AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 15032, 14 November 1912, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

J, programme was inaugurated at the Queens Theatre today. ‘Tim Frontier Child is a star feature picture by the Bison Company, recognised as the producers of the best “Indian" pictures. It lias already been described in our columns ‘ H'e.Zims’ makes you laugh, the Fatal Portrait ’ is an intensely patnetic production. In fact, so strongly does it appeal to this emotion that it‘might have been conceived bv Dickens. ‘ Matrimonial Agency’ is r, big comedy, which tools on material provided by a‘love-sick youth bearing the noble name of Wiffles an aiancious pa, and the indispensable but beautiful young lady. Pa has no time for this “matrimony ” business, but going broke, it becomes a “ matter o' monev ” with him, and he allows the voutli and the dream to have their wilful way, for the distinguished TViffles comes into £2,000 a year. The films which complete, the bill have obviously been selected with an eye to the taste of the public. Of them, iho ‘Australian Gazette’ is perhaps of the most diverse interest. It is, i n fact, uncommonly good The present programme should ensure good houses throughout its run. To-day, in spite of the weather, the attendance was uniform!' - good. WORLD'S PICTURES. Ihe World's Pictures Company commenced a brief season of tlnee days in the Garrison Hall last night, and attracted a large attendance. As regards the entertainment provided, no better exposition has been given to the local public of illustrated stories and scenes of travel and industry. From the commencement to the final picture the audience were most enthusiastic, eveiy subject being greeted with marks of appreciation. "The dramatic and scenic productions were excellent. Of the story pictures, mention may be made of ‘The Deserted Shaft’ and ‘As It Was in the Beginning.* * The travel scares, ‘lhe Coasts of New Zealand,' where Pelonis Jack is seen sporting about (he hows of a ■,learner, are very interesting, and decidedly instructive. The comic element has not been forgotten, and in this department some first-class sketches were presented, ‘The Laugh on Dad’ and ‘A Hurried Renovation’ being exceedingly funny. A slight change will be made iii the programme to-night, when several interesting subjects will be introduced. THE KING'S THEATRE. The current vaudeville programme staged at, the King's Theatre includes some items of considerable merit. The chief contributors to the entertainment are Ray Glen (monologuist), the Anderson Trio‘ (acrobats), Grace Compton (comedienne), and Pearl Livingstone - (serio), and with the supporting artists and a couple of excellent moving pictures provide a most enjoyable entertainment. The same items are to be staged 10-night. FULLERS’ PICTURES. The usual change will be effected at the Princess Theatre to-night. The chief film is of more than ordinary interest. It is called ‘Arabian Treachery,’ and is full of exciting incidents. The plot has to do with the kidnapping by Arabs of a little English boy. by wav of revenge for punishment justly meted out. The search for the child is most graphically outlined. The district in, which the child is hidden is infested with, lions, and as the search proceeds the excitement becomes intense. Tlie pictures also show incidentally how great, a mother’s love can be. Other films of note will be ‘ln Swift Winters,’ ‘With Ine- Enemy s Help,’ and ‘Her Polished Family.’

OSCAR ASCH.E-LILY DRAYTON SKASQN.

The box plans avill be opened at the Dresden at half-past eight o'clock to-mor-vo-.v morning for the first four nights of the Oscar Ascbe-Lilv Brayton season, which couimences on Wednesday night with the Oriental dramatic spectacle ' Kismet.’ The large number of inquiries which have been made in reference to the booking arrangements indicate a record demand for seats, so to obviate crushing a queue will bj formed from 8 o'clock by a staff of ushers, which will ensure that the earliest arrivals shall have first choice of seats'. ‘ Kismet ’ is regarded as the biggest production which the J. C. Williamson, Limited, management have ever sent on tour, and it entails the carrying of more mechanics and electricians than has previouslv been sent to the Dominion. Mr Fritz Russell, stage manager, and the advance army of mechanical and electrical experts arrived, from Christchurch yesterday, bringing with them, the balance of the scenery and effects for ‘Kismet.’ Ibis piece will be staged here with the original scenery, jwinted by Mr Joseph Marker, and every piece of stage furniture and the whole of the wardrobe and effects were manufactured in England, and used in Hie Txsndon production. There is a vast amount of preliminary work to be undertaken to prepare for ‘ Kismet.’ The whole of the stage of His Majesty’s Theatre will have to bo cut away for ilie purpose of building vhe large swimming bath, which js a feature of the famous harem scene. ! lie bath is 16ft long. 6ft- wide, and Bft deep, and is nightly filled by overS,OCOgal of water, which has to bo heated each evening. A quantity of additional electric current will also have to be Installed for. the numerous lighting effects. 60 extra pairs of blocks and lines will have to be bung, and numerous other alterations will have to be executed to the existing apparatus in the theatre. WILD -WEST PICTURES. At- the Garrison Hall on Saturday the M ild West Picture Company will screen one of the greatest war pictures ever screened. ’ Custer’s • Inst Stand,’ in which 1.000 Indians and 1,000 soldiers take part. The management have installed the latest electric lighting and operating plant for the performance, and picture patrons will have an opportunity of witnessing one of the biggest and clearest pictures ever projected in the Dominion.