ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1286, 15 November 1911, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

■ A "A FOOL THERE WAS." "A Fool There Was,"- which is being produced at the Opera Ilouso by the .1. !-•• Williamson, Ltd., in conjunction with the Gcorgo U illoughby Dramatic Company is drawing largo and appreciative audiences. Porter Emerson Brown, the author of the play, has produced a telling thing, treating powerfullv of the mysteries of sex attraction. Few will deny Miss Mabel Trevor a place as a first-class actress for her rendition of "Tho Vampiro Woman." No less praise can ho given to Mr. Hugh C. Buckler, who excels himself in the last, scene of the last act. Mr. Gerald Souper shows to advantage as the friend. His words touch his hearers on the mental side as well as the purely emotional. The other characters are all ably filled, especially that of tho child (little Alico Jerremsj. One can hardly realise that this babycould portrav such a -lengthy and difficult part, Tho piece will be repeated till Thursday night. THEATRE ROYAL. Tho vaudovillo company continue to amuse appreciative audiences at the Theatre Koyal. The bright turn being done by "The Tit Bits" evokes rounds of very-well-earned applause. Their skits, their acrobatics, and their dancing are all very pleasing. Frank Martin's "Windows to Mend" is making him a firmer favourite than ever, and the Scotch specialty turn''of Jessie Leo has caught on immensely. The sweet soprano voice of Miss Veda lljarcourt is a welcome number in tho programme, and there is a variety of other items. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The excollent programme of pictures now being presented at His Majesty's Theatre was embellished last evening by the addition of a series of views taken at I'lemington on Melbourne Cup day. These included a snan of the Victorian Derbv (won by Wilari) and the Cup (won b'v Pansiau)-. The view of the two races is hardly close enough to euablo patrons to pick out details, but a capital picture is shown of Wilari (bedecked in tho ribbon which is awarded to the Derbv winner) and its rider. A splendid v'»w of t»»> crowd (which numbered 100,000) ■)& the lawn and flat is shown, and an interestiug view of the betting ring, disclosing a regiment of bookmakers, adds life and colour to the picture. The programme also includes an excellent representation of the psychological drama, "The Bells," and startling and realistic views of Mount Etna m eruption.

KING'S THEATRE. At the King's Theatre last evening a splendid series of views illustrating Cup Day at Melbourne was thrown on the screen. A capital idea is given of how Parisian won the great race at Flemington, and other views serve to show what a scene of brilliant animation the beautiful course presents on tho day of tho biggest racing event in Australasia. Another remarkable picture is a pictorial adaptation of A 7 ictor Hugo's novel, "Notre Dame de' Paris," acted supesbly by a. company of well-known Parisian players. Ihe change of programme to be presented to-morrow evening will inpicture entitled "Angry Nature"— a series of views taken during the eruption of Mt. Etna. AVest's operator has also secured some splendid pictures of the opaaing of the local yachting season, and these will be shown at a special "yachting night," particulars of which will be announced later.

THE NEW THEATKE. The continuous picture show in Manner? Street again did good business yesterday, and the evening performances were fully attended. The programmewas new with the exception of one item, 'The Battle' Hymn of the Republic," which was repented from the • previous programme at the request of numerous patrons of the New Theatre. The outstanding merit of this fine picture fully justifies its retention. It details in a series of splendid scenes the history of the inspired battle hymn which did so much, to assist the fortunes of. the North at an early and critical stage in the

American Civil AVar. A very successful effort has been made to give form and movement to thn great; thoughts and visions which thronged the mind of Mrs. Julia AVnrd Howe as she composed the hymn. Every detail in the moving story is delineated with masterly skill, and it travels unbrokenly to a. splendid climax. The programme contains besides many itoms calculated to delight the hearts of a. picture audience. "A Man of Honour" is a. AVestern drama—a breezy, romantic story, full of exciting incidents, which culminate satisfactorilv. A beautiful marine study is that entitled "Waves in Motion," which shows breakers dashing in upon a rocky coast. In pictures like this the triumph of the kinematograph is complete. "The Cowboy and Easterner" is an amusing comedy based upon the adventures in unwonted surroundings of one of those unfortunate persons described in stories that enjoy an evergreen popularity ns "tender-feet." "Happy in Spite of Herself" is a good dramatic picture, and tho comedy vein is again struck with capital effect in "A Double Elopement." Lea's Holidays" is also a picture of the lighter order, and tho adventures and misadventures of "Lea" provoke unstinted laughter. The programme hero indicated will be repeated to-day, when the Now Theatre will be open as usual from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. A programme of merit has been arranged by the Municipal Orchestra for Saturday evening—one quite worthy of the opening of the season 1911-12.'The music chosen is varied and attractive, and consists of the bright overture, "Poet and Peasant" (Von Suppe), the ballet 'Eosamunde" (Schubert), Colcridge-Tav-wr s beautiful Ballade," Cullivan's Henry VIII incidental music, ar.d Beethoven's grand piano concerto, which was highly appreciated when last performed. Mr. Horaco Hunt will be at the piano. Mr. C. H. Stephens, who is the vocalist at featiirday's performance, sings tiro lovelv songs, and this innovation should help to popularise these concerts to an even greaser extent than was tho case last season. It has been decided that concession tickets shall be issued at tho rate of twelve for ten shillings. This should prove attractive, as the tickets are available for any concert, and are transferable. It may be mentioned that, so far, all the guarantors havo replied renewing their amounts, and in most instances expressing their appreciation of the work done by the Municipal Orchestra, and the pleasure which they have derived from the concerts.