ENTERTAINMENTS,

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1233, 15 September 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS,

"THE GAY GORDONS." To-night at tho Opera House, and for the iirst time in New Zealand, Clarko and Meynell will present their entirely now' English company in "The Gay Gordons," by Seymour Hicks, music by Guy Jones, and interpolated dances, nnm-1 bers, and topicalities by prominent members of the company. "Tho Gay Gordons" is said to bo of that kind of comic opera that lends itself to spectacular embellishment, the scenery, dressing, and general setting striking a new note of adornment in musical plays. The grand finale to tho first act, in which the pipers, show girls, choristers, ballet dancers, and full company participate, garbed in tho uniforms of the Gordon Highlanders, is said to bo a most gorgeous spectacle. The principals include: Messrs. Frank Lincoln, Percy Clifton, Tom Graves, Frank Oakden-Brookes, W. J. Montgomery, Cecil Houghton, Frank Compton, David Jefferson, Robert Jackson, anil Carleton Stuart, and the Misses Florence Imcson, Nell Finnis, Maggie Knight, Nellie Cozens, Evelyn Aborn, Mabel Dark, and Olive Jahn. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Islington and suite will_ witness tho performance to-night, which is timed to start punctually at 8 o'clock. Tho box plans are at the Dresden, and day sales are procurable at Abel's. THEATRE ROYAL. Fullers' Vaudeville entertainment drow another large house at the Theatre Royal last night. Among the most popular performers on tho programme are the Piquays, who contribute an excellent turn, that meets with hearty applause. Acceptable items are also contributed by Harry Sadler aud Delavalo and Gilbert. To-morrow evening, Anita Diaz and 'her clever troupe of monkey actors are to appear for the first time at the Theatre Royal. This act is said to bo exceptionally' good. Matinees are to be held in connection with this turn. HIS MAJESTY'S. The change programme submitted at His Majesty's Theatre last evening had much to recommend it. One of the best dramatic studies . was antitled "Fighting Blood." It is a story of an Indian raid in the backwoods, and the various episodes leading up to the climax are full of excitement. "A Dead Man's Honour" is rather a pathetic domestic drama. Two brothers are in love with tho samo person, and, when she accepts the younger, tho elder brother is apparently heartbroken. He steals away one night to seek his fortune out West, and also to endeavour to forget past associations. A year goes by, and his mother, yearning for her absent son. begins to decline. Tho younget son, in order to relieve her mind, sets out to find him, and, w'nilo passing through some wild country, the coach on which ho is travelling is held up by a masked man. The robber is in the act of making off with the booty which ho has secured when he is badly wounded. The younger brother pursues him, and judge his horror when he removes the mask and sees that it is his elder brother, who left home a year before. He rides to the sheriff's office, and gives himself up as the robber of the stage. Just as he is abont to l>o led away his brother, the real robber, staggers in, and confesses tho truth. The climax of the story is reached on his returning "home, anil, in order to avoid giving his mother any shock, ho poses as her eldest son. "Five Graceful Girls" depicts fivo young women performing some particularly difficult aero-' batic feats and trapeze work. Many picturesque views arc given of various scenes in and around Prague, while another scenic study which was .much appreciated was one giving glimpses of the historic island of Elba. Other pictures screened include "Tho Railway Raiders of 'G2," an incident of the American Civil War; "The Show Girl," a story of -theatrical life; "One of Nature's Noblemen." a rather unusual type of "Wild Wester." The humorous element is not neglected, and includes such laughable absurdities is "A Delayed Proposal" and "Muscle Development." THE NEW THEATRE. The inclemency of tho weather did not prevent crowded attendances a-t the continuous picture entertainment at the New Theatre throughout yesterday. A complete cliango of programme is to be introduced to-day. The leading item will bo a powerful photo play, "The Doctor." The story is of great interest. The story introduces tho world-famous paintin" "The Doctor," by Duke Hides, the English artist. Around the picture has woven a love story. On the evening of his wedding Dr. Grey is hastily summoned to a humble home to attend a poor child. Although his brido is awaiting him human sympathy thrusts aside all other considerations. The bride, distressed over the nonarrival of the doctor, proceeds to find him, and when she discovers the great specialist watching by the bedside of tho little sufferer her heart goes out to her noble lover. A scenic study, "Life in Scandinavian Snowfields," is a delightful representation of the overyday doings in the north of Europe. Tho drama "The Squaw's Retribution" is a faithful portrayal of tho actions and emotions . of the Redskin. "Tho Royal Caledonian Asylum," "The Helping Hand," "Bill Enr deavours to do His own Washing," and "An Indian Romance" should also Twove very popular. The new pictures will be shown"' from 11 a.m. till 11 o'clock this evening.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Thero was a good attendance at the King's Theatre last evening, on the occasion of a change of programme. The feature of the bill is a dramatic study entitled "Fighting Blocd." The effect of instilling the martial spirit in children is the motif of this biograph study, which for spectacular thrill has never been excelled as far as this theatre is concerned. An old soldier on the frontier, a staunch patriot himself and the father of about a dozen children, brings these children up under a rigid military training. He conducts his household as a garrison, with strict discipline, drills, etc. On- the evening of the day on which tho picture is supposed to begin, the oldest boy wishes to go out to make a call on his fiancee, but tho old soldier commands him to stay at home. The lad disobeys, and is then told he can "go for gocd." When he roturns the door is barred against him. Next morning he views from the distance a tribe of Indians starting out on the warpath. He rides off to secure help, and is fortunate enough to meet a troop of patrolling soldiers, who rescue the boy's family just in time. The military training imbued by the old soldier apparently stood in good stead, as it was the means of holding the Indians at bay until help arrived. "The Atonement" is a story with a moral. Philip Gray is the owner of a number of hotels in New York. He steels his heart to all requests by his tenants to repair tho buildings, but one day his wifo decides to investigate for herself. With her daughters she enters one of tho buildings, and, in a room, sees a little girl about the same age as her own daughter ill with diphtheria. So the story runs on until on tho death of his child Gray experiences a change of heart, and, thereafter, is a kinder and better landlord. Several incidents in the recent football matches—Oriental v. St. James and Oriental v. Athletic—were screened, and were received with enthusiasm. The programme also includes such pictures as "Paths Gazette," "Our Army," "Bertio and his Rivals," and "A Thief Well Received." THE STAR THEATRE The large numbers who witnessed tho initial performance at tho new Star Theatro at Newtown' last evening were evidently well pleased with tho performance, and, if tho attendance and the selection of pictures screened are any criterion, the proprietors of the theatre have success lying ahead of them. Included in tie programme arc two real triumphs of kinomatography. One is entitled "Fighting Blood" and the other "Tho Railway Raiders of "62." Both may bo termed romances of war. The latter certainly is— far it is founded on an incident of tho American Civil War. In order to more effectually harass the Confederates' linos of communications, a Federal general rails for volunteers to capture one of their railway engines. The little band sets out on this desperate enterprise and after several narrow escapes, from the Confederate patrols, at last pass through thoir line's. The engine is captured by a ruse, but the engineer and half a dozen others escape, and inform headquarters of the daring act. Then is seen the famous chase, and the many expedients resorted to by tho Northerners to escape.

But the.v ultimately run short of fuel and water, and are overtaken by tho "liebs. Two manage to escape, and take refuge in a barn, which is at onco surrounded. They realiso that they can expect 110 quarter and light desperately, and die liko brave men. There is a monument erected to their memory at Chattanooga, and on it are inscribed tho names of the volunteers, and, surrounding it, is a miniature of the engine which they strove to capture. Another item that was much appreciated was a scenic film giving views ol' tho island of Elba—famous in history as the residence of Napoleon after his abdication in ISU. Napoleon's favourite spots, where perhaps he dreamt of his former glories, and lookc<l forward to the day.when he should again lead a grand army across Europe and draw the boundaries of nations in blood, are clearly shown, as well as other points ol interest. The "Pathe Gazette" is a topical picture, illustrating recent happenings in the Old World. Events featured include the visit of Jopnneso officers to Franco and tho reception accorded them by tho President; the firo at the Carlton Hotel in London; and a burning oil well at Baku. "One of Nature's Noblemen" is a story of the Western plains, with rather an unusual plot. "Fighting Blood" is also a magnificent study. There is no complicated plot, but the action of the piece is thrilling to a degree. A family—father, mother, and sons and daughters—aro seen defending their home against a horde of Apaches. Then the "house" is brought down by tho arrival of a cavalry patrol and the rescuo of the defenders. Othor pictures screened include "The Show Girl," "A Dead Han's Ilonour," "Glimpses of Prague," "A Delayed Proposal," and "Muscle Development." In opening the theatre the Mayor (Mr. T. 31. Wilford) dwelt at some length on moving pictures as a means of education and fostering reciprocity between different countries. Pictures weiro enjoyed by old and young alike, and. personally ho was very fond of attending them. In referring to a censorship of moving pictures ho stated that 'the City Council had power, to censor pictures only on Sunday nights, and if the proprietors of picture theatres managed them properly there would be no need of a further censor. He congratulated the owners of tho theatre and wished them success. Before the performance the Tramways Band attended, and contributed several sa.'ections. "SCARLET TROUBADOURS." There is (states the management of "Tho Scarlet Troubadours") every indication of- their farewell season in Wellington being attended with success. Four nights only can bo played, the season commencing next Monday at the. Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. The Troubadours (continues tho report) are so well known that it is unnecessary to enlarge on their talents, and it is quite sufficient to say that they will present the most popular of the items in their repertoire. The box plans arc now open at the Dresden. "THE MOTIIERLEY'S LUCK." Miss M. E. Richmond's musical comedy, "The Motherley's Luck," was performed for tho last time last evening before' an appreciativo audience. The comedy, 'which went more smartly than at tho previous performances, was greatly enjoyed, and the dancing of tho children was one of the most attractive features of tho entertainment.

NEW ZEALAND COMPETITIONS. Tho time is drawing near when entries will close (September 25) for tho first festival of the competitions, which commences in tho Town Hall on October 25, and lasts for ten (lays. A magnificent list of special prizes, to the value of .£2SO have been donated by the public of Wellington, including an 80-guinea liechstein piano, by tho British and Continental Piano Company. Text books and entry forms can be obtained free of chargo from the secrotary (Jlr. James Dykes), or the principal music shops in tho city. FLOWER SnOW. Tho annual Spring show of the Hutt Valley Horticultural Society, which was opened on Wednesday, was again well patronised yesterday, and the various exhibits were much admired.