ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 777, 29 March 1910, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"PETER PAN."

"Peter Pan" lias made a-hit with Wellington audiences. On all sides one hears nothing but praise of Mr. J. M. Barrie's pretty dream play, which touches—even. disturbs —the heart strangely while pleasing the eye, and tickling the car with its delicate satire and quaint humour. Many plays are over-boomed before they arrive, and the public Has learned to allow a certain discount on that account. In the case- of "Peter Pan" tho position is entirely reversed —it exceeds all expectations, and leaves one wondering why Peter has not made New Zealand, his Never Never Never Land long ago. There is one incident in the play which admirably reflects the Barrie sentiment. . Tinker Bell, the ball of light and Peter's good fairy, has an allseeing eye, and when that sinister villain Capt. Hook poisons Peter's medicine, Tinker sees it done, and warns Mr. Pan of his danger. But Peter laughs it .the warning, and expresses his intention of taking tho medicine because he had promised Wendy to do so. In despair Tinker drinks tho medicine herself to save Peter's life, and having done so her light—which is all of her— grows, dimmer and dimmer, and Peter, distracted at his fairy's failing -health,' says that tho only means of saving Tin-, ker's life is to announce oiie's belief in fairies by'applauding. And how does'the audience—young' and oldapplaud I. .v.Of coursp, they believe .in fairies. A second visit to "Peter Pan," played . to. crowded , houses yesterday afternoon and evening, only' serves to convince one that, apart from tho play itself, the performance is'one of the most artistic and complete yet seen in Wellington. Miss Lizette Parkes is a sweet and dainty Peter, Miss Revira a.' charming . Wendy,' and Miss Kitty [ Mason a _ dear little Michael. Mr. | Thomas Kingston acts Capt. Hook with humorous conviction, and' does full jus-

tice to Mr. Darling. Miss Valentine Sydney is a lovable Mrs. Darling, and Mr. Chas. Smith a most ingratiating Nana. : "Peter Pan" : .will.-be. played : throughout the week. FULLER'S VAUDEVILLE COM-'- . '. : PANY. - , Wise people who desired vaudeville entertainment, last evening were.early upon,the scene at the Theatre.Royal," the -'.house being;, crowded:.long ; befpro eight o'clock...■ Messrs. Fuller.and Sons introduced a.riumber.of new artists,.and there''Was. a'.reappearance :of an , old Wellington favourite—Mr." Charles Fanning,' who has 'returned with as much life and broad humour' about hisdoings as ever; He makes an inimitable end-man. Miss Georgio'Devoe, a dainty soubrette,; appeared for the first tinie behind the footlights at : the-,. Theatre Royal, and her dialogues with Charlie -Fanning w'ero. particularly 'diverting. There, was also another newcomer, Charlotta, a dimimitive.person who has considerable entertaining ability. As a '"child wonder." .she well deserves her place in , a programme. Making their second appearance, the Crottous, in their Roman gladiator turn, again had a warm reception. These two young men show remarkable muscular dovclopment,;. and: their ;:iioat and straightrout acrobatio feats and'strength tests arc, decidedly interesting. Thoy are.splendid specimens- of healthy-manhood. Miss Gertie Johns is. one'of the "most popular, members;'of; the! company; for her step-dancing- is irreproachably neat and attractive. The Coleman Sisters, Aus-j tralian song, and dance ■ artists, vary; things somewhat with acrobatic movements.' The Klimos continue, to. swing amusingly on Roman, rings, 'and the other 'items'.'of the programme are supplied by Miss MaudTEewson'(contralto), -Miss :Beattie M'Donald, and Mr. Joe Charles. The company -will, appear nightly, this week. ■' , HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE/ .", Kinematograph entertainments as a source, of amusoment are still as popular as ever, and the success of His Majesty's pictures continues unabated. Last ovening the auditorium was packed, and each' picture on its conclusion met with general applause. The weekly change of programme will take place on Wednesday evening. ,;; ; ' ' ■ Before seven o'ejock last evening the King's Theatre... was. crowded, and hundreds' had 'to; be refused ; admission. The programme of. pictures' screened, moro especially those of a' : humorous nature, kept the audience in a real holiday mood. To-morrow evening the Australian cricketers will bo the guests of the proprietary, and on Wednesday evening a complete change ; of programme is promised. ....

PICTURES;AT THE TOWN HALL. A vast audience filled every, seat at the Town' Hall last evening. to witness His Majesty's Pictures, installed for the nonce in the municipal chamber. There was no doubting tue thorough appreciation manifested at the quality of the programme; which was above reproach. Among the best: dramatic pictures was n pageant of-"Macbeth','.' magnificently staged, and engaging hundreds of supernumerariesV.Tlie.p'layers,enacted.all tho chief scenes from the .pointy where .Macbeth: and, Banquo come upon the weird "sisters 1 oh the' blasted heath to the storming of Macbeth's castle and the Jatter's death at the hands of the outraged Macduff. Shakespeare's: plays lend themselves to; kinematographic representation, and Conceding that mostpeople have a, fair knowledge of the '. scones pictured, much pleasure can bo gained in this manner. Still another use for the kinematograph is disclosed in a highly interesting and historically valuable series of pictures of a number of Crimean, and, m particular, Balaclava heroes, 'who were assembled-in London on the fifty-fifth anniversary "of the charge of the Light Brigade at: Balaclava by Mr. T.' H. Roberts, a gentleman who has earned credit by his offorts to.succour and provide fpr theso neglected heroes. These show eight Balaclava veterans lined up, and then show close-up portraits of them. Most of the old soldiers, whose ages range from 76 to 87 years, have the Alma, Inkorman, Balaclava, and Sebastopol clasps to ihe Crimean medal. The series, 'which was 'enthusiastically . received'' by an audience which glowed with pride and admiration' at the sight of tho old warriors, is well worth reproducing. Other good, pictures' shown last evening were: "An Indian Wife's Devotion," "A Marble Quarry at St. Bert," "Servants and Masters," "Tho Galley Slave," "Golf Mania," and "A Good - Winning." An orchestra under Mr. S. - Cimino- filled all musical requirements • satisfactorily.

STAR PICTURES. It was an exceedingly difficult mat,ter to obtain even standing room at St. Thomas's Hall yesterday afternoon and evening, when tho management of the' Star Pictures presented to an appreciative audience a new programme of ■;-. carefully-selected kinematograph subjects of distinct merit. Tho outstanding features of the new series were tho striking representation of Shakespeare's "Othello"—a magnificent specimen of coloured kinematography— and the scenic picture, "The Hand of the Midnight Sun." Another striking film wns that depicting the transportation of logs in British Columbia. In addition to these wero an admirable, collection of films of great variety. Urania was represented by two interesting films—"Honest John the Coachman, and "A Sister's Devotion." Irresistibly amusing- were tho comic pictures, "Wonderful Specs," "The Haunted Hat," and "Never Late."- A

very line scenic picture was that entitled "The Scarecrow," while praise must also be given to the educational him depicting ndmad life in Algeria, and tho animal study entitled "Queer Pets." The programme will be shown nightly during the current week. BESSES O' TH' BARN BAND. Fine weather favoured tho Besses o' th' Barn Band for its farewell performances at the Athletic Park yesterday afternoon and evening. Both performances were very largely attended, and the brilliant music of the fine hand was listened to with appreciative attention by the large audiences assembled to see tho last of Bandmaster Owen's talented company of instrumentalists. WONDERLAND. Wonderland was visited yesterday by large crowds, and the numerous sideshows were literally besieged. Last evening another display of fireworks was given in tho presence of a. large assemblage.