ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 5 October 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

• « — "THE GRIP Or ALCOHOL." The vahio of tho kinematograph as an eciiiciitionat factor has long'been recognised, and, latterly, its inlliiciKu on morals has formed tho subject of many a discussion. Thoeo who uttvmlcd Ui'e Opera Houso kst evening k> witness I'atho Freros's latest creation, "In the Grip of Alcohol," had an example, of how (lie kinematograph may exert a beneficial inlluciicc. This plrelo play is remarkable not only for whatever ethical value it may have, but also for tins setting anil mounting, and alto for the acting, wliielt in many scenes is inteiix , . Tliu principal role—that of tho clerk who becomes addicted to drink—is played by Jacques Normaiid, a noted French actor. Th:.' iirst scene shows this clerk a happy and prosperous man with his wife and family. Thou the scene is changed, and one is shown of the drink sUiro beginning and growing. Dismissal from his employment follows. This straightens him temporarily, and lie jM-omites to renounce drink, but it is a futile promise, mid the next lapws como in due course. To satisfy his waving he goes so far as to use the rent money, and, on arriving home, ho finds the bailiffs in po.ss.cssion. Eight years are supposed to elapse, and his sou, who has grown to be a young man. without a father's guidance, is now consorting with the lowest associates. The fattier, too, has become worse, and his little daughter is attacked l.\v consumption. His wife- appeals to her brother for help, but the money given her is seized by her helpless and hapless husband and spent on drink. One uight ho arrives homo in his usual condition, but the mother's cup of grief is not filled until, shortly after, the son bursts in pursued by the police, and is arrested for burglary. She can stand m more, and, lying down on a bed with lic-r sick daughter, she- burns some chemical, with fatal results for both. The husband, finding the door locked, begins to raise, an outcry. He disturbs a neighbour and when the door is ultimately broken in the two discover (lie bodies of the wife and child. In despair the drunkard rushes to a saloon, swallows drink after drink, then stands up, and by the look on his I'aeo one realises that reason has fled. Tho final scene shows him in a padded cell. The programme also includes "An Excursion Dirigible," "Boiling Melons," "That Old Cannon," and Mrs. Beccher Stowe's famous story of American slavery, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." THEATRE HOYAL. There was another largoi audience at tho Theatre Royal last night, to witness the performance of Pullers' Vaudeville Company. The Australian danssu.se, Mabcile, inado her first appearanc;, and if.is an. instantaneous success. Possessing graco of movement and charm, she gave some very-neat steps on ft (speciallyprepared dancing mat, and at the conclusion of her turn she was warmly applauded. Another popular artist was Miss Lily Vocklor, motto balladist, and acceptable items wero contributed by a number of others. The prograramo will bo repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "Tho Mystery of a Hansom Cab," a fine picture, representation of Fergus Hume's story at present being screened at His Majesty's Theatre, has attracted big crowds during tho past low nights and last evening the house was again (illcd. To-night, the usual bi-woekly change of programme takes place, when a new series will l>e shown, embracing a wide range of interesting subjects. "Tho Mystery of a Han-.oin Cab" will bo shown for three wore nights. THE KING'S THEATRE. " r Dtn .Nights in a Bar-room" and "Undo Tom's Cauiii" were the matures oi we moving picuire 'bill of fare at tlie Kings Theatre iabt nigtit. These two Mibjceit, supplemented with a number of uiuer goou tiiins, attracted a large crowd to tho entertainment. Tno programme was shown U) tho accompaniment of 'music- by Uia King's Lyric Orchestra, To-night (Vest's ami Iloyal Pictures will present a number of new features. " THE NEW THEATRE. Tho continuous picture show at'the Theatre, was well patroni.'Wl again yesterday; ihe current progrumniu being very popular. It will bo repealed tor tno last time to-day. To-iuorrow a number of specially-selected new iitius will bo screened. BIJOU THEATRE. Tho management of the Bijou Theatre have decided to run a bi-wcelciy change of programme on Saturdays and Wtiliiesdays. Last night tho house was well lined, aud among the pictures screened were several very line tconie subjects, notably a "Trip in a Aerial I'aeiit, , ' "Oiimpsis of BurmcttO Liie," "Snapshots in Luueek," and 'Tompcii." An interesting subject was that entitled "Scientific Billiards." The dramatic and Cuinic items were of good class. On Sunday nest tho proprietors intend giving a special ontertainmt'iit, tho proceeus of which are to bo devoted to. the hospital fund. The performance will conmienco at 8.15 p.m., and admission will i.v silver coin. A capital programme is being arranged, the films to be mainly Biblical subjects by Patlio Frcrcs, with a lew industrial and scenic items added. "OUK MISS GIBBS." How Mary Gibbs, the unsophisticated young lady from Yorkshire, arriving in London, was installed at Garrod's stores as head of the llower department and subsequently marries Arthur, a quondam bank clerk—in reality the eldest son of the pompous Earl of St. lvcs—is the story to be told by Miss Blanche Browne and the other clever people of J. C. \\ illiamson's Iloyal Comic Opera Company, who will appear at the Opera House on Wednesday next, for the following twelve. ni»hts. The music of "Our Jlks Gibbs" is by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton, both eminent in musical cc-medy. Amongs-t many, the following numbers will pro bablv find most ready acceptance: •y.ly Yorkshire Lassie," by Mr. Andrew Higeinsonj "Hats" I)}' Miss Nellie AVilsou; "Mary," by Miss Blanche Browne. Mr. Leslie Holland's rendering of "Hughic," and "Arms and the Man, , by Miss Connie Milne. In the duets, "Country Cousins," with appropriate patter and business' by Miss Browne and Mr. Bertie Wright, and "Not That Sort of Person, bv Miss Browne and Mr. Holland. \ip-i-addy-i-ay" and "Moonstruck. In the latter Miss Browne, assisted by _ (he roval ballerinas, as pierrots, revel in. the moonlight to tho plaint ol a haunting air and graceful dance accompaniment. The Box plans for the lirst six lughts of tho soason will bo opened at tho Dresden on Saturday next at 9 o'clock, lira curtain wiU rise each evening at anuarter to 8, tho play concluding at 11 o clock.