ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

m x GENEB AT THE OPERA HOUSE. Once again the Opera House was crowded (Lady Liverpool and party being also present) to witness the wonderful dancing of Genee, Volinin and the Imperial Russian Ballet. What was done must have been a revelation to tho^e -who had seen nothing of the kind before. The grace, and beauty of the dancing, its freedom from anything savouring of the orgies, or bacchanalian revelries, make the entertainment as a whole or jn part one that everyone may see and enjoy.. Children, for example, would understand Coppelia to the limit of their mental capacity. 'The huge toy shop, with its automata, would make a powerful' appeal to them. And other .features in the .programme, too, by reason of "the wonderful pantomime, would be readily apprehended by the juvenile ulidorstandiug. , What' a child may see all may see. Tho applause following each number last night, as on Saturday night, was of such a spontaneous character as to make it quite clear that Genee and all with her have long since firmly established their reputations as consummate j artists. . ■ ' The second and last change of programme will be given on Thursday evening. "The Arabian Nights" — it lavish spectacle and splendid ballet— will form the first part of the entertainment. This will be followed by a new "Divertisisejnents"—in which Mile. Genee will appear in her famous "Empire Dance, and again in a delightful feature " The Polka Comique" in association with M. Volinin. "Coppelia,"- the magnificent two-act ballet with Mile. Genee as "Swanhilda," will conclude the entertainment. The ail-too short season finishes on Saturday night. There will be a matinee on Saturday afternoon. • , HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A pleasing ■ vaudeville entertainment •is- provided by this week's bill at His Majesty's Theatre. Last night's change of programme was responsible for the introduction of several new artists, and, judging by the reception they received from the large audience, their efforts were fully appreciated. There was, however, a tendency- to "broadness" about certain ' items, which, if tonod down, would not' lose any of their en.tertaining value. Otherwise the pro* gramme was well up to standard, and at times refreshingly original. In a company so well balanced as ■ regards merit, it is difficult to differentiate, although the "turn" most favoured by the audience was that provided by the Vardel Brothers, athletes and hand balancers. This trio ' of agile young men accomplished some- really meritorious feats, which were enhanced by the neatness of their execution. "Foolish Ford," an aptly named humourist, did best when portraying a "strong man." Appearing - after an absence of several months, Tom Armstrong, who now has a 'how partner in the person of Miss Hawarth, pleased greatly, and it appears that he has lost none of his old originality and quaintness. Miss Hawarth also created an encouraging first impression. " The Three Breeves (clever musicians and sketch artists), Miss Gabriello Hope (a talented instrumentalist), and Miss May Brilliant (a tuneful einger with a dainty grace) provided very acceptable items, while other per.formers wero "The Croydons" (spectre dancers), La Pearl (contortionist), Lalla Brooke, Johnson and Conway, and "Desperado and La Rose." ' . . • THE KING'S THEATRE. The new ; set of moving- pictures screened last «riight at The King's Theatre' drew a. numerous attendance. The chief feature, "From Circus to Racecourse," depicts an interesting little story concerning two circus artists, 'Estelle and Herbert. This young couple love each other, but the Comte dcs Nozells, lessee of the ' circus, also desires to marry Estelle. The girl,! however, resists all his advances, and in revenge the Comte discharges Herbert. The latter then obtains work in a racing stable, arid shortly afterwards 'is engaged- to ride- the favourite in the Grand Prix. The Comte conceives"* desperate scheme to prevent Herbert ■ winning, ' but Estelle, " true to Herbert, having 1 been locked in a house, makes her escape by walking across a telegraph 1 wire, and succeeds in preventing the Comte carrying out his plot. Herbert's horse' wins, and two young people are made very ' happy. . The picture is well produced. A comic subject that stands in a class quite by itself is "The Riot." . From small beginnings & huge Irish-Jew riot is developed, eventually involving police, firemen, and the. militia, the final scene causing roars .of laughter. The fun is sustained from start to finish ".The Village Blacksmith " is a rather ingenious little drama, and .other interesting subjects are "The Pathe Gazette," "The Env barrassed Bridegroom," and "The Millionaire and the Goose." ,■ • THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Full houses were the rule last evening at ' the Empress Theatre. • "The Quakeress," a stirring "feature" drama of loye and adventure, is the chief attraction. < The plot 1 , as outlined yesterday, deals with episodes of the early Puritan settlement days in America, and the -love of. a young Quaker girl for a young schoolmaster* and the revenge of a pastor whom ■ sh« ' has repulsed. . A stirring incident of. the story is an attack by Indians on the settlement of the Quakers. . A hard fight ensues and the Indians . climb the barriers. ■ The Quakers retire, to their blockhouse and escape by a subterranean passage. They leave a keg of gunpowder • with a lighted fuse, and the violent explosion that ensues proves disastrous -to the Indians. The rest of the series .includes "The Gillen Acrobatic Duo" (vaudeville act), "Naples" (scenic), "In the Power of the Blacklegs" (Kalem drama), "Bunny's Dilemma" (Vitagraph comedy), and "Baby Indisposed" (A.B. Company's farce-comedy). - " SHORTT'S THEATRE. . The .change of programme at Shortt's Continuous Picture Theatre is attracting large crowds. "Tha Struggle," which heads the bill, is the 'story of an exforger's endeavour to live down his past. "The Fighting Lieutenant" is another drama, capably, acted., A' fine scenic, "The Island of Trinidad," is included. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. At the People's Picture Palace the story of "The Twin Sisters" occupies premier position on the programme. Ihis is 'an ingeniously worked out drama of two sisters' who are so much alike as to deceive most of their friends. This likeness leads up to a tragedy, which is capably acted. The supporting pictures are an interesting collection. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. ' A crowded house was experienced at the Star Theatre last night, when the usual change of programme was made. The chief feature is a very fine sporting film. " From Circus to Racecourse," in which ' is worked out a pretty romance of two circus artists. The picture incidentally introduces ' much beautiful French scenery. The Keystone Company supply a comic subject, "The Riot,"; that picture lovers'should not fail to see. Unlike many comic films, the fun in this production is continuous. "The Pathe Gazette " has its usual budget of news, and " The Village Blacksmith," " Yokohama Fir* Department," " The Millionair* and the GkxXo," and "Tha Em* bartMicd Bridtftoom" nil provide much I «t«rt*in.nxoßti

THE NEW THEATRE. . | All day yesterday the New Theatre was crowded, the lengthy motion-picture travel compilation "London by Day and Niglit" proving an immediate success. The subject is a most comprehensive one, and will appeal as much to those who have seen London as to those who have not. The picture was specialty compiled by Mr. Charles MacMahon during his recent visit to England, and several weeks were occupied in its production. Owing to other arrangements, it is announced "London, By Day and Night" can be ■een only throughout to-day and to-mor-row. THE COMPETITIONS. Great interest is being evinced in the coming festival of the New Zealand Competitions Society, and th© season tickets are meeting with a ready sale. Mr. T.M. Wilford, M.P., president of the society, is to formally open tho festival on Monday evening next, and a strong opening .programme has been arranged, to conclude with Bernard Shaw's comedy, "How He Lied to Her Hubband, by. Miss Lilian Pritchard (Melbourne)j Messrs. Ernst Luks and Norman Aitken. ,The box plan opens for season ticket-holders at the Dresden tomorrow and for day sales on Thursday.