ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 992, 6 December 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE URIXTON BURGLARY." ''■ That lively trifle "The Brixton Burglary" was produced again last eveningat the Opera House by i'reil. Graham's Comedy Company. The company depends for its fun an mixture and muddlement, and is uniqiio in -that there is no clearing up process at. the end. Still, it is a laughable eon?oction of airy nonsense, and makes no pretence to he anything else. llr. Fred. Graham, a bright comedian with plenty of snap, bears the burden of the piece us Jack l'oiitifex, n giddy man about town, and what with his explanations, ruminations, ami vocalisations, keeps the fun going merrily. Good support is accorded Ijy Mrs. George Lauri, Mr. Kay' Kouper, Miss Florence Grctten, and Aliss Aellie Dent.

THEATRE ROYAL. Tho first night of the new programme at the Theatre Royal was a success, tho audience last evening .fully appreciating the items given by members of the vaudeville company engaged by Messrs. Fullers. The programme opened with a minstrel performance by the company. Mr. Geo. Wean being interlocutor, Mr. Harry Sadler tarabo, and Mr. Jos. Mullaney bones. Miss Daphne Leslie, tho dainty soubrette of the company, gave a cha'racterstic rendering of "When a Girl's in Love." Miss Glory Fernandez, whose tasteful baritone singing is one of the features of the programme, gave a charming rendering of Clem Hill's "Shadows," and ."When I Am Away From You," securing a recall for her expressive singing. By way of contrast, Mr. Jos. Mullaney sang, the humorus ditty, "Settls Up mid Settle Down," suiting the action to the word in his irresistible way. Miss Nellie Searle, who lias steadily gained in popularity since her debut, was very successful in her singing of tho catchy ditty, "The Taximeter Car." Another good turn was that of the Kelly Sisters, who sang "Every Fellow's in Love with n Girl." Miss Beattie M'Donald, who enjoys a sustained popularity, captured the'house with "My Wild New Zealand Rose." Tho dashing serio Miss Mabel Lynne made a hit with her item, "I Want a Man Like Roniso," and her encore number, "Molly O'Morgau," was enhanced by the appearance of Mr. Harry Sadler, in the guise of an Italian organ grinder, with his organ anil a monkey," as large as life. To round off the first part of the programme, Mr. Harry Sadler, the popular comedian, sent the house into roars of laughter with his whimsicalities, scoring a big- hit with his "What? AVhat? What?" The second part began with items by Mr. Geo. Dean. Miss Beryl Gilmaij, the talented operatic soprano,! was heard to excellent advantage in the song, "A Story of the Rose," and secured an enthusiastic recall. There was also an excellent piece of dramatic work by Mr. 'Godfrey Hunsley and Miss Nellie Florence, who appeared in an'episode entitled "A Father's Love," in three' scenes. M'Grath and Page, two attractive banjoists, continued . their, successful season here introducing in their new turn some yery taking compositions written for the instrument.' Some excellent pictures were also shown, and the performance concludejh with a highly amusing farce, entitled "The Clockmaker." The programme will be continued throughout the week. Jack Martin, a basso singer, late of the Fisk Jubilee. Singers, is "to make his appearance to-night, and on Monday next Nat Clifford and the Anderson Trio will be included in the bill.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. : The selection of pictures screened at His Majesty's for the first time last overling was well up to standard. One of the best items illustrates the famous legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Bound Table: In a charming opening scene the King is seen meeting Guineveve in the greenwood." The betrothal that followed, the dedication of the champions, and the death of the King, cheered in his last moments by. a vision of the knights, whose wanderings he had inspired, arc pictured in succeeding scenes with a wealth of splendid detail. Equal to anything figuring on the programme is a dramatic story entitled "The Attack ou the Mill." It centres on an episode of tho Franco-Prussian war, described in ono of Zola's novels. A party of French peasants junketing at a rural mill are disturbed by a company of soldiers, who came to hold the building against an approaching German force. While the attack is in progress a young girl is wounded. Her lover,-maddened at the sight, joins tho defenders in firing;, upon tho Germans. He is captured with a rifle in his hands and confronted with a proclamation announcing that civilians* found bearing arms will bo summarily shot. From his deadly' peril he is finally extricated by tho heroic efforts of his sweetheart and her father, the miller. "Vacation in Havana" is a scenic film of exceptional merit. It includes a stately panorama, of the Cuban city, viewed from an elevated spot on the .battlements of Moro CAstle. Another interesting : , detail is the .wreck of tho American battleship Maine. Other attractive items are tinted pictures of the Italian mountains aud lakes,, and a film portraying tho natural beauties of the Jsle of, Man. In the latter picture there is a quaint contrast between the oldfashioned houses and streets ami the modern tramways and mountain railways constructed for the convenience of tourists who annually invade tho little kingdom. Films of the comic order are well represented. "The Runaway Star" is a fine picture of the "chase" variety, and,' in addition, presents some remarkably, fine views of Parisian streets and monuments. Other comic films that satisfactorily fulfilled their intended purpose are "'Fear of Firo" and "The Mechanical Mary Ann." , The progi-amme will be repeated this evening and to-morrow. On Thursday evening an entirely new selection will again be presented. '■

KING'S THEATRE. . Last i night a 'new programme was screened at the King's Theatre, and attracted a very good "house." A new departure of-Messrs. West is the providing of a complete ohangeiof films every Monday and Wednesday evenings. Last night's programme was conspicuous for the wide range of subjects illustrated. A Now South Wales, cross-country 'race, held last July, and which drew competitors, was a very interesting sporting event, and tho race from start.to h'nisii was very clearly screened. Another Australian film gave a long series of views of the recent Queensland Agricultural Show, the extensive show' grounds, different events and prize-winners all appealing in their turn.. Last night's budget of dramatic pictures was of a high standard, and several were. set in original surroundings with natural colrm'ring. "The Mohawk's Revenge" describes an eighteenth century North American episode. An Indian encampment is thrown into consternation by the illness of the chief's "papoose." The tribal medicine man is called in, but his efforts are to no purpose.- The chief "seeks the aid .of a white doctor at a settlement, and is harshly treated. The wife of the medical man takes eampnssioi: vn the Indian, returns with him to his wigwam, and relieves the child. Later the Indians come out on the warpath. Tho white doctor flees with his wife to the.white man's camp, and is overtaken by the warriors and shot, but the. kindness of the lady is remembered and she is escorted to safety. "The Golden Eose" is a- beautifully-coloured picture illustrating a fairy tale. "The Grasshopper and the Ant" and "Lost in the Soudan" are other dramatic pictures of merit. . Some views of Waikiki, Hawaiian Islands, give a clear idea of the scenery and life in those romantic parts. Pathe's Animated Gazette has all the up-to-date topical events. Tho late Count Tolstoy is shown taking a morning stroll. .'The aeroplano race from Paris to Brussels, events in Lisbon, and the funeral of the late Prince Arthur of Teek are other good items of tho "Gazette.". A number of laughable comic studies also have their place on tho bill, "Ellects of Sulphate," "The Man to Beat Jack Johnson," and "TontoHni Pays Visits" require to bo seen to Ire fully appreciated. To-nisUt a special picture of the Mirainnr Boy Scouts will be screened. The scouts will assemble at the Town Hali at 7.15 this evening, and march to the theatre. Wednesday night a complete change of pictures will again bo made.

■ STAR PICTURES. : The budget of moving pictures presented at St. Thomas's Hall, New town: last evening met with the warm approval of tho large audience which assembled to witness the weekly , change. "Scenes on the Canadian Pacific Railway" gave .many picturesque views of the great

variety to be met with in a journey across Canada. Another travel film of merit was "Beauty Spots on the Riviera," splendid views being given of scenes in Monaco and arnund Monti; Carlo. An outstanding-features of the programme is tho excellence of the dramatic subjects. This section includes tome films a an exceptionally Road class. "Senorita" was perhaps tho best, the acting and the mounting of this study being particularly channhi!,'. The scene of the plot is laid in Mexico, ami the whole story hinges on the love of the daughter of. ;•. Spanish grandee for a worthless American. "The Elf ■King" -is a Norwegian folk-story, with a very pretty setting. The humorous section" of the programme includes such pictures as "Getting Kid of Ma-in-Law," "When Women Vote," "Poorluck's Lucky Horse-Shoe," and "Help! Police!" Other pictures worthy of mention are '"f he . Defeat of Satan," a coloured fantasy, '."The Sailor's nog," dramatic; and "Tribute Rice in China," topical.

The stage picture and elocutionary recital by Miss Sybil. Johnson and Mr. J; M. Clark takes place this evening: at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall. A largo attendance is anticipated.

The Nellie Stewart Opera Company arrive by the Mararoa from the south this morning. ■ "Play Festival" by the Methodist Kindergartens of Taranaki, Tory, and Aro Streets; takes place in the Town Hall on December 10, at 3 p.m. 'Over 200 children are taking part. Father Christmas will be nresent, and there is to bo a Christmas tree. As there are only a limited number, of reserved seats, intending patrons are asked to book early. The box plan is at the Dresden.