ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1362, 13 February 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE IRVING SEASON. AN ENTHUSIASTIC FABEWEOL. The accommodation at the Opera House could hardly havo been muro severely taxed than was theeasc last evening. Tho queue began to form at 5 p.m., and half an hour later it had grown into a double Hue of people—mostly women—which exfended along Manners Street and down Lower Cuba Street. Every scat except tho back rows of tho stalls and tho gallery had been booked, and when the early doors opened the remainder of the seats filled in a few minutes, and the sale of tickets had to l>3 slopped soon after 7 p.m., even the standing room being eagerly seized upon by eager patrons. It was a "house" calculated to make a manager smile, but Mr. George Smith only succeeded in looking worried—worried because ho had to turn about 500 people awny from the doors. Mr. H. B. Irving repeated his masterly performance as Mathias in "The Bells," and was accorded an ovation at tho end of each act. After half-a-dozen recalls mingled with cheer?, Mr. Irving came before the curtain, and made his adieux. Ho said that he could not say how sorry, sincerely sorry, he was that the season' in Wellington had come to an end. It had been a fortnight which he would always remember, for it had been a real privilege and pleasure to find such appreciation as he had met with here. (Applause.) In Wellington, at any rate, there were audiences for Shakespeare and the drama, and knowing that they could rest assured that for the future they would get the best, and it may be that he would come back again. (Applause.) It was a long way to come from Home, but believe him ho would go much farther to meet with appreciation Mich as they had expi-rienced in Wellington. He really could not find words to express his feelings—ho would say "Good-bye" or rather "Au-revoir!" (Loud applause.) THEATRE ROYAL. Patrons at the Theatre Royal last evening were given a capital change of programme, the series including the latest' kinemacolor subjects, as well as a variety of black and white films. There.was also a marked increase in the attendance, the theatre being well filled in every part. Some of the kinemncolor pictures were very beautiful, and, being well displayed, every detail could be followed with interest. Chief among this class of picture was one entitled "Tim Carnival at Nice." A good impression was gained of the manner in which tho inhabitants of this Italian city celebrate their annual festival. The streets were shown gaily decorated, and the merry laughing crowds of people were evidently enjoying this festival of world-wide fame. Another eood kinemacolor picture was "Herring Fishing at Great Yarmouth." In this film the vast industry was displayed with telling effect. Other pictures in this class were "The Little Daughter's' Letter" and "Scenes at Santa Cruz." Coming to the black and white studies, "Zigomar" was undoubtedly the finest. It would indeed be correct to say that this is the finest of its kind that has been seen iu Wellington. It was'a thrilling detective narrative, and some of the scenes were very fine, notably the hallroom scene and tho will o' the wisp dance, performed by a talented artist. Tho management now .announces the last thirteen nights of moving pictures at the Theatre Royal, and also wish to draw attention to their scale of popular prices. PULLERS' PICTURES. It was with regret that the gathering at the Vivian Street Kink learnt that tho regular change had missed connection at Auckland, and could not lie screened till Tuesday night. However, a change had been obtained from tho local branch of the, Pathe Freros, and ono film »i delicate colouring, depicting the renowned palaco of Versailles was a great success. Every stone of the magnificent buildings could, if they were animated, tell of deeds that would make tho history books seem like rough outlines. In fact, the whole history of modern Franco to a great extent radiates,!from the palace built by Louis tho XIV, and adorned by Napoleon with the treasures of half the civilised world. Au Australian film, showing the trials of a young man convicted' for poaching, portrays the wild, rocky, and parched scenery of Queensland nnd New South Wales, reminding us of the famous "Robbery Under Arms" or tho "Kelly Gang." "Maggie Hoolipn Getting a Place" was a good and lively farce, while other coloured views of rocky scenery made the programme into resting. THE NEW THEATRE. The feature picture drama, "A Woman's Revenge," by tho A.B. Company, was shown for the first time in' Wellington last evening at MacMahon and Donnelly's continuous picture show at the New Theatre, Manners Street. The plot, which readily appeals to the sympathies, deals with the love of a beautiful young woman for a thief, who tires of her, and selects another for his affections. In revenge the heroine thwarts the thief and his comrade from . committing a desperate crime. The men are handed over to the police after an exciting series of incidents. "A Woman's Revenge" will be shown in addition to to-day's new programme, which will be headed by a champion exclusive drania, "Three Calls," a stirring Western episode. Tho Cines drama, "Don. Garcia," is a superior production of the historical type. Considerable amusement is afforded by the vagaries of two escaped criminals in the S .and A. comedy, "Get Rich Quick." A charming nature study, "Plant Life," will interest young arid old. Industrial items possess* a rare, attraction when they are of such an eneaging nature as "Making Straw Hats. - ' There are other enjoyable subjects. The new swies will be presented from 11 a.m till 11 o'clock to-night. KING'S THEATRE. The programme screened last night by Messrs. West at the King's Theatre contains items that aro rather abovo the ordinary. One in particular 'stands out, not only as a good film, but as the depiction of a very old and famous story—tho story of Lady Gcdiva of Coventry. Tho facts of the legend are known by nearly all, but in case anyone is in ignorance the theme is briefly as follows:—Lady Godiva is the daughter of a hard-ruling Earl, who insists upon his subjects'paying taxes that mean poverty to many of them. Lady Godiva, loving her people, prays her father to desist from levying th* tax; he refuses her bequest, and in a coarse jest tells her to ride naked through tho town if she really wishes to spare the poor town folk. Earlier than havo the tas levied, Lady Godiva determined to takeu her father at his -word, and rlrto through the town. She orders all in the town to shutter their windows and remain indoors while she rides past. This everyone docs, except "Peeping Tom," who bores a hole through his shutter and watches, and, tho legend goes on to tell, he is struck blind for his sin, -while Lady Godiva lives beloved of her father and people for many a happy year to come. Thus runs the old legend, and now we aro ablo to sit in a theatre and enjoy such a story with as much pleasure as if wo were children hearing it for the first time. Tho colouring is fine, and tho part where Lady Godiva is being led through tho deserted town by her aged mother is truly romantic. A good comic picture dealing with the revels of a father and son after an astute wife and mother has been given a sleeping draught, caused great merriment. 'The Gossips" among others, was well acted, and received with enthusiasm. ALLEN DOONK SEASON. On Saturday evening n'cxl at the Opera Ilou*, George. Marlon's comedy-drainatß-company will produce for tho first time in \\>llington the Irish drama, "Sweet tounly Kerry." The management stale that a strong ami efficient company has been selocted to interpret the various characters, and support Mr. Allen Doone, the Irish singing comedian and romantic nctor, and Miss Edna Keely, the young actress, who with the company hnvo already appeared in Melbourne. Sydnev, and Brisbane, and aro now playing in Dunedin, and arrive here on Friday next. "Sweet County Kerry" gained a reputation in tho United Stains and Canada, where Mr. Doono and his company played the piece over 1800 times. New scenery is stated to have been imported for the various productions, nnd the accessories are promised to be of more than usual interim. ■ Tlip bnx jdiin will be opennJ nt the Drosdon on Wednesday.