ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 56, 7 March 1913, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. Once again last evening the company of "stars" comprising Rickards 1 Tivoli Company were enthusiastically received by a large audience at the Opera House. Do Biere, with . his really mysterious mysteries, Chinko, a juggler of the original type, Miss Nella Webb, a clever entertainer, and Signor Alberto Marini all gave items that pleased, while the ragtime duo, Taylor and Arnold, had to respond to numerous encores. Miss Minnie Kaufmann concluded the entertainment with a remarkable exhibition of trick cycling. The company will appear for the last time in Wellington to- night. THE BUTTKRFLnSS. The Butterflies" have come direct from South Africa with an excellent reputation preceding them. They will open at the Opera House tomorrow night. The company includes Miss Cecilia Gold (burlesque), Miss Ada Smart (operatic),' Mr. Wylio Watson ('cellist and light comedian), Miss Marion Armitage (comedy), Mr. Robert .Foster-Hine (baritone), Mr. Fred Bennett (solo pianist), and Mr. Jack Walker (comedian ana Violinist). The company possesses the sole right of reproducing the comic opera "L» Poupee," which they do, according to contemporary press notices, in a per* feetly wonderful manner. The salient points of the story and the principal songs are given in tabloid form, and the result is quite a charming little play> most cleverly acted and' sung. Writing of their entertainments in Johannesburg, the Sunday Post observes: "The biggest kind of success hae been achieved by the 'Seven Butterflies.' Clever lighting and gay costumes make up a charming picture and an animated one. The Butterflies' programme is arranged on good, popular line*, such as the bioscope audience likes, but their refinement of style is very noticeable." THEATRE ROYAL. Attendances at the Theatre Royal continue satisfactoryi The current programme contains an excellent variety of the vaudeville form of entertainment. Fred. Curran, La France, Austin ' and Cowan, Slavin and Thompson, and Hassan have all made themselves popular. The programme will be repeated until further notice. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Business continues brisk at His Majesty's Theatre, Cou'rtenany-plaee, ! where the "star" of the current programme is a study entitled "Father." This film is credited with being one of the finest photo-dramas yet produced in Wellington. An interesting picture is that depicting the erection of His Majesty's, and other items on the bill are as follow :— "A Californian Snipe Hunt," "Life With a Circus," and the "Gaumont Graphic." THE KING'S THEATRE., Last night's programme at The King's again met with favour from the large number in attendance. The sensational, realistic picture, "Father," the chief attraction, continues to meet with approval. Some pretty peeps round the Bay of Rio d© Janeiro were screened, and with "Poet and Peasant," "The Double Event (comic), and a clever in* structive "Animal Preservation," made a good programme. To-morrow afternoon a matinee will be given. THE NfiW THEATRE. "A High Stake,"' a dramatic achievement by the Nordisk Company, occupies foremost position in the current 1 -bill {of the New Theatre continuous pictures. Tho rivalry oft two brothers who are in love with a beautiful, though worthless, woman prompts them to play a game of these, 'the loser of which is to -commit suicide. The true character of the wo* man is discovered just in time to prevent a tragedy. The supporting numbers are distinctly meritorious. Another "feature" drama, "Sealed Lips," will be shown on Monday. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The Empress Theatre continuous pictures attracted large attendances last evening, when the new programme introduced the A.B. Company's dramatic story of a broken heart, entitled "The God Within." There are many clever studies in the piece. The S. and A. drama, "From the Submerged," is a portrayai of a tale of a Tich man's gratitude. The Oriental drama, "Gulnara,' is set amid picturesque local colour. "A Military Gymkhana," "Alkali Ike's Close Shave," and "Polidor as Lady's Maid," are popular films. The pro* gramme "will »e' repeated to-night and throughout to-morrow for the last time. On Monday a thrilihig adventure with wild lions, panthers, and other beasts, entitled "Kings of the Forest," will "be shown. STAR THEATRE. There was a -large attendance at thp Star Theatre, last evening to welcome the change of bill, which is headed by a VitagTaph romance, " When California was Young." This is a study «f more than average ihterest, and is especially interesting as depicting phases of the old pioneering daya'in Western America. "Bringing Father Round" is a comedy of merit by the Essanay Company, while that exciting study, " Father, is attract* ing much attention. "The Gardens of Luxembourg " is a beautifully coloured scenic full of good things, and other films are "Life-saving Jim" and "In the Time of Peril." The programme will be repeated this evening. ST. THOMAS'S HALL. The star picture, " Father," heads the programme at St. Thomas's for the remainder of this we£?., and is a picture that ia full of thrilling and daring featsLieutenant Rose is featuring in a Chinese story. "The Mayor from Treland," a Kalem study, deals With the lives of two Jroung Irishmen, both aspiring to the l&nd of the same girl; their troubles and trials in America culminate in a happy finish. Other pictures are " The Scorpion," a Nature study; "Spooney Sam," and "The Building of Hi 3 Majesty's Theatre." There will be a matinee to-morrow. PICTURES AT LOWER HUTT. Two lengthy "star" subjects head the programme to be screened at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, tomorrow afternoon and evening, and Monday night. The first of these "The Ghost of the Past," portrayed by the same company that staged "Father." The other film is a naval subject introducing naval manoeuvres of the British, German, and Italian Navies in the Italian-Turkish war. It also introduces scenes of bombardment of Tripoli. There are also among other items to be shown a Johh Bunny comedy entitled "Troublesome Stepdaughters," a Western drama, "Swift Wing's Heroism" arid "American Marriage" (comedy drama). WEBB-STREET" METHODIST CHURCH. An "at home " was held in the Webb' street Methodist Schoolroom last evening, when a goodly number of friends assembled, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. The entertainment was arranged by the baoheiors connected witli the church, and the room wa» tastefully furnished. During the evening 'a programme of instrumental and vocal music was contributed to by Messrs. Partridge, .Sage, Walker, White, and Thompson. Recitations were given by Messrs. Townshctid, Jenkins, and M'Lelland j Mr. Mil-

lier supplied two musical monologues, and the Hon. C. M. Luke gave a most interesting talk on the past history of the church. The Rev. W. S. Potter, who presided, presented a writing case to Miss Johnson, organist, and referred in appreciative terms to the high esteem in which Miss Johnson is held. Mr. 15. Dawson proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the entertainers, and the bachelors, who were congratuleted on the success of the evening, handed round refreshments. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "VVith the Colours," a topical subject dealing with a recent review of troops by King G-jorge, is one of the best of its kind Vet screened in Wellington. The march past gives an admirable idea of the various -regiments, and the Bplendid marching of th-? men_ is a feature of the series. The picture, moreover, is very clear as to detail, Very interesting also is ft film picturing "Winter Sports at Mount Kosciusko, which included skiing, tobog&nning, and skating. Some excellent dramas were also contained in the programme. "Una. of the Sierras" told of an unsophisticated maiden brought up to a life of freedom in the Far West, and then suddenly transplanted to city life. Many funny situations l'esult, and roars of laughter followed tho fortunes of Miss Una. Another comedy -drama which proved popular with the spectators was "The Counts." Not the le&Bt interest' ing item on the programme was a budget of .topical news contained in the Patne Gazette, and many other excellent supporting films went to the making of a bright entertainment. The programme^ will be repeated at to-day's, sessions. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. AttracteS by an up-to-date and enjoyable programme, there were crowds at all sessions at the People's Picture Palace yesterday. The new series, which is running again to-day, was very popular, and deservedly so, for some really excellent pictures were shown. The leading subject is one entitled "The Red Man's Conscience," which tells an interesting and exciting story. All the other, films are worth seeing. ■ ORGAN RECITAL. The last but two of Mr. Maughan Barnett'B organ recitals in the Town Hall will be given on Saturday evening next. His programme will include the finale to Widor's eighth and last organ Symphony, Bach'a Toccata and Fugue in C, and the Fantaisio on Bizet'e "Carmen.'' Mr. C. H. Stephens will be* the vocalist.