AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 15480, 30 April 1914, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

BAYWARDS' PICTURES. The refreshing series being placed before patrons of this picture palace well deserves high commendation. The "star" item, featuring Napoleon, is exceptionally gecd. PRINCESS THEATRE. The'-current programme which the vaudeville house is providing for public delectation is irresistible. The artists have the pleasure of playing to full houses. KINO'S THEATRE. The pictures being screened at this house are worthy of much larger attendances than those" accorded during the past few evenings. The programme is excellent. HK3 MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Last night the 'Aladdin' Pantomime Company finished their season before a large audience. M.any of the items were er cored, and the gorgeous scenery and adeauate setting generally were appreciated Up-to-dateness was the prevailing note of the performance. Miss Carrie Moore aud Iviss Grace Palotta were noticeably successful, but the company all round were recognised as strong in every departments. PLAZA PICTURES. As the result of the exceedingly popular reception accorded the magnificent him detailing vividly the stirring spectacles surrounding the San Francisco earthquake the management has decided to continue screening this gem of cinematography till the end of the week. The production is graphic to the highest degree, and those who wish to get an idea of the appalling magnitude of the disaster can be recommended to see the picture. The additional films provide entertaining variety. The noted Essanay Company, of which Mt G. Anderson is the "star" performer, command two really good, films. One is a clever burlesque, "entitled ' A Woman Scorned,' and the other is ' Broncho Billy's First Arrest,' where Mr Anderson again takes his cowboy role witli his usual success. The ' Eclair Journal' furnishes a selection of animated snapshots, including photos of. ' The Nine Men from Johannesburg,' ' French Cruiser Ashore,' ' The Naval Fete,' and the latest happenings at Home ' and abroad. Altogether the programme is a credit to tho managing circuit, and should have a successful term. QUESN'S PICTURES. A unique budget of new films was presented at the Queen's Theatre to-day. High quality is the predominating feature. The chief "item is an exclusive Ambrosio prof duction, entitled ' A Queen's Love.' It is a thrilling story of European history, in which a military insurrection, its partial success,and ultimate suppression are pictured in magnificent stagings. The theme is a parallel to Anthony Hope's capital military drama ' Prisoner of Zenda,' and it narrates thi eventful love affair of Queen Maritza, wife of King Ircanus, with Lieutenant Oscar Deschamps, the aide-de-camp. The royal functions, State scenes in the palace, the conflagration of the building, and the sad but heroic suicide of Oscar, who gives up his life to protect the honor of the woman he loves, are elaboratelv enacted. Dunedin folk, who are familiar with Mr W. S. Percy (the favorite comedian of the Pollard's and Williamson's Operatic Companies, who is at present in America) will be afforded the pleasure of witnessing this popular artist in cinema for the first time. Although theatrical patrons prefer Mr Percy in reality, they will be gratified if he is not within reach of practical stage acting here to observe his fine impersonation in the title role of the Thanhouser Company's film ' Percy's First Holiday,' the title of which is perhaps tribute to the leading actor. The Edison Company's series, termed ' Proposal from Mary,' closes with the latest pictures now on show. Other pictures are Pathe's colored scenic 'ln the Syrian Alps,' ' Making Bessemer Steel,' and the topical 'Warwick Chronicle.' •THE BEGGAR GIRL'S WEDDING.' _ " Melodrama hot and strong. A succession of iensaticinal happenings and thrilling episodes. Abundance of comic relief. Mr Melville shows himself a past master »i melodramatic resource and ingenuity. "The Beggar Girl's Wedding' reveals his originality. \ capital specimen of its particular kind." Such are a few quotations from tho column-long eulogy in the London 'Daily Telegraph' of 'The Beggar ) Girl's Wedding,' selected as the opening \ production of Mr George Willoughby's ' Dramatic Company, which commences a ! seven-nights' season at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening next. "Mr Wilioughbv has sent over a particularly good company from headquarters—the same, in fact, that played the piece with great success in the' firm's Australian ; theatres. Mr George Cross and Miss Vera Remee are tho "leads," and they are ably supporfced by the Misfes Fanny Erris, Oriel Hotson, Gwendolyn Dorise, and Messrs Rutland Beckett, T. E. Tilton. Arthur Albert, Ward Lyons, J. H. Booth jD. A. Drayton, Maurice Nodin, Fred Kehoe, and others equally capable. The staging will be on the same lavish scale that characterised the pantomime production, the whole of the appointments having been brought from Sydney. Mr J.. C. Norman is in charge of a capable orchestra. Seats-may be reserved at the Dresden. DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. At the Garrison Hall on Tuesday next, May 5 ? the Orchestral Society will submit ! to their patrons the first concert of the season. The date is laifcer than usual, as the society have been taken up with other activities; but this in itself should be a guarantee that the orchestra are well rehearsed. The programme contains some new items, and should be instructive as well as bright and entertaining. Amw.' the numbers will be found the overtures ' Les Dragons de Villars (Maihartj ano ' The Dowie Dens o' Yarrow ' (MacCunn). the selections ' Tannhaueer ' (Wagner) and ' Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti), and the Haydn ' No. 7 Symphony.' A dainty item for strings only ' Elf-land ' (Barnett) is likely to win favor. The vocal section of the programme should be well sustained by Miss M. Esquilant and Mr G. W. Johnstone. The orchestra will, as usual, bf under the baton of Mr Jas. Coombs. Air J. T. Haraann has taken up the position of honorary secretary, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr G. W. Read through pressure of professional duties.