ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14359, 2 May 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

__ . "PETER PAN." N ' ■ "Peter Pan," as produced bj Mr. : J. 0. Williamson's company,, at His Majesty's Theatre, continues to draw crowded houses. At tho afternoon and evening performances on Saturday* tho seating accommodation in tho theatre was again taxed to its utmost capacity, arid tho play was again greeted by prolonged outbursts of laughter and applause. The popular play will bo repeated to-night. WEST'S PICTURES. ■ "A Day With the Boy Scouts in England " is among the most interesting subjects which figure in the new programme of West's Pictures, as presented at tho Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, and the heartiness with which the film was received left little doubt as to the popularity of tho scout movemont. . Various phases of the work which falls to the lot of the miniature soldiers underwent life-liko representation. A largo number of local scouts witnessed the matinee, the management having promised to donate a substantial portion of the proceeds to tho proposed Boy Scouts' drum and fife _ band. Another subjoct with a strong military flavour was a dramatic pictorial story, "In the Nick of Time," in which a crack company of United States Engineers averted a crisis by the smart erection of a temporary bridge. "A Visit to the Gorman National Zoo " provides an excellent series of studies in animal and bird life, tho film terminating with some fine views of the king of beasts. "Tile-making in Franco "_ is a cleverly-prepared picture of an educational nature, depicting the very interesting processes which are adopted in the large factories near Marseilles. A picture which provides an intensely diverting combination of the dramatic and the humorous is "The Woman from Mellor's." A suitor having been disapproved of by his lover's father because of business misfortune joins tho staff of Mellon's private detective agency, and by coincidence is detailed to act as companion in female guise to the lady, of his choice. Tho father becomes infatuated, and makes preparations for an elopement with his daughter's companion, but the young couple have, already fled, and all figure in an' hilariously amusing chase. Other comic pictures are "The For-' gotten Watch," " A Scientist's Nightmare," "The Orderly," and "The Chemist," whilo " Tho Capture of a Vagrant " is a work of dramatic strength. The same programme will be given to-night. West's Pictures, Limited, are negotiating with the local executive of the Boy Scouts' movement to give special nights at the Royal Albert Hall next Thursday and Friday, a portion of the proceeds to be devoted to forming the nucleus of a fund for the mutual benefit of the corps. Messrs. West, Limited, have handed over £9 to the secretary of the scouts' band fund, being part of the proceeds of Saturday's matinee. The project will, no doubt, receive the hearty cooperation of those interested. OPERA HOUSE. Another fine programme was presented by the proprietors of the Opera House on Saturday evening, and hundreds of picturelovers were unable to obtain admittance. The new films are all of a high standard, and will do much to enhance the reputation of Mr. Fuller's world-wide pictures." ' The boy scout movement has of late assumed great, imparlance in connection with tho question of defence, and a fino film, entitled "A Day with the Boy Scouts," showing the work of an English scout patrol in camp, was undoubtedly popular, and should bo of great valuo from an educational point of view. " Testing Armour Plate "is another excellent picture of great interest, as is also "Paying Visits in Japan," which gives a dainty illustration of modern Japanese paying and receiving visits. A powerful Biblical studj entitled "Belshazzar's Feast, or the Fall of Babylon," was also shown. The humorous side of the programme was as usual well sustained, and perhaps tho best of a number of films of a comic character was "Tho Worst Boy in School," which was received , with shrieks of laughter. "The Flirt," Woman from Mcllons," "Buried Alive," and "A Pair of Slippers" were also included in the programme, and were films of great clearness, and interest. During the' evening Mr. E. J. Burke's drchestra played suitablo music. The current programme, which is a really excellent one, will bo repeated during the week., TIVQLI THEATRE. The series of pictures presented at tho Tivoli Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening was not only of a uniform and satisfactory standard, but showed evidenco of careful selection, so that tho subjects varied with tho films in such a manner as to keep the interest of the audience sustained throughout. The films of dramatic interest predominated in number, and embraced a range of very exciting incidents. Ono entitled "The Buglo Call," showed how a young bugler saved the colours in a tight place, and though severely wounded carried them away under heavj fire. . "Jim Blashwood, tho Jockey" gives a glampse of stable life, and shows how an attempt to poison a particular horse just before a race failed. Some of the adventures of Dr. Nikola, Guy : Boothby's creation, form the subject of another film, and in turning this detective story into a cinematograph film, no thrills have been lost. - A story of the sea and the mystery which enwraps those who go down in ships thereto is unfolded in "The Wanderer's Return." Other dramatic subjects are "Sale of Her Tresses" and "Tho Truant." Instructive films are those ontitled " Farmers' Friends," a pretty study in bird life, showing what birds are useful to the farmer, "German Training Ship," and "A Ride through the Riviera." A clever trick film is "A Tale, of the Ark," and perhaps the best of tho comic studies is "Mrs. Jones's Lover," showing how a jealous husband fell out with his wife on tho evidence of a hat inadvertently loft behind by a tradesman. The same programme will be repeated this evening. BIJOU. A crowded audience assembled at th* Bijou Theatre on Saturday evening, when the weekly change of programme was given. The pictures shown were well selected, embracing a wide range of subjects. " Princess and Slave" was a fine film, the pictures being beautifully clear, and the story was well worked, out. ' Probably one: of tho best comic studies that has been shown hero was the comic series entitled, "An Awful Symphony." It was a beautiful art-coloured I film, representing a "Darkey" the performers playing -vigorously on all sorts of instruments. Unlike the usual run of cinematograph humour, this study did not depend for its fun on the misfortunes of people, but nevertheless kept tho audience ' m a # simmer of merriment. "Elephant 1 Hunting in tho, Cambodgo District", was another fine coloured film. It represented the animals in their native haunts, and the antics of some of the huge boasts were highly diverting. "Life for Life" was a historical film of great merit. A fine scenic series was " Paris, Viewed from the Eiffel ' Tower. From the different platforms of ' the tower magnificent views of tho gay city i were disclosed. • A coloured dramatic film I was Tho Curfew Bell." and amongst other pictures wore "Auntie in Town," "The Message," and "Two Little Tartars." A ' repetition of the programme will bo given this evening. • ' ; AMY MURPHY AND HORACE HUNT. I To-night Miss Amy Murphy and Mr. ! Horace Hunt will give a song and piano '! recital in the Choral Hall, and, judging by \ the booking, Aucklandcrs intend availing i themselves to the full of their one opnor- I tumty to hear these artists. Miss Murphv's * numbers will include the " Mad Scene " from ( Hamlet." three bird songs by Liza Leh-' ! "<""). "-Mother o' Mine" (Tours), Jenny | Lind s Norwegian Echo sonar, and Masse- i net's . bewitching " Sevillana"," while Mr I Hunt will play the Adagio from the " Wan- 1 dorer Fantssie (Schubert), "Notturno" (Liszt), the Rachmaninoff prelude, Raff's Riga'udon " and i two Chopin numbersEtude Op. 10 No. 10, and tho Ballade in A flat. Mr. H Barry Coney, an established favourite with local audiences, will bo the rassisting artist, and, in addition to a couple £ of songs by Berlioz, he will sing " Eri tu oh© l Macchiavi" (Verdi). Tickets for the tin- I reserved seats may be secured at Gerti i Campion's and Eady's. The box plan is at ] Wildman and Arey's. B ■■"{-."■ PRINCE'S RINK. . .-''- • Two sessions were * held »at the Prince's £ Rink on Saturday, the Rink Band playing on both occasions. Both in the afternoon' i and evening largo numbers of ladies and B gentlemen attended to take part in tho de- i lightful exorcise of roller skating. The i concession by the management in giving 12 ? ticket cards for 12s, entitling ladies to admis- Vl siohi/to the '[ rink, and also to the use of . skates, is being largely availed of. To-day v the rink will bo open for the usual sessions v in tho afternoon arid evening. [ d

"TERM OF HIS NATURAL LIFE." The reproduction in picture form of Marcus Clarke's notable Australian convict story, "For the Term of His Natural Life," with which Messrs. Macmahon and Carroll have been touring the Australian States and the chief centres of the Dominion, is said to be a remarkably fins. film. Each episode and situation of the story, which opens in England with the tragedy on Hamstead Heath," is said to be vividly and faithfully depicted. The mutiny on the convict shin Malabar, the burning and blowing up of. the East Indiaman, the Hydaspes, the quarries at Port Arthur, Tasmania, the chain gang at Port Arthur, the escape of the castaways in,the goatskin boat, constructed on the desolate island by Rufus Dawes, are all represented. The narrative is graphically told by the well-known actor, Mr. Alfred Boothman. The first portion of the programme will bo devotod to a new and up-to-date series of the latest biograph films. After the run of For the Term of His Natural Life" an entirely new version of the exploits of the notorious "Kelly Gang " will be given. Tho , Auckland season commences at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening next. The box plan opens this morning ay Wildman and Arey's, where seats may'bo reserved without extra fee. "BESSES, 0' TH' BARN." A last opportunity is to be afforded Auckland lovers of music to hoar the famous "Besses o' th' Barn" band before they finally leave New Zealand. Arrangements have been made for the Besses to give two open-air performances at Alexandra Park, on Friday and Saturday evenings next. The grounds aro to be specially illuminated, and a car service has been arranged. Tho gates will bo open at seven o'clock each evening, and tho selections will bo made with a special view to giving items best suited to open-air performances.