ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1024, 13 January 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE LION AND-THE MOUSE."

At '. the Dresden this morning at 9 o'clock tlic box' plans will be opened for the first live nights of tho coming J. C. Williamson Katherine-Grey dramatic season, which commences at the Opera House on Wednesday night next. The opening production, "The Lion and the Mouse," will signalise the debut hero of the brilliant American tragedienne, Miss Katherine Grey, arid the talented young romantic actor, Mr. William Desmond; "Tho Lion and the Mouse" is by Charles Klein, who has the reputation of being a virile, forceful dramatist, and hfs plays appeal as much to the gallery as to the other parts of the house. Miss Grey is said to be particularly good in tho scene where she declares her identity to the millionaire. She tolls him what ho is and where ho is about to finish; tells him that she will go to tho United States Senate and cry to all the world what he is; expose his perfidy and his brutality, and it this is unavailing, -will go down on her knees before the President of| the United States and tell him the story of her father's suffering. Positively only five performances can be given of "The Lion and the Mouse." "The Third Degree," the second production, will •be staged for four performances, and will be followed bv "Paid in Full," three nights, and "The Truth/' two nights.

. THEATRE ROYAL. The current week's programme at the Theatre Royal is, judging by the large attendance there last evening, much to the taste of patrons of vaudeville in Wellington. Tho "star" turn of the entertainment is that of Jules and Marzon, . described as sensational athletes. These artists perform a'series of feats, which are watched with great interest, Mr. Alf. Holt, a clever mimic, also contributes an enjoyable turn. The Denos are a duo .' of skilled comedians, who keep tho audience in a state of merriment throughout their sketch, "From Scotland to "Ireland in Ton Seconds." The special attraction this evening is a grand amateur trial night. A complete change is announced for Monday night, when ..several new artists will appear, consm'cuous among them being Will Robey,'comedian, and Guillamne, Baby, and Co,, eccentric comedians, in their original act, "The Toreadors." or "Great Spanish Bull Fight."' Tho last.nights are announced of Bob Harper, comedian, and - Alf Holt, American mimic.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATEE.

Considering the number of pictures that are screened week by week, the standard maintained at His Majesty's Theatre is wonderfully high. A.charming selection was again screened last evening-, when the programme was changed for tho second time this week. The auditorium was packed, and the programme of the evening had many delightful features. A . film entitled ■"Herodias" may perhaps be set down as 'the star item, though several others ran it' close. It shows in'a.seAs of ■ thrilling scenes how John the Baptist fell victim to her hatred. In the opening scene the preacher is seen publicly reproaching Herodias, wife of the tctrarch Herod. He is dragged away to the grim prison at Machaerus, and the developments of tho story are,familiar. Tho dance of Salome is of course the culminating point in the drama. There is a dramatic final scene, in which Salome is shown horror-stricken .and remorseful at the deed, but' this, of course, is outside the Biblical narrative. Second to nothing on the'pro-' ■ griimme iii: point of technical quality is a lengthy panorama depicting the buildings, streets, .and surroundings of MelcbourncJ." I .'ThcT-p;ctiir'es"are life-like and perfectly clear. The concluding section of this film is devoted to a fine panoramic representation of the Yarra, both' in its peaceful upper reaches, given over to pleasure craft, and lower down, where it is thronged with shipping.- Tlio, picture concludes with a beautiful sunset study taken at St. Kilda. In-travel pictures the programme is rich:' ' At one stage the onlookers arcs conveyed .at a breath to Valetta, the charming capital of Malta, and.-a health resort. Quaint old buildings, many of them stately and magnificent, are shown in profusion. As the picture develops the eye wanders over many beauties. Delightful retreats are pictured, cool and shady arcades, pillared and adorned with greenery. Pictures of old cannon and of sculptures lend another touch of interest to a film that has many points of merit. Lovers of mountaineering will appreciate a film picturing.the as° cent of Portgengrat/a famous peak in the Swiss Alps. • The snow scenes are exquisite their wonderful modelling and tones. In the second half of the programme the finest item is a picture showing the stork at home. ,By some' wonderful contrivance the camera man. has managed to turn his machine upon a family of storks' living isolated on the top of a lofty column. The comic films with which.the entertainment is enlivened are of quite unusual merit. The programme will be repeated this evening and during the rest of the week.-. KING'S THEATRE. ■ There was the usual crowded' house at that popular place' of amusement— the King's Theatre—last evening, and the programniO|of pictures screened-had a capital reception. A noticeable feature- of the bill is the interest of the dramatic pictures. These include at least three powerful studies, as "Graadfather." "Clown and Minstrel" and "Their Child." The last-named 'is a very pathetic story of . a mother's sacrifice. Other films which deserve mention are "Pocahontas," dramatic"Patho Gazette," topical; and "Wifflos Twin," comic. STAR PICTURES. .'. -" The- excellent blending or scenic, in' dustrial, tragic, and comic films which go to - make up the programme at the Star Pictures in St. Thomas's Hall was appreciated to the full by 'the audience which witnessed the entertainment last evening.- ■ The pictures were done full justice to by the operator. ' THE'CIKCDS. ' The first; hippopotamus 'introduced into Australia is Lizzie, who arrived in Melbourne by the German liner Anneberg on October 5, 1910, direct' from Hamburg, Germany, where it was purchased by.Messrs. Plu'llip and George Wirth, who paid to Carl Hagehbeck, of the Hamburg.Zoo, £1250. The animal, which is only a littlo one, two years old, and weighs three tons, arrived in tho best of health. These animals live m water by day and on dry land at night, and require great care and attention, for although Jiot so delicate as the giraffe it must -have a man continually in attendance, and special food and regular hours for dining. When these animals become excited, .or out of tomncr. the strange phenomenon of tho "blood sweat" appears on their skins. The pale, chocolate colour of their skins becomes densely covered with globular red spots which leave a: stain upon a handkerchief or cloth. Tho circus will open in Wellington on Monday, January 16. There will be matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. The box plan is at the Dresden. BAND PERFORMANCES. ' The Garrison Band will play at the Recreation Reserve, Karori, on Sunday next, commencing at 3 p.m.