ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 147, 18 December 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

BIBLIOAL BIOGRAPH. At the Town Hall, commencing on Boxing Day wtyh a matinee portrayal, Biblical Biographs, Ltd., will present the Kalem Company's picture life story of Jesus of Nazareth, which is claimed to have been photographed in the Holy Land. The following extract from the London Daily Express criticism of "From Manger to Cross" is of interest: — "So great, it seems to me, are the possible results of a general presentation of this film, that I left the Albert Hall yesterday, longing', as I have suggested, for its exhibition in all the cathedrals, the churches, and the chapels in the land, placed, that is, in the atmosphere of reverence and worship to which it absolutely belongs, and used to quicken that imaginative life which is becoming so woefully stunted in an age of triumphant mechanics. Everyone knows that the pictures were actually taken in the Holy Land, and that immense care was' employed exactly to reproduce the incidents as they happened nineteen hundred years .ago. The costumes and the scenes are said to be according to authority." During the Wellington season the Town Hall grand organ will be utilised to provide a suitable musical setting to the picture, Mr. Christian Hellemann, who is conductor of the Royal Wellington Choral Society, acting as organist. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Theatre-goers whoso taste is vaudeville are at present well catered for at His Majesty's Theatre. The company of entertainers holding the boards is a capable one, and contains artists of sufficient variety to satisfy the keenest taste. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Spell," an engaging drama by the Vitagraph Company, takes pride of place in the new programme at the Empress Theatre to-day. The story commences with the appearance in a township of a quack medicine vendor, who varies his business by giving a public exhibition of hypnotism. An inquisitive girl, becomes attracted by the novel display of .hypnotism, and in response to an invitation from the quack she pays him a visit in company with a girl companion. The quack gives the girl a test of his powers, and soon has her under complete control. Under the stranger's spell she leaves the township with his troupe, and her disappearance causes her fiance much alarm. He soon traces her, and finds the quack publicly hypnotising her before a street audience. The unfolding of the story and the ultimate rescue of the girl supply some exciting incidents. There are several other entertaining subjects, including "The Dumb Messenger, "The Evil One," "The Turtle Industry," " All on Account of Daisy," and "A Hard Case." A programme of the latest successes will be contributed this evening by the Empress full orchestra. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. "Sheridan! s Ride," one of the seneational stories of the American Civil War, finished ite highly sensational career at the People's Picture Palace last night. "The Silence of Richard Walton, ' "The Turning Point," and "The Girl in the Next Room" were the other principal features. There will be an. entirely new change of programme this afternoon and to-night. 'THE' NEW THEATRE. One ' of the best photo. -plays of the new series presented at the New Theatre to-day is the Kalem,' > drama, "The Atheist." It tells the story of Burton Harris, who does not believe in religion, but the results of an accident in a quarry causes a change in his belief. Other popular items include "Sardanapalus, King of Assyria," ''The Pathe Gazette," and " Tivoli and its Cascades." , | BRITANNIA THEATRE. The new programme ' screened thia morning at the Britannia Theatre is brimful of interest. Th& feature film, "Prospecting for Gold," is a clever story 1 containing plenty of sensation, tn this subject we are face to face with primitive human nature, strorig passion, weaknesses that bring sorrow and despair, and tenderness of heart that raises women to a high plane. "Art and Honour," The Veil of Sleep," and other items are added. A feature of the Britannia Theatre is the music supplied by the orchestra. BENEFIT CONCERT. The Concert Chamber of the Town Hah 1 was well filled last evening, when an excellent concert was given in aid of funds for a seaside holiday for the children of the Anglican Homes. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool and a party from Government House were present. The programme was varied and interesting. The Waiate Quartette, consisting of Messrs. Cameron, Dawson, Hunt, ana Luke, sang " Lovely Night " and ',' In Absence " most effectively, and were applauded for the effort. Songs were given by Miss Eileen Driscoll, Miss Cara Denhard, Mr. K. Luke, and Master Rodney Pankhurst. Miss Marie Fix recited " Which Shall it Be?" Miss Ruby Scott and Mr. Norman Aitken appeared in a pleasant sketch, and Master Fergus Reeves contributed some entertaining humorous items. Flute solos and obbtigato were given by Mr. A. M 'Donald. Miss Dnscoll and Mr. S. Allwright were associated in a pretty duet, and Mrs. Martin Williams rendered finely Sir Edwin Arnold's " In an Indian Garden." The accompaniments were played by Mr. Frank S. Amsden, while Mr. Christian Hellemann contributed pleasing items in "Reverie" and "Concert Valse." CONCERT AT^OHIRO HOME. The old people of Ohiro Home were made merry and glad last evening by a party of ladies and gentlemen, Ted by I Mr. A. Boyd, who provided an excellent programme of song, story, and refreshment. The . following contributed :— I Carol, company; solo (piano), Miss V. Robinson ; songs, Mrs. Rogers, Misses Harmer, Pethenck, and Jackson, Messrs. M. Ryan, T. Newton, M. C. Burndgo, P. Atkinson, Edmonds A. Boyd, and Cresswell ; recitation, Mr. Thompson ; duet, Miss L. Robinson and Mr. A. Bates ; magic, Mr. M. C. Burridge ; quartette, retone railway party ; instrumental quartette, Messrs. A. Bates, H. B. King, A. Boyd, and M. A. Robinson. At the conclusion Mr. D. Campbell (representing the board) and Mr. Truebridge (superintendent of the Home) briefly addressed the audience and thanked the performers, on whose behalf Mr. Boyd replied, wishing the old folk best wishes tor a bright Christmas and a happy New Year. The National Anthem terminated a pleasant gathering. SAILORS' FRIEND SOCIETY. . A pleasant evening was spent at the Sailors' Friend Society's rooms on Tuesday, when debates on interesting topics were held, a large number of sailors taking part. Mr. J. Moore acted as chairman. A large audience was present last evening, when Mr P. Fitzgerald provided a delightful concert. The following contributed items to the programme : — Messrs. Fitzgerald, Elliot, H. Cooper, G. Clarke-Warren, Lawrence, F. Ellcr, W. Keuny, Simpson, and True. Mr. H. Petersen acted as accompanist. A mouth organ competition was held and won by Mr. Mann. Mr. Moorg delivered & tempgranog addrens.

"WITHIN THE LAW." The Ji C. Williamson, Ltd., Christmas attraction at the Opera House has grown to be a regular event in the Wellington theatre-going world, and the production this year is of special interest. " Within the Law " has proved a success throughout Australia, and the critics are unanimous in their praises of the piece. The company was specially organised for the production of "Within tho Law," and includes four prominent American artists. Miss Muriel Starr, as Mary Turner, is said to convince her audience from the outset; her work is natural and restrained, and as a young actress of fine ability she has won wellmerited success. Another new arrival is Miss Mary Worth, who, also won high praise for her effective comedy performance. The important part of Police-In-spector Burk is in the hands of Mr. Lincoln Plumer. Mr. E. W. Morrison, as Carson the forger, . succeeds by the use of artistic methods in making the character a success. The cast also includes Mr. Eric Maxon (who will be favourably remembered as " Ben Hur "), Misses Marjorie Soper, Sylvia Pugh, Rose Emerson, Messrs. Harold Richards, Winter Hall, Herbert Ford, Boyd Irwin, Geo. Chalmers, lon Maxwell, Geo. Chalmars, jun., Carlton Stuart, Frank Morris, B. I. Nelson, Chas. Hardy, and David Bellbridge. Box plans are an* nounced to open at the Dresden on Monday morning next, 22nd December. THE KING'S THEATRE. With such a drama, "The Fall of Constantinople," at th« head of the bill, large audiences are the rule at The King's Theatre nightly. The film depicts in many realistic scenes the capture of the city by Mahommed and his great band of followers. Another interesting item in the programme is "Strike Scenes in Wellington," while " The Master Painter," " In The North Woods," and "The Widow's Suitors," arc all enjoyable. The management announces a special matinee for Saturday afternoon next, when an appropriate programme of pictures will be shown. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "The Curse of the Golden Land," a Russian drama, is the principal'attraction at Shortt'B Continuous Picture Theatre. A Russian peasant named Wolf Salzman proceeds to America, where he finds work in a clothing factory and becomes chief designer. Salzman, who has left his wife and son with his parents in Russia, becomes elated with his success, and falls in love with his employer's daughter, Rebecca Morgenstern. Meanwhile his wife and son, having no tidings of him for some time, set out from Russia and land in America. After a vain search for her husband, the wife and her son find work in the factory of Rebecca's father, and a reconciliation eventually takes place. Other features include "A Gentleman?* Gentleman," "Mother's Boy," and "Fanmaking." THE STAR"tHEATRE. At the Star Theatre, * Wellington South, to-night an exciting drama; "The Diamond Mystery," will bo the chief attraction.