ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7444, 19 May 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. OPENING OF ,T THE WHIP” SEASON. Viewed from a spectacular standpoint, “The Whip” outclasses most of tho melodramatic work which has been presented to Wellington theatregoers. The standard in respect to th© sensational had in the colonies been set by Bland Holt. He soared to great heights; nothing was too ambitious for him. He succeeded If possible, Hr Williamson has gone one better. VV th ah th© ingenuity of skilful stagecraft at his command, ho has ventured into tho realms of stirring melodrama in a manner that certainly enables him to challenge comparison. From 7.45 to IL3O P.m. a crowded audience followed with vho keenest interest and excitement a series of incidents well calculated to move the Rnnctn.tor to the Irghest state of tension. “The Whip.” in its four acts, takes in a variety of scenes that makes tho ordinary mortal hold his breath. If at the curtain-fall be is not satisfied with, the sensation he baa witnessed then he is indeed hard to please. The rocept : on of the piece last night, with an enthusiastic audience intensely roused after the great railway smash and tho finish for tho Two Thousand Guineas, showed that, lovers of melodrama in its most realistic form had had their tastes catered foj t© tho utmost extent. Sensationally, the production was d J stinctly a triumph. There is an interesting plot woven round the characters. It deve’ops in a wav that keeps tho attention close’y absorbed right to tho extraordinarily dramatic climax. The audience in the opening scenes is introduced to some phases of Yorkshire life that at once appeal to those of a sporting instinct, fond of “the fierce excitement of race and chase.” Its hreezfness is a pleasing feature, and the incidents move w’th such dash that ono scarcely gets over the first sensation before the other is upon him. Tho pivot on which the whole plot ra based is never lost sight of. In + his the playwrights have used their skill to the beri advantage; they tell a story that cannot fa*T to attract those numerous natrons of the theatre who so dearly love reaMsm in its most striking form. “The Whip” is a racehorse oh which the fortunes of hero and heroine and others depend. Love and villainy and all the other elements that go to make up human nature here find full scope. The fact that tho favourite of tho old Yorkshire nobleman’s stable appears before the footlights to take her part in the desrinv of the good and bad folk associated with the play lends no small amount of interest to the otoAuction. The attempts to “nobblo” tho horse, and how they were frustrated bv 1 ho trainer overhearing the schemes of the conspirators, culminating in a- trem-eo ? ous rai I way smash, from which “Th© Wlrp” escapes scathlese, are graphically depicted. Then comes the race for the Guineas, which decides the fate of hero and villain, amongst tho greatest scenes yet attempted "p the. local stage. It was excellently stage-managed, and drew the applause it merited, Side-by-sidc with the sensations 5 .s a vein of good comedy, which is well worked, the scene at Madame Tussaud’e in particular forming a pleasant relief to the sensational aspects which crowd in so thickly. Tho cast of characters is a strong one. Miss Evelyn Kerry, who made her first appearance hero, created a very favourable impression by her vivacious acting throughout. More particularly in the opening scenes, os the gracious horsewoman, did the picas© by the display she gave of her talents,: and there was, generally,, a delightful freshness in her work. Two other? of the ladies who appeared for the first time. Miss Winifred Scott and Miss Fyfe Alexander, were no loss successful in parts wh ? ch had an important bearing on the fat© of “The Whip.” Hiss Emma Temple, who .made a welcome reappearance, gave duo prominence to the character of Mrs Beamish by her consistent acting. Her comedy, scenes with Lambert were very finely drawn. Mr Ambrose Manning, an old favourite on the colonial stage, carried a groat share of the honour as Lambert, the faithful Yorkshire trainer on whom so much depends. Hi* study was quite up to tho high standard ho seta In all tho parts ho portrays. Ke must be v complimented upon the success he achieved. Mr Lionel Atwill played tho Earl of Bran- , castor witii manly bearing and true conception. There was much to praise in the presentation which Mr Charles Blackall gave of Contain Sar’-oris. Mr Eardlcy Turner’s Marqu's of Beverley was probably tho best character sketch he has yet given u.c—a study true to life and a treat to witness. Tho other characters were in very capab’o hands. “The Whip/’ tho stage management of which leaves nothing to bo desired, will bo repeated this evening. FULLERS’ PICTURES. Tho inclemency of the weather militated against tho usual crowded attendance at Hi-s Majesty’s Tiieaire ias« evening, when the customary bi-weekly change of programme by Fullers* Pictures was introduced. Tho wonders of the capital of the Empire are almost endless, and in “Historic Loudon” the many places of notable historic interest are vividly ~ presented. There are old inns of the coaching days, an ancient buttress of the old London wall, the Guildhad, portions oi ’Westminster Abbey., the Tower of London, tho great lire of London monument, an ancient milestone, residences of Robert Peel, Warren Hastings, Turner (the famous landscape painter), old churches, and dozens of other sights of mediaeval or’p'n. “Sarajova.” a city in the territory of Bosnia, in tlhe south-east of Europe, has many strange features which Vuumend themselves to tho moving picture camera. The inhabitants are mainly of Austrian and Hungarian descent, with a coneidcrab’e proportion of Turks. The peeps at everyday life in tho city, and the peculiar dress of the people, are of considerable interest. “Under the Union Jack” gives a spectacular display of hundreds of bovs on the naval training ©hip Exmonth. The boys perform physical drill.-field-gun practice, and boat drill, and athletic exercises. The boys' band of nearly thirty performers was playing while the boys were drilling. “Snakes a-nd their Habits” exhibited the pe'nltaritics of various kinds of .makes, showing how they climb cliffs, strike at an enemy, balance on a rone, and also show how to hold a snake without risk of a bite. A kitten provided amusement by playfully smacking a snake with its paw whUe the reptile wrigg’ed uncomfortably at th© unwelcome attention. The scientific film is always in high esteem, and therefore “Experiments in Air” was warmly applauded. A mouse, a finch, a fish, and flowers were submitted to tes*R bv ar-rdring oxygen, carbon, and linufd air, and tho remits were of an instrncti'-o nature. “BeRestaurant” was an ingenious trick picture whi*h caused hearty laughter. A nleasing continental drama. ‘TTearts and Eves,” was enacted without the grotesque mannerism peculiar to some foreign compilations. The story was .natural and the performers well s© l ©<'ted. A first-class pourtraral of the nnlHtine influence of a fa’tb r ul w ? f© was given in Re r nrma+ion«.” There nr© a number of o+her mentor ion* pubiert*. Th« programme wTJ be renen+cd t«-n*cbt, and n. mntinee ..«vnr»/»«n*w* c n- tn-morrow. 7s day. “ FoTlcaTd. ,, • 208, Quay. THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatre Roval was wcl 1 patron { sed last evening, everrbody rereiring a hearty reception. Ba-mo M's dug? Btlll continue to amuse.' Drunken Dan. Hr Alexander Prince’s concertina nlayiucj gives great plea-sure to the audience. The-pro-gramme will be repeated to-night. THE NEW THEATRE. Notwithstanding th© unfavour© Ve weathjr. tho continuous moving picture show At the New Theatre was well patronised throughout' yesterday. Tho second biweekly change of programme be presented to-dav from 11 a m. to 11 P.m. The urine,ipal attractions will comnriso •'Brother : Man” fa vitagranh comedy); "Pippa Passes” (an .American Biograph Co. drama); “The Cowboy’s Mother-in-law" (a cowboy comedy);

“Mike tbe Miser" (an Edison study); “The Creek Claim" (a Bison .Company Western drama); and "Cognac River" (a fin© scenic film). The above items will be sho.vn lxclusively at this theatre. By special to* , quest the trick film "numpty Dtunptjr w to be shown to-day between 11 a-m. and 5 p.m. only. FULLERS* 'SKATING RINK. With the advent of tbe winter evenings, roller skating becomes a morq seasonable pastime, the attendances at Fullers Olympia Rink are increasing at each session. ' The fancy skating indulged m by Madame Read is an interesting exposition much appreciated by the patrons of the rink. The band contributes pleasing items during the evening.