ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 79, 5 April 1910, Page 25

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"PETER PAN." "Peter Pan" charmed Another crowded audienao at the Opera Houso ltwt night, and the outbursts of applause with which the performance was freely punctuated showed how greatly it was appreciated by old and young alike. Peter will appear again this evening, and tomorroj£ there will be a matinee, at which the management has arranged to provide accommodation for a large number of the inmate* of various benevolent institutions. THEATRE ROYAL. Tho new programme presented at the Theatre Royal last night by "Fuller's V audeville Company was of distinct merit. It thoroughly pleased the audience, which tilled every seat in the house, and overflowed into standing room only. There are two "star" turns, first the astonishing manipulation of gyves and fetters by Parker, the handcuff expert and "escapcological mystery" ; a'ul then the graceful feats of strength performed by the Hi others Crotton. Parker is a small slight man of dapper appearance. Tho handcuffs, shackles, fetters, and gyves, mostly of a well-used somewhat tarnished aspect, are carefully examined by a committee of volunteeis from tho audience. The imprisoning appaiatus is fastened on the victim, who quickly dives into a cabinet ou tho stage to reappear in a few seconds a free man, displaying his conquest to the audience. Parker went beyond the regulation handcuff last night, and escaped in about ten seconds from a pair of patent American ratchet "bracelets." fie offers to submit to a test from any make of handcuff, provided the management give permission in each case. An equally attractive turn, but of a different order, was the performance of the Crotton Brothers. They not only achieve clever feats of strength, but achieve them with a neatness and crispness and a novelty that make the turn the better to watch. Both men are of rather less than medium height, but they display extraordinary muscular development and enormous strength. The rest of the programme is quite good. Miss Blanche Carelli maintains her popularity with the audience by her singing, and Miss Beattie M'Donald wins favour with vocal items of the semi-serio character, while there is an abnndance of musical and humorous talent in Joe Charles and Charles Failing, corner-men, the Sisters Lewis, the Coleman Bisters, and Miss Georgie Devoe. Some excellent dancing characterised the appearance of the clever juvenile, Charlotta. The programme will be repeated throughout the week. ' THE KING'S THEATRE. The current series of pictures at the King's Theatre are running towards the end of their course. Of excellent qua lity as they undoubtedly are, they will be reproduced for the last time to-night, in order to make way for the complete change of programme to-morrow night. A large audience witnessod Ihe pictures last night. HIS MAJESTY'S. The excellence of the picture programme at His Majesty's Theatre this wrek has been recognised by large audiences. Last night's performance was no departure from the rule. To-night will bo the last opportunity of witnessing tho present series, which will be withdrawn to make way for a fresh assortment <»f films. To-morrow night's programme will include "The Western Mail," a Western prairie drama, introducing some fine feats of horsemanship.' Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" and ' On the Reef" aro two other attractive films. STAR PICTURES. A compete change of programme wo* given by the Star Picture management in St. Thomas's Hall last night. The show was well pntronised, and much of merit was found in the films submitted. One of the best received views was one entitled "The Scales of Justice," marked by exciting situations. Another equally good descriptive study was "Suffer Little Ohildren." Others exhibited included "Japanese Butterflies," an art illustration, and "The Brahmin's Miracle." The comedy class was well represented by "The Conquest," which umused the audience immensely.- Tho programme will be continued this week. "FOR THE TERM OF 1 HIS NATURAL LIFE." Much interest is being taken in tho coming presentation of the picture reproduction of Marcus Clarke's famous Australian story, "For the Term of His Natural Life," and a successful sixnights' season, which commences at the Opera House on Monday evening next, is expected. The story of the convict system of early Australian history adapts itself readily to the wonder-working possibilities of the biograph. Nothing, it is presumed, can be more realistic or exciting than the murdt.r on Hamptteud Heath, then right through this interesting story, embracing the mutiny on the Malabar, the burning of the Hydaspas, when its human freight are seen jumping into the water, the rescue, and finally the realistic explosion and sinking of the ship, the writing on the sand, the submerging of the i^ady Franklyn, the finding of the bodies of Dawes and Sylvia on the beach, and the hundred and one interesting episodes that make for a picture of exceptional attractiveness. Tha^film, which is 3300 ft in length, is said to have cost £1000 in the taking nlone, and has been attracting large attendances throughout Australia. Tho season is under the direction of Mr. William Anderson. MISS B. RICHMOND'S CONCERT. Miss B. Richmond's pianoforte recital takes place to-night at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall. She will be assisted by Miss May Donaldson (violin), and Mr. F. R. Johnstono ('cello), and an extremely attractive programme has been arranged, pleasantly varied, and not too long. It will include a Beethoven Concerto, with orchestral accompaniment on a second piano by Miss Leatham, a trio (Tchaikowsky) for piano, violin, and 'cello, not previously heard in Wellington, shorter pianoforte compositions by Schumann, Chopin, etc., and solo* for violin and 'cello. CONCERT AT JOHNSONVILLE. A combined anniversary meeting and farewell gathering to the Hew C. Eaton was held iti the Parish Hall, Johnsonville, last night, when an excellent programme was submitted. Items were contributed by Misses Chapman, Dawson, Allen, Beaumont, Mesdames Strong, Jacobseu, and Messrs. Jacobsen, (libbert, and the Stringer Brothers. During the evening Mr. and Mrs. Eaton were presented with a silver cake basket and a classical dictionary. Complimentary references were made to the work of the Rev. C. Eaton, and to the assistance given by Mrs. Eaton. SAILORS' REST. The Sailors' Rent was crowded last right on the occasion of the fortnightly concert by the St. Patrick's Conference of the St.* Vincent dp Paul Society. The following contributed to an enjoyable programme : — Misses L. Tarieky, Barnes, M. Frith, A. Frith, and E. Bowd-eu, Mesdame* Allen and Lansdowne, Mfssrr.. Barnes, J. Knowlen, F. Cooze, R. Tinuey, H Hatridge, and St/rimgeour. The accompaniments w«ve «ffki«nlly playml by Mums Frith, Bowden, Doheriy, *&d.

Tansley. During the evening the society took tho opportunity of drawing the art union recently promoted by it. The drawing was conducted by a committee of gentlemen comprising Messrs. M. Kennedy, A. V. Monro, and J*. R. Hunt. At tho conclusion of the drawing Mr. M. Kennedy presented Miss A. M'dwynn with a valuable painting, as a reward for her assiduity in disposing of the largest number of tickets. Mr. Kennedy referred in flattering terms to the popularity and esteem which this lady enjoyed, and as evidence of this statement announced that nhe had disposed of 259 tickets. Captain Dormer returned thanks to the performers.