ENTERTAINMENTS HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 75, 30 March 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

To-night at His Majesty's Theatre the Fuller-Brennan management will present a new vaudeville programme. Much interest attaches to the first appearance here of Brent Hayes, n banjo player. Mr. Hayes's repertoire includes several of the finest classical and operatic selections. Miss Dorothy Harris is an American comedienne who claims to give "a new meaning to ragtime." She is a Southerner and learnt her ragtime dances in the -place of its oiigin — New Orleans A novel acrobatic turn is provided by Foster, Lamont, and Foster, who are billed as "iion-jawed acrobats," and do all sorts of marvellous feats with their teeth. The Luxars are instrumentalists of no mean order, and Shanatt and Lang, with the aid of a piano, contribute an amusing musical sketch. Amongst last week's favourites to stop over are Millie Doris ? Captain Brunswick and Co., Cunningham and Rose, Kingsley and Graham, the Two Strattons, and the Phillips Sisters. Altogether a good programme. The box plan is at the Dresden. SUNDAY CONCERT. A novel 1 and interesting concert was that _ given la3t evening under the auspices of the Wellington Philharmonic Orchestra by a. few of the soloists of that body — Messrs. F. R. Johnstone, A. P. Truda, H. Moschini, and Christian Hellemann. The performance was begun with a 'cello solo by Mr. Johnstone, Popper's "Hungarian Rhapsody," but, although this was played in the soloist's best style, owing to the echo in the Town Hall the rendition was indistinct to the audience. Woodwind instruments, however, were not affected by the echo, and Mr. Truda's carefully rendered solo, "Suoni d'Argento," fully bore out its name. For an encore he played an equally suitable piece, "Chasse aux Papillons." Mr. Moschini chose for his solo the slow and impressive* "Ballade" from Gade's Concerto, and his clear tone and sincere expression greatly appealed to the audience. He was encored, and gave "A Tambourine Ballet" (Atherton). As might have been expected, the combination of these four soloists into an instrumental quartette was something above the .average. In "The Lark (Glinka), which is usually arranged for piano, flute, and two stringed instruments, the clarinet proved an excellent paitner for the 'cello, and the combination of the two imparted a tone of sadness to the piece which was quite new and wholly pleasing. The surprise of the evening, however, was the inclusion of "The Butterfly" (Bendix). The idea of adding to a somewhat classical programme -a light and cheerful piece that would appeal to the audience was commendable, but one would have expected it to be at least 'an instrumental quartette. "The 1 Butterfly" was merely v a flimsy morceau, arrangod rather poorly for four instruments. For the most part the flute and clarinet were playing in unison. This, of course, proved the most popular item on the programme, and, notwithstanding that it was the last item, the audience wanted more. The vocalist of the evening was Mr. Courtney V. Mohr, the possessor of a fine clear voice remarkable for its natural production. His songs, "The Curfew" and "Prince Ivan's Song," were greatly appreciated. THE KING'S THEATRE. To-night will witness the first screening at Hayward's Pictures of tho Orienta^ drama, "A Prisoner in the Harem," described as a play possessing a fine plot ami a strong love story, the development of which leads the hero and heroine into numerous exciting situations. The tale, shortly recounted, is as follows :— The first scene, laid in India, shows the grief of an Indian girl who has been sold by her father into the harem of the Sultan. She throws a note from a window to her humble lover Akbar, imploring his aid. Akbao. 1 has succoured a wounded tiger, which becomes attached to him. By the aid of the tiger Akbar effects his sweetheart's escape. They are recaptured and the man is placed in a cage with a! hungry tiger. The subsequent situations are sensational. The play is said to be lavishly mounted, and "the hero and heroine are played by professional lion tamers. Other films to be screened include :— " Two Aristocratic PenitenU," "Gagry," "A Day in a Sailor's Life," "Hubby's Polly," and the last " Fathe Gazette." Box plans are at the Dresden. SHORTT'S THEATRE. A first-class programme is being presented at Shortt's Theatre to-day, the "star" attraction being "The King's Man," an interesting Vita drama. The plot, with the Canadian North- West for its background, is a thrilling one. It presents a rival love affair in which a good deal of shooting is dene, and the ihero, a member of the famous NorthWest Mounted Police, finally wins the maiden's, hand. An almost equally thrilling drama, is unfolded in the "Peril* of the_ White Lights." An excellent comic is. provided in "Teaching His Wife A Lesson," an Edison production. The Warwick Chronicle presents a fine series of views of recent events'. PEOPLITS PICTURE PALACE. In to-day's new programme at the People's Picture Palace the principal feature is "A Mother's Sacrifice," a drama produced by the Nordisk firm, with Miss Betty Nansen as the chief actress. The story is wound round the melancholy spectacle of a widowed mother and her daughter both deeply in lovo with one man. He loves the mother, but the heartbroken story of the girl causes her mother to throw away her own prospects of happiness. The rest of the programme is lresh and bright, and comprises the usual variety of grave and gay subjects. THE BRITANNIA. "The Speckled Band," a two-reel Sherlock Holmes drama, is the "star" attraction of to-day's new programme at the Britannia Theatre. The story is founded on Sir A.-Conan Doyle's work, and was produced in dramatic form at the Opera House some time back by J. 0. Williamson, Ltd. From beginning to «nd, tho film presents a succession of tense climaxes, wholesome thrills, and wonderful action. The supporting programme is a varied one, and includes — "The Faithful Indian, "Cow-aid or Hero," "Leading Man," "When Cupid Took in Washing," and the latest "Topical Gazette." STAR THEATRE. NEWTOWN. To-night's "feature" drama will be "A Prisoner in the Harem." Other •subjects include — "Two Aristocratic Penitents," "Gagry," "A Day in a Sailor's Life." ST. THOMAS'S HALL. Full houses are the rule- at St. Thomas's Hail, where excellent series of films are screened. An mleres-ting change of programme is announced for to-night, OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. Both learners' and evening session were well patronised on Saturday at the Olyinpia Rink. Two special attractions are to be held this week — namely, the OentJemen's i Two-Step Competition on Thursday night and a Couples Waltzing Competition 6n Saturday evening. ,