ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7263, 20 October 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. "Trilby,'' ia its second production at the Opera House last night, was witnessed by a large audience, and the fortunes of the heroine, of Sveugali, and of the throe artists ;c>f* Bohemia wore followed through* out. with the greatest interest. In the earlier scenes the atmosphere of. the Latin Quarter is admirably presented, but throughout the f four acts the general excellence of the acting favourably impresses tae spectator. As impersonated by Miss Nellie- Stewart, Trilby is a'fine study, and a bettor Sveugali than that pourtrayed by Mr Gaston Mervale could not be desired. The Laird, Taffy,. and Little Billoe are shown in a light true to the author's conception. Mr Atholwood, although limited in his scope as the Rev. Bagot, gives much prominence to the part by his clever acting. The Madame Vinard of Miss Eossyln Bayne is piquantly interpreted, and Miss Madeline Mereiith acts with the requisite dignity as Little Billes’s mother. The play generally is staged and dressed in a style consistent with the high reputation of the company. "Trilby" "will bo repeated to-night and to-morrow evening. HIS MAJESTY’S PICTURES. .■ That the moving pictures have become an estabnanea institution with tue ‘Wellington public, and are nere to stay, is borne out oy tno crowds which pack into His Majesty’s Theatre every evening. In the matter of originality concerning the subjects dealt with, the moving pictures aim at the widest comprehensiveuees. Every change of programme at His Majesty's vies with the preceding ones in the wealth oi the productions served. Last evening there was an entire change in the bili-of-tare, and the now films were enthused over by one of the largest audiences that has over crowded, into the building. A story full of thrill and fraught with many exciting, situations is depicted in the film enxitlcd "Unexpected Help." The tale is woven around the lives of fortune-seekers on the Californian oilfields. The central figures are a company's clerk, his wife and two children, and the hero is a parson of the type made immortal by Bret Harte—the parson who drives his message homo at the point of a sixishooter. • "Farmer Jenkins Vioits the White City.” from Steel© Rudd’s famous "Waybacks,” is a delightfully humorous sketch. This was followed by “Affectionate Pets,” also a . comic of exceptional merit. A scenic film showing the rugged mountain gorges and the awe-inspiring glaciers and snow fields through which the railway runs in ascending Schynige Platte, the magnificent peak in the Bernese Oberland. is one of the best of its kind that has ever been thrown upon the screen. "The Way of the Red Man” ia a dramatic sketch depicting incidents in -the lives of the semisavage American Indians, illustrating in a moat striking manner the extent to which the instincts of right and wrong influence the actions of prairie tribesmen. A clev-erly-acted dramatic piece entitled "The Highbinders.” dealing with the treachery of two Chinese converts, and a pretty comedy shows the.many intricacies of love to bo found In the "Peacemaker," are also shown. A masterpiece of biographic art is the "Call to Arms," a story of the Middle Ages taken from the thrilling tales of Sir Walter Scott. The "Ismalian Markets" is a travel subject, dealing with the peculiar methods obtaining in the market places of Egypt. A film which excited considerable interest shows the awful effect of the floods. which swept over Tokio a few months ago. causing damage to the extent of thousands of pounds, and drowning. over . eight hundred . persons. The orchestra played a well-selected programme. and added considerably to the evening's enjoyment.' The bill-of-far© will be repeated this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. '

The Theatre Royal was 1 well patronised last evening,' an'd every item in the bill was received with enthusiasm.. The novel musical comedy act. by. Mr Fred Gray and Miss. Nellie. Graham is an exceptionally attractive performance. Mr Gray, besides being a’ grotesquely: amusing : comedian, plays the i trombone with most pleasing effect. , Miss Graham’s eoloe on the gigantic* saxophone are also good. Hanco (the handcuff emperor) accepted 1 a challenge to be tied securely on the stage, and escaped after a few minutes' bondage. He also freed himself from a'straight jacket Hanco will make his final appearance thi* evening. There are numerous other.entertaining' features in the programme. ■ * . OLYMPIA RINK. lovers of roller skating are making the most of tiie last week of the season, and all sessions wore' well attended yesterday. The usual sessions will be given to-day. and a band will be in attendance this evening. Those whose skates are stored afthe rink are'requested to call for them.