ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1096, 7 April 1911, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HUGH WARD'S FAREWELL. Owing to the success of "Seven Days" the run lias been extended two more nights,, and next Monday will be the lust performance of the comedy. On Tuesday night the much-discussed "Girl from Rector's" will lie the attraction, and the revival of this famous comedy should attract a bumncr house. On Wednesday and Tnursday, the two last nights of the season, a double bill will be presented. Proceedings will commence 'with "Tho Scarecrow," a fanta.-tic pantomime sketch that made Mr. Ward's European reputation, and as performed by him at Drury Lane, London, and the Chatelet Theatre-, Paris. This will be followed by that merriest of farcical comedies, "A Bachelor's Honeymoon," which was sucn a decided success when produced here about two years ago. Last night's performance was witnessed by a number of the' hospital nurses at Mr. Ward's invitation.

, : . THEATRE-ROYAL,.".-Fullers' , Vaudeville Company are. nightly playing to good-houses at the-Theatre Royal. There-is plenty of variety in the entertainment, the programme ■ including Miss Mabel--Fowler,--soprano, Mr. Dixon ■Knox, bass-baritone, Madame Clemen-tina,-acrobat; .the-Rogers■■■Quartet, Miss Mabel Ly.nne, Mr.■ Gee. Jones, Mr. Geo.. .Sparkes, and others. . There will be the ■usual change of programme on Monday next.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The bi-weekly change of programme at His Majesty's Theatre last night was witnessed by.the usual large house. The star film was undoubtedly a pictorial representation of the more dramatic portions of Mrs. Henry Wood's well-known book "East Lynne." -The story is so familiar that -it requires little description. Suffice it to say that the acting and presentation were admirable. "Shooting Rapids in Japan," is a splendid example of Pa tho Frcres'. coloured, The peculiar wooden boats, with . their, crews and party of tourists,, were' first shown leaving the placid water, of the river for the more tumultuous rapids. The course is through a wild mountain gorge, and the trin lasts two hours. Dunns that time the boat is carried at great sdp«l and the nnssage is apparently a thrilling one. . However, under the expert guidance of the boat steerer, it is safely negotiated. "Oh! What a Knight'.' is a rather humorous story of a girl's whim, and relates the troubles and mortifications experienced by a young .man who is cominandedbv her to woo-her as knights of old woced fair maidens., "Forest to Fireside" gives a.'gmd idea, of tho vast amount of'.work .required, and the different industries.that, arc affected in the production" of a big : newspaper. "The Flag of His Country'.' is.a dramatic story .of .the:. American' Civil! -Whj\ ;\'Bv' the fortunes'-of-'war ,n .'man and, his irifo. become"pe-pnratfld.."and it is n<it .until 3V. ywirs after that. they, nieet aeain. Among other -films also deserving mention ar?:

"Love and the Law." dramatic: "The ■Warwick Hironicle." topical; and "Ma's New Dog,", humorous. • '

KING'S THEATRE. The change of programme at the King's Theatre drew a fine audience last evening. The star film of the new series was a natural-colour Pathe.scenic picture, entitled -"Shooting the Rapids 'in Japan," a subject vhich displays in-.a most vivid manner; the'nerve and skill of the-sturdy little.brown.men of Nippon. -The rapids tear their I way - through . a deep-sided gorge, not. unlike the, ilanawatu Gorge;■ which at times narrows to. half n. dozen vardsof bnijing surf, yet-down,this tur-bulent,.-passage -great- awkward-looking; barges with pointed prows surgo unharmed, steered by a big sweop-oar astern, and a man with a stout bamboo pole in the bo\y to push the boat clear of the rocks which threaten ■ an.•■ every hand. The picture is one of -thrilling interest, and the soft colouring so typical of the East-leiitiran-, atmospheric; flavour to' the scene. Another interesting opicture wns a display of the finer points of jiu jitsu by an expert. AVith the aid of anatomical ; charts he indicates the-nerve centres of the bodies, and then demonstrated (he effect of pressure correctly applied on his assistants. Needless to say, it meant momentary paralysis and collapse on the part of the assistant. Ho also showed- an astonishing variety of arm-and-leg holds, evolved from the centring of this particular form of science. "Drumsticks" was a picture drnma. ■ Against her fr.Jrlier's wish a young girl has married, and been cast off as a consequence. Her husband dies, and poverty stalks grimly along until her' little boy'is forced :to give, away his best, turkey to pay the rent. Before porting with it the Jnrt ."tios "a: "notd tothb bird's leg, asking, the ultimate 'purchaser *• to" writ<> tnul-tell him if "Drumsticks"' was tender, forvhc had to sill-him to'nay the rent. The girl's 'father becomes- the purchaser, reads- the .note, and'- becomes' , so affected'that he receives her back to his heart and,home. "Young Deer's Bravery" is a "Wild Wester," and has for its sentimental interest the rescue of .a young Indian brave by a white girl, mid subsequently her rescue by Young Desr from marauding'lndians. ' The denouement is-a'love affair between the two. Other good pictures are "The Flasr," "A Westerner's Way," "A Dab of Fresh Varnish," "Turning the Tables,"and"Tontolini's Hobby." ■ -;• ERNEST. -PARKES'S ,CO,XCERT,' ■ .-.-' ;A successful rehearsal for MiV Pnrkes's concert, to be ■ held this evening, tcok' place last-evening. -Under the baton of ■Sir. D. A; Kenny the bie chorus gave a splendid-account of itself iii'.the "AngelUS," from "Maritana," arid '""The 'Students' Parting Song, , " which choral minibers'promise to -bn a feature of a very fine concert.- Mr. Porkes will be heard in the Prologue to "I Pagliacci" (Leoncavallo), and the famous "Toreador Song," from "Carmen" (Bizet). A big orchestra under Mr. Herbert Bloy will play two ftnb selections, and a bright and popular programme of songs will be presented. The programme appears in full elsewhere in this issue. .--.■.■■■