ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15729, 2 October 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE, - '' -\ - The popularity of the Leroy, Talma, andBosco Company, appearing at H iv' Majesty's Theatre, has increased *£.- each performance. Another large audience last night was mystified by Leroy'* illusions and pleased ' with the various vaudeville items. Two new illusions were presented, and were heartily applauded. These were '' The Magic Screen '' m which Leroy and Talma make some rapid changes, and "To the Glory of France," a spectacular patriotic illusion symbolising the rejuvenation of Franco and the triumph of the Triple Entente. The production of this latter illusion is secured by means of two huge wooden frames, over which sheets of ordinary newspaper have been pasted. These are hoisted in mid-air, and, at a word, the newspaper is torn away, and there is revealed a young girl wearing the tricolour, and forming the centre of a picture adorned with roses and "aily illuminated by electric lamps. There will be a matinee to-morrow afternoon, and the final performance will be criven in the evening.

OPERA HOUSE. Large audiences have attended the Opera House this week, and the current vaudeville programme has been well received. There will be a matinee performance to-morrow afternoon.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE. The picture "Nero and Agrippina," which is being shown at the "Alhambra Theatre this week, has been responsible for record attendances. Again last night every seat was occupied, and everyone present expressed approval of the excellence of the picture. It is a meritorious production describing the life of Nero, and the evil machinations of himself and his mother, Agrippina. Hundreds of people take part in 4he drama, a largo number of them being artists of high repute in the picture-theatre world. The scenes are laid in famous picturesque parts of Rome, and the realism of the film is its chief quality. The burning of Rome, and. also tho burning of the Christians in the arena, in the presence of thousands of spectators, are carried out in a highly-realistic manner. The latest war pictures are screened at the commencement of the programme. These include actual t ßelgian war scenes direct from the front. There will be a matinee to-morrow afternoon. The box plan' is ' at Le Petit's, Victoria Arcade.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The chief drama in the change of programme at the Princess Theatre yesterday is a Cines production called ".The.' Gambler," which tells a very pretty storyin' particularly happy form. '.<' There iiß-v the erring son who is disinherited by. his'.' father owing to his gambling propensities'and is sent into the world under another-, name to battle for himself. Fate dictates;' that both father and son, unknown to each other, shall fall in love with the same girl. Complications ensue, • and the i girl becomes bound by ■ promise to' . marry the father while she loves the son. -The tangled skein is ultimately unravelled by the father discovering the- girl's-Ibvo-for-.' his son, and, releasing _ her from her', promise. Another charming short drama, is "The Ring." The supporting series ia- . eludes scenic and comedy films. ,-. ■':.-, ,: ■ : ■

KING . GEORGE THEATRE. An- attractive series of pictures was■ ; .'•. - ■<■ shown for the first-time yesterday: at- the,:.l ..; King George Theatre. The chief drama,' - "In the Days of. Trafalgar," ".shows the' . " > interesting contrast .between, naval battles of a century ago and those, of. -to-day;- ■ - llt introduces incidents in the - fahiousv.-' ■■ ■:■ battle, including the death of Nelson. A I sweetheart's .devotion, it the,.theme of a happy drama called • " The.. Kidnapped. : > -*;. Pugilist," Another feature of the pro- :, gramme is an interesting educational film ' :, describing with < extraordinary ,' vividness "The Strength of Insects." Each insect - is magnified upon .the. screen to _ many ■ times its size, and its peculiar brunts axe minutely portrayed. Another r •rcellent , film gives incidents cernected With th I Empress of Ireland disaster. The comedy - I section includes two: 4 hilarious Dims on- 'i •titled "Pimple's Advice" and " Bloomer's M ■Double." The same programme will be /--.', screened to-day. , , ' ..- -''.

! QUEEN'S THEATRE. '' ,;'.'•■ { ~ / "Frances Marion," a drama _ of. .ths , *■'" American civil wax, tehes, premier place, in the now - programme >at the Queen's ■ * .'; Theatre.' It is, an appealing . love story which comes to a lupp- and. 1 the sensational element ■** -orovide/". ' i a, .:■'.. '. ? : ; 'succession of despev.a. -jr.nte.r between the opposing" foil* •■ ' that. .■:; should be -interest to fci ' '. ting- community is entitled "A, Ty } <.'iih Baasted Draghoimds." Tfcea'-most human in- , telligence of a -trained pony is the subject of a humorous picture, and. another ,: [delightful frivolity entitled ' '"hat Cupid Did" completes"the Inter ment;- '-' , ■[ I . GLOBE THSA" * The usual bi-weekly ciian;:e oi programme' at the Globe Theatre yesterday, - , was witnessed by large .audience's at all . • sessions. A meritorious co-ii--ct'tt.i of films: ''■'■: is headed by a drama, " Thr " ~: Mistake," which unfolds, a sto' * mail and a woman, surrounded b : .a.sc friends and open enemies. The dramatic section ' is completed with another charming production entitled " His Mother's • Picture/' ,-j Further scenes of war preparations ■in -;,'.;.'■-: Australia are included in the "Australian Gazette," and this is followed with arv excellent scenic film. "Her Friend, the Bandit," "The Bully's Doom. - ' and: Tweedledum, the Anarchist," the threa . :; i comedies on the programme, were responsible for a great deal of merriment yesterday. .'' . " . ---. NEWTON PICTURE THEATRE A long and varied series of pictures marks the change at the- Newton' Picture '. " Theatre. "The Mystery Lady,'-., a love story set amid exciting scenes, is the--; best) of the dramas,' and a laughable film called "Making a Living"• heads . the comedy section. - >\ - - , •

KING'S THEATRE.' ,;;" : - . War pictures ' monopolise the <■. currentprogramme'at the King's Theatre^ The' v: latest topical* -subjects from;. England and: the Continent were" viewed with deep interest by a large audience last nighty '.'"•' In addition, there is a drama of the ' '" sensational variety entitled ''Old Re- "< liable." :-.'?■',■ «:-Uv ;•

"THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS." 'The picture called "The Shadow. of the Cross," on view in the Warwick Buildings, opposite His Majesty's Theatre, isattracting a great deal of attention. Tim hours of exhibition are from 1 p.m. to 5, p.m., and Mr. Edwin Kilpatriek- was kept busy yesterday afternoon explain ing the picture to large audiences.

ORGAN RECITAL. An interesting programme has been arranged for the organ recital in . tho Town Hall to-morrow night. Mr. Laurie Kennedy, the 'cellist of the Kennedy Concert Company, will play his "Elegy'* for 'cello and organ. Mr. Maughaii; ■ Barnett's solos will' include Best's ..fan-. tasia on old English airs, and work' by Sullivan, Peace, and Elgar. 3f| : —;." ;•.-:- Ti PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS.' ;- The title of the chief ' film : »t;f* Lyric and. West End Theatres ' tj*>« : at the Wheel." - -