ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 8, 9 July 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MARGARET .COOPER. To-morrow night, in the Opera House, Miss Margaret Cooper will make her first appearance, under tho direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait. This is her first tour outside the British Isles and America. She has just concluded a most successful four weeks' season in Sydney. The press there declared that she was the most charming and versatile artist .who had visited that city. Her songs at ;the piano are described as irreei&tible, inimitable, and incomparable. All booking records were eclipsed in Melbourne, and in Adelaide and Sydney tho experience was repeated. English artists of distinction will support Miss Cooper, including H. Scott-Leslie (a humorist, raconteur, and actor), Horace Witty (baritone), Signor Manzoni (known as ."the magician of tho mandolin"), and .Charles Lawrence (pianist). Miss Cooler jwill sing several of the successes which •she has made famous at the Palace Theatre, London. The box-plans are at the Dresden. His Excellency the Governor 'and Lady Islington will attend at the * opening performance. THE DANDIEB. Th« Dandies, whose bright refined entertainment has been so greatly appreciated in Wellington, entered upon their final week in this city at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, kit evening. Every member of the company was cordially received and from start to finish the entertainment went with a swing. One of the items most appreciated was the clever character sketch "The Dude," by Mr. Claudo. Dampier. Mr. Gavin Wood and Mr. Oliver Peacock were in fine form, and the eccentric dancing and quaint surging of Mr. George Morgan were conspicuous features of the programme. The lady members, of the company, Misses Evelyn Ward, Hilda Lane, and Irene Vere, were as popular as ever, ' while much credit is due to Mr. Leonard Griffiths for his artistic accompaniments. THe Dandies' at present in season conclude their season on Saturday next, and on Wednesday, 24th July, The Dandies (green) will make thoir first appearance. THEATRE ROYAL. • The King's ' College Boys, five in number, filled a bright niche in the new programme ' submitted by the BrennanFuller Vaudeville Company at the Theatre Royal last evening. Although just off a long journey, they acquitted themselves admirably, their part-singing being particularly good. Each is the pos•essor, of a voice of excellent quality, and, although the best work was in the concerted numbers, the solos were heartily appreciated. All who enjoy good singing should make a point of hearing the collegians. Miss Beaumont Collins, who displayed remarkable abilities as a tragedienne last week, demonstrated her versatility by appearing in a farcical comedy entitled "Bedfellows." Ab Kathleen, a bogus nurse, Mies Collins made an even greater hit than she uid in- "The Leaves of Memory," and during the time she was on the stage the fun was fast and furious. Excellent assistance was rendered by Mr. David Baird, who took the part of Farren, a man servant, while the work of Messrs. A. Scarlett and J. R. Spurling was quite in keeping ' with that of the "stars." A winsome English soubrette, Miss Peggy Roma, .created an excellent impression. She has a pretty soprano voice, and, unlike many vaudeville artistß, knows how to use it. Miss Maisie Ellis, another new-comer, was well received, as was Lawrence Barclay, the English comedian. In the minstrel first part, Miss Boryl Nichols and four ■Clirissies carried off the honours, Ted Tutty's corner work also being deserving of mention. The programme, which is one of very high merit, will be repeated this evening. FULLERS' IFICTURES. A diversified programme was present ed at the Vivian-street Skating Rink last evening, including bright and attractive pictures, suitable for old and young. A piratical romance was contained in "Lieutenant Roee and Hidden Treasure," reminiscent of Robert Louis Stevenson in Treasure Island. There was the chart, the buried treasure, found in an underground cave, the pirates, and the hero, and the final act of j>o<?tic justice, when' tho rohbers meet With their just reward. The story was well conceived and consistently carried out. 'The Bandit's Mask" was another capital drama, in which an innocent man is arrested for another's wrong-doing. Ho escapes, however, with the aid of a wineume Spanish girl, and all is well that ends well. Arizona Escapade" was the usual stirring tale of American cowboy life, and "Alkali Bests Broncho Bill" was responsible for hearty laughter. Very wefi acted also was "A Story of a Circus," in which a baby elephant played a leading part with great credit to himself and his trainer. Other good pictures were "Historical Warwickshire," and "The Great Diamond Robbery." THE KING'S THEATRE. The new programme at The King's Theatre last night consisted of eleven films, and all were of high merit. The Pathe Gazette included a motor-car smash, launch of a lifeboat at Devonport, the King at Chelsea, and tho London dock strike, showing the dense mass > of people to hear the speeches at Tower Hill. The dramatic pictures, "A Gipsy's Honour," "Fate's Buffetings, ' in both off which the scenes were very beautiful, and "A Tale of a Circus^' were all good. The viewe of the waterfalls in Jemptland, Sweden, and a scenio film of the country in Norway were most picturesque. But the picture which crowned all, and which alone should fill the theatre all the week, was "Hydro planes and Motor-boats," comprising a competition at Monaco between a flying machine and motor-boats. The programme, ono of the best yet shown at The King's, will be repeated to-night. SHORTT'S THEATRE. , Quite a number of people were unable to cain admission to ShortbVs Theatre at th© evening sessions yesterday. The current programme' contains two leading films : "How States are Made," and "The Diamond Rose." The former in a story of land settlement in the early days of backblocks America, where and when would-be 'settlers rushed allotments thrown open, as miners rushed claims. The central figures of the narrative are a wife and a villain who has incapacitated her husband with a bullet in. the shoulder. O« her devolves then the task of getting a block, and she can be seen lined up for the *'run in MM — one of two or three hundred rider*. It is a thrilling spectacle, and there is further excitement in the race between the lady and the bad man to register a chosen block. Needlews to say circumstances assist the wife to victory. "In the Diamond Rose," a young man is lured to attempt the theft of a beautiful ornament, and is trapped, but a woman £osse«ing a conscience repents and justice i« meted out to all. "Irene's Infatuation," "Making Casks in Burgundy" (industrial), "Excursion iv the Ravines" (scenic), and several comics makes up a programme with plenty of variety. KILBIRNIE RINK. There was another large attendance of patrons at the Kilbirnie Rink last evening. There will be no public session tonight, and to-morrow evening the fourth race lor tht kdtefc 1 fcjlvei- cvii will be fun. ~ ~~ "" " " v

"BEN HUR." Much interest has been tfcken by playgoere in the coming season of " Ben Hur " at the Opera House, commencing on Wednesday, 17th July. Reports state that for intensely interesting dramatic situations, magnificent scenery, wonderful effects, and clever acting "Ben Hur" has never been equalled on the Australasian Stage. J. C. Williamson has, it is stated, epared no expense to present the New Zealand production of "Ben Hur" on the same scale of splendour and magnificence which was the feature of the London and New York productions. The part of Ben Hur will be taken by the young English actor, Mr. Eric Maxon, who recently toured the Dominion with Mr. H. B. Irving'e Company. Mr. Leonard Willey. will take the part of Messala, and the part of Simonides will be entrusted to Mr. Eardley Turner. Mr. J. B. Atholwood will appear as Balthazar, Mr. Winter Hall as Amu*, Mr. Leslie Victor as Drusus, «nd Mr. A. Sty an as liderim. Miss Dorothy Dix, who acted here very successfully with "The Speckled Band" Company, will appear as EstherJ and Miae Gwen Burroughs (last here /with Miss Nellie Stewart) as Iras, the Egyption. Miss Susie Vaughan will take the role of mother of Hur. A feature of the production will be the music, which was specially composed by Edgar Stillman - Keeley. Altogether there will be over 300 people concerned in the production, including a chorus of over sixty voices, under the directorship of Herr Slapoffski. The plans will be opened for the first six night* on Friday next. MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. There will be an attractive programme of music at to-night's Municipal Orchestral concert in ' the Town Hall. Scliubert'e "Unfinished Symphony in B Minor," Rossihi's- Overture to " William Tell," and "Finlandia" (the tone poem by Sibelius) are the principal items. Miss Muriel Bennett will be the assisting vocalist, and her songs are " Aye Maria " (Gounod), with 'cello obligato by Mr. F. R. Johnstone, and "Lovely Spring" (Coenen). Mr. P. S. Johnstone is to Serform a 'cello solo, " Sur le lac " Sodard), with orchestral accompaniment. THE NEW THEATRE. A melodramatic klnematograph, by name "The Midnight Wedding," is the "star" item in the current prOgTammo presented at The New Theatre. All sessions yesterday were well attended. The story of "The Midnight Wedding" is briefly as follows : — Suzanne, a maid with large expectations, Tefuses the hand of Morel, her father's superintendent of works. She is to be married at midnight to the man of her choice when Morel arrives with explosives to put an end to hotel, the happy couple, and everything adjacent and adjoining. Fortunately ,his mother comes upon the Bcene, and her counsel prevailing, the wedding is consummated. The story in well staged and well acted, and will be repeated at all sessions , until further notice. Complementary films are : "Mrs. Carter's Necklace" (Vitagraph), "The Turning Point" (S. and A. drama), "Mackerel Fishing,"' and "That Chicken Dinner" (Lubin comedy). THE ADELPHI THEATRE. An unusually interesting film is included in the new programme which arrived at the Adelphi Theatre last evening. It is entitled "Children who Labour," and k an Edison picture which conveye a strong lesson. It deals with the employment of children in American factories, and contains quiie a good plot : the child of a millionaire is lost, adopted by a poverty-stricken family, and, by a strange turn of Fate's wheel, is forced to work in the mill of the millionaire father. Of couree, th» latter, discovers his child eventually, and comes to see, the error of his ways" in employing children in the work-, rooms. In striking contrast to this moving etory in a very fine scene, entitled "Winter in the Upper Engadine," which allows a portion of the Alpine country of Europe with its white winter overcoat on. "Tho Mosquito" is analysed under the microscope for ' patrons, and "Marriage Among the Tartar*," ac ran be seen by the film so designated, is not quite the ceremony as we know it. For the more lively spirits of the audience, the specimen, "Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy," was the most popular, because it was the most amusing. Other studies of more or lees interest are as follow : — "The Banker's Daughter," "Boys oT the Revolution," and "The First Kidnapping Case." STAR THEATRE. A programme of exceptional merit was exhibited at the Star Theatre, Newtown, in the presence of a packed and delighted audience. "Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy" was a splendid cowboy story full of thrills. The film shows a race and come remarkable riding feats. Newtown picture-lovers should not miss this attraction. "Redeemed by Fire" was the subject of a highly sensational and romantic sketch, which held the audience in rapt attention throughout. "The Boy of the Revolution," the third 6tar drama, was a Civil War etory full of pathos. The best scenics were undoubtedly "Ancient Oitieß of Germany," "Winter in Engadine." "The Pathe Gazette" was well up to standard. "Kidnapping Case," "His Act and Deed," and "His Forgotten Comics" were very amusing comic sketches. PICTURES AT LOWER HUTT. An entirely new programme will be shown, at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, to-morrow evening. The pictures have been carefully selected, and include some of the best as well as some of tbe latest productions from the leading manufacturers. "An Indian Vestal" will bo the "star" (subject, and it will be supported by "Through the Window," "By a Woman's Wifc>" "Fookhead," "The Magnetic Umbrella," and many others. LEOTCJRE ON SHAKESPEARE.' . Members of the Vivian-street Baptist Literary and Debating Society listened last night to a very interesting and inRtructuro lecture on "Shakespeare" by Mr. P. P. Webb, vice-president of the Wellington Shakespeare Society. Mr. Webb dealt more with the bard and his i environments than with his workß, and at the conclusion of his remarks the chairman (Mr. A. Hoby) and others complimented him on the able manner in which ,he had treated, his subject. On the motion of Mr. F. M. Hay, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer. An interesting lecture was delivered in the Terrace Congregational Schoolroom last« evening by Mr. J. W. Poynton. The lecturer spoke of the peculiar laws existing in England, America., Rome, France, and Germany a century ago, and compared them with the pre-sent-day laws. He said that the worker of to-day, although he went on strike for higher wages, was much better off than the worker of a century ago. The development of spiritual humanity among the people of the world had led to a better understanding. Upon the conclusion of his speech Mr. Poynton was accorded a hearty vote of thaiike.

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