ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7447, 23 May 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE TTHIP” AT THE OPERA HOUSE. Tile Opera House was filled last evening wficn the sporting drama 'The Whip" was again presented by the J. O. Wiluamson Company. The elaborate staging, fine ures a mg, and remarkable number of scenes are notable features o£ the production. The racecourse scone, which culminates in the winning of the Two Thousand Guineas race, roused tho audience to the hi ghost pitch of enthusiasm. The leading performers frequently received hearty applause during tho piece. There is every indication of a continued boom m iho Whip' 1 during the remainder of the seaC Heavy bookings were recorded yesterday at the Dresden, when plans for the second sis nights of “The Whip*' were opened. Reservations can now bo made for the remainder of tho season. A .special theatre boat lias been arranged to leave Wellington for Day’s Bay after the performance to-morrow evening. The second drama will be "Henry of Navarre." THE 'FALL OF. TROT. There was a complete change of programme at His Majesty s Theatre last night, the "star" item cemg a magnificent film. Tyler's issue on behalf of the Itala people "The Fall of Troy" The Itula. reop.e have taken special care to see that tho picture is in accordance with historical records. The staging is splendid, and the whole film is a great feat of kinematography. In many of tho scenes thrown on tho screen £OO actors, are employed. This fact alone shows what a great amount of trouble has been involved in the production of tho picture. The actora aro dressed according to the period, and their parts aro played with realism. Tho film opens with tho old bard singing the exploits of heroes of tho Trojan War. Then follows an affectionate scene of Menelaus, tho King of Sparta, taking leave of his wife, Helen. Paris, the son of the Trojan King, Priam, pays a visit to tho court of Sparta, and. at once there is an intrigue between him and Helen, the Trojan carrying away the woman with the aid of the Goddess of Love. As eoon as tho Spartan monarch hears of these events war is declared on the inhabitants Of Troy. After many battle scenes the Greeks are seen to retire, leaving the famous wooden horse outside tho walls. Then follow . so *P® scenes demoting tho false step of tho Trojans—they tako in the wooden, horse, knocking down part of the .walls of the city for the purpose. At night the Grecian warriors leave tho wooden horse, set fire to the town, and put to tho knife ail inhabitants who come their way. Other Greeks gain entrance to the city through the dismantled gateway, and the oitv is taken. Finally Paris and Helen are shown viewing tho destruction of Troy. The culprit is then killed, and the fall, of the King's residence follows, completing on© of tho finest films over screened in Wellington. The picture was splendidly received by the largo audience, loud applause following the final scene. There are manv other fine pictures included in the programme, one of tho best being ‘ The ausses Finca.” This is a humorous film, altogether out of the ordinary, and it must be seen to bo appreciated. Other films are "Bear Hunting." "The Old Water Jar. "A Show Girl’s Stratagem. "The Lost Bibbin"—a stirring Wild West picture, A Stage Romance," "Tweedledum April Fool," and "Pathe’s Gazette." The programme , will bo repeated to-night., THEATRE ROYAL A large number of people patronised the Theatre Royal last evening, when several new items of a high-class character were submitted. Miss Emmie Hardie was entirely successful in her rending of.. ‘Up in the Flip Flap." In Bob Lloyd the FuUcrs have secured a really first-class comedian. Last night .his stock-in-trade comprised "The Old Black Bag,” “The Wowser/ and "Sarah Porter,” and for each item ho was heartily applauded. Nellie Power’s football song has become very popular, as also has her other contribution, "Flanagan." Brightie Carlisle is ever papular, and she elngs "Silvery Bells" in a manner at once pleasing. The loud applause which the audience bestowed on Harry Carlton and Ted Sutton, patter comedians and dancers, was well merited. . In the first part.they sang "Lonesome Maid,” and in the second their many comicalities kept the audience In a continual state of merriment, Joe Gardiner’s and Flossie Le Mar's exposition of the science of jiu jitsu is really interesting, and every woman should see their novelty act, "A Hooligan Attacking a Lady,” because many hints would be picked up which might bo of service at any time. Roars of laughter were occasioned by Charles Daly’s and Kitty O'Brien’s - comic turns. Their tanglefoot dancing is weird, and no small amount of labour must have been spent in attaining such perfect mastery of the intricacies of tho turn. The reception which greeted Mr Alexander Prince, the concertina soloist, ' was-most cordial, and no one could have cause to complain. Mr Prince plays some of tho most high-class music as well as numerous popular items most charmingly, and everyone feels sorry when his time has expired. Jim Marion is ns firm a favourite ns ever, and so is Mies Mabel Lynne, and the. Williamson girls leave no room for disappoi itment. - The latest cinematographic films are shown by the British Biograph. The programme will bo repeated to-night. THE NEW THEATRE. The final screening of tho current programme of moving- pictures attracted abundant patronage at the Now Theatio from 11 a.m. till 11 o'clock last night. The customary first-weekly change of programme will bo introduced to-day. 'Among the new films are a fine dramatisation, “His Daughter,” by the American Biograph Company. This is a story of stirring interest in which the principal charade -s are a young medical student, his swejthoart, and the fathers of the lovers. The student’s father saves up money to start his son in a practice. Tbe girl’s father is detected by his own daughter in an attempt to steal the money. "Tho Old Water Jar” (by i fie Vitagraph Company) relates How an old Redskin Indian, who asks forgiveness from the Great Spirit for bis sins, is then guided safely into the happy hunting grounds where all good Indians go. "Texas Ted’s Defence” Js an exclusive study by the Bison Company, introduced with their inimitable likened to life. "Artificial Flower Making" is an attractive industrial subject. Tho comic section is headed by "Bobby is a Milli jnaire.” There are other meritorious Items of a varied typo. "THE PIERROTS.** The Coronation Theatre in the Exhibition i'cen teased - for the season by tho English Pierrots. This combinatiqn wil no doubt quickly become very popular. Continuous changes of programme, and the introduction of many original minidots hitherto unheard in Wellington will doubtless prove a strong attraction. Mr Maynard'Bairn and Mr W. P. Turner, the comed { n-*g,- make tho humorous element, a notable feature of tho entertainments. Tho other members of the company are equally capable in their particular roles, and the whole combination is unsurpassed. The first performance will be given on Wednesday evening at 8.30. SALVATION ARMY CONCERT. In aid of a fund for tho provision of silver instruments for tho city Salvation Army Band a benefit concert was held in tho Army Citadel. Vivian street, last night, items being given by the Garrison Band, assisted by a number of vocalists. There was a large attendance, and everybody thoroughly enjoved the entertainment. The following contributed to tho programme:--Garrison Band. Misses J. and G. Cunningham. Mrs Collins, and Messrs J. Parker, J. McKersey. Lieutenant Hawkins, and tho children of the Girls’ Home. THE OLYMPIA RINK. The continued seasonable -weather resulted in excellent attendances at Fullers’’ Olympia Skating Rink at all sessions yesterday. The sessions to-day will be 2.30' p.ro. to 5 p.m., 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The sixty performers who are practising the cantata "Britannia and Her Daughters,” at Lower Halt, are attending practices with groat regularity, and the interest in the production is stead’*ly growing throughout the Hutt district. The cast is practically complete and will be a strong one.