ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1310, 13 December 1911, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

RICKARDS'S VAUDEVILLE CO. Judging bv tho attendance at the Opera House last evening, the Rickardss Vaudeville Company still attracts and pleases. One of the best turns of the evening is that of Alcide Capitaine, a clever trapeze artist, whose every motion and_action is the embodiment" of grace. Mr. Tom Dawson is another artist who thoroughly delighted the audience,. and, for his rendering of the comic song.. Girls, Wives, Kids," he had to respond to several encores. Other performers who contributed signally towards the success of the programme were Sydney Bach, A|f. Holt, Binns and Binns, and Fanny Powers. THEATRE ROYAL. An excellent programme of moving pictures, including a good number of kincmacolour films, are being screened at the Theatre Royal this week. One very popular picture, is entitled "The. Rebel's Daughter." It is a romantic story of the Peninsula war in which French and British soldiers, in their many coloured uniforms, Spanish guerillas, and Spanish ladies all play prominent parts. , Another examplo of the effective beauty of kinemacolour was a scenic study, showing several views of- tho Italian lakes. The programme also includes "Kitchener of Khartum," "Motor Boats and Yachting," "Moonshine," and "Portuguese Dancers." THE NEW THEATRE. A complete change of programmo was presented by Messrs. M'Mahon and Donnelly at the New Theatre in Manners Street yesterday. During the day the building was well patronised, and, at the evening session, it was crowded. , The now series appeared to be much appreciated, and it included many very good films. One—a Bison exclusive drama, entitled "Dark Feather the Squaw"—was a story. of an Indian maid's love for a brave of another tribe. She finds him insensible in the bush, he having fallen" off his horse. The girl takes him to her tribe, and, during the time : that tho brave is in camp, falls in love with him. A member of her own tribe becomes jealous, and, when the stranger is well, he is turned away. Meetings aro arranged between the lovers, but her' own tribe finds this out, and the girl and the brave aro pursued and great fight is put "tip by'fhe pursued' ones," however, and, in recognition of his bravery, tho "stranger brave" is allowed to marry. "Artificial Butter"; is an. industrial item, which shows a big English industry in which coconut milk, is used to advantage. In this picture one can follow tha industry from beginning to end, from the time that the coconuts are gathered until the butter is turned out. "The Signa China" is another beautiful film, showing how Italian workmen turn out particularly fino specimens, of repousse work in porcelain china. An incident relating to the blowing up of the American cruiser Maine is. depicted in a film entitled "Dewey." It is a love story pure and simple, and met with a good reception. "After the Storm—Sunshine" is a.Cines comedy drama, in which the trials and troubles of a young married couple are shown. Other pictures were: "A Chum's Treachery," "Tweedledum's Advantage," and "Won by a Foot," an ingenuous comedy by the Imp Company. The new pictures will be shown from 11. a.m. until 11 p.m. to-day.

"THE SPECKLED BAND." Conan Doyle's new play, "Tho Speckled Band," to be presented at the Opera House on Wednesday next, is described as a well-bred melo-drama, founded upon one of tho best-known adventures of Sherlock Holmes. It starts cleverly by revealing the plot, through' tho evidence, taken at a magisterial inquiry into'the death of a young girl. The . tenseness of this is relieved by some excellent, light comedy, chiefly provided by a recalcitrant juror. The originality of this sceno is said to be characteristic of Conan Doyle's extraordinary, ability to compel interest from tho outlet of his story. The second act is said to lie exceptionally interesting. Tho author introduces several episodes ostensibly to il-, lustrate tho brilliant methods of his famous character. Tho episodes arc quito relevant to the play and—coupled with tho illustrations which are particularly strong—odd considerably to the general effect. The play culminates in a remarkably powerful scene. The snake (the Speckled Band) glides down the bell-ropo only to meet the assaulting cano of Sherlock Holmes. This situation is enacted in amost complete darkness, and is the crowning situation of an interesting play. Tho Williamson Company which is to perform "Tho 'Speckled Band '■' includes Miss Dorothy Dix, a very beautiful English actress of a type new to New Zealand, Messrs. Gaston Mervalo, Mr. Geo Bryant, Fred. Cambourne, T. W. Llovd Boyd Irwin, J. B. Atholwood, Geo. Chalmers, Miss Susio Vaughan, and Mr. Wm. Desmond, who was here earlier in the year with Katherino Grey. ; The New Zealand tnur'of tho company is as follows:—Wellington, December 20 jo January 2; Christchurch, January 3 to January !); Oamaru, January 10;-Dun-edin, January 11 to IS; Invcrcargill "January 19 and 20; Auckland, January 25 lo 31.

FULLERS' PICTURES. '. In addition to tho attraction of the baby competition, a particularly good programme of moving pictures is now being screened at the Skating Rink, in Vivian Street. Dramatic, scenic,-topi-cal, industrial, and humorous subjects are shown in such a manner that they can hardly, fail to please. "The Revenue Man and the Girl" is a thrilling dramatic jstory dealing with the methods adopted by the Unitetl States police force in bringing "moonshiners" to justice. Also included in the-:-programme.- are:' 'Man to Man," "The Ballet- Dancer," T , h ,° Gazette," and "Calino Turns Bobby.

THE KING'S THEATRE. There was another good attendance at the King's Theatre last evening when the current week's programme was repented for the second time. One of tho best pictures screened is that depicting views of Blackpool, the famous English seaside rosort. "Life in tho West," is a story of wild deeds and desperata meu, and of battles with Indians in' the Western States of America, and "Dreams," and "The Right Remedy," are two beautiful examples of colour photography. Other items screened were "Man to Man," "Pathe Gazette," "Brown Bewitched," and "The Revenue Man and the Girl." BAND PERFORMANCE. At Island Bay this evening Jupp's Band will givo a varied programme oi musical selections.