ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 150, 22 December 1911, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AGAIN. "THE SPECKLED BAND." Sherlock Holmes is not- yet dead. He was very much alive at the Opera Hous>e last evening in "The Speckled Band." which Mr. J. C. Williamson introduced to Wellington from London. "The Speckled Band " is a play^ that will prove immensely popular with seeker after thrills. It is a " creepy " sortof thing, with its snake, its music, its ♦ green lights, and its madness (in which thero uj method). Dr. Rylott is the leading character. Tie is described as an Angl«-Indian, and to that fact much importance is attached by Sherlock Holmes. It i» suggested that Dr. Rylott's relations with his housekeeper are not quite what they ought N to be. aftd ju order to obtain their wealth he causes the death of one step-daughter and compaeees the end by like means of the other. A coroner's jury (discovered I in the first act) returns an open verdict on the unfortunate young lady who died. But how did she die? 'It is left to Sherlock Holmes "(in the last act) to discover. Of course, ho succeeds, although the fact 'lias earlier become obvious to the audience, which ie "in the know." A" serpent killed her. Whether a cobra, karait, or any other ophidian does not matter. But Sherlock Holmes finds out what escaped notice at the autopsy — death from snake poison. He eaves the second yoang lady s life, side-tracke the serpent, which winds it«lf around the Anglo-Indian and kills him ; and — curtain. Mr. Gaston Mervale was cast for the part of the Anglo-Indian gentleman, portraying him as only an artist could, asthe victim of dementia of a particularly malignant form and of a pronounced homicidal type; ,for, as was revealed, "he had killed a khitmughar." Mr. Mervale's duty was to supply the thrill and he did it with, conviction. Sherlock Holmes was admirably played by Mr. William Desmond, who made up well and closely adhered to the lines 1 laid down by Sir Conan Loyle, to depart from which' would, of course, have been flagrant heresy. . Miss Dorothy Dix. as Enid Stonor, the young lady w..ho was saved by Sher lock Holmes, was a delightfully refreshing ingenue, the part fitting her as closely as her beautiful dresses — which were not inconspicuous accessories to its success. Comedy in, those broad, high-coloured washes and streaks which brighten up melodrama of the ancient and honourable sort ie not plentiful in "The Speckled Band." Mr. Fred"'. Cambourne, as a truculent, inquisitive juror, caused spme laughter. But he had really very little acope. Mr. Jamea Atholwood, cast for an old butler, 'made a' great hit with a quite small part. "The Speckled Band," judging from the cordiality with which it was received last evening, promises to be as great a success in Wellington as elsewhere. It •will be repeated this evening. . THEATRE ROYAL. It is claimed for kinemacolour that it is the most beautiful and perfect phase of kinematography yet introduced. The current programme at the Theatre Royal is of a very high standard, anct ie attracting large attendances nightly. There will be a complete change next week. CHRISTMAS CONCERT. The box plan of the. Philip Newbury concert, which takes place at the Opera House on Christmas Night, is now open at the Dresden. The full programme will appear in our advertising columns to-morrow. FULLER'S PICTURES. The Fuller Proprietary has established itself firmly at " the Skating Rink where' pictures are being shown pending the construction of the new theatre in Court enay -place. •■ The change of programme last night drew a packed house and item after item was ' emphatically applauded. The dramatisation- of Nat Gould's "The Double Event" was retained on the programme to the evident appreciation of all present. "After Fifty Hears," a plot. dealing with the heroism of a young Italian officer by which lie won his wife besides honour a«d glory, was very popular. A battle scene in this picture was well represented. "A Handsomer Man" is an exceedingly humorous sketch in, which a wife leaves a note for her husband saying she was going away with a handsomer man, meaning her father. Other films were: "Trailing the Counterfeiters," "An Idle Boast>" "Path© Gazette," -etc. THE KING'S THEATRE. Wellington yachtsmen and yachting enthusiasts mustered in force at the King's Theatre last evening, on the occasion of t^e scieening of a special programme in aid -of the Port Nicholson •Yacht Club. ' Pictures of yachting at Cowes and in Wellington harbour figured largely on the programme, the lastmentioned films having been specially taken for West's. Ltd., at the opening of the season. In the other items on the programme were included many of the latest kinematograph subjects, dramatic studies being most prominent. The best of these was entitled " The Making of a Man," a story of the sea, in which villainy is defeated by means of wireless, telegraphy. In the comic section, "Bumptious Takes up' Automobiling," "Nailing the Counterfeiter," and "When Wifey Held the Pursestrings," were responsible for much merriment, aud vl of topical interest was the latest edition of Pathe's Gazette. The programme, which is undoubtedly a good one, will be cerved again this evening. THE NEW THEATRE. With the near approach of Christmas, and owing partly, no doubt, to the school holidays, the attendances at The New Theatre alo continuously larger than ever. There was a change of programme to-day, and the management, ever on the look-out for novelties, have provided a varied, interesting, and amusing programme for their patrons. To-mqrj'ow the fairy pantomime, "Puss in Boots," a specially imported seiies of moving pictures, will be shown for the first time in New Zealand. These pictures are said to bo very brilliant and amusing. On Monday next, Christmas Day, some Biblical subjects will b& shown. STAR PICTURES. Last night's change of, programme submitted by the Star Picture Proprietary was excellent, and of this the enthusiasm of the big audience bore ample evidence. "Trailing the Counterfeiters" wae the subject of a skit on amateur detectives, which proved exceedingly interesting. A powerful tale of love, honour, and war was unfolded in "After Fifty Years,*' an Italian sketch. This film alone is well worth a vkit. "The Pathe Gazette" was ac usual brimful of topical attractions which never failed to interest. Many other fine films were show iv. WEST'S PIOTUBES. An attractive change of programme was presented by West's, Ltd., at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, last evening. The star attraction was a tale of the sea. entitled "The Making of a Man." The comedy subjects were all highly amusing, the best .being "Bumptious Takes up Automobiiing," and "When Wife Holds the Purso-ttrings." "Amsterdam to Rotterdam" was a fine scenic pieluro. Th^ programme will be lepeated this evening,

SHOBTT'S PICTUBE THEATRE. To-night tho opening ceremony of Shorti/s Picture Theitre, Willis-street, will be performed by the Mayor, Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., at 8 o'clock. Pa"trons to this theatre will find it one of the most comfortable houses of amusement in Wellington. The films to be shown are entirely new subjects. BIJOU THEATBE. The management has provided a real holiday programme for the ■ entertainment of the public, tn addition to several splendid dramatic pieces, there are some fin© scenic films screened as well as. a number of comic items. There will be a change of programme to-mor-row, when many specially good pictures will be shown. , PICTUBES AT LOWER HUTT. Special Christmas attractions have been arranged for by the management of the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt. To-morrow two performances will be given, v one in tho afternoon and the other in the evening. The programme includes several "star" items, headed by "The Actress and the Singer," and "The She Wolf." The Pa the Gazette Np. 134 will also be shown, together with the usual number of "comics" and incidental films. A special programme, including "The Life of Christ" (2650 ft will be shown on Christmas Day, and an entirely new programme will be screened on Boxing Day. Further particulars are advertised. GARKISON BAND. Arrangements have been made for the Garrison Band to play selections in tho Day's Bay Grounds on Sunday after* noon and Boxing Day. Special programmes have been arranged by Lieut. Herd. The first term at the Wellington College will begin on 30th January. A notice to housewives regarding the delivery of bread is advertised in this issue.