entertainments;

Dominion, 24 February 1913, Page 3

entertainments;

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A week's excellent business at His Majesty's Theatre, attracted by the star dramatic picture, ''The Fatal Wedding, was brought to a close on Saturday, when two very largo gatherings filled tho palatial theatre. This evening nn entirely new programme will be presented, when, in response to numerous requests, the management will revivo that interesting pictorial play, "Sweet Nell of Old, Drurv," with. Miss Nellio Stewart in the title role. This picture attracted very largo houses when last screened in Wellington, and as the subject of Noll Gwyime, tho famous favourite of the "Merrio Monarch," nover seems to tire, no doubt the attraction will again prove effective. On Thursday next tho Brent Panama picture will be shown once more. "THE MONEY LENDER." No picture show nowadays is complete without an exclusive picture, and West's, Ltd., are to tho foro in that respect at tho King's Theatre. To-night a beautifully coloured drama "The Money Lender,"" a story of tho search for more wealth k-y a sordid miser will be put on. A money lender, Gaston, lends a largo sum on bad security and plots with au unscrupulous adventuress to get rid of an heir so that he can place his monetary affairs on a good footing. During .the' unfolding of tho plot some exciting episodes are witnessed. Tho management state that tho development is a masterpiece in photo-play art. In tho costuming the principal lady displays at least twenty different gowns during the thirty scenes of the drama. Supporting subjects include "Tom Donovan's Division, a railway story, "The Pace or the Voice," Maurice Costello romance, "Bunny- at the Derby,".a comical Bunny study and eight other stars. Suitable selections will bo played by the "King's Theatre orchestra, under Signor Truda's conduetorship. NEW THEATRE. Saturday is the liveliest business day for most of tho picture theatres. At the New Theatre on Saturday both afternoon, and evening sessions were crowded, .and the fine military picture, "The Torch of War," was received with enthusiasm. An entirely new bill is to bo presented today, including a sterling dramatic picture entitled "A Man' Without a Conscience," which is said to contain, the maximum amount of thrill. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. ; ..''Tho Oath of Stephen Huller," described as- a wonderful photo-play, and a hrilliaut example of dramatic picture. poTtaiyal, will head tho iierr prozvammd to-4ay and to-night' at the 'Empress Theatre continuous pictures. Tho film', which occupies fifty rfinutes, is in-edited with having drawn record attendances wherever shown. The story is a sequel to ' The Unwritten Law," which was exhibited at the Empress Theatre recently. Stephen, tho son of the elder Huller, takes an oath in the prison cell on ho bids farewell to his father, that he will never marry. To keep such an oath involves a strugglo between love and honour, which is most attractively "displayed. The scenes arc said to be exceptionally fine. The minor subjects will include An Adventure in the Autumn Woods" an exalusive A.B. dramatic ■ "mastenpieco'; "The Gaumont' Graphic,", "Tho Bito of a Snako," an exclusive A.B. comedy, and t others. At all sessions to-dav and to-night tho name of tho winner of the children's "Christopher Columbus" pnzo essay competition will be shown on the screen. .-■•*..;. PEOPLE'S'PICTURE PALACE. ':' ' In the change of programme to be presented at the People's Picturo Palace today the chief dramatic feature will bo a stirring detective experience ' entitled Strength versus Cunning." Other'pictures will be "The Mother of the Ranch,'" '/Struggle of Hearts," and '-'Manufacturing Combs." ■..-'.* ■ SnORTTS' THEATRE., As- usual tho Saturday, afternoon and evening sessions at Shortts'-*Theatre were well patronised-by the.public. A. conipleto, change of program tee' will beVprcEouted to-day. It will include the star dramatic pictorial,' "From Country to l™ n ' (1800 ft.)-,- "The Thunuderbolt," t the Thrilling Rescue of Undo Man," . 'Maid, Man, and Moustache," "Beltina's Substitute," "On the Way to . Montserrat, and the "Australian Gazette." -,;..'.. ,THE FOLLIES. ■ : To what extent ono performance of a company can differ from another was illustrated on Saturday evening in • tho case of ."The Follies." On the opening flight on Saturday week tho . entertainment given, was distinctly ■ patchy, and at times crudities became obvious, but on Saturday evening, the show went like clockwork, and there was not a dull item on the programme, wJiilst tho quality of the performance was distinctly good. Mr. Percy Clifton, whoso voice crackles and barks stage wit from the corner chair, preseated a new burglar song, the argument of which was. that the burglar kept a lot of otherwise useless people in worfc and was good for trade. He was also very amusing as tho idiotic 'Johnny" in the sketch "Writing a Play," in which ho was cleverly assisted by Miss Iris Edgar.,. That bright little lady scored in a clever song entitled "I'm Sorry," and was associated with Mr. Kennedv Black in a, comedy duet. Mr. Percy 'Dalton, who is a decided favourite, caught his audionco in."Norak Malone," and'followed it up with some lively eccentric clogdancing, marked by some..original steps. Later he was bracketed with Miss Lily Moore*in. a rag-time seance, in which. "Tho Italian Rag" and' "My Rag-time Soldier Man" figured. Mr. Dalton'is particularly happy in.this class of song. A cultured basso of rare' quality is Mr. Clifford O'Keefo (who made his first appearance in Wellington with tho Bel Sorol Grand Opera Company). On Saturday evening fie exhibited a serviceable range in "Out on tho Deep," and on being encored sang a pretty Irish song, "Tho Dear Little Girl." Miss Cissie O'Keefe, the Follies'contralto, sans "The Miller and the Maid," but was much bet- . tcr suited in that charming 6ong, "Melis-" ande in .the Wood," in which the singer's. rich notes in tho lower, register were heard to _ advantage. A musical treat was .the singing of the well-known song, "A May Morning," by Misses Edgar and O'Keefe, and Messrs. Black, O'Keefe and Fergusson. Tho harmony was original and the tone balance very good. Mr. H. C. Steyne fooled rathor neatly in tho "ultra-Johnny" vein of G. P. Huntley, and jested amusingly in tho' circle. Miss Lily Moore sang "Agatha Green" (a Margaret Cooper lilt) much too slowly, but her work in the "Omnibus Ride," which concluded the first part, was clover. The volatilo Lusanne Sisters contributed double songs and.donces with .plenty of vervej and Mr. Balfour Fergusson, who is gaining heart and voice with experience, sang quite acceptably "Oft in the Stilly Night," "The Lowland Sea." and on. attractive Scotch song. Mr. Fergusson, who has a sweet light tenor voice, requires to pay some attention to enunciation. A malo trio harmonised nicely in "The Dear Little Shamrock," and a medley item. The cnscmblo numbers were "Pretty Littlo Geisha, ladies," "Nursery Rhymes," and "The Country Fair." The aocompanirnents of Mr. W. H. Butler wore a factor in the success of a very bright little, show. ■ Tire "Follies" ■season.will conclude on Wednesday next. THE BUTTERFLIEB. "Tho Butterflies," a new English costume comedy company, who have for the past ten months been touring South. Africa, will commence a season at tho Concert Chamber.on March 7. ORGAN RECITAL. Encouraging attendances aro marking tho last few organ recitals Mr. J. Maughan Barnett is giving prior to leaving Wellington to tako up tho position ] of city organist at Auckland. His Saturday evening programme was particularly attractive without loss of musical dignity. There was force and character in his interpretation of Bach's "Toccato in F," a fino work by tho master, which gives Mr. Barnett an admirable opportunity to exhibit his technique in the pedal organ. Other items were Deshnvrs' ''Choral Prelude," Bondcl's delightfully melodious "Dornroschon," Hollins' "Jlofeeaux de Concert" (arranged in waltz form), two movements from a very fine "Symphony" (Xo.J), composed by Louis Vierne (tho organist of the Church de Ntrtrn Daiuo, Pari,"), Wet-cr.'j "Andanto tad SUtoV' (from that cempow'e fiiann-

(Wo —°) 5 -* a ?, d a ver >' representative fantasia from Gounod's "Faust." «**« \ k < Bsnnet t. mezzo-soprano, UHUn E ?- l0 /n t • She sm S "Hush, My «,!iiv°" e /Bevignani), «"<' "Morning W»lli„T ' yhl y r rd ]. Popular 'in llellngton by Madame Limn. There win be-another organ recital next Saturday evening.