ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1170, 4 July 1911, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

$ THEATRE ROYAL. Fullers' Vaudeville Company submitted a bright programme at the Theatre Royal last night, and the large audience which filled the house applauded the various turns with enthusiasm. Two popular comedians, Arthur Elliott, and Ward Lear •reappeared, and their work on tho corner added considerably to the first part of tho programme. Three songs were called for from Arthur Elliott, his numbers being "A Fellow of Infinite Jest," "Standing on the Quay," and "Hold Your Hand Out." ' Ward Lear amused the "house" immensely, and had more than his share nf recalls. His laughing song, and his now "gags" were features of the bill. Geo. Jones continues, to be a great -favourite. and his burlesque cn the harem skirt drew roars of laughter from the audience. That talented trio of juveniles, the Elliott Sisters, are back at this theatre, and their new turn "Are You the Littlo Girl," is something quite up to their usual standard. It took exceptionally well. Miss Maud Famiing appears in the second part, and is assisted by tho Elliott Sister's. The popularity of this artist never appears to be on the wane with local theatregoers, and a clamorous recall followed licr singing of "Close Your Dreamy Eyes." As an encore Miss Fanning sang "Jonah Man." The Ridgway Bros, are still to the fore as comedy acrobats and hand-balancers in "Fuu in a Gymnasium," -which is an important part of the programme. Miss Lucy Lavinia, a dainty soubrette, was very successful in her singing of "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now," and, by special request, she repeated "Buy Me a Hom6 in New Zealand." Miss Ettie Williams had to respond to a double recall in the first part, a&d, with Geo. Jones in the second part, she won mncli applause for her clever work in the sketch "Men and Women." Other artists who contributed acceptable items were E. R. Martin (basso), Jos. Mullaney (comedian), Miss Daphne Leslie (song and dance artist), and the Misses Delwyn atid Tye, a charming duo, who sing serio-comic songs a.nd dance excellently. The British Biograph is also in action during the sect/nd half, and the programme lacks little or nothing in variety and quality,

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre was completely filled last night, when a change Of programme was presented. The neiv .programme was a good one, and the chief feature of it was "It's Never Too Late to Mend." This fine picture story is takeil frpm Charles Reade's celebrated novel. The series is one which can be praised unstintingly, though little description of such a fine work can be given here. "In sixty startling episodes, performed bj; a solected metropolitan company of sixty performers," reads the bill. The drama was magnificently staged, and the reproduction on the screen in His Majesty's was an illustration of how "the stage" and biogTaph to-day can go hand in hand and combine "for the amusement of the millions. This tragic story of George Fiilding and Susan' Meston is undoubtedly a moving picture triumph. The "Pathe Gazette", of topical events of the week was as interesting and amusing as usual and as popular as ever. Included in this series was a picture showing the sensational aeroplane accident which resulted in the death ot s. member of the French Cabinet. "Milita-'y Sunday in York" was a picture lor those who love the quaintness of old Englmd. "The Kaiser Sightseeing in London" depicted tho pomp and splendour of royalty and the enthusiasm evoked by their movements along tho thoroughfares. A hearty laugh was raised at the films which showed the extraordinary stiff-legged gait of the German soldiery. The exaggerated "military bearing," etc., of the Kaiser's troops appealed to the civilian colonial as a great joke. "The Wedding Bell" was an Edison sensation, and a comic confusion which tickled the house immensely was entitled "A Mix Tip." The woodcutters of Tyrol were shown "at home," and the pictures were very interesting as showing the customs of other lands. An Indian love story called "Seminole's Sacrifice" had the usual fascination of Indian yarns. "Tony Wants to be an Actor"- was, _ as everyone could guess, a fun composition.

KING'S THEATRE, . The King's Theatre had a big audience last night, when, a new programme of much interest was put on, "The Diver," a rather remarkable picture, was received by the audience with loud applause, the splendid arrangement of the picture being appreciated. One of the finest settings of its kind was brought on late in the programme—"Her Child's Honour." The story, as told by the biograpli, brought vividly to' one's mind the tragedies of life. " She had married a' soldier. He was a drunkard and a "bounder." She fled from him, and became a nurse. • Her father wrote, stating that her husband had been shot while trying to desert. She married the hospital doctor. Three years later she sent her father'a photo of her husband,, herself, and their boy. The first husband' returned to the old home, saw the photo, and set out to find the woman, who was 'now happy, and from whoso memory he had beeu obliterated.' .Then; is a ball at the doctor's house when the plausible villain appears and surprises her. She introduces 1 him as an old friend, and he is invitee] into the ballroom. She is to perform a stiletto dance. During the dance she draws the weapon, and fatally stabs the first husband. The shock leads to Iter death, but, on her death-bed, she is remarried —for her child's honour. "Priscillft's Practical Joke" is a Itaost amusing story, in which the acting for the picture is splewlid. The wood-cutters of Tyrol were shown in their native haunts, and their customs made the picture very interesting. The story of tho faithful Indian appealed'to the audieuce. as Indian stories always do. Capping day at Victoria College was keenly appreciated, and it was evident that a good many were looking especially for it. "The Wedding Bell" and-"Smith as a. Billposter" were both good pictures. "A Happy Event in the Poor Luck Family" -was a fitting wind-up to an excellent programme. TEE NEW THEATRE. Business was brisk all day at the New Theatre yesterday, and the evening session was particularly well attended. The house will again be open to-day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and an entirely new programme of specially-selected subjects will be submitted. Among the new films may be mentioned "The League of Mercy" (Vitagraph drama), "Priscllla's April Fool Joke" (a drama by tho A. B. Co.), "Hearts of the West" (Champion exclusive drama), "A Mexican Lotharjo" (Bison exclusive drama), "The Birtli of Flowers" (Pathe 'Freres coloured), and "The Count and the Cowboys,"

DRAMATIC READING. MISS HARDIN'GE-MALTBY. A dramatic .reading of Edmond Rostand's "The Romancers," one of the dramatist's earliest plays, was given under the direction of Miss Mabel HardingeMaltby last evening in the Sydney Sti'eetHall. The comedy introduces six'characters in all, and is written in three acts. It is not by any means so well known as the French writer's greater works, "L'Aiglon" and "Chantecler," but it portrays a pretty little phase of l-'rench life, and has tho fact to recommend it that it is pure comedy. It, is set in the period of Louis XIV. Two old gentlemen, neighbours, design that their respective sou and daughter must fall in love, and they plan a romantic abduction of the daughter, and a still more romantic rescue of her'by the son, "l'ercinet." Actors arc engaged for the purposo, and the plot succeeds. . Then the two young lovers accidentally come across a bill for expenses which the actor-in-chief had sent in, and complications ensue. There are ,-ome quaint homely scenes when the two old gentlemen are on the stage, and the dialogue between the son. and daughter is equally light and humorous and clever. Miss Mnltby herself took the part of Percinet, the romantic youth, and her reading was clear, di-hnct, convincing, and an excellent sample of elocution, while her gestures also were good. Miss Stella -Putnam was Sylvette, the only lady in the comedy, a part she filled quite charmingly, displaying confidence and an intelligent grasp of her part. The other characters were filled as follows:—Bergamin, Mr. W. R. Bock; Pasquinot, Mr. C. W. Turner; Straforel (a retired actor), Mr. Leo Buckeridge: and Blaise (a gardener), Mr. W. T. Brnnton. During the evening songs were sung by Mrs. Ivan Levy, Miss Olive Kember, and Mr, Leo Buckeridge,