ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8180, 23 July 1912, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA UOL'SE. “BEN 1IU11.” "Ben Hur” is having a highly successful run. Last night tin l Opera House again hold a crowded audience, which followed with intense interest the dramatic story told amidst such hrilWaiu spectacular surroundings. its great scenic cticcis, “Bcix Hur m>--sossots a strong plot which is rcall.-' km i ly portrayed iiv tlio Williamson Company. “Ben Hur" will ho played all this week. THEATRE ROYAL. The Bartz trio of acrobats, who lasi night opened a short season at the Theatre Royal, nro the best exponents of their particular art that have appeared on Wellington boards tor a very long time. There arc two men and a lady, and while all three are expert tight wire walkers, the male members do in hand balancing what many self constituted judges of athletics would have been prepared without hesitation to declare impossible. The work on the wire consists of the usual walking, interspersed with some rather exciting and decidedly clever to’isting on the part oi the lady-, while one of tno male member.s puts a good termination to the act tj skipping in the middle of tho wire, while tho other performers, also sustained by that airy and uncertain loothold, turn tho rope. hand halanofug is the feature, and while it serie.to display the fine point to which these men have reduced their act, it also gnes an indication that they are the pmBossors of extraordinary muscular power in the arms and wrists. One ot the performers, after a lit He w irr , woik, throws a half-back somersault (Ironi the wire) and with arms extended downwards. is caiight, sustained and balanced on tho upstrotched hands of the other. Nothing quite like this has been done in the Theatre Royal before, to catch and to balance on the hands a big built and heavy man calls not only for the exercise of nicety in judgment, but for tho exertion of very considerable power. It is all done very' easily, without the slightest indication pf the great strain which it must impose, and 16 well worth going to see. Among other newcomers at this theatre this week is Miss Edith Warmer, an English comedienne, who presents a number ol new and bright songs in a charming, sparkling fashion. She is entertaining and ’ amusing all through, and should prove highly popular with Wellington audiences. The house was packed last night, tho show all through was good, and the audience was unstinting in its approval of the faro provided. _ Ihe; programme will be repeated to-night. ADELPHI THEATRE. Of outstanding merit, in last night’s new programme at tho Adelphi Theatre, was an exciting detective “Charlie dolma and tho Knave of Spades.” Colms, an amateur detective, hears of a band .of thieves called "Pack of Cards, ' whose leader bears tho apt name Knave of Spades. Against the cunning and rascality of tho latter, Colms pits his brains'and pluck. In a series of fortyfour scenes, the picture shows tho hero’s hairbreadth escapes and iinal triumph over the enemies of law and order. The story is full of stirring and absorbing interest. Other meritorious dramas are “A Pie Worth While,” a ranch story of attempted burglary, with a spice of humour; and “A Western Kimono,’ another wild west drama with decidedly humorous finale. "Wild Birds at Home" is an admirable educational film, in which tho life-habits of various birds are finely displayed. An instructive film was that entitled “A Pilgrimage to Fuji Yama,” tho sacred mountain of tho Japanese. “Pathe’s Gazette” contained the usual assortment of topical and contemporary events. There several good, comedies, notably "The Jam Cupboard.” which provokes roars of merriment. As usual, the orchestral music is varied and enjoyable. The pictures aro screened nightly. PULLERS’ PICTURES., The'Skating Rink, Ingestre street, was well patronised last evening when a new programme was submitted by Fullers’ Pictures. Tho series included a number of items of unusual merit, and notable among these is ‘‘Elephants at Work in India.” Tho huge beasts display almost human intelligence, and their patience and docility are an object lesson to young and old. The Seiig drama “Me an' Bill" is a pretty story of twe pals from boyhood, who grow to man’s estate, marry, rear a eon and a daughter respectively, and then both lose their wives, Bnt their cup of sorrow is not yet filled, for Bill’s son goes to war and is killed, while his pal’s daughter, who is engaged to the eon, is found drowned. The final scene depicts the pals, as in days long g<jno by, seated side by side comforting each other in their grief. A capital nature treatise "Studies in Aquatic Life” exhibits live seals, pengums, sea-lions, and water hens disporting themselves in an aquarium. The Edison skit "Yarn of the Nancy Bell," the S. and A. drama “Under Mexican Skies," and the Lubin drama “In After Years," are creditable items. The scenic film "Valley of the Danube" is a revelation. The programme will be repeated this evening. THE NEW THEATRE. "The World Against Her," the Norilsk Company’s elaborate picture-drama, drew packed houses at all sessions yesterday afternoon and evening at the New Theatre. The play appeals particularly to ladies, as tho theme is of an emotional character, and their sympathies are evoked by tho touching episodes in. the final scene. Magda’s fickleness in leaving a fond husband and her little child in /order to decamp to Now York with a'worthless adventurer is amply attoned for by subsequent remorse when her own child fails to recognise her. Tho staging is on a lavish scale, while the dresses are particularly fine. Tho play occupies three quarters of an hour, and the interest is well sustained. New supporting items will be shown, to-day and to-night with "The World Against Her." One of the leading items will be “One is Business and the Other Crime" (A. B. Co.’s "masterpiece" drama). The others will include "In Sacred City of the Ganges" (travel), "Bobby, the Judge" (Gaumont comic), and "Tho Burglar Helped” Hepwix comedy). SHORTT’S PICTURES. Shortfs continuous pictures were well patronised yesterday alternoou and evening. On the latter occasion a new series was screened, and tho latest films amply maintain the good reputation achieved by Messrs Shortt for well-balanced and judicious programmes. There is the usual abundant variety, and the subjects cover a wide range of interest. Perhaps tho most meritorious is a finely acted drama entitled “Tragedy in the Court of Milan." This pourtrays the quick impulses and passions of Italian character, which translates thought into deed at a flash. "Mr Bolton’s Infatuation” is a comedy which rouses wholehearted merriment, and its farcical burlesque on the "tender passion" is highly laughable. Of the same class is "A Naughty Boy’s Exploits” and “Persistent Cavalier." There are some excellent scenic and industrial films, notable among which is “Lumbering in Brazil." Incidentally, this gives the spectator a good impression of Brazilian river scenery. Other films have each a characteristic merit and interest. The series will bo displayed each afternoon and evening. THE NEW DANDIES. Mr Edward Branscombe’s English Costume Comedy Company, The New (green) Dandies, arrived, at the Bluff yesterday morning, and at once entrained for Lyttelton, whore they leave this evening

by the Maori for Wellington. The company is due hero to-morrow morning, and the same evening take up the running of the “red” Dandies at the Town Hall- The bdx plan at the Dresden already indicates that The New Dandies will bo greeted by a full house. That they will deserve a warm welcome and will be appreciated as much as the “Reds” seems also likely, if enthusiastic Australian press notices count for anything. Mr Edward Branscomhe will personally direct the new company. Mr Leo D. Chateau returned from Auckland last night to complete the final arrangements for the opening night. He reports that the "red” Dandies jumped into immediate favour in Auckland, and crowded houses have been the rule there.