ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16123, 11 January 1916, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

There was a large attendance at the Opera House last night, when an entirely new change A programme was presented. The management submitted some fine vaudeville attractions, which were well received. Among the most striking of the turns on the programme was that of Les leodorwkz, a trio of wonderful Danish acrobats, whose skill, strength, and darin? is certainly astonishing. The trio consists of a woman and two men. The woman's powers of endurance are very remarkable. >>he is a capable all-round performer, but for the most part she takes up a position "loft, and hanging by the knees, head downward, holds the articles on which the male gymnast performs his remarkably clever feats. This gymnast has an extensive repertoire, and bis strength is as impressive as his skill. The third performer in tho group is a clever clown, whose chief effort consists in balancing himself head downward on a pole while the other ma:: holds it on his chin. A popular performer was introduced in the person of Anita Primrose, a versatile character comedienne. ' Miss Primrose was received with rounds of applause upon presenting a number of quick - change studies. A welcome innovation was made by Bellora, a clever imitator of birds and animals. Manuel D« Fra, a skilful equilibrist, performed a number of wonderful balancing feats. Delevale and Gilbert provided a very laughable turn; while Freda, a Dutch monologue artist, caused mu"h merriment with his humourous "hite." Tozart, a quick-sketch artist, made his reappearance, and was warmly applauded. Other attractions were a sketch duo. YVvkeham and Preston; Eloise Taylor, a pleas'ng soprano; and Pollard and Jackson, a duo of tweet singers. The programme will be repeated to-night.

"THE DANCING MISTRESS." The Auckland season of the J. C. Wil-liam-son Royal Comic Opera Company was brought to a successful close last evening by the final performance at His Majesty'! Theatre of "The Dancing Mistress." The light but pleasant entertainment provided drew continuous laughter from another large audience. The company's season in Auckland has been a very successful one. All the performers have created very' 'avoiiraoie impressions, and their return on a future occasion will be heartily welcomed. KING GEORGE THEATRE. ! A comedy in five parts entitled the I ruth Waggon," produced by the .Masterpiece Film Company, s tie main attraction at the King George Theatre this week. The story, which is based on truth, is taken from the plav by Hayden Talbot. The principal parts are taken by Mas Figman and Lolita Robertson. Jack the Handyman," as is implied by the title, is a comedy. The Eclair Journal provides the latest pictorial news from the seat of war. As a special attraction, Miss Kate Grant will sing, in conjunction with the pictures, "She Was My Dad's First Sweetheart." PRINCESS THEATRE. The Princess Theatre has this week a programme covering a wide range of subjects. .Foremost on the list is " The Boss." produced by the World Film Corporation, having in the leading roles Mr. Holbrook Blinn and Miss Alice Brady. The opportunities afforded for dramatic effect have been recognised by the actors, and an interesting story is the result. "In God's Own Country'' is a scenic film of remarkable beauty, showing New Zealand at its best, by Southern rivers, in the thermal regions," and on the West Coast. A fine study in seascapes is also presented. The colouring and tone of the picture throughout lend additional charm to the scenic effects. The programme is completed by an Edison comedy, "Christmas Eve," and the latest war topical picture. KING'S THEATRE. The Thanhauser Company's great serial "The Million Dollar Mystery " has proved an attraction since it began at the King's Theatre, now some time ago. The story has lost none of its interest, and it pr> mises to be popular till the end. In this instalment, "The Underground River," events move quickly, and the threads begin in some measure to unravel. The Edison Company's contribution is "When Conscience Sleeps," a picture dramatically acted throughout, and with characters strongly drawn. "An Oasis in , the Sahara " is a beautiful Pathe Freres | scenic film, and is of more than ordinary • interest. The comedies are: " The Honey- I mooners." Housekeeping Under Cover," and "Think of the Money." The programme is considerably brightened by selections from the King's Orchestra.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. At the Queen's Theatre this week pre- ; mier place on the programme is given to '•Jabez'g Conquest," a pictorial adaptation of the famous story by Henry C. Rowlands, which appeared recently "in Nash's , Magazine. The Essanay Company's conj tribution is "The Kiss," a finely-conceived drama, capably acted throughout by a I strong cast. As the name implies, "The J Man Who Went " is a story of the preisent war. The Warwick War Topical j contains the latest views from the various theatres of war. The lighter side 'of the programme is represented by "The Doomed Hero." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The wide range ot subjects covered by this week's programme at Everybody's Theatre should leave no cause for complaint on the part of patrons. The Edison Company presents an excellent drama, " When Conscience Sleeps." Although the story is based on an old subject the manner of its action present* it In a new form, giving it a touch of pathos peculiarly its own. " The Million Dollar Mystery " advances yet another stage, in the nineteenth episode, "The Underground River." The serial is drawing to its close, and a few weeks now will see the elucidation of the mystery. Events are developing quickly, and this week's instalment is I particularly interesting;. A scenic film of great beauty and charm is " An Oasis in the Sahara," from the studios of Messrs. Pathe Freres. The Lubin Company's comedy "Think of the Money " has in the leading role the well-known comedian Billy Reeves. Housekeeping Under Cover," a comedy by the World Film Corporation, is a picture replete with bright situations and quick developments. The Pathe Gazette completes this varied programme. GLOBE THEATRE. An admirable portrayal of the lawless life of American mining camps is con- | tained in " The Valley of the Lost Hope." now showing at the Globe Theatre. The story is woven round a gold rush in the Western American States, and has some sensational episodes, chief of which are j the blowing up of the camp by dynamite, ! and a serious train accident* A Pathe I war special contains the latest pictorial I news from the firing-line. A comedy of .unusual merit is "Green Apples," show- | ing what stolen fruit did for several newsboys. "Hunting a Husband" is another fine comedy. GRAND THEATRE. The programme now being shown at the Grand Theatre is headed by a drama produced in the studios of the Reliance Company, entitled " Queen of the Band." The interest is well maintained throughout. The picture is a series of ouickly-moving events, which are remarkable for the strong dramatic acting displayed. Not for a moment does the story flag, and the climax is of an unusual character. The plot centres round the theft of a large and valuable diamond by a gang of

thieves, and the manner of its recovery .'2 lends additional power to the- story. The ' v ita graph .Company's latest comedy, - «^L' Santa Glaus," is a decided success. "The Heart of a Sheriff" is a -Selig drama of- exceptional" interest. -"The programme is completed by the latest edition of the Topical Budget. LYRIC THEATRE. Two pictures of a distinctly high orderwere screened at the Lyric and West End Ineatres last night. Tho acting of Anita, iZ^ Tt J in " The Awakening," left nothing to be desired. This ever-popular cinemaactress has seldom been- Been in local picture circles of late, but the mere mentions of her name invariably produces the effect, or a potent charm upon* theatre-goers. " Reincarnation " is another powerful drama, with a spirited concluding scene.'PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. ( An adaptation of Hayden Talbot's plav, i "The Truth Waggon," will be screened at 1 the Grafton Theatre to-night.