture entertainment. atNewtown. should, provo a boon to tho residents, who hitherto have not been .'catered-for in this direction. -■• -' ■■

'~ ' ,'HARRY RICKARDS'S COMPANY. \" : '■ Encouraged by tho success of previous trips, Mr. Richards is sending for his next venture; commencing at the Opera House ou October 18, tho strongest combination of vaudeville artists that he has ever got together for a New Zealand tonr. Tho combination will be headed by three great European novelty acts, viz., Madame C'usseUi's troupe of performing dogs,, with whicli she has made splendid hits in Mr. Rickards's Sydney and Melbourne theatres, and . which : are now drawing crowded houses at Auckland. Another turn of-equal merit is that of tho" Misses Florence and Lillian 'in an entirely new musical act,.said to be as novel as it is clever. The Auckland "Herald". says:— "Would that more artists of the calibre of Misses Florence and Lillian.would invade .the vaudeville stage.' Between them they gave-a 'turn , that.would grace the' programme of any high-class concert." Tho third attraction will bo the Kremka, Brothers, a pair of . Continental comedy acrobats said to be superior to the famous. Artois Brothers, who made a name for themselves in New Zealand lastyear. Fred Graham and Nellie Dent are members of this company, arid come, with a budget of new sketches. They will .open in- their latest success entitled: "The 100 to 1 Chance." The other, members of the company have.been -.arefully selected from Mr. Rickards's Sydriej and' Melbourne theatres. On account of Wednesday being a holiday the bos plau will be open at the Dresden to-morrow morning/, not Wednesday as previously advertised. '.

,\ .' ORGAN RECITAL. ;■• .;. .. : -■. " Those who attended tho' organ, recital given by Mr. 'Maughari. Barnctt (city organist); iu the Town Hall on Saturday evening, had the pleasure of. listening to a very fine programme of items from the works, of representative jomposers. The opqning number, was tho Bach .Prelude and Furuo in C," a brilliant and interesting excerpt from tho works of the great master.' Mendelssohn's •'Pilgrim'r March" |frotn tHe. "Italian Symphony") ■ was tho next it'o.m—a most' beautiful. movement, lihoinborger, by whose comparatively recent death' the modern school of 'organ composers was deprived of one' of its masters, was,- represented in his. fino "Idyllo nud Toccata" (from the fourteenth Sonata).- Tho succeeding items were: Corolli's "Gavotte in D" Lem arc's "Elegy in G>" t' le rental concluding with n brilliant fantasie on Gounod's"Fanst." ' The programme for next Saturday evening's recital ■will include Grief's "Peer Gynt" Suite, and AVagnor's.Prelude, Act 111., "Lohengrin."

A "social" - in aid, of the funds of tho St. 'Vincent do Paul" Society is to be held in tho Town Hall to-morrow evening. ~''...