ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2216, 31 July 1914, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE FORTY THIEVES." t The final performanco of "The Forty Thieves" _was given before a orowded audience at the Grand Opera House last evening. The company leaves for Lyttclton this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A noticeable feature of the current programme afl His Majesty's Theatre is its which includes turns ranging from the act of the Russian dancers ('The Jackelow Trio'') to American comedy (supplied by numerous artists)., Other commendable turns are given by Fred Swift ("The Musical Nut"), Zeno and Mandel. (the comical couple), Stewart and Lorraine, Armstrong and Howarth, and Andrews and Dent.

THE KING'S 1 THEATRE. That very fascinating photo-play of life in the new Babylon, entitled "Tbe : Lure of London," and so admirably aoted by the beautiful English artistes and powerful cast, is the chief magnet of a * particularly fino programme' of allround excellence,' which is attracting big attendances nightly at the popular King's Theatre. "His First Love" is■ a tender and touching child drama ,of special charm. Pa tile's ""Study of Bifd~-Life" is excellent ; "The Joy Ride" is not inaptly desoribea as a comic convulsion; while the current number of, ,tbe "Graphic" discloses many events of interest,'. There will be a matinee; tomorrow afternoon at 2.30. . . :: "EVERYBODY'S PICTURES." The old. Opera ' House retains its great';popularity, and the unquestioned merit ot tho pictures shown throughout the day and night delight crowded, audiences. Cines' big, sensational drama, i"The Golden Beetle," is a play of intense excitement, tempered by discretion. .Many .of. its situations are startling in the.i extreme, and dramatically thrilling. - Notably so'is the sensation "The Ladder of Life;", .which. is very cleverly' presented. "Pathe's Gazette" shows the yacht Shamrock IV and Bombardier .Wells, the English "white hope." "A Real English' Winter" is a film of s real beauty,- while .."The Construction.'of .a 'Lifeboat," .and "Simple Simon and'the Dromedary" are well up to standard.. " The programme will bo withdrawn, after Saturday night. THE EMPRESS'THEATRE. ; | ' The. new programme at the' Empress Theatre; continuous pictures yesterday introduced the Film D'Ait. feature draini. "The Blacksmith's Crime."' According- .<■•' to ytlie stow, - ,a .blacksmith's i^seisfeuit.' decides/', to rob - his employer of a large sum-of money. A fight ensue 6in which , the blacksmith is killed. ' The assistant pretends next day, when confronted by the police, that he knows nothing :of the crime. ' Consoience-stricken, he goes away,- and-'- joining tbe' army . distinguishes himself by his bravery, but receives wounds that prove fatal.' Before ,-be.dies he makes full confession. There is a most instructive industrial . film, "The Bee Industry," which shows with: much detail the work at tlie State Bee; Farm at Ruakura, -A' iine stormy effect is produced in the scenio item,;"On the. West Coast, of New Zealand." The Keystone Company is represented by a most amusing- negro comedy, '!Tho' Darktown Bello." i i - i . -

FRED .NIBLO SEASON. » The Fred Niblo season, which is announced to open .at tbe ; Grand.Opera House on Thursday,; evening' 1 next, ■-will commence with the production of "The Fortiwe Hunter," perhaps one of the most successful comedies. ever. staged in Australia. It reported'as/(opmplafelyf outshining the popular-^'Get;"Rich. 'Quick,?':of which we have euch pleasant* recollections. .''The Fortune Hunter," .while .-mirthrprovoking to a : degree, -is said \lio be a. story of real life, giving deliciously-sketched pictures of poetry and even pathos, whjch 'is so, often miugled with human-happiness and merriment. hUye made theinselves so genuinely popular throughout Australasia as Mr. Fred Niblo, who will be seen in the part of' Nat' Duncan, a role in which; he is reported as surpassing his previous achievements. Miss Jogephine Cohan,ia with Mr. Nibbj and the supporting company includes many names firmly established ,jin public favour., "The Fortune Hunter" can only be placed foe five nightß, as two other comedies are jh-omised during the season .—"Never Say Die" and-"Oificer 666".— both of which come with the heartiest recommendations of Australian critics. Box plans for- "The Fortune Hunter" are to open at the Dresden, on Monday.

ALEXANDER WATSON RECITAL. I To-morrow evening in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, Mr. Alexander \Vatson, the; famous.English platform celebrity, will commence bia season in this city, when he will recite Shakespeare's ■delightful, comedy, -".Twelfth Night." The "Otago'; Daily Times," in. commenting upon a performance of this cometfy in Dunedin, - writes: "Air the characters werp, presented • with great fidelity ■ by Mr; .'Watson, but possibly those of Sir Toby Belch, • Sir Andrew. Aguecheci, and Malvolio'wero to be preferred. They certainly stood put from the others, ad'mittedly partly 'to their being f'so >much m evidence. ' That the audience was thoroughly delighted ivith Mr.' Watson's performance there- can the' 110 doubt. The occasional storms of applause, and the frequent interruption of the recital for, the expression of approval, made this quite obvjoua." Plans for the season are on view ■at the Dresden, ;where family tickets and students'.concessions may also be obtained. • 1

HIGHLAND "CEILIDH."

.That the Highlanders of Wellington have established men' society 011 a solid basis was patent' to ever)oiie present at the last- -'ceilidh" of the' Highland Society. .The hall : was tastefully decorated with" clan tartaus and llags, and tho stage-and supper rooms were ar- . ranged with flowers and l drapings. Tho , proceedings werp'opened by the society's piper, and lollowed by. a 'grand 'march in which' the \vhoio audience joined. .'Tho following programme was then submitted:—Bagpipe selections,- Mr. T. A. Mac Donald, tollflwed by the chieftain's U'rolessor MacKenzie; address, in Gaelicgrand march and Highland schottische, in which' most of those present took part; ora6, "Ah Gleann's an Robli' l mi Øog," Mr. J. ,C. Mac Donald; Highland fling, Misses' Molly Reid, Mary Hogg, Marjory MacGillivray, Emma MacJJiarmid, Elsie Bums; and Jessie MacGillivray; song, "Annie Laurie," Master J. Mac Lean; . Highland reel, Mora Shaw, Jack Mac Lean, Lizzie Reid, Harry Mac Lean, Mary Hogg, Marjory MacGillivray, Molly Iteid, Jane Kelly: song, "Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.' Miss MacLeod; recitation. "Bannock-, burn," Miss E. Shaw; Gnillio Calluni, Lizzie, Reid; Flora Shaw, Harry MacLeani Jack Mac Lean ; oran, "An Cailin, Dileas Donn," Mr. 'p. ■ -MacKenzie 5 Sheaun triubhas, Marjory MacGillivray, Emma MacDiarmid, Jane Kelly, Jessie MacGillivray; song, "Lea Bigg," Mr. .W. MacKenzie: sailor's hornpipe, Flora Shaw, Lilly O'Leary; comic song, -Mr: Houston. _ The exhibition of juvenile dancing in the body of the hall ,was something to witness, and was greeted with rounds of applause.: In the Gaelic -songs a number of the audience heartily joined' in the chorus, and the items by Miss MacLeod and Mr. Houston were deservedly encored. Hitherto these functions, have been confined to clansmen and their friends, and it is hoped that members will see their way to,allow the general public to share their.ceilidhs. The chief of-the society, is the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken; chieftains, Professor Mackenzie, Mr. Ale.i, M'Vicar, Mr./J. M. Campbell secretary, . .Mr. .J. Wi. Jlackay. J