ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1262, 18 October 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"OUR M IKS GIBBS." "Our Miss Mary Gibbs, of HarrodV continues lo delight lior audiences at the Opera House. The diverting comedy, with it-t lively musk , , abundance of clover frivolity, gay dresses, to say , nothing of charming "Miss Jlary" herself (Miss Browne), Mr. Bertie Wright (tho inimiiable Yorkshire cousin, fresh from tho country) Mr. Leslie Holland. llr. Andrew Higgius-ou, ami other excellent artists, has earned its high reputation, and is now at tho toj> of its popularity in Wellington. Tho closing nights of tho season are announced. THEATRE ROYAL. A very attractive programme is being presented at tho Theatre Royal. Clias. Emerald and Maude Dupre, new American artists, whoso dancing anil dialogue aro very good, were much applauded by tho largo audience present. Tho everpopular comedian Harry Sadler, who continues to make tho Royal audiences smile, contributes largely to the success of tho

entertainment. Other artists appeared successfully. The programme will bo repeated this ovening. niS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "The Snare of Society," now showing at His Majesty's, is a very excellent drimntic film, with a strongly-conceived plot. Another very noticeablo factor inthe programme is the film entitled "Sunshine and Shadow." It capitally adumbrates tho cleverness of tho child actors, who do their respective parts in the act splendidly. Tho programme, which includes a large number of other ijrst-class films, will bo repeated this evening. THE KING'S THEATRE. The King's Theatre was well patronised last evening, when a number of films of an excellent class were screened. A capital scenic film is ono which depicts life in Bulgaria. Among the comic films thcro is one which is extremely diverting, entitled "Now Faces for 01d. , ' It keeps tho audience in a very mirthful mood while it is on. Other items screened are: "The Pago's Devotion," "Call to Arms," "Gorges of Ande," and a number of others. THE NEW THEATRE. Throughout yesterday, and in the evening especially, tire iScw Theatre was generously patronised. In addition to.tho attraction oi a chango of programme, the theatre also afforded a cosy retreat from the chilly wind and an inhospitable day. hi tlie evening, so packed was tho house that numbers wore uimblo to gain admission, and those who secured standing room considered themselves 'fortunate. Tho brightest feature of the entertainment is the dramatic studies, which are exceptionally fine, and have for their subjects romances of war, stories of pioneer life, and of hardships endured and .encounters witli Indians, und also a modern social drama. Of this section tho film most prominent is a society play entitled "The Temptations of a Great City." A young man, tho only son of a rich widow, has been living a fast life, and, on his mother discovering this, sho has his allowance stopped and turns him adrift. Ho resorts to tho moneylender, and presently meets and falls in lovo with the money-lender's daughter. After they have been married soino time, her father calls on them, and demands a settlement of his bill. In order to get out of a dilemma tho young man forges his mother's name, and thus puts off the day of reckoning for a month. When tho day of settlement ultimately arrives, and he cannot meet the bill, ho goes to his mother and implores her to assist him. Slio refuses, and ho hits on tho desperate plan of robbing her safe. Ho is discovered, and the denouement is reached in a certain scsne in which the mother forgives him. This film is unusually long, but. tho acting and mounting—not to speak of tho dresses, which are elaborate —is done .on a lavish scale. The Aineri—are on a lavish scale. The Ameriof many a splendid romance, and the picture "For Lovo of an Enemy" has for its background a dark episode in this great development ill tho history of America, A Northern spy penetrates tins Southern lines, and poses as an independent gentleman. He, falls in love with a fair daughter of the South, and it is through her endeavours that he, is ultimately saved from an ignominious death. "The' Last Dron of Water," and. "Tho Two Overcoats," aro also deserving of mention. The programme will bo repeated to-day.

THE COMPETITIONS. Over a thousand peoplo are coming to Wellington to tako part in tho competitions. They como from all over tho Dominion. Somo aro even coming from Australia and Tasmania, and tho public of Wellington appear to Iμ taking a lively interest in the event. Tho greatest interest will centre about tho elocution contests, but the pianoforte and singing sections will also no doubt evoke enthusiasm. The generosity of Wellington peoplo in the matter of special prizes has been a very fortunate thing. Good rewards are oftered, and tho Railway Department has made special concessions to competitors. ; AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS. The Auckland Competitions Society's festival will this year extend over a period of twelve days from November 27 to December 9, and an exceedingly fine program mo of events is in store. Both in the musical and elocutionary sections great scope is given competitors ami tho very valuable list of cash pri7.es and (rophi'ss is such that tho Dominion's best performers have inducement to enter.' Tho judges (from Australia) are both men that are at the top of their professions, ami their services as adjudicators at festivals throughout tho Commonwealth are keenly sought after. Tho musical judge (Professor Ives) is a graduate of Oxlord University, and at present acts as examiner for tlie Melbourne University. Ho is an excellent judge and critic, while his remarks on tho work done will no doubt bo appreciated by the competitors and public. In appointing Mr. J. If. Hopkins (also of Melbourne*), the society has obtained not only an able elocution adjudicator, but a finished exponent of tho art, and ona whose judgments in his own country aro accepted as of the highest obtainable. Entries close on Saturday, October 28.