AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 14 April 1914, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

PERMANENT PICTURES. To-night a complete change will be presented at the Theatre Royal, headed by the famous Cines star, "Rival Adventurers." a drama 2000 ft. in length, in which Piccomas and Mascar, two adventurers:, are members of-a secret gang who prey upon society, They each know Mr Storm, who has a pretty daughter, Maud, with "whom Piccomas falls in love, and determines to marry her. Mascar determines to save her from him, but Piccomas determines to have her in spite of his threats. The eve of the wedding i arrives and in tho midst of the rejoicings a mysterious motor car arrives. The occupants, .disguised and masked, jump out and forcibly abduct Maud, driving off before the bewildered company can intercept them. A motor race takes place, but the one containing Maud outstrips the pursuers, and Maud is safely hidden in the house of silence. The whole abduction is a trick on behalf of Piccomas in order to outwit Mascar, but- very- soon he is on tho track. He dons a clever disguise that bewilders his friends, and then commences an active pursuit of the feud. The various incidents provide abundant opportunities for the display of intrigue and daring Mascar obtains entry into the silent house and eventually rescues Maud from Piccomas's power and restores her to her parents. With this excellent star attraction -will bo shown : "The Warwick Chronicle,'' "Count Barber." a Vita, comedy : "The Great River of Jamaica." scenic; "Woman in the Ultimate," A.B. drama; "Tweedledum Wins a Steeplechase" : "Lakes of Boulogne" ; "Meadow Lark," drama ; "Her Wooden Leg." IMPERIAL PICTURES. There -was a record attendance at the Lyric Theatre last evening, many found only standing room and others were unable to gain admittance. There was another entire change screenexT, headed by a. powerful Lubin drama, entitled "Heroes All." This picture, besides unfolding a vividly interesting storv, contains some thrilling fire scenes. The office of one of the three aspirants for the hand of the heroine is entered by a burglar, who, on finding our hero j at work, covers him with his revolver, and then securely gags and binds him preparatory to rifling the office safe. In the meantime a carelessly dropped match ' has started a raging fire. On making this discovery the burglar releases his prisoner, and the pair united make a bid for their safety, and are rescued by the firemen, led by the two other rivals. The story ends -with a reformed burglar, and tlie girl making her choice, and the two disappointed suitors shaking hands and giving their congratulations to the happy pair. A screaminglyfunny Keystone comic. "He Would be a Crook," was responsible for uncontrollable laughter. The supporting items were all top-notchers, and included some fine 'Lubin productions, and this famous company can always depend on its pictures -winning universal approval. The Essanay- Co. -was represented by "Broncho Billy's Last Deed." and the Selg Co. gave a taste of their quality with "Our Neighbours." The programme will be repeated this evening. ANTONIA DOLORES. Three years ago Mdlle. Antonia Dolores visited Nelson and gave a recital tho memories of which still linger with those who had tho privilege of hearing hor on that occasion. That visit was so successful that she had no hesitation in including Nelson in her present tour of the Dominion, and last night the famous soprano reappeared at the Theatre Royal. There was a large audience, though the fact that lately there has been a succession of highpriced entertainments doubtless prevented a packed house again greeting the singer. In the circumstnnees Mdlle Dolores may well ,be pleased with the support accorded her here. She had a. splendid reception, and the enthusiasm grew as tho evening -wore on. till on the conclusion of her last programme number, her hearers -were worked up to a high pitch, and created a perfect furore. OnlySa double- encore satisfied the people, and' even this might not have been sufficient had not the singer given a singer's rendering of "Home, Sweet Home." There could be nothing after that! The greater part of the programme -was given in the original languages of the compositions, the reason for this being that Mdlle. Dolores considers that their charm and poetry, and often the rhythm are a.pt to suffer by translation. A very -few bars last night sufficed to show that Dolores was still the Dolores of former years. Time has had but little "effect on the beauty of her voice, and her command of all the re saurces of vocal skill is still supreme. The most delicate pianissimo passages carried delightfully, and without the slightest trace of vibrato,- and in the lower registers there "was not tho slightest loss of quality. "I Know that my Redeemer Liveth" was sung in a manner that was entirely new to Nelsonians, and with the "Mignon" air, "Je Suis Titania," and the last three bracketed songs, "Soft-footed Snow," "The Robin that sings in the Apple Tree," and "6 Tell me, Nightingale," stood out as the most popular selections on the programme. Dolores was thoroughly good-natured, and gave several additional in response to the demands of her audience. She was the recipient of several floral tributes. Miss Iris do Cairos-Rego accompanied throughout, and in addition played three solos in a manner that won the warmest approval of her hearers, securing an encore.