ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1042, 3 February 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. » ■ "WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES " At the Opera House to-night the first performance of "What Happened to Jones?" will take place. An experienced medical man once remarked to an august patient, ".Nothing will so improve the condition of your Majesty's liver as a series of hearty laughs My prescription is merely this, sire: Go and fee a good fares." If all they say of "What Happened to Jones?" ba true, here is a combined phj-sical tonic and mental invigorator ready to hand. It is said that Broaduurst's wit lightens the. dialogue to such an extent that laughter is frequently choked back in order that not a linn of it should be missed. In the interpretation o£ a first-class farcecomedy a first-class company of artists is, naturally, the chief essential, and Mr. Willoughby, who sustains the leading rolo himself, has spared no pains in this connection. Miss Beatrice Day is sura to win fresh laurels as tho Professor's bullying wife, and Mr. I'red. B. Sharpe, who is to appear as Ebenezer Good by, has earned his laurels for this portrayal of the palsied and heii-pecked professor. A feature about to-niglifs production is said to be that every single character is in good and capable hands. The company includes tho following artists:-Messrs. Hugh C. Buckler, Harry Halley, . Arthur Cornell, Harry Overton. Leopold Stach, Misses Amy Willard, Stella Payter, Nellie Mortyne, and others. Intending patrons arc reminded that- "What Happened to Jones?" can only be produced for a limited number of nights. His Excellency tho Governor and Ladv Islington have signified their intention of being present at to-night's performance.

THE WILLIAMSON DRAMATIC CO. Miss Kathorino Grey, Mr. William Desmond, and Mr. .7. C. ■Williamson's Dramatic Company brought their season at the Oncra House to a conclusion last night with a most successful performance of Clyde Fitch's clever comedy drama, "The Truth." The company nlays at Wniigauui to-night and to-morfovv.

■ ' THEATRE ROTA 1,. Tho "Hundred to. One Chance," a sporting comedy, in which tho fun is kept going at a break-neck pace by Sir. Fred Graham and Miss Nellie Dent, is one of the principal attractions at tho Theatre Royal just now, and the audience which witnessed last night's performance showed its appreciation of the "turn" in ah uniiiistakable way. The Anderson Trio, Farrell nnd.Ciaifncy, and the other members of.the strong combination, also tho striking picture entitled' "The Livingstone Case,"- all go to make up a most enjoyable evening's entertainment. -HIS MAJESTY'S. Last night, on tho occasion of the biweekly change of programme. His Majesty's Theatro , was exceptionally well and tho pleasant anticipations of the' largo "house" were in every way fulfilled. Tho entertainment provided contains dramatic, scenic, and comic subjects ot exceptionally high 'merit, and. patrons were not slow in recognising this fact.. A feature of the programme is the number and excellence of tho dramatic studios, including, as they do, films with a great variety of themes—romances of tho battlefield, tragedies of the -Indian wars, and, stories of everyday life. "Tho Attack on Fort Kedgley," is a sensational yet affecting story of the Sioux War. A young squaw,, while visiting the fort, attracts the notice'of one of the officers. Being young, handsome,- and gallant, and iindins her not uncomely, he plays with her affection's, till at Inst she learns to lovo him. One day he recoives a letter from his wife intimating that she is coining to tho fort. AVhcn the squaw learns that ha is a married ■ man, in a jealous passion she makes her way to an Indian encampment, and so stirs up tno feeling of' tho braves . that they resolve to attack the fort immediately. When alone, she repents her hastiness, and, in a calmer mood, resolves to warn tho inhabitants ofcthe-forf. On her way, slie is attackgd and severely wounded by a suspicious brave, and reaches tho fort in an exhausted condition. Tho attack is beaten 1 off,- but the effort costs the bravo girl her life.. Another good dramatic study,_though in a much lighter vein, is one entitled, "A Jlodtrn Knight-errant." A young city man resolves,, for pure distraction, to seek work in tho country. While working on a farm, ho makes tho acquaintance of .an extremely, pretty girl, and ultimately frees her from the attentions of tho.bully of tho' farm. His only reward is a kiss, and the thanks of the girl. "Flowers" is a beautifully-coloured nature -study, which evoked'rounds of applause. A very interesting film was one giving glimpses of an up-to-dato poultry farm, nnd how it is conducted. "The Rough Rider's.ljtomance" is-a well-conceiv-ed, story, of the Cuban war, and tells why a young soldier married the nurse who saved his-life in preference to the girl he left at home. Other films worthy of special mention include "Chameleon," a nature study; "Salzbourg and Surroundings," a magnificent scenic film; and "The Proposal," comic. . ■'

THE- KING'S ' THEATRE. The scries of pictures -screened at The King's Theatre last ovoning met with an enthusiastic reception.from a good attendance. The selection of pictures is up to the highest standard, and is varied enough to suit all ideas. Foremost.in the striking'array of fare are: The "Plucky American Girl," "Stars and Bars," and "Foolshead Takes Precautions."-. Another excellent Him is "Scientific' Billiards," and the Australian Gazette covers a series of the most 'interesting of recent happenings in the Commonwealth. ' STAR PICTURES. Tho Slar Pictures, which have won their way steadily at tho southern end of, the city, will resume at St. Thomas's Hall this evening. An entirely new bill will 1)8 presented on Monday evening, and a matinee performance 'is to be given to-morrow _ afternoon. THE CHIMPANZEE, "CASEY." Those who have not already ' seen "Casey," the chimpanzee, should certainly pay him a visit. The show is certainly one of the best of its kind that )vsk ever visited .Wellington. The manner in which "Casey" plays the piano, or hiouth organ, wheels the perambulator, winds a. watch, or sweeps the floor is good to see. He is ou view daily at 98 Willis Street from 11 am. to 1 p.m., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. "BABY BLISS." , "The futlest boy in the world," who is on exhibition iu Wellington just now, is really worthy of a-visit . His size is in no way hereditary, as his parents were just normally built folk. Ho is a native of Coney Island, New York, where, previous to this-world tour, he.was on show for some months, drawing largo crowds. His bulk is not all superfluous fat, as ono would imagine, judging by his portrait, there being plenty of muscle and sinew thrown in. Mr. Joseph, his'manager, states that "ho can do his throe miles an hour with tho next." "Baby Bliss," who turns tho scale at some 42 stone odd, certainly shows surprising activity. He is holding receptions in Willi? Street, and can be seen from 11 a.m./to 1 p.m., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7- p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

ORGAN EECITAIi. To-morrow evening Sir. Jlaughan Barnett resumes his series; of organ recitals at tho Town Hall. As the programme is ono specially selected from tho nopular itoms, of previous, recitals, a delightful evening of organ music should be ensured, and there should be a good attendance.