ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8329, 15 January 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. There were thronged, assemblages throughout yesterday at the Theatre continuous pictures, _ Ine principal items of an entertaining P l- *}; gramme arc —“The Emerald Necklace (sensational drama), “An. Equine Hero (a story of a highly intelligent horse), “Their Idols” (A.B. comedy). Gaumont Graphic.” and “Williams Weekly. The current bill will figure for the last time to-day and to-night. The regular change to-morrow will iucltkl© an A,.8. satirical comedy (exclusive), "A bailor s Hearty "Detective Ferris/' ' f VVarwick Chronicle. A magnificent picture version or i/umas "Count of Monte Crieto" is advertised for "Monday next. wlrth's emeus. A circus con lawye be depended upon to draw large crowds whenever a performance is given, and when it is a cirinie of unusual, merit like the great organisation got together by the Wirtii Brothers its attractive power in additionally strong. Last night another very big audience attended to see the show, 2nd was presented with an assortment o* •'turns" which would be hard to beat for its general excellence. One of the most notable items is the performance of Herr Schmidt's troupe of bears, mx great polar bears and a couple of crrizBliee. The animals display a wonderful intelligence and respond immediately to tlie commands of their trainer, going through their tricks without hesitation. The grizzlies are particularly clever, and are comical enough for anything. Herr Schmidt was deservedly applauded at the conclusion, of the '‘turn/' Tho Bastien Eamily are a clever acrobatic combination, and do all their work with notable precision. There was a little hesitation now and again, but the intended feat was always performed. A particularly interesting "turn" was that of Hillary Long, described as “The Upside-down Phenomenon/' He certainly does some most wonderful things while balancing on Ms head, the most wonderful oi ail being a 75-t'oob slid© down an inclined wire. A "walk" downstairs with he feet where liis head should really be seems to trouble him not at all. Half a dozen performing elephants were introduced by Mr John Welbv Oooke, who got them to do various things which could hardly be expected of such great lumbering animals. Many other items were on the long programme, most of which can be described as very good. There will be a matinee this afternoon, and the usual performance in the evening. PREHISTORIC TIMES. 'Tb-night, in the Opera House, Mr Philip Hereford, a member of the American Academy of Social Science, is exhibiting his famous unique pictures. The continuous illustrations will be accompanied by explanations and • anecdotes, the whole forming a scientino entertainment which has been, mghiy praised over the whole of the Uommion. Many of the pictures have never before been seen in New Zealand. To-mgnre topic is 'Man's relation to the Apes,' the first part of the lecture being taken up by the representations of extinct animals. To-morrow and Friday '"The Evolution of Man" will be treated. “THE POLLIES." A istralian engagements and the fact that a tour if the Dominion has to be encompassed in a limited lime, permits “The Follies” company, which is to open its season in the Opera House on Saturday night, to play a short season only in Wellington. The management, however, is satisfied th»t the season will be a success, and it is contemplating cancelling acme of the Australian dates, thus enabling “The Follies" to pay. a return visit here. ■ The success these entertainers have met with so far on the tour, the management- states, warrants the alteration. Jin every town visited /“Tho ,Follies" played to packed houses, and the press is unanimous in its praiee •f an enti-i tammenr which has but one object—to amuse. The plans fof the season are at the Dresden. HIS MAJEHTTB THEATRE. There are some vary fine motion pictures on the new programme introduced at Hia Majesty's Theatre on Monday and repeated last night in the presence of a largo audience. One of the best in the way of drama is “The Veiled Prophet,” an Eastern story of compelling interest. “The Bedskdn Haiders" is another good drama, the scene of which is laid in the wild West. In “The Badminton Hunt” axe presented some stirring incidents, such as are witnessed on the famous fox hunting field of that name. An attractive feature of the programme are the native studies, photographs of many interesting animals in their natural environment. Other films of merit are “Crystallisation" (illustrative of an interesting chemical process), ■“Cook Bids for Fame” (comedy), “Faying the Board Bill" (comedy), and “Meeting Mamie's Mother." The programme xrul he put on again to-night. THE NEW THEATRE. The day and evening sessions of the New Theatre continuous pictures were well attended yesterday. Foremost among an enjoyable series of photo-plays is *‘Zika, Queen of the Gipsies," a sensational Continental story. The Kalem drama, ‘"The Rival Engineers," introduces an exciting race between two railway locomotives. The supporting items are of a popular style. The series will te screened for the last time this evening. The new programme will be shown to-morrow. ST. THOMAS'S FLOWER SHOW. Lovers of the beautiful should endeavour to be present at the annual St. Thomas's flower show to be held in the schoolroom, Newtown, to-day and tomorrow. In addition to various other attractions there is being shown exhibition* of sweet peas and gladioli by the champion growers of the Dominion, and the committee is staging the grand roach and Maypole dance by the children.