ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1031, 21 January 1911, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

* , OPERA HOUSE. Klein's clever play, "Tlio Lion and the House,"'was produced before a largo audience at the Oncra House last evening. . The Williamson Company en- • gaged in its. representation is a thoroughly sound one, and apart from the le/uling people concerned, some very artistic characterisations arc submitted. The play is ivell mounted and the stage management leaves nothing to bo desired. "Tho Third Degree," also by Charles Klein, will be presented on Tuesday evening next. " "THE THIRD DEGREE." On Tuesday night next Miss Katharine Grey and company will stage for tho final time in Wellington Charles Klein's enormously successful dramatic sensation, "Tho Third Degree." This, play draws its title and has its foundation in an abuso in police administration which could not livo in the freedom of a British community, and in New York, where it is niost rife, tho power of tho stage, tho press, and tho pulpit has been arrayed against .it, and apparently not without result, for quite recently the cables stated that a congregational committee • liad been appointed to inquire into it. Charles Klein's play; which has tho peculiar fascination of a detective story, is a powerful indictment against the wliolo system. In tho first act young .Howard .Jeffries is arrested for a murder which ho did not commit.' Tho police", put him under tho pressure of "the third degree,", and in his agony he confesses.. This sceno is. shown on tho staged and is said to bo very sensational. The characters of Mrs. Howard Jeffries, junior, gives Miss Grey greater opportunities than , "Tho Lion arid tlio Mouse" . to'present her tragic'powers. It is tho. part of a desperate suppliant against circumstances, and yet not merely a suppliant, but a fighter in whom tlio strings of hope are stretched, but in whom tliey never , snap. In "The Lion and tho Mouse" Miss Grey is tho educated girl who l is forced to descend. In "Tho Third Degree" she is tho uneducated girl who is fighting pride, prejudice and suspicion, and she is said in the latter to rise to great, heighta of emotional and dramatic power. Both Mr. Cyril Mackay and Mr. William Desmond are also seen to advantage in their parts. The plans for the four representations of "The Third Degree" are now open at the Dresden. , ' .'theatre royal. Several vaudeville performers not unknown to Wellington audiences mado their reappearance at tho Theatre Royal last evening, and found little causo to be dissatisfied with the reception they, received. Among these wcro Scot Gibson, a comedian according to tho gospel of Harry. Lauder, who gets more laughter ojit of his effort than tho audience.. His .jokes aro good, if they . striko familiarly on tho car, and his tuneful baritone voico is suited to kilts and tho lilts which go naturally with thorn. Another- return is mado by Mr. Charles Heath, who has wisely dropped the miner's outfit for. the conventional evening dress. Being a light tenor, lie should not sing "Tho Deathless Army'V (which is essentially a song for a: robust baritone) any more' than a bass should sing "Como Into the 1 Garden,' Maud."' He was heard to better advantage in "Irene, Good Night,"..a: pretty waltz' song. Those eccentric people, Guillaume, ■ Baby, and Co., who still preserve traces of their nationality,, appeared once moro as:' Tho>Toreadorss! in-which odd sketch they gavo abundant 'ataucement. Tho ■ sh'apeljV'Gibsonr Gir.ls, who .danco.so much bettor, than thoy 'sing, mado their last appearance, and' Miss Jessie- Lee sang and danced her way cleverly into the. affections of her audience. Mr. Albert Mather, who lias a serviceable baritone, deserves commendation for selecting-as-one of hi 3 songs "The Trumpeter," which has moro merit, lyrically and musically, than the usual run of' vaudeville ballads.' Will Robey's figure is his fortune —he is tho thinnest over. Gus Deno, Georgo Walton, arid Tim' Howard also make merry with fair success, and Miss Jollio Colemail does some clever equilibristic feats on a trapeze. This evening tho M'Cormick Sisters (juveniles) will reappear, and on Monday evening Jack Knowles, coon comedian,-and Miss Ruby. Wallace, comedienne, will figure in the Johnston Street firmament, "Do Ro Mi," the musical entertainers, will reappear ' oil Monday evening. . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There was another largo attendance at His Majesty's Tlieatro last evening. The series of pictures screened comprise dramatic, scenic, industrial, and comic studies of a good order of merit —one depicting how tlio famous racehorse Carbine is spending, his last days, being particularly well received. Tho dramatic section, of tho programme includes such star films as "The Vengeance of the Dead," "Tho Stolen Father," and "'Who was the Culprit." A matinee performance is announced for this afternoon. , THE' KING'S. THEATRE. The patronage at tho King's Theatre last evening was one that taxed the holding capacity of this popular new picture house. Tho items reeled off received marked approbation and altogether -the - entertainment was much appreciated. STAR PICTURES. St. Thomas's Hall, • Newtown,- was' again crowded last'.evening. The current week's programme of animated pictures has many attractive features, and its production last evening was punctuated by frequent applause.. Tho same pictures will bo screened this evening., TOWN HALL-FULLERS' PICTURES. Messrs.. John Fuller and 'Sons have secured tho Town Hall for Monday ovening next, and they state that' tllcy intend to submit 0110 of tlio finest programmes ever,screened here. Tho films will only come to hand by next Monday's incoming English mail, and with characteristic enterprise Messrs. Fuller will exhibit-them tho same evening. An' orchestra, specially engaged, will supply incidental music. Popular prices will be charged. WIRTH'S CIRCUS. Wirth's menagcrio attracted many visitors yesterday afternoon, and at tho circus performance in the evening tlio tent wa'3 crowded. The demeanour of the audience testified to a thorough appreciation of tho entertainment. Tho animals will again bo 011 public view this afternoon, and tho circus performance will be repeated in the evening. Those who have not yet visited tlio circus are reminded that it is located- on reclaimed land in the rear of To AlO (railway station. WONDERLAND. Wonderland' wiil bo open ou Mondav next, Anniversary Day, when all the side-shows will bo free. Special tram service has been arranged from Couiv tenay Place. LAWRENCE CAMPBELL. Lovers of art will 110 doubt be pleased to learn that Lawrenco Campbell, Australia's fine entertainer, and M. Eugene Ossipoff, aro paying Wellington a return yisit. Since their season hero they ~have had capital patronage in Wnliganui, Hawcra, New Plymouth, and Auckland. On several occasions the audiences were uractically

given a double programme, the encores and recalls being so numerous. Tho opportunity of hearing two such artists as Mr. Campbell and M. Ossipoff comes but seldom, and they are submitting a. new programme. Tliey open 011 Thursday evening next in the Town Hall. ~ . ' TRAMWAYS BAND. Tlio, Tramways Band, under Conductor Ciareburt, has made improvement during the year, arid an. opportunity will lie given on Sunday afternoon in tho Newtown Park of hearing tlio band in the test selections which they will bo engaged in at Palmerston. A capital prograinmo is also arranged for tho grand sacred concert ,in the Town Hall at night, when, besides band items, vccal solos will bo rendered by Madamo Mueller arid Mr. E. Parlies, and a cornet solo by Mr. T. Goodall. A collection will bo taken- on each occasion to help defray the expenses of th 4 band at tho contest. At the Opera House on Sunday evening, Mr. Wilson Fritch, will lecturo on "Tolsto} ; , his Problems of tho Family." a silver coin• collection ..will bo taken up at tho door arid tho lecturo. will commence at 8 o'clock.