ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 45, 21 August 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE JULIUS KNIGHT SEASON. t Patrons of the Opera House this evening may look forward to an eventful "first night," the occasion being to welcome the return to Now Zealand of Mr Julius Knight, and the first performance in the Commonwealth of the new comedy " Milestones," by Mr. Knight and the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., New Comedy Company. The new play comes to New Zealand with credentials far in advance of any provious attraction of its class, and the anticipations displayed by theatregoers already assure a successful season. "Milestones" ns to be presented with a cast which will include Miss Irene Browne and such recognised artists as Miss Grace Noble, Miss Emma Temple, Miss Maggje Knight, Miss trby Marshall, Miss Dorothy Gumming, Mr. Arthur Greenaway, Mr. Leslie Victor, Mr. Martin Lewis, Mr. Leonard Willey, Mr Ronald Maeleod, Mr. Victor Tatnall, and Mr. Chas. Morse, and the mounting and production is said to be one of the very best efforts of the J. C. Wiliamson management. 'THE SMART SET." The programme presented by "The Smart Set" at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall is one of the best yet given by this, clever little coterie of artists. t Comedy predominates in the entertainment, and there are three excellent artists with characteristics of their own to deal out the fun — namely Messrs. Maynard Dakin, George Elliot, and Walter George. The other members of the company help to make the entertainment Diight and wholesome. On Friday His Excellency the Governor (Lord Liverpool) and Lady Liverpool will attend the performance. THEATRE itOYAL. A novel turn is included in the current programme of vaudeville at the Theatre Royal. It is provided by George Dean, a vocalist, who sings parts of "The Shamrock" in mezzo-soprano and then lowers his voice to a baritone. Other acceptable items are supplied by Corona, with his melodious cornet, the three Decars and the educated ass "Tomato," and others. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The principal attraction contained in the programme screened at His Majesty s Theatre is a drama by the Vitagraph Company, "The Web. "Arabia, the Equine Detective," is another good film, the principal role being taken by a highly-trained animal, and a beautiful travel picture is contained in "Nurembourg." THE KING'S THEATRE. Of the excellent programme being screened at The King's Theatre pri«s of place must be given to "The School Principal." The suporting films include : "The Golden Wedding," Motor Racing in the Isle of Man," "The Ambitious Butler," and "Alice, or the Test of Friendship." THE NEw"tHEATRE. "Theodora" figured prominently in to* day's new bill at the New Theatre. This is aln adaptation of Victorien Sardou's romantic tragedy, enacted by Mile. Sahary-Djeli and her Parisian company. The vitagraph Company has created &> laughable item in the comedy "Polly at the Ranch." The Edison Company's contribution "Ann" is a. dramatisation of merit. The remainder includes "The Devil Fish" (a nature study), "Woes of a. Kinematograph Operator" (farcecomedy), and "Napoleon's Luckstone" (skit). THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Enemy's Baby" is at the head of the change of programme to-day at the Empress Theatre. The 6tory commences with a. feud originating over a. political argument. Subsequently a justice of the peace declares that if granddad does not pay a certain bill he will attach the old man's household goods. Granddad then smashes the furniture to fragments. When he learns that this act has rendered him liable to the law he flees with his family. But he comes back for a lost baby, now in the hands of the enemy. The story is realistic and naturally expressed. The Edison Company has made a hit with the production "A Race to New York." In the A.B. drama "Her Mother's Oath" a. pretty little miss falls in love with an itinerant salesman, and against her mother's wish 1 she marries the man. The girl had promised her mother that she would not speak to the man again. The mother subsequently loses her sight through the upsetting of a lamp. Lonely and broken-hearted over her afflictioh the mother is about to end her life, but is prevented from doing so through the return of her daughter and her new son-in-law, who are happily wedded. Among the series also are "The Blue Lakes" (scenic), "Her Birthday Present" (Keystone comedy), "Golden Silence" (farce* comedy), "The City of Sydney" (travel), and "Election Day in California." SHORTT'S PICTURES. At Shortt's Continuous Picture Theatre to-day a new programme is being screened. One of the best of the pictures is "The Girl of the Water Spring," a subject combining a pretty love story with scenes of dramatic power. The closing scene shows how the hero with his lassoo saves the girl from being carried to death in the rapids. Other dramatic studies are "Ah Sing, Hero," and "The Failure." > STAR PICTURES. There was a large attendance at the Star Picture Theatre, Newtown, last evening. The programme was a varied one, and contained, many interesting films, the principal ' one being a Vitagraph drama entitled "The Web." The intelligence of a- lioree is well displayed in "Arabia, the Equine Detective." A fine scenic picture is shown under the title of "Nurembourg." Other pictures of interest are "The Flirty Hnsband," Pathe Gazette, and "By Mutual Agreement." KILBIRNIE SKATING RINK. The attraction this week is the couples' gliding competition on Saturday evening. Next Wednesday evening skating enthusiasts will be well catered for with the carnival. OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. The gliding .event in the men's competition series at the Olympia Rink last evening resulted : Mr. Samuels and Mr. Brownan (dead heat). 3 points, 1 ; Mr. Bryant, 2 points, 2; Mr. H. Edwards, 1 point, 3. To-morrow night Hutt boys play Olympia at hockey, and on Saturday evening the ladies will decide their competition with the back two-step event. The fortnightly meeting of the Thorndon Methodist Mutual Improvement Society "was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening, the Rev. G. 8. Cook (president) presiding over a good attendance of members. The president delivered an interesting lecture on "Australasian Poets," putting the characterihtich of the various rhymers into language that was pleasing and instructive. During th« evening members of the soviety recited excerpts from the works of Thomas Bracken, Adam Lindsay Gordon, "Banjo" Patterson, Kendall, West, Steele Rudd, and others, the whole making an enjoyable entertainjggnti ~-

PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. "The Toll of Fear," » Lubin Company's drama, is the star picture on the new programme which was screened initially to-day at the People's Picture Palace. This picture, which was taken in the Santa Cruz country, shows some scenes of the great desert wastes, where the cactus holds sway. Dick M'Knight, a deputyBhenff, receives word that a band of outlaws are in the vicinity, and, in the absence of the, sheriff, he Bets out alone in pursuit Reaching the mountains, he sees a warning by the outlaws tackecl on a tree, and is immediately overcome by ft great fear, which ends in suicide. Meanwhile, the sheriff has returned, and searches for his deputy. He finds him _ dead, clasping the warning notice in his hand, and the sheriff in turn experiences the same fear. He rides on and on, and finally hides in an old Mission building, where he goes raving mad. The picture presents a power-fully-drawn theme. Other good films are "Golden East" (scenic), "Mists of Error," "Change of Stripes," and "War Time Siren." MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. , A crowd of seamen, with a number of shore friends, filled the large hall of the Seamen's Institute last night, a programme of band music, glees, recitations, etc., were provided by the Salvation Army. The most popular items were those given by some thirty littlo girls from the Army Home, who weht throngh » course of physical drill, under the direction of Captain Simeon. The Seamen's Missioner x (Mr. W. fe. Cocks), in opening the concert, mentioned that Commissioner Richards had very kindly offered the evening's entertamment some time back, and he ex» pressed the appreciation of the Missions to Seamen ?or the kindly thought which prompted the offer. The whole programme was carried through under the guidance of Brigadier Bray. The items by the Amy's City Band of thirty performers were particularly good. J The weekly meeting of th« V.M.C.A. Literary *nd Debating Club on Tuesday (Mr. R. Brown presiding) wns devoted to studying and reading Shakespeare'e play, "The Merchant of Venice." The chairman explained tho story before the readlnjrof the play was commenced. Altojrether an enjoyable time was spent, and the readings given by members of the ciub .vere of a satisfactory standard Next week the study of the play will be con. tinUed.