ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1075, 14 March 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL! There was a capital attendance at the Theatre Royal Inst night to witness the: weekly change of programme, submitted by Fullers' Vaudeville Company. A new 'first part, entitled "The Pierrots," super seded the old order of "burnt cork," and provided a pleasant change. The stage was prettily lighted with Chinese lanterns, and the performers opened with the I'ierrots' promenade. The star item in the iir*t part was supplied by Hie Elliott Sisters, a clever juvenile trio, who are high in favour with audiences at the Royal. Miss Violet Elliott opens with ii song, "The Waltz Dream," and she is assisted by Mercia and Little Huia in "A Nicer Little Girl." The singing and acting of the trio left little to be desired. Arthur Elliott again received an excellent hearing, and had to respond to several encores. His comic songs this week include "Next Department, Please," "Whether You Like it. or Not," and others, which provoke a deal of laughter. A turn that took exceptionally well was that of George Sparkes, a coloured comedian and dancer, who was making his first appearance before a Wellington audience. He sang "Sahara" and "Brother Noah," and responded to a further recall with a clever bit of dancing. Miss Elma Anderson, contralto, scored a distinct success with lief rendering of "Betide the Meadow Brook," which called forth an encore. Another popular contributor to the first part .of the programme is Miss Ettie Williams, who had to respond to a double encore. Miss Daphne Leslie, Miss Ruby Wallace, tho Williamson Girls, and George Jones also figure on the first half. The feature of the second half is the appearance of Miss Mabel Fowler, a soprano from Tasmania. Miss Fowler is from the concert platform, and is making her initial appearance in vaudeville. She came to the Dominion with Miss Amy Murphy's company spine few weeks ago. It is a long time since such an excellent singer appeared at this theatre, and she wcj. , deserved the reeption which she received. In her first, number, "Because 1 Love You, Dear," Miss Fowler was suffering slightly from nervousness, but she quickly overcame .this, and quite won the hearts of the audience. Her voice has a mellow lone, especially in the higher register, and her encore number ("To My First Love") was very sweetly rendered. A first appearance' was. also made by Miss May Dahlberg, serio, who sang "Knocking At My Heart," anil a "Telephone Song," and concluded her turn with an eccentric dance. Rupert Cutlibert made a hit with his descriptive song, "Memories," and, as an encore, contributed a .chorus song entitled "Remember mo to Mother, Dear." Miss Maud Fanning continues to be a very popular performer. By special request flip sang, "Won't You Take Me Back to Dixie," an item which was vociferously applauded. She also sang "Mnssa Peter," and was assisted in some hurricane dancing by the Elliott Sisters. Jones and Williams appeared in 'a new turn entitled "Two Kids," introducing the dolls' dance. .-\n interesting biograph picture also formed part of the programme, which will be repeated to-night.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. .It would be , difficult to select tho best picture at His Majesty's Theatre last evening—the occasion of a change of proframmo. All were equally good. One lm, however, marked in a small way a new departure in kinematography. Its title was "The Golden Suprer and it was an illustration of the beautiful by Tcnyson. 'The secuu is Jaid in a typical 01.l baronial hall in Lnglnnd, and tho costumes are in-keeping with t.lin iie.-iod. of the stiry.. Much care seamed to have been lavished on tho building up ot the scenes for a more perfect filci ,of its kind has not. been seen here. A picture of tho sensational typo wus "Two Boys in Blue." "With the 'break-up of a. cirrus'two young co-vboys are thrown adrift in. n city. They decide to enlist in the Ami.ncan Army. In cr.comiters with Kcdskins .they prove heroes and bring their comrades out of a nasty hole. They stand befr.ro the Army and receive that greatest of rewards—tho pinning to their m s £ o of disti ngu»Rh«<l order medals, llio Patho Gazette this week is also replete with interesting items. It opens imh a film showing tho Duke of Connaught - arriv-iiiff at tlu Guildhall and the orcraror has secure 1 excellent views of liis Grace and Princess Patricia. The launching of the great Thunderer is included in tlio Budget, also incidents in a football match between 'England and France, and ono or two striking Turkish Army seen**. Events in the life of a salmon are interestingly shown in another serins of pictures The audience can actually Me one of these fish jumping up a waterfall to get to the spawning grounds. Tho process of netting the fish and preparing them for tho canning works are part of the series. A picture of the old romantic days when sailor-captains rescued pretty maids and fled with their, across the waters is the.tale, of Captain M'Lellan. Ihe mini!! picture* ver'e especially good Ono entitled "Ma-in-laV introduced some extremely funny and apparently involuntary contortions om skates. It'was quite rm original idea, anil'created great laughter. A companion picture showed remarkable antics by a man who once tried nolejumping. Tho "Double Elopement" illustrate:! what, mieht happen through the concealment of the features by motor gogsrlos. The whole entertainment concluded with a story founded on fact— "Billy's Bible,"—a war sceno, in which the life of ,i young' hero is saved by his niotlifr's Bible which catches the bullet intended for his heart. KING'S THEATRE. The management of. the King's Theatre habitually break new and interesting ground in their recurring changes of .programme, and last evening was no exception to the rule. Although it was screened late in the evening, the "Golden Supper," an adaptation of a romantic poem by the late Lord Tennyson, was an exceedingly fine picture. It is an adequate representation of a love story in which joy nnd pathos arc.intimately joined. The poetic drama is set in scenes of stately grandeur, and tho manner in which the principal parts are acted is singularly graceful and effective. Tho kinematograph.has seldom, if ever, been used to better purpose in giving tangible form to the conceptions of a gilted mind. "Nino of Diamonds" is a dramatic study of powerful appeal. It pictures a stirring American story which culminates in the time of tho Civil War. The programme includes several scenic films of great beauty. One has for subject "The Abbey of Para," an ancient rambling structure, fugged in its exterior aspect, but full of graceful architectural features in its corridors and cloisters. Still more beautiful are pictures of the Portuguese town of Cintra, while a series of views in Vienna is full of interest and gives an excellent impression of the general architectural character of the Austrian capital. The current Patho Gazette is a particularly good number of that enterprising periodical. It presents, amongst others, pictures of the launch of H.M.S. Thunderer (one of the later Dreadnoughts) a'ud of the funerals of victims in a late submarine disaster in tho Kiel Canal. Other interesting features are international football and hockey matches. Of comic pictures the programme presents a capital selection. Several tako rank as well-turned comedies, slight in construction, but not less amusing on that account. The same pictures will be screened this evening. ANTONIA DOLORES. Antonia Dolores will give three of her famous concerts in Wellington at the Opera Houso on March 20, 21, and 23. Naturally, musical people are looking forward to them. The Melbourne

"Argus" has tlie following concerning Dolores:—"lf there has boon any doubt as to the warm place which Mdlle. Dolores has won in the hearts of the Melbourne ;iooplo it could not have survived the enthusiastic -welcome given by the large audience which assembled to hear her in the Town Hall recently. She has a wonderful way of establishing from the very outset a sort of homely relation with her audience, so that everyone settles down to enjoy himself, ami criticism blushes and resolves itself into applause. Though there is no reason why Mdlle. Dolores should not challenge the critic to do his worst, she can afford to lay aside the armour of her personal popularity and stand solely on her musical merit. Her voice is in no degree inferior to what it was on her last visit four, years ago; her programme is selected with the judgment and taste of an artist of catholic fTiupathiesj and her interpretations, both from thQ mtollcctual and the motional

side, are convincing beyond all argument. There was such an atmosphere of satisfaction and good humour lhat encoring came naturally." The box i>l an will bo open at the Dresden to.morrow. Mr. Sclwyn Shrimplin, pianist, and Mr. John I , rouse, baritone, will assist Mdllc. Dolores during the Wellington season.

HUTT SKATING RINK. Judging by the attendance at tho opening of the JluH skating rink on Saturday evening, roller-skating will again be popular this season. The number ef skaters present constituted a record for tho Jlutt rink. The newly-laid skatingfloor, with its prriended area, came in for universal praise. A healthy sign was tho number of beginners, who made their first evolutions, the learners' gallery being crowded all the evening. A large number of Wellington visitors were present, amongst them being Mr. Will'ord, M.1 , ., and Mi=s Wilford. About sixty of the skaters were ladies. The rink will henceforth bo open every afternoon and evening excepting Tuesdays. "SWEET LAVENDER." Sir Arthur Pinero has happily named this piece "Sweet Lavender," for it is essentially a domestic comedy-drama. It is not a play that deals with tragedy in its grandest sense, nor with heroic deeds, such .is win the world's applause. The action is simple, the story one of "the gentleman who loves beneath him," and whose love is despised by wealthy friends, who had planned a richer match. The girl and her mother disappear, but when misfortune lays pride low; then the little low-born love returns, and all is love in the end. And side by .side with this main theme runs the story of tho love of the wealthy banker and his social inferior who has been faithful to him through all, while a unique touch is given in the creation of Dick Phenyl, the inebriate, kind-hearted, out-at-elbows barrister. The Wellington Dramatic Society produce "Sweet Lavender" at the Opera House to-morrow and Thursday nights in aid of the Boy Scouts. Seats may be booked at the Dresden.

MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. To-night the Municipal Orchestra will give their first concert for the new year, together with an organ programme by Mr.. Maughan Baruott. Tho chief items are Mendelssohn's "Wedding March, Schubert's Overture "Rosamede," Andante and Mermetto (Surprise Symphony), Haydn, Flower Valse (Tsehaikowski), from ' the charming "Nutcracker" Suile. Mr. Herbert Bloy will play a violin solo, "Andante" (Uies). with orchestral accompaniment. Mr. Miiughan Barnett will give several organ selections.