ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 15, 19 January 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. To-night's new vaudeville programme at His Majesty's Theatre will be notable for the first appearance of "The Franco Midgets," said to be the smallest troupe of conjurers and illusionists in the world. These clever little artists give an entertainment unusually good. Others to make their first appearance in Wellington include Hyman and Alton (acrobats and comedy artists), Cremev and Arnold (In a burlesque .absurdity, "The Lunatic"), and Leo and Lionel ("an act of grace, strength, and refinement"). Huntress and Co., the Straubb Sisters, Margaret Corby, Leonard Nelson, and Salmon and Joy, all established favourites, will continue in the bill. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. At the head of the change of programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures to-day is the tubin Company's drama, "Partners in Crime." The production is of the sensational detective order, but the situations are sufficiently feasible to give an air of realism to the enactment. The actual "partners" in ihe crime are two prominent citizens, who do not betray the slightest evidence of the leading part they take in the depredations of a gang of motor-boat bandits. The son of one of theeo two citizens is a newspaper reporter, who obtains the permission of his editor to accompany and assist the detective engaged by the Citizens' Com* mittee to run the criminals to earth. The reporter is the fiance of the daughter of the second prominent citizen. The reporter does not tell his father of his intentions to track the gang, and this leads to some unexpected developments. The remaining items include : "Flowers that Bloom in the Spring" (floral study), "The Suicide Pact" (A.B. fnrce-coniedy), "Apple Growing in Washington State (industrial), and others. Among the new selections to bo contributed by the Empress full orchestra, this evening is "The Count of Luxembourg." THE NEW THEATRE. Miss Ida Nielsen interprets the leading role in "The Bonds of Marriage," the "feature"' of to-day's change of programme at the New Theatre. It is depicted in the drama that a young lady, Dorothy, during the fiance's absence, goes to the seaside, and an injury to her ankle is treated by a young doctor, Eric, to whom she becomes attracted. Dorothy rejects his proposal, and. returning to town, marries her fiance, Gordon. Yecirs later a jealous quarrel ensues between the two men, and Gordon, who is worsted, becomes dangerously ill. His wife, at the cost of her own health, nurses him till he recovers. Dorothy then falls ill, and Eric is summoned > to attend her. His efforts are unavailing, and at her deathbed the men become reconciled. The film is artistically coloured. The supporting programme is thoroughly entertaining. BRITANNIA THEATRE. < "Aissa's Dream" is the star attraction of to-day's new programme at the Britannia. Aissa Geraldi is the wife of a lion tamer. Geraldi is attacked by a lion, and fatally injured, but before he dies Aissa. gives him the (promise that she will not marry again, and that she will always care for Firuli, their child. Aissa trams the lions, and secures a contract to appear in New York. On the voyage she meets Count Boris, who greatly admires heT. Aissa is offered a very advantageous contract, and has practically agreed to accept, when a letter is delivered from Boris declaring his love, and asking for her answer at a ball which is being held that night, and to which both have been invited. Aisea refuses the contract, and goes to the ball, resolved to accept Boris's offer, but while waiting for him in an ante-room ishe falls asleep, and is visited by a dream, in which the portrait of her dead husband seems to glow ,with the 'colour of life and energy again. Other pictures include: "Love Sickness at Sea" (a Keystone comedy), "Slim Driscoll, Samaritan" (a Vita, drama), "Man's Lust for Gold" (an A.B. drama), "Tiny Tim and His Aunt" (a'Gaumont con&ic), and the latest English and N.Z. Gazettes. ijING'S THEATRE. To-night, at the King's Theatre, the management will submit for the first time to Wellington patrons what is claimed to be a magnificent reproduction in kinemalography in colours, by Pathe Freres, of the Grecian legend, "Psyche." The producers are credited with carrying out the work with" all that special attention to detail which is so absolutely essential to ensure adequate representation of the classics of mythology. The film is described as being conspicuous for the richness and accuracy of the costumes used, and the quite exceptional quality of the acting. Producers and artists have combined to present what is claimed to be a perfectly coherent $nd intensely interesting story. Mdlle. Napier Konska, the dancer, and Mdlle. Andrea Pascoll are the star artists^ of a strong cast. The pictures supporting the chief feature are worthy of special mention. These include "The Last Auckland Cup," showing views and incidents of the course and the race; "Children's Home," a dramatic reproduction of Longfclknv's poem ; " Railroad Inspector's Peril ' (sensational drama), "'Schnita, the Tailor" (Keystone comedy), " Beautiful Scenes in Chevrcuso" (coloured), "Which Way Did He Go?" (with John Bunny in the- principal part), and " Pathe'e Last English Gazette." The King's Orchestra will accompany all screenings. Seats for any night of tho season may be reserved at the Diesden. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The programme ut the Star Theatre, Newtown, this evening will be headed by v. coloured reproduction, 3000 feet in lfingth, of .the Grecian legend, "PsxchPz"

THE NEW COMIC OPERA SEASON. There was a large demand for seals fit tho Dresden this morning when tho plans wero opened for the five performances of "The Count of Luxembourg," and for tho five representations of " Autumn Manoeuvres," musical comedies which ore to be staged by J. C. Williamson's New Comic Opera Company. The season commences on Wednesday night next, when Franz Lehar's wallz-opeia will be staged in for the first time. The last nights of tho season will witness special revivals of "Tho Arcadians" and "The ChocolaLe Soldier." From the rise to the fall of tho curtain in "The Count of Luxembourg " there is not, it is said, a dull moment, as when the comedians are not making the audiences roar with laughter there are pretty and dainty melodies which haunt the 1 ear, and stage spectacles to feast the eye upon. Perhaps the best musical numbers in Franz Lehar's latest work are the following: "Pierrette and Pierrot" (Dorothy Brunton and Phil Smith), "The Count of Luxembourg" (Frank Greene), "A Carnival for Two (Dorothy Brunton and Phil Smith), "I am in Love" (Rob. Whyte and Victor Prince), " Cousins of the Czar " (Florence Young and Rob. Whyte), "Oh, la, la, la" (Phil Smith),'' "Marriage Duet" (Florence Young and Frank Greene), "Ah, Our Nightingale" (Florence Young, Edward Wynne and chorus), "In Society" (Dorothy Brunton and Robert Whyte), "Love Breaks Every Bond" (Florence Young and Frank Greene), " Rootsie Pootsie " (Robert Whyte), " Are you Going to Dance?" (Florence Young and Frank Gueene), "Is it Necessary?" (Phil Smith). SHORTT'S THEATRE. , "The Riddle of the Tin Soldier" is the chief attraction at Shortt's Picture Theatre in Manners-street, and promises to prove a great attraction. It is a detective drama by the Kalem Company, featuring Miss Alice Joyce. The plot concerns one Ethel Andrews, who is interested in settlement. Her father refuses to co-operate with her. Ethel kidnaps her five-year-old brother, Archie, and places him in a tenement as an object lesson. To make the kidnapping appear the work of criminals Ethel sends her father a note demanding 10,000 dollars. Andrews engages Madelyn Mack, a girl detective, to find his son. Madelyn unearths several clues, among which are fragments of a tin soldier, belonging to Archie. Ethel, regretting her rash s*ct, goes back to the tenement to bring Archie home. Gangsters capture them both, and send a note to Andrews telling him his son and daughter are prisoners. How Madelyn discovers and rescues the pair is portrayed in a most interesting manner. " Sandy Gets Shorty a Job " is one of the funniest comics seen for many a day, and " Archie and. the Bell Boy " run it very close. The supporting pictures are well up to standard. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A change of programme is presented at the People's Picture Palace at Man-ners-street to-day. The items are bright and varied and interesting. "THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS." To-day Mr. Kilpatrick will enter upon the third and last week in Wellington of the painting, "The Shadow of the Cross,'* now on view in a studio in Harcourt's rooms, Panama-street.