ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC. WILLIAMSON'S 810-TABLEAU.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 48, 27 February 1905, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC. WILLIAMSON'S 810-TABLEAU.

The Optra House was full on Saturday night, when Williamson's Bio-tabieau wa» exhibited for the first time. The large audience was more than gratified, for previous biograph aiJd kinenialogruph .'Jiows had scarcely prepared the public for an exhibition of such uniform excellence and historic interest, extending over nearly three houis. Especially were tho waritems appreciated. The progress of Science, and paiiicularly the adaptation of the tele-photo invention to kinematography, make it now possible to secure from a comparatively sale distance living pictures of actual warfare, mid the audience was ■•practically in the position of an observer posted on a convenient height overlooking the opemtions, and provided with a field* glass. Some of Saturday nigltt's views, in tlidr genuineness and grim realism, held the audience spellbound. Scenes were exhibited of the departure of troops, Russian and Japanese, to the front — grand review* and military evolutions were shown — tb» Uii viUble big dog m ono case getting right in the way, to the delight of the boys — while tlio wild and wonderful exploits of Cossacks on galloping horses — far exceeding hie dating feats of the rmg — evoked almost the only cheers accorded to th« Russian forces. Wellington folk saw the great Kuropatkin as he arrived at Irkutsk, and as he inspected the reservists ; they gazed breathlessly at the lino of Jjpanesa charging Russian guns at Llaoynhg — ialb ing in the snow like nine-pins before th» nail of tho machine-guns — saw the gunners, reinforced though they were, flea fiom the broken line of bayonets, and the flag of the Rising Sun wave over the captured guns — and llieti cheered the victorious islanders. One of tho most interesting views was tho great religious festival procession held at Nikko — an "eye-opener" to any ivho might suppose tlmt Japan ik forgetting her old traditions. The ebibo' rate hymbolism of ornaments, banners, masks, and decorations is absolutely cryptic to tho Westerner ; but tho function wa* as solemn as it was gorgeous, nnd might have belonged to the fifteenth century so fur as any trace of modernity was concerned. The sensational escape of convicts from Dartmoor was, of course, a " got-Up " subject, but was admirably realised. Othey important subjects wero, first, the great Toronto fire in full-blase — then street after street nnd acre nfter acre of devastation ; then tho impressive sight of dangorous ruins — notably a lofty church tower/ — ■ brought down by dynamite, the exhibition at Earl's Court, and the nice for the MeU bourne Cup. There were sdmo delightful humorous subject* — notably, "His Master's Voicc t " and new and clever illusions, tho whole clobing with the protty_ pantolniino extravaganza " Submarina," affording scope for fine spectacular effects. The exhibitioh is to be repeated to-night-, arid nmtinces for children will be given on Wednesday nnd Saturday. The supply of films is too largo abd varied for one evening's exhibition, and changes are introduced at each performance. HIS XiAJESTY'S THEATRE. Excellent fare wns provided for tin patrons of His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night. The programme included the first appearance of Messrs. Harley and Williams in a humorous sketch, which provoked roars of laughter. A number of old favourites also contributed to the bill, nnd were received with much heartiness. Miss May Dngmar danced nnd sang with her usual vivacity, and the serio-comic ballads by Mite Lulu Eugene, whose dancing is also of a high standard, were much appreciated. Miss Jeannio Johnstone's ballad singing was one of the features of the programme. Mi« May Rose's singing and dancing were distinctly good. Mr. Joe Cowan and Mr. Ted Anderson provided some capital new songs, which Went with a fine swing and greatly amused the audience, and Mr. Harry Carleton, who was in good voice, contributed somo excellent ballads. The patrons of this place of entertainment never tire of Mr. Los Warton's coon .songs, nnd, tho Ugh suffering somewhat from a cold, he was ns successful nud dU verting ns ever. The programme a-lso uir eluded a character song by Mr. Harry Brown, nnd a couple bf clever farces* in which Mefesrs. Cowan and Oarleton kept the fun going from beginning to end. The lust week of tnost of Ihe above performers is announced FITZGERALD'S CIRCUS. There will commence in Wellington on 6th March a farewell season of FitzBrothers' Circus. Only five nighi performances will be given, the company being booked to leave for Sydney on tha 11th proximo. Several new features and sensations have been added to the circus since its last appearance in this city, and tho attraction of tho Japanese wrestlers remains. DAY'S BAY CONCERT. A popular concert has been arranged to take place ut Day's Bay next Wednesday evening, when a number of leading vocalists and musicians Will npuenr. Tho k.s. Duchois leaves the Ferry Wharf at 7.45 p.m., returning from the Bay at 10 o'clock. The full programme will appear : n to-morrow's issue. Ono of tho forthcoming attractions of Fuller's Entertainers is Professor Grossi, a "modern magician" of tho most remarkable typo, who is already well known jn practically ovpry civiliaod country in tno world. His * "business" Is legerdemain, illusion, and thought reading of k most surprising character. His telepathic performance, though not so showy as his brilliant conjuring and' sleight-of-hand, is tho tnost interesting feature of his entertainments, and has boon received with acclamation in Greafc Britain, Europe, China, Japan, tho United States, ana South America. His season begins at His Majesty's Theatre in about three weeks. Accompanied by his manager, Mr. Hugh Wilson, Professor Grossi passed through Wellington to. day eti route for Auckland. On Saturday evening, nt the Rechabitd Chambors, ttlnnners-street, the 1.0. G.T. Lodges of H.M.S. Euryalus and Challenge held a united Lodge meeting, presided over by Brother Rumsoy, lhero was a very largo attendance of locnl Good Tohiplafs, and also visitors from Petoho and H.M.S. Psyche. Two new members were -nitiated into tho Challenger's Pride Lodge, which has only been instituted a short lime, ani bids fair to become a strong Lodge. The officers of tho Wellington District Lodga were olhcially received and conducted tho Lodgo for tho rest of the evening An excellent supper was supplied by ths sailor brethren, and songs weiv contri buted by Sister MncDonakl and Broth ers Riggs, btrong, Ingram, and Sparks bisters Henderson, Jennings, and D. At. lunson contributed recitations,, and Bro ihot Hnguo a pianoforte solo. Congra tulations mid good wishes were cxchwia cd between the lodges. The annual afternoon tea in conneo !in rv'-H \ W ?? lln S to i 1 High School Old Gir.s' Association will be held next Saturday week. Nominations for mem bers Of the committee for the ensuing year Will be received by the Socretarv. M\. J. Goodman, lecturer and psvehotberapenlist, from Australia, to ill deliver a lecture on Tuesday evening next nL 8 o'clock in t_e Theosophicaf B^^ Hall, \ oik-chambers, Manners-street T '),_ subject will be "The Law of M e ,,m ttz: M b ° UA * * Sri