ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1128, 16 May 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

» THEATRE ROYAL. Barnold's nniinnl actors continue to he a source of attraction at the Theatre Royal, and, in this week's programme, the comedy-pantomime, a, "Hot Time in Dogvillo," is still the most amusing turn. Dan, the canine wonder, repealed his Zolaesqiie imitation of iv drunken man, and was the central figure of the piece, but the jiumerous other doss and monkeys all.performed their parts in clever style. Hiss Nellio I'oivcr, a singer of seriocomic songs, made a hit on the second ha'f of the programme with her two numbers, "In the Surgery" and A Jlo.-t Deserving Case." Miss Mabel Lynne, comedienne, was successful with Join ill the Chorus," and had to supply an encore number, while Miss May Dahlherg, vocalist and dauseuse, received much applause iat the conclusion of her whirling, bewildering gvrations on tiptoe. J3ob Lloyd, the leading comedian of the company, carried the audience with him through three funny songs, "The Wowsers Wail and "His Mother-in-Law's Ghost going particularly well. Jim Marion also supplied a turn that took well, and the artist was called on for three songs, and a burlesque medley, dance. The Rhodosburvs, clever, end-men, both supplied pleasing items. Rupert Cuthbert repeated "Hymns of the Old Church Choir ami other'songs, while the Howes appeared in a new sketch. Other contributors to the. entertainment were Miss Brightie Carlisle, Miss Emmio Hardie, and the Williamson Girls. To-night it is announced that Mr. Alexander Prince, champion concertina soloist of the world, will figure on the bill. Mr. Prince, after a run of success in Australia, appears on the Fuller circuit, by special arrangement with Mr. Harry Riekards. "THE WHIP." Mr. J. C. Williamson's venture into the domain of sensational' drama has in New Zealand so far been attended with the most satisfactory results. " The "Whip" has proved a great success. The circus and the drama may bo said, to run a joint business in "The Whip." That the stage mechanist has a good deal to do with-the success of the piece must be acknowledged. There is a persistent flavour of horseflesh in "The Whip," from the procession of racers and hunters in tho first act to the race for the Two Thousand Guineas just before tho fall of the curtain in the last. In tho nature of things horses and riders come prominently into tho picture when the Olympic Horse Show is reached in tho third act, the rescue of the favourite from a train box makes an. effective scene, and some eight or nine thoroughbreds take part in the race for tho Two Thousand Guineas. . In this scene it is said the audience is worked up in seeing tho Marquis of Beverley's horso win the big race. Tin's is said 'to bo remarkably well done, being realistic to a degree. "Tho Whip" is a racehorse, and the hopes and fears centred upon its prospects of winning the Two Thousand Guineas constitute the basis of the drama which -Mr. J. C. Williamson will present at the Opera House on Thursday next.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The regular Monday change of programme at His Majesty's Theatre, C'onrtenay Place, was welcomed last night by a large "house," and tho frequent applause showed that the pictures were winning the approval which, generally speaking, they thoroughly merited. Special interest attached to the picture of tho recent Camorra trial. The features of some of tho prisoners were clearly discernible, but others, doubtless aware of the presence of the kinomatographer, succeeded inscreeniiigthcirfac.es. "When the Wind Blows" was a pathetic drama, which hold the close attention of tho patrons. A young girl loves a sailor, who giyes her as a present his faithful dog. Untoward circumstances make it necessary for tho girl's father and her lover to go to sea on the same ship. They aro wrecked, and there is only room in the boat for one. Tho young man insists on sacrificing'his own chanco of safety .for the sake of the older one, but is afterwards unexpectedly Tcscued. When he returns to" the old home, ho finds it broken up, and he is unable to trace tho movements of his fiancee and her father. He goes to sea again, and is surprised to find on board tho dog which liO'had given to the girl. He finds that the captain has bought it, and ho is thus able to find her and'her father. They are in poverty and distress, but his coming is the end of their troubles, and tho curtain falls with every prospect of happiness for all. Perhaps the best of the "comics" was. "When Tilly's Uncle Flirted." Tilly and her cousin aro two very lively little girls, and they give the giddy uncle a very bad time. It certainly ought to bo a lesson to him. "Two Valentines" is A sentimental comedy, with the scene laid for the most part in a boardinghouse. Two hearts beat as one, but when they hit upon the same device to express their feelings, the outcome threatens to be sadly other than was intended by either. The error is happily dispelled just before it is too late. A notable film of'quite a different character was that which showed a series of remarkable feats by Squadron-Corporal Eggclton, the champion swordsman of the British Army. Tho programme also comprised: "The. Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race," "Overland to Fremont," "Arab Rejoicings," "Duped by Dupin/' and other interesting films, as well as the ever-popular "Pathe Gazette." Tho same selection of films will be on view-to-night.

KING'S THEATEE. The "West's and Eoyal Picture Proprietary put on another characteristically high-class programme last night. "Overland to Fremont" is a story of tho Wild West, set in the romantic ■scenery of the vicinity of Mount Shasta. An Indian girl, ill-treated by her own people, is rescued by Trapper Joe, and brought to tho log but which is an outpost of the United States army. There she is nursed by the colonel's daughter, to whom she becomes devotedly attached. She refuses to go back to her tribe, and when a message comes for tho colonel's daughter to go to tho deathbed of her brother, the Indian girl goes with her, the two being escorted by Trapper ,)oe. Black Bear, the Indian collects the braves, to aid him in revenge, and they intercept the party, and take them prisoners to their camp. They mako a picturesque and exciting escape, and after further adventures get safely to their journey's end. Another film gives patrons the pleasure of renewing their acquaintance .with their old friend "Foolshead." Ho is at a eoirce this time, ami has, through a mixture of generosity and inadvertence, got his pockets full of liquid glue. His endeavours to play the ladies' man without taking his hands out of his pockets, where they are firmly stuck, are ludicrous iu the extreme. Finally, hands and pockeis come out together, and then matters become very lively. "Arab Rejoicings" is a record obviously obtained "on the. spot." It gives Ihe spectator a thoroughly, realistic notion of the procession of banners and somo notable feats of desert horsemanship. A very gav little story, particularly well acted, is "Calino's Lost Lunch." It should be a warning to hospitably-inclined men'who take friends home to a meal without previously advising tho domestic commissariat deparlment. Tho current, issue of the "Palhe Gazette" comprises interesting recent events in many lands, and the programme (which will be repealed to-night) also includes, "All is Fail' in Love and "War," "The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Kace." "Sin Unpardonable," and "When tho Wind Blows," and oilier attractive pictures.

THE NEAV THEATRE. There is certainly no falling-off in the popularity of Messrs. M'Mahon and Donelly's New Theatre, which has now been running for five weeks. Tho attend-mec yesterday was largo throughout the day, and every appreciation was shown of the varied and interesting subjects. To-day a new programme will be presented. The films include the following:—"Tho Redskin's Secret," a thrilling Wild West picture; 'Tho Diamond Star." a dramatic study; "Where the Winds Blow," and the Cambridge and Oxford boat race, rowed on April 1 Inst, and won after a good contest by Oxford. A film untitled "A Story of Old Ireland" depicts Ihe remance in an Irish emigrant's ovcr.y-day life. Other new subjects, which arrived by yesterday's mail, will also be shewn,