ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 11, 12 July 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

, MISS MARGARET COOPER. It is difficult to write kye cold print and adequately express Miss Margaret Cooper's perfections. To say that she held the audience spell-bound, completely entranced, is insufficient. She certainly conveyed a sense of satisfaction by her exquisite modulation,, her faultless enunciation, and her extraordinary versatility. Only the weather or ignorance as to the treat in store caused a few seats to be vacant last night. Her items included "My Moon," "Agatha. Green," "Heaps of Lickin's, 1 ' '""Peter," "Let's Waltz Together," ".Janie," "Ma Ducky Maid," " What Rot,". " Hulk^ Tti Tv, ' and numerous encore numbers. Such, a performance is much too rare in Wellington! Signor Manzoni (martdolim), Mr. H. Scott Leslie (humorist), Mr. Horace" Witty (baritone), and Mr. Charles Lawrence (pianist) also greatly pleased, the audience. A complete change of programme will be given to-mojrrow evening, when Miss Cooper will sing " Corfe to Town, Miss Brown," "Plumstones,". " Dreamland," " When I'm Grown Up," " Agatha Green," "Catch Me," etc. A matinee will be given on Saturday after-, noon. " BEN HUR." There was a very large demand for seats at the Dresden this, morning when the plans were opened for the first six representations oi the. religious romance "Ben Hur," which is to be staged here for the first' time by'J. C. Williamson's company at the Opera House on Wednesday night next. The demand was' not so heavy for the opening as for subsequent performances, and seats in cen-' tral positions in either the dress ' circle ' or reserved stalls are available for Wednesday night. ' "Ben Hur" is a most appealing cha-' racter, sincere, and strenuous, and never posing for applause. .The heroine, differently conceited, is in every way worthy of the hero. The story 6f their love is essential, though subordinate to the purpose and vitality of the drama. ( In all, there is no suggestion of the pro-blem-play, no obtrusion of moralities, and the characters tell the story of the play simply. Naturally, such a story is rich in opportunities of striking, and [ excellent stage-pictures. The circus, scene is superb, and so are many of. the others. It has been pointed out that the characters are so presented and so grouped that they are never Anglo-Ame-' rican travesties of bygone Eastern people. "There is not a single lapse to morbid sensationalism. It is a drama whose enthralling interest is fashioned of absolutely legitimate materials," said one writer. * THE DANDIES. The Concert Chamber of the Town Hall was full last evening when The Dandies (red) gave another' performance. The programme was quite equal to tl^e standard this talented band of artists' have established during their •stay herer. Mr. Claude Dampier and Mr. George Morgan bore the chief burden in the comic sketches', and their work was highly appreciated by the audience. "Katie's Kodak" and ."Willow Plate," two very pretty concerted pieces, tho former by Misses Hilda Lane, Evelyn Ward, and Irene Vere, and the latter by Mine HUda Lane, with chorus, were very effective. .The present company give their final bow to-morrow night, but will be succeeded on the 24th inst. by "The Dandies (green), a similar band .of refined entertainers, in the same standard 6t reputation. / . ■ THEATRE RO^AL. The clever comedy work of Miss Beaumont Collins" and her company,, and the choral singing of the King's College Boys, are the leading attrac- ' tions at the Theatre Royal. Last evening there was another large attendance. The programme, which, includes an ex- ■ cellent first part, will be "repeated this evening. THE KING'S THEATRE. • "The School Mann of Stony Gulch," a film reminiscent of "The Virginian,," by Owen Wister, was screened at The King's Theatre last eyening. The study is well acted, and has the additional ( merit of being acted in Western America, amongst appropriate surroundings. Another picture in itself worth a visit to the theatre is the one showing the race between a hydroplane and motocboats.. The spectator is taken in the aeroplane high above the harbour at Monaco, above the shipping in the bay, and out over the surrounding country, until a railway train passing beneath looks like some slow moving reptile, so high is the machine from the ground. 'The motor-boats are themselves little less interesting, and the picture shows the Duke of Westminster's Ursula averaging 45 miles an hour through the water, and leaving behind a white wake for hundteds of yards. On Monday next the management are screening a new dramatic romance, entitled "The Traitress." The title role is taken by Miss Asta Nielson, and the whole play v a military one, is said to be full of action and good acting. THE NEW THEATRE. What the proprietary of the New Theatre term "one of the finest .programmes we have yet presented to the Wellington public, was screened today, when the second bi-weekly, change was made. "Spring and Autumn," a really splendid picture-drama by the Cines Company, is' well staged and finely acted. "Reformation" is a Hepwix drama, with a touching theme of a woman who goes to the wall but battles her way to a better life. It is a story of domestic life of the poorer English class, and contains a strong appeal. The Edison Co. contribute a scenic, entitled "St. Johns, Newfoundland," and the production depict* many of the outstanding scenes of this spectacular and pipturesque t/art of the world. "The Cattle Thief s Brand" is (characteristic Wild West drama, and a particularly humorous film is designated "Lea Learns to Dance." This evening ' the management are adding to the programme a brilliant Vitagraph release, "Sunset" — the story of the romance of a woman's life. On Monday night another "star" ((exclusive to this theatre) will be screened. Its title is "Redemption," and the film was specially secured for -the firm in Sydney. SHORTT'S THEATRE. The new programme provided by the management of Shdrtt's Picture Theatre yesterday is in every respect up to standard. Drama is sandwiched with comedy, and for the eye alone is one spectacular scenic, entitled "Shades of Winter," a beautiful coloured film, full of the contrasts of a countryside wrapped in snow. A powerful story~is embodied in a picture called "The Victim of Circumstantial Evidence." and a film entitled "Animal Studies" is illustrative of kitten life. "Only a Factory Girl" tells a story which , is guaranteed to make a close appeal to all true democrats, and "Celebrating His Saint's Day" is another study of more- than passing interest. "Aunt Jane's Marriage" is broad comedy, and "The Horse that Bolted" is calculated to contain "a laugh in every line." For to-morrow's matinee there will be, as usual, a special programme for tho youngsters. In.eluded in the change to be submitted' •on Monday is a Pathe masterpiece — "Tragedy in the Court oi 1 Milan,'* » film f uU pf ibxtfling iacidwk " j

FULLER'S PICTURES. "The Two Orphans," a romantic story of mediaeval France, was the most prominent film of the new series presented at the Skating Rink last evening.' The etbry concerned the varying fortunes of two orphans who, thrown upon their own reeourcee, eet out to sail upon life's troublous waters. The plot, a somewhat intricate one, is well conceived, and the acting and general staging call • for special commendation. Another drama of particular merit was that entitled "Secret of the Miser'e Cave," an" episode of love and treachery in the rugged West. Some interesting scenes were contained in "Trip to the Isle of Man," while a film showing some of the picturesque spote in Lake Scutari was a most acceptable item. In the comedy numbers, a picture which created considerable laughter was that entitled' "A Game pf Chese,", and. the same can be said of "Is Life Expensive?' A fantastic film, "Constable Smith and Hie' 'Magic Baton," was responsible for some very clever deceptions. Other films were "Through China" and "Ranchman's Debt of Honour." The eame'Bet will be re-screened this evening. * THE ADELPHI. Despite the heavy rain there was an excellent attendance at the Adelphi Theatre last evening. The most notable. of the filnis- screened were " College Sweethearts" and* "Children Who Labour." The *Adelphl Masked Male Quartet will make their second appearance -io-night in "Good-night, Beloved." STAE THEATRE. The change of programme submitted at the Star Theatre, Newtown, last evening, was replete with the latest dramas, sketches, and Comics, which regaled a well-pleased audience. The chief item was entitled "In the Commission Rahk.", . This film proved a highly interesting' drama, and as the plot developed (it dealt with a story of romance and military life) the attention of those present became riveted in it. A 'special word is due the star comic item,' "A j Second Honeymoon." Lovers of thehutnoroiiß should not miss this. ."Children who Labour" and "The Banker's Daughter" were splendid dramas. Other films shown were : "Marriage Among tneTari tars," "The Mosquito," "College Sweet- ' hearts,!' "Australian Gazette, "Magic Art," "In the Tyrol," and "Sticky Simon." The programme will be repeated this evening. ST. THOMAS'S HALL. The chief dramatic film of the new programme screened at St. Thomas'sHasl, 'Niewtown, last evening was aFrench romantic story entitled "The Two Orphans." . This picture was splendidly projected, and much credit is due' to the manufacturers for the vivid manner irl which the etory, is told. Another popular item was "Ranchman's Debt of Honour," an interesting story of the Western type. Comedy was represented in the mam by "A Game of Chess" and "Is Life Expensive?" while some interesting scenes were contained in "A Trip Through China." "Lake Scutari" and "A Trip to the Isle of Man" were also highly interesting "travel pictures. Other popular items were "Constable Smith and the Magic Bat6n" and "The Secret of the Miser's Cave."