THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1039, 3 February 1910, Page 17

THE OPERA HOUSE.

FULLER’S WIDE WORLD PICTURES The pictorial fare provided this week by Messrs. Fuller at the Opera House has been proving a strong magnet of attraction to amusement-lovers, and this favourite palace of entertainment has been well filled nightly with appreciative patrons. Another film depicting Lord Kitchener’s visit to the Commonwealth is included in this week’s programme, the famous British commander being seen reviewing the nurses, cadets and veterans in Sydney. Several companies of Australian volunteers and boy scouts march past the saluting point, and Lord Kitchener appears to be greatly interested in the Commonwealth forces, particularly in the youths who have so patriotically taken up the Baden Powell scout movement. Kitchener congratulates the nurses on their good work, and has also a kindly 'word for the veterans, who eye the hero of Khartoum with no little admiration. Lord Kitchener looks the ideal type of soldier, and the pleasant smile which . illumines his face when he is shaking -hands with a. number of ladies to whom he is introduced by Australian officers, presents a striking contrast to the stern countenance he wears when war is in the air. The film enables one to make a close study of the British general, and everyone should make a point of seeing this up-to-date cinematograph picture. One of the most original films ever seen in Auckland, arid one around which a good deal of curiosity gathers, is that entitled “Why Girls Leave Home!” The explanation is given in a sidesplitting comedy,’ splendidly acted, and containing the most humorous situations. The comedy opens in a private office, where the typiste, the housemaid, arid the washerwoman in turn find a circular advertising the play “ Why Girls Leave Home,” which is being staged at the local theatre. On acquainting their lovers of their desire to see the play, arrangements are soon made for witnessing this stirring drama. It so happens that all three decide upon the same night, and the fun commences when the trio make their exit from the house one after the other, while the master is dozing in an armchair. The scene at the theatre is greatly amusing, the plump washerwoman being seated in the gallery with her “ boy,” while the other two occupy seats in the dress circle and orchestral stalls respectively. The play is one of dramatic incidents, in which the hated villain, the ruined woman and the gallant hero control the emotions of the interested audience. The play, however, is only a secondary consideration to the various expressions of sadness, alarm, hate, joy, etc., pictured on the faces of the audience, the occupants of the stalls, dress circle and gallery being shown at critical moments in the acting of the tragic production. The fat woman in the gallery is a whole play in herself, her grimaces and antics as the play proceeds being indescribable. Two very fine films are shown of “Cuiture in Hungary” and “ The Sea,” the latter being a most beautiful coloured picture. “ Tn the Watches of the Night” and “ The Patriot’s Daughter” are two dramatic films of considerable merit, which both appeal strongly to the audience. “ An Indian Runner’s

Romance” is the title of a powerful story, depicting an Indian’s victory over three American miner renegades. The fun portion of the programme is suppl ed in the films, “To Win the Carnegie Prize,” “ A Surgical Operation” and “ The Biter Bit,” all three of which cause a prolonged ripple of merriment. Mr. E. J. Burke’s orchestra, as usual, renders a most enjoyable musical programme as an accompaniment to the pictorial entertainment.