ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15547, 3 March 1914, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PAUL DUFAULT'S CONCERTS. The first concert of the Paul Dufault season; will be given in His Majesty's Theatre to-night, when the gifted tenor will be assisted by Miss 'Pauline Bindley, Mr. Ernest Toy, and Mr. Harold Whittle. Concerts will also, be given to-morrow and on Friday and. Saturday evenings. OPERA HOUSE. Several -items of outstanding interest were contained in the programme presented at the Opera House last evening. Chief interest centred round the extremely clever act of Valentine and Bell. The performance of these two people on all sorts and conditions of wheels, including a wonderful manipulation of the bicycle, was watched with breathless interest, and the-thrilling acts of Valentine and his lady partner called forth well-merited applause and expressions of admiration from the large audience present* Les Ban Malagas gave an exhibition of their Argentine Tango, Apache and Russian dances, and the quaint performance was thoroughly appreciated. Millie ; Doris received a great- ovation for her comedy sketches, while the Rosa Valerio Sextette's sensational act on, the taut wire evoked prolonged applause. Fern and Lizette, novelty instrumentalists and vocalists, gave some pleasing items, and the Georgia Trio, singing and patter comedians, were seen in an interlude which was much appreciated. The humour of Sharral and Lang,' in their musical comedv sketch, evoked much merriment. The Scottish 'specialty artists, the Strattons, and Kingsley and Graham, musical comedy sketch artists, contributed towards the success of a bright and pleasing entertainment.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The touching story of the early days of America, as told by Mrs. Harriett Beecher Stowes great book, " Uncle Tom's Cabin," is the subject of the principal film at the 1 rincess Theatre this week. The narrative loses none of its realistic freshness in the pictorial adaptation. It is a story that specially appeals to women and children, to v -to the adventures of little Eva and her aunt Ophelia cannot but be greatly interesting. Again, the queer antics of the incorrigible Topsy tourh the humorous side of the audience and relieve the more serious theme. The concluding Dortion of the picture is specially entertaini'ng. The cot-ton-pickers are seen at work guarded by their cruel overseers, then the flight of the wretched slaves to the swamps, where they are tracked by bloodhounds, and, finally the death of Uncle Tom after the callous treatment at the hards of his mas-' ter, Legree. The picture, which is supported by several other good studies, promises to be a popular attraction.

. GLOBE THEATRE. , A picture of a most interesting type, "The Poison Tree," takes up a considerable portion of the programme inaugurated at the Globe Theatre yesterday. The story concerns the three beautiful daughters' of a French banker. M. Leroux. On the marriage of the two elder sisters to rich suitors, Oho youngest, Renee, is aroused to fierce jealousy. The husband of one, Raoul de Gordes, shows Renee over his beautiful conservatory, in which grows a deadly plant. In a spirit of revenge she slowly poisons her married sister with the sap, but is discovered in her visits to the plant. The sister recovers, but Renee on being accused, takes the Doison herself, with deadly results. Experiment* with oxygen form another good subject.

KING GEORGE. THEATRE. "AtHhe Wheel,", a stirrring romance with a tragic finish, is featured in the new programme at the King George Theatre. The scenes are laid principally on the high seas, at Continental ports, and.contain many exciting incidents. An astonishing and interesting number of experiments with liquid air are #hown in another film carried out by Professor Robt. Wood, of the John Hopkins Universitv. "The Story of Layinia" shows that girls at college have practically the same unwritten laws as boys., Boycotted by the other girls. Lavinia at length proves herself a heroine, and more than worthy of their eeteem.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. The manner in which a youug shipdesigner proves his superiority to his master and tutor is well told in a fine production being shown at the Queen's Theatre entitled " The Next Generation." Vincent Strong takes Carl into his office and gives him every opportunity. Carl perceives a' serious flaw in a design of a new ship by Strong, but the authorities discredit his discovery. The ship is bunched, and on her trial trio. founders. Strong is drowned, and Carl becomes bead ship designer. The "Weekly Chronicle" of local happenings, shows some fine viewsof the hospital parade on Sunday afternoon, scenes at the recent trotting meeting, and an admirable studv of breaking waves at Piha, on the West Coast. ° NEWTON PICTURE PALACE. Large audiences witnessed the change of programme at the Newton Picture Palace yesterday. The series contains a pleasing variety of drama, comedy, and educational matter. A charming' play, entitled Grandmother's Lamp," recounts the lovestory of an old lady, as she tells it to her grandchildren. " The Girl of the Cabaret" draws a striking contrast between life in the gay city and in the country. WEST'S PICTURES. "Coquette," an extremely fascinating dramatic study, was the feature of the programme 'screened at the Royal Albert Hall last evening. The drama was well enacted, and the pictures were beautifully clear and admirably coloured. " The Industrious Blind," was a subject of educational interest, and the programme was also well supplied with comedy studies which caused considerable mirth. KING'S THEATRE. The feature of the new programme at the King's Theatre last night was a screening- of Professor Max Reinhardt's myßtery play, "The Miracle." The story is that of a dream warning given to a young nun guardian of a holy shrine—who is in danger of being lured into the outer world by.a knight. The picture is magnificently staged and costumed, and the scenic'effects are remarkably good. There are pageants and processions, and a great portion of the " atmosphere" is of a "religious character. By contrast the scenes which transpire outside the nunnery seem gross and melodramatic. Last night's large audience, however, followed the action (which is full of incident) with evident, interest. Special by Humperdinck, was played by Burke's Orchestra, and some chants were sung by a hidden choir. This musical setting was both apt and melodious. " The Miracle" will be repeated nightly this week.

LYRIC THEATRE. ( Strong dramatic fare was contained in " The Test," a two-part film screened for' the first time at the Lyric Theatre last night. The sensational incidents appealed to the audience, in no uncertain manner Other good pictures were " Mrs. Upton s Device" (comedy drama), " Her Boy"' (drama), "Stwnge Inhabitants o« the Deep," " Gau.nont Graphic," and tw> humorous studies, "The First Pm>" and " Looking for Trouble." An excellent scenic film was " The Principality of' Monaco." The same programme will be screened again to-night and throughout the week. WEST END THEATRE. The weekly change of programme at the West End Theatre attracted a good attendancejast night. A variety of films screened included "The Test," a picturestory in two parts, replete with exciting episodes. An instructive picture showed many strange inhabitants of the deep, and a good scenic study was" that of " Monaco." _ There were also comedies and dramas in an interesting programme which will be screened throughout the week.