ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. A large audience filled the Opera House last evening, and the extraordinary antics of those who were put in a hypnotic trance by Professor Norwood, were responsible for hearty laughter. The living statuary act was particularly good, being, as it was, a remarkable study in human and facial expression, and illustrating the unique powers of Professor Norwood. By special request the "A.B.C" sermons were repeated, and loudly applauded. Much appreciated also was the clever conjuring work of Yon Arx, and the amusing juggling feats of George Murphy. The entertainment will be repeated this evening. A crowd of' people assembled outeide the "Talkeries," in Willis-street, about noon to-day, *in expectation of seeing Miss Pauline Ford hypnotised, and playing the piano while in a hypnotic condition. A couple of minutes after Miss Ford sat down to the piano the chain of hypnotic suggestion was finished, and she commenced playing. Professor Norwood explained to her by auto-sugges-tion that she was to continue sleeping (as he phrased it) till Mght o'clock this evening, when she would come on to the stage of the Opera House, where the "Hypnotic Musical Comedy" will be staged. There is to be a matinee at 2.30 to-morrow, and in the evening "The Hypnotic Minstrel Shaw" will form the bill of fare. THEATRE ROYAL. Vaudeville at the Theatre Royal continues to attract very large houses. The Driscolls, Flora Ranger, Arthur Tauchert, Shima, and Kameda, Charles Moody, and Roy Rene maintained an excellent programme last night. SKATING RINK. One of the finest dramatic pictures yet seen at the Skating Rink was introduced in the change of programme last evening. It concerned an incident in the Turco-Italian War and was entitled "Red Cross Martyr." A young Italian soldier while visiting his fiancee, is called to the front, and on his arrival at Tripoli is engaged in several fierce encounters with the Turks. His fiancee, on learning of the hardship and- misery suffered by the soldiers, volunteers her services in the Red Cross Corps. Through a treach- j erous act of the, enemy the young lady is killed, while attending to the wounded, and the grief-stricken lover avenges her death realistically and completely, being killed in tho act. Another drama which evidently appealed to the audience was that entitled "One Touch of Nature." It was a splendidly acted production and the story was of an interesting nature. "A Dark Deception" is a clever comedy by the Lubin Co. "The Ventriloquist's Trunk" was another excellent | film of its kind, as was one depicting the amazing adventures of a, cartain Lizzie who became "stage struck." The remainder of the programme was mado up ac follow : — "Pathe Gazette," "Bill and Lions," "The Chief's Daughter," "The Little Widow," and "The Peanut Industry." STAR PICTURES. The programme ai the Star Picture Theatre, Newtown, was screened last night before a lai'ge attendance. "'Vanity Fair" was again shoWn with all the intrigues of "Becky Sharp." "Pathe Gazette" gave glimpses of topical events, such as quelling' the Riffs in Morocco, medical student* at play in Richmond, coach races in California after the style I of the Roman chariot races in Ceasar's time, a French corporal being stripped of bis regimental fittings because of tellI ing secrets to Germany, and also some ! capital scenes of the coal strike in England, one in particular showing the miners downing tools at Grassrrioor. The "Romance of the Rk> Gfdnd^ 1 " gave n splendid idea of what the pioneer and his family had to face when upon the trail. "The Chameleon" And a picture entitled the "Gipsy Girl's Honour" are both interesting films, and several humorous subjects provided an agreeable variety. To-night a special- performance in aid of the Berhampore School children's picnic is promised. SHORTT'S THEATRE. There wae a crowded house at~ Shortt's Theatre last evening, and the capital programme of moving pictures presented by the. management was received with frequent applause. To-night "The Circus Girl" will be replaced by a special star film by Pathe Freres, entitled "Tristram and Isolde," a picture never previously shown in Wellington. This picture is not only magnificently staged, and costumed, with every regard to correct detail, but it is also a splendid example of coloured kinematogranhy. It will be shown for two nights only. The programme includes many other good pictures varied to suit all tastes. NEW THEATRE. _ A new programme of films was submitted at The New Theatre to-day, and evidently found favour with patrons. It includes " The Frontier of Tripoli " (scenes at the Italian-Turkish war), "Circle C New Bass" (an interesting cowboy drama by the Champion Company), ''One Touch of Nature" (by the Vitagraph Company), and "Three of a Kind " (a really good Edison, comedy). To-night there .will be added to the programme a powerful American Biograph Company drama, entitled "For His Son." The management announces -that on Monday morning next it will screen a picture version of Shakespeare's wellknown tragedy -" Romeo and Juliet." The film is 2000 ft long, and the various phases of the moving tragedy arc enacted by a company of first-class artists. "Romeo and Juliet " should prove a great attraction. PARIS PICTURES. Excellent patronage is being given to the Paris Prize* Piqtures at lngestreetreet. Much appreciation is being expressed regarding the quality and variety of me films. "The Angel," "Faith," and " Mutt and Jeff " are among the chief items of the current programme. .ST. THOMAS'S HALL. Judging by the good attendance at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, hist even-, ing, Fullers' Picture? have already become popular among Wellington South picture-goers. Included in the new j series was one entitled, "A Red Cross I Martyr.*' The film illustrates how a young woman, whose lover ie fighting in the Turco-Italian war, hears of the suffering of the troops, and joins the army as a red cross nurse. In carrying out her duties as such she is shot, and her body is found by her lover, who, howevy, ie also killed shortly afterwards. Other films that were appreciated are "Lieutenant Rose, R.N., and the Raiders," "The Peanut Industry," "The Chief's Daughter," ' "A Dark Deception," and the "Pathe Gazette." A | matinee will be held to-morrow afternoon. __— ' PICTURES AT LOWER HUTT. At the King George Theatre, Lower, Hutt. to-morrow afternoon and evening a specially selected picture programme will be shown. It will include only the latest productions from the best manufacturers. "The Heart" ie described a* a powerful dra-' matic story, told in a. splendid style. Other dramatic items tfre "Sister Angola" and "Woman's Rovcnge." The comedies and the, scenic items have been carefully choeeti, fhe' whole making ..*> v«r£ e^joyablo^ijtertaiiimfiaU' * t

THE KING'S THEATRE. The King's Theatre was crowded last night the occasion being a benefit tendered to the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. A special programme was gone through. . The chief item was the dramatic representation of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair," which has been screened during the week, and was received with deservedly warm applause. The second part opened with pictures of the Australasian Championship meeting in the Basin Reserve and the "Dog Parade" which screened especially well. Other particularly notable films were, "The Chameleon" and "Max and His Dog Dick." It is understood that the Amateur Association will benefit to the extent of some £30. "His First Contract," a very clever comic, brought the evening to a close. CATHOLIC BAZAAR. There wae again a crowded house at St. Anne's Parish Hall last night, and excellent business was done at the various stalls and side shows. The entertainment incltK'- 1 an excellent display of legerde- by Mr. Liardet, dancing by Mi' is Smith, and by sixteen young 1 led by Miss C. Marshall. To-night's programme will include club swinging exercises under the direction of Mies Gasquoine. KTLBIRNIE SKATING RINK. All sessions at tho Kilbirnie Rink continue to be well attended, and. the exhilarating pastime is made pleasanter by the music of the band. The management has various attractions in view.