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Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19, 24 January 1911, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. ti The final performance in Wellington of "The Lion and the Mouse," by Mips Katherine Grey and the other members of ik. J. C. Williamson's Company at the Opera House last night was witnessed by a large and appreciative audience. "THE THIRD DEGREE." This ■evening the company will present for the first time in Wellington Charles Klein's new play "The Third Degree." i'he drama deals with a phase of American life that is well known by report, but this particular police method is not given greater prominence than is necessary for the elaboration, of the plot. The story deals with a woman's efforts to cave her husband from paying the penalty of a crime that he has not committed, although he has confessed to it, through hypnotic suggestion, under the terrible "third degree examination. His family and his friends are all prepared to accept a confession, which is backed by certain circumstantial evidence, and the wife has to make her light alone. Those who have witnessed Miss Qrey'B performance in "The Lion and the Mouse" can imagine how the part gives her_ some splendid opportunities to exhibit her dramatic skill. Only four representations can be given of "The Third Degree," as on Saturday night next Eugene Walter's sensational dramatic success; "Paid in Pull," will be staged. theatre' r oy al. A large audience filled the Theatre Royal last evening, and was well entertained by a vaudeville programme with several new items. The best turn of the evening was undoubtedly the clever musical mummery of the "Do Re Me. Taio." The three quaint clowns, who make music out of any old object from a % top hat to a. coffee pot, are not new to the Theatre Royal, but they worked in a deal of excellent new business last night, and constituted themselves beyond dispute the "6ta.rs" of the performance. Miss Ruby Wallace made her first bow to a Wellington audience as a comedienne of merit. She makes a, dainty little figure on the stage, and dances very cleverly. Scott Gibson, a popular favourite, was recalled several times for his Scottish quips and impersonations. Other artists, who pleased the a.udience were Jack Knowles in the coon song, "Everybody's Happy," Miss Oecile Steplxino in "At the Bottom of the Deep Blue' Sea," Miss Jollie Colemari in skilful equilibrium on the trapeze, the M'Cormick Sisters, Chas Heath, Tini 1 Howard, and Mißs Jessie Lee. The programme will be repeated to-night. On Friday evening next, Fred. Graham and Nellie Dent will reappear in a new sketch entitled "The 100 to 1 Ghance." The- same night will also witness the reappearance of Fari'ell and Gaffney, " comedians and three-legged dancerß." THfi KING'S THEATRE. A judicious and well-balanced exhibition of kinematograph pictures was made before a crowded house at The King's Theatre last evening, and the new series found general favour and commendation; "Pathe's Animated Gazette," as a pictorial bulletin of recent \Old-World events, had several excellent . features. One obsarved the Eight Hon Mr. Asquith visit the East End of London to lay the foundationstone of a new church ; the disembarkation of Earl Minto at Dover from India, iii pouring rain; a notable Rugby match between University teams afc , Oxford ; a hockey contest between France and Scotland, and several other significant and instructive events. There is much to .admire in the film depicting Moscow — that ancient capital of Russia, which bid defiance to Napoleon t in 1805, the citizens of which set their dwellings and public buildings ablaze rathei than' siurendei. "(Jus toms of the Hindoos" is another highly instructive picture. "For Her Country's Sake" is a a fair sample of picturetragedy, in which a brave innkeeper saves the life of one Washington, who is "wanted" by n member of the- Stuart dynasty. The girl is assassinated by her own father k who thinks he is killing Washington. There are several msritorious specimens of comedy in th© to grammej which will be repeated nigfitly. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A holiday audience filled His Majesty's Theatre to overflowing last evening, when tho bi-weekly change of pictures took place, and the programme submitted by tho management was received with appreciative applause, A fine film, clear and distinct, was that presenting some excellent views of the beautiful city of Moscow, the ancientcapital of Russia, including tome'magnificent Byzantine architecture. An instalment of the Pathe Gazette, illustrating many of the latest European events, was screened, and proved decidedly interesting. The scenes reproduced included the last resting-place of a great Russian patriot and novelist, Tolstoi. Another fine scenic picture, Viege to Zermatt, gave the audience a very fair idea of the remarkably 'beautiful views to be found amongst the mountains and ladces of Switzerland. Equally picturesque was the series portraying Hindoo customs. There was also an exceptionally good set of dramatic subjects. One of the most popular, perhaps, was that entitled "The Sepoy's Wife," a stirring tale of the Indian Mutiny, founded on fact. The regimental doctor saved the life of a tiny Indian child, and the grateful mother was subsequently enabled tosave the lives of tne doctor and his family by secreting thorn in an underground passage, and from there leading them in safety to a distant fort. "Tip Fugitive" was the title of a tragic piece, a story of the American War of Independence. "Jean, the Matchmaker," was a delightful picture, the plot of which was well-woven, yet very humorous. Comedy was p^entiVu!, and laughter was unavoidable when such items as "Tontolini," "Strike of Tenants," and "TweecUedum's First Bicycle" appeared. The programme will be repeated this evening. STAR PICTURES. The patrdns of St. Thomas's H?U were treated to anothor enjoyable entertainment last evening, when a special holiday programme was provided. Picture stories of the ever-popular dramatic type were in evidence, and of these the favourite was that which told of a cattle rustler's revenge on Miss M' Millan, a girl who had refused to marry him. Having tried to force his attentions on the girl, he is dismissed from the ranch and joins a band of cattlerustlers, and, coming upon the girl unawares, ho and his allies capture and imprison her in an empty building, whence she is eventually rescued by some of the ranch hands. Very popular was a pathetic little story entitled "Cherries," as was also "A Young Protector." Some of the comic items were : "An Old Maid's Dream," "No Followers Allowed," and "Two Sides to a Story." To-morrow night the weekly, change of films will take place. MR. LAWRENCE CAMPBELL. Wellington people, who heard the clever entertainer, Mr. Lawrence Campbell, a few weeks ago, will be no doubt glad of an additional oppbrtnnity to get thorough pleasure and' instruction from his well-trained Jips. •During his first visit he very agreeably surprised his audience with his versatility, and pi'oved himself an elocutionist of a calibre *

rarely witnessed in New Zealand. He is also well supported. M. Eugene Ossipoff has created quite a record of impressions amongst his many audiences by his excellent singing. For a baritone, his voice is remarkable in having a compass well over two octaves. After hearing him, one is prepared to credit him with being one of the principals at the Grand Opera House, Moscow. PICTURES AT TOWN HALL. The announcement of a special holiday programme, drew a large crowd to the lown Hall last evening, .when a capital programme of pictures was provided by the Fuller management. During the evening films of the latest variety were screened. Perhaps some of the most popular subjects were "For Her Country's Sake/ "Slave of Carthage," and a most original Vitagraph comedy entitled "Jean, the Matchmaker." Mr. Wilson Fritch will speak tonight, in the Socialists' Hall, on ''SelfRealisation," explaining the nature of his class-teaching, which is said to have helped many to health and happiness, by revealing to them their own inner powers.