ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 139, 14 June 1909, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

CHUNG LING SOO. The much heralded first appearance in Wellington of Mr. Harry Rickards's new Tivoli Vaudeville Company, headed by the famous "Wizard of the East," Chung Ling Soo, will take place this evening at the Opeia House. So much has already been said of this conjurer, and such eulogistic reports have been received here j of his- extraordinary powers, that he iwill no dous>l meet with the same success here as in the Southern towns. His marvellous entertainment is of a very interesting nature, and it is stated that his tricks and illusions will be all new to Wellington audiences. A strong company of leading vaudeville artists is .supporting Chung Ling Soo. With such names as The Two Bells, Mr. Ted Kalnian, Stewart and Lorraine, the Wheelers, Madame Cornwall, the Australian D'Artos, and Australia's Little Tich an interesting and enjoyable entertainment rr.ay be anticipated. • The only matinee of the season will be given on Saturday ■afternoon at 2.30. The demand for seats at the Dresden has been very large, and ■in order to avoid disappointment it is advisable to book seats to-day for the opening performance. Early door day tickets may be purchased *at Christe--^on's. Early doors are open from 7 to 7.45, the performance commencing at 8 o'-clock sharp. THEATRE ROYAL. By far the best instance of the capacity of the Cinep^hone ever demonstrated in Wellington was given at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. There were three numbers, of which "The Galloping Major" (by request) was the best; "John Willie" was excellent. "The Waltz Must Change to a March" was ako an interesting number. '-Coffee Cultivation" is an instructive! film showing every detail of the industry and the final enjoyment of the "Cafe Noir, Tete-«i-tete." The scenic value of this picture is great. "The Buffoons" (Sarah Bernhardt's great play) is an echo from -the romantic past; a story in which A jester defeats a king. "The Convict's Reyenge"_ is a pathetic account of an incident in which the gaoler's domestic life is brought into contact with his sordid charge. "Winter Sports, Savoy" is a, greatly enjoyable picture. The j spectator cannot but be somewhat exhilarated by the healthy, hearty reckj lessness of the ski and sledge parties. I "The Lighthousekeeper" is a well -acted little .play in unusual surroundings. : "Principles of the Gyroscope" is a scien- ! tific exhibition of the principles of bal- | ance and rotation. . "A Dream of Wealth," a story of the great plains of the American West, gives a pitiful account of the hardships of the pioneer. There are several cemic pictures which moved the audience to laughter aud thereby proved their convincing properties. The orchestra, under the direction of lllr. Edgar Collins, is an enjoyable feature of the entertainment. Tho same programme will be repeated till Saturday next. ROYAL PICTURES. Byj>ight o'clock on Saturday evening there" was not a vacant seat in His Majesty's Theatre, when the Royal PicI hire management reproduced its fine bill. The exciting series entitled "Count Ugolino," and a most effective picture entitled "Kenilworth," were both well received, 'as was a patriotic , story, "How a Drummer Boy Saved the Flag." Humour and education were well supplied by such as "Married in Haste" and "The Lime Industry." The same lot of pictures will be shown tonight, and for the last time to-morrow evening. SATURDAY ORGAN RECITAL As the recital on Saturday iiight by Mr. Maughan Barnett, City Organist, in the Town Hall, was according to a "special request programme," the items were al! familiar and favourites with a Wellington audience. The first item was an arrangement in march form of two themes from Mendelssohn'? Capriccio Brilliante in B, and the other leading items were Bach's splendid Prelude and Fugue in C minor, and the long fantasia on "Faust," always a favourite with the organist, at the close. All the minor items weie encored. These were Hollins's wonderful "Spriilg Song," Pierne's ever-welcome "Serenade," and Chopic's delightful Nocturne in G minor. 1 he Town Hall being otherwise engaged, there will be no recital next Saturday. olympiaTrink. A glance at the Olympia Skating Rink on Saturday evening would have convinced the most sceptical person that roller skating is a popular pastime, and 1 that its devotees extract the utmost enjoyment from it. The management announces that the rink will not be closed, as notified previously, but will remain open continuously during; the season. "MISS HOOK OF HOLLAND." The advent of Messrs. Meynell and Gunn's English Comic Opera Company should form a theatrical event of more than ordinary significance, by reason of the great popularity of the company in Australia. Eighteen months ago this combination made its first appearance in Melbourne, in the charming Dutch comic opera, "Miss Hook of Holland, "and since then it has captured the audiences of Sydney and Melbourne in such musical plays as "The Belle of Mayfair," "Tho Girl Behind the Counter," and more recently with the record breaking operatic pantomime version of ''Cinderella." Their transition from opera and musical comedy to pantomime is said to have been a revelation to theatregoers, and speaks in no small degree for the versatility of this popular combination. The initial production of the Wellington season will be "Mfiss Hook of Holland," whose world-wide success has already been heralded to New Zealand. The opening of the plans will be duly announced.