ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1203, 11 August 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NICOLA. At the conclusion of his interesting entertainment last evening, at thfc Opera lloii.se, Nicola staggered (lie nudienco by a feat that is wortli recording. Ho waS dmible-linndcuft'ed, and had manacles on his logs, in which condition he was placed (h.v representatives of the Singer Hewing .Alachino Co.) in a stoutly-built case, in full view of (ho audience. Tho ease, which was strongly built in every particular, was then, closed up, and the lid nailed and screwed down. Not content with this the box was boiuid round with hoop-iron, and then heavily roped all round. This done, tho box was surrounded by ii equaro canopy of curtains and some screens, and there he was left to work his way out. Twenty minutes passed—no Nicola. Twenty-five minutes —no Nicola! Tho audience began to fidget a little, when a faint fluttering of the cloth roof of the canopy indicated that the bound was free. A moment later, Nicola emerged from tho curtains, freed from his handcuffs. Tho box was hauled into the light, -when it was seen that none of tho fastenings had even been tampered with. Trickery, of course, but extremely clever trickery that takes sonic explaining, and Nicola is hardly here for that purpose. The entertainment will-be repeated this evening, when Nicola is to be given another severe test. He will take on the challenge of Messrs. George Davics, Ltd., tailors. These gentlemen have made a large sack of some of their strongest suiting, in which they propose to put Nicola to-night, the sack is then to be securely tied, and the knots sealed. Nicola agrees to get out of their sack without breaking the seal or interfering with the fastenings in any way, the sack to remain intact. A bargain matinee is announced for to-morrow afternoon,, when, a special programme that .will be of interest to the ladies and children will bo presented. ' . THEATEE EOYAL. Clover from start to finish, the work of the Pottcr-Hartwell Trio is nightly greeted witli enthusiasm at the Theatre Royal. As comedy acrobats these, artists are in the highest class, and the pace at which they work is a feature ot their excellent turn. Spinning tennis rackets is tho principal business of the Kavanaghs, who have bounded into favour with local audiences. Tho rest of the programme is well balanced, and while the entertainment is of such a standard big business should continue. On Monday next Fullers' Company will be further strengthened by the inmous musical duo. Harland and Rollison, who bring a star American eccentric musical act.

HIS-MAJESTY.'S. Last night's change of progranuno at His Majesty's Theatre was a very good one. 'lue films were clear and distinct, and were of sufficient- variety to satisfy all tastes. During the first half a very beautiful picturo was shown, tho motif being various kinds of flowers tiated to represent thoir natural colours. A strong dramatic study entitled "Mother" appeared to please those present. ■ The story told is that of a young man who is accused of murder. His mother has not heard of him for' a number of years, and news of his inteuidcd execution reaches her through the newspapers. She immediately goes to him in prison, but he (feeling his position very keenly) is unwilling to recognise her. The mother then entreats tho governor for a pardon, but is refused. After a time spent in prison, the day arrives, and the young man. is about to go to his doom, when, as usually happens in these dramatic ef-forts,-a reprieve arrives just in time. A very touching situation (which removes all scuiso of banality in tho theme) ensues, and mother and son arc once more, united. Following on the-.la.st picture an exceedingly good "comic'.' is screened. This is entitled "What Happened . to Auntie." The "star" picture of the evening is undoubtedly one showing how the Puna ma Canal is being constructed. A visit to His Majesty's will give one an excellent idea of this huge engineering undertaking, which is to bo completed in 1915. It is a picturo that cannot be described, for the sidelights' thrown on tho bi? work are rather beyoud the compass of an ordinary notice. Hugo cranes and steam-shovels are to bo seen , at work, and all the latest appliances in the mechanical world are brought into play for digging the big "ditch." The "soil shifting" done by theso giant appliances is, of course, enormous. Great quantities of material are lifted-and transported in an astonishingly short space of time, and the amount of work dono in a day would tako years to accomplish by manual labour. Excellent views of tho surrounding country aro also* obtained. And, in this connection, it has to bo remembered that this is tho historic isthmus that Nunez do Balboa, first of all white men, crossed. Another film of merit is

"Tresses and Curls." It depicts how French peasants, with good heads of liair, barter it to hairdressers. It is then transferred into lovely "specimen*" and sold to society women. "Opium Smugglers," and a "Champion ' Cyclist"—a screaming "comic"—aro also good films. Tho programme will be repeated until further notice. ' KING'S THEATRE. There was a strong naj'al sentiment about the new programme submitted at tne King's Theatre last evening. This was initiated by a very line film entitled "Life in. the British Aavy," whicli consisted of a series of pictures showing tno inner life of. tno sailor-man on a modem British |Warship. Later on was shown anotJier splendid picture of tho .\avy being reviewed by the King at Spithead after the Coronation. As the vessel on which tlio kinetnatograplier progressed through tho fleet it teemed as if the grey lane of these evil-looking monsters would never havo a turning, and tho sight must have been a joleuiniy/ impressive display or England's fighting strength upon, tho sen. Another picture which roused tho latent patriotism in every breast was the King's progress through the city on tho day succeeding the Coronation. In this procession most of the principal regiments, horse- and foot, are represented, and there is a big show of naval men and their guns.. The visit to Temple Bar is interestingly shown, this view giving. an excellent view of the King and Queen. An exciting dramatic picture is that entitled "Edna's Imprisonment." Edna's mo.thcr has trouble with and dismisses her maid just before a friend arrives with tickets for a matinee performance. At a loss what to do with the child whilst sho is at tho theatre, sho takes Edna to her husband's office and leaves her there to be amused by tho message boy. During their play tho lad locks her in a wardrobe, and being sent on a message forgets all about his littlo playmate. The mother arrives back after the performance and asks for her child, biit tho old clerk only remembers that sho was playing about with tho boy. Then he suddenly remembers that tho strong room was locked at tho time, and jumps to the conclusion that the child must havo been looked in. This is unfortunate, as it is an automatic timelock room, which cannot bo opened with tho key 'until 8 o'clock the next morning. Tho father rings for a locksmith to force tho mechanism, and he is at work when tho message boy remembers at home that he has left his little playmate in the wardrobe. In hot hn,slo he hastens to the city, rushes into tho office, where everyone is distracted, and releases the child, who is sleeping peacefully. "Charcoal-burning in Brittany"-is graphically pictured, and natural history comes in for consideration in a number of pictures of frogs, lizards, cheluelcoris, etc., , being fed. "Convict No. 7!)0" is a strong dramatic picture and "Officer Muldoon's Dnnblo" supplies a laughable bit of comedy. THE NEW THEATRE. Abundant patronage was recorded at tho continuous picture entertainment at The New Theatre throughout yesterday. The new prolamine to-day is calculated to nrovo as°big a draw ns any of its predecessors. St. Augustine said "the- world is a great book, of which they thai never stir from home read only a page," but who are not able to travel, may lie instructed and amused at the nuiic time by the Edison Company's scenic comedy, "'•V Wedding Trip from Montreal to llongICon"." Occupation is the necessary basis of ■ill enjoyment and, therefore, a wellchosen subject is the industrial film "Manufacturing Boots in Northampton. a' modern boot factory on an extensive, scale is displayed in this item. Tho Bisnn exclusive drnmn "Dun, the Arizona Scout " is a live portrayal of everyday doings in the Wild West of America woven into an interesting romance. Hie Knlem Company, which is enjoying much popularity of late, owirsj to tin. superior uicnt

of its picture plays is responsible for a domestic love drama "Her Chum's Brother." A fine Continental drama, "Queen nf Spades," by the Cines Company, is assured of a. hearty reception. "Lucky Bill" and other studies will contribute to the- attractiveness of the bill. The now t-eries will be shown from 11 a.m. till 11 o'clock to-night. SOUSA. John Philip Sousa h the most prominent American citizen who has visited New Zealand since the treaty between Prance, America, and' England was signed a few months ago. lie arrives with his band of sixty selected instrumentalists on Sunday next, and would have been honoured and welcomed at the wharf by a large concourse of people and the massed local bands had it hcoa any other day but Sunday. Mr. Sousa has been communicated with on this point, and, whilst thinking the local bandsmen for the lionour which they would havo extended to his band, lie prefers that no public demonstration be held on his arrival. The opening performance takes place on Monday evening next at the Town Hall, and, besides his own popular marches, the programme will include the Tannlianser Overture (Tschaikowsky), character study, "Dwellers in the Western World " (Sousa), "The. Ride of the Valkyries" (Wagner), and solos by Mr. Herbert Clarke, who is considered to be the coraet soloist of the world; violin solos by Miss Nicoline Zedeler; and vocal solos by Miss Virginia Root. Plans are now open at the Dresden. "JACK AND THE BEANSTALK." ■ On Thursday next Mr. J. C. Williamson will present his filth annual pantomime in Wellington,' tho box plan lor which for the first six nights and two first matinees will bo opened at the Dresden on Monday next at 9 o'clock. Tho reputation of "Jack and the Beanstalk" has evident-

gone before it. It is stated to be replete witii so\eral astonishing features, notably tho wonderful Willie Pantzer troupe of acrobats, is embellished with music of a; sweetness and quality not customary in pantomime, and is reputed to be interpreted by a company, of mostly English and' American artists, of a particularly high standard. Altogether the "Jack and the Beanstalk" extravagajza of 1911 promises to.be a thing of beauty and a joy for the nine nights and three matinee; which will constitute the season in Wellington. Features of the production are s'aid to be the music, specially 'composed by Mr. Hamish MacCanu, and the ballets. The. costuming and general mounting is on a very lavish scale, while the many spectacular effects are both novel and astonishing. "Jack and v the Beanstalk" will commence each evening at a quarter to 8, and at tho matinees at a quarter to 2. SALE OF WOKK. \ A sale of work in aid of the Diocesan Maori Mission will he opened at the G.F.S. Lodge, Vivian Street, on Saturday,-. August 12. An excellent programme of part songa and solos will bo given by Madame Mueller and her pupils.