ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 14 July 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"A' MESSAGE FROM MARS."Surely Robert Ganthony's fantastic comedy "A Messace from Mars" must havo been inoculated—perhaps wo Bhould at this juncture say vaccinated—with tho bacillus of lone life. Unliko most comedies it fails to grow old and so far has never failed in Wellington. Tlio Hamil-ton-l'liniuier Company has to thank it for tho biggest house of tho season—and that, a successful season in any case. Everyone interested knows" A Message from Mars" almost by heart on account of its frequent revivals, and there is no need to recount the story of tho reformation of Horace Parker—tho most selfish man on earth—bv tho grim Martian. On. the whole the performance of the comedy was a cood one, better than some we have seen, but falling short of others in certain outstanding characterisations. Mr. H. It. Roberts, clever actor as he undoubtedly is, played Horace Parker on free and unconstrained light comedy lines, playing frankly for laughs throughout and getting them. That being so, it was scarcely conceivablo for the audienco to believe in tho all-engrossing selfishness of tho character, ond tended to make the Martian's diatribes on ."otlierdo'm" fall just a little flat. On tho lines selected, Mr. Roberts was quite successful, but ho was too pleasant to be tho real Parker. Mrs. Robert Brough was charming as Aunt Martha—always bright, natural, and interesting—and Miss Ena Collins mado quite a pretty and otherwise acceptable Minnie Templar. Tho Tramp of Mr. Arthur Styan was liardly up to the standard set by other exponents of the role. Ho was altogether too glib in his speech and inconsistent in manner to impress in tho great chanco that he .is given in his first-act scene with Parker, and was not too strict in his adherence to tho test. His death scene (in the dream act) was the reverse of convincing. ' Mr. Sidney Sterling mado a smart Arthur Dicey, and Miss Beatrice Day, Miss Kate Towers, Miss Muriel Dale, and Messrs. Paul Latham, Harry Plimmer, Cyril Bell, and Stuart Clyde were satisfactory in the minor parts. The company will journey to-day to Wanganui. THE DANDIES. Tho Dandies presented a change programme on Saturday night in the Concert Chamber to a good house. The item 3 given, including many old . favourites, i were quite up to the high standard maintained by this versatile band of entertainers, and hearty enjoyment on the part of the audience was evidence by tho almost continual laughter and warm applause. Mr. Joseph Brennan . mado u great hit with his suffragette sketch and was repeatedly recalled. "Nothing In It" was another of the songs given by this premier character entertainer, while ho showed great dramatic _ talent in a further item. Miss Lily Fitzgerald and Mr. Ford Waltham, in their characteristic manner, sang the duet "Where Aro You Going,"" while Mr. Waltham's rendering of "The Lost Flagon" was ono of tho attractions of t the programme. Tho humorous turns given by Mr. Athol Tier were contagious laughter-raisers, and this clever member of the company had to . make frequent visits before the footlights. Miss Peggy Ross, the "mezzo with a manner," had a number of pretty songs to sing in her usual dainty manner, and: Mr. Robert Agne.w and Mr. Frank Peachy contributed well-received items. "Hitchy Koo," with its Mite little swing, given by Miss Rita Fitzgerald and Mr. George Edwards, was another of tho principal attractions. The Dandies entertain at the Concert Hall every evening. THEATRE ROYAL. A complete change of programme will be mado at the Theatre Royal this even- • in?, when the Brennan-Fuller management presents, a full olio vaudeville entertainment. Several new artists are announced to appear, amongst whom aro "The Rolvoes," performers who come direct from England. They "introduce some daring feats in equilibrism, featuring some remarkable balancing ou a revolving pedestal. Mac and Maree, an American •team, will present a unique speoialty act embracing sinking, talking, dancing, tumbling, and acrobatic work. Other turns billed are: Helen Renby, serio and dancer; Tom Gerald, eccentric comedian; Lwhwootl and Renby, sketch artists; Gertie Johns, soubrette; Miss Vera Walton, balladist; Jennings and Gerald, burlesque comedy players in an original and novel not "The Actress and the Paperhanser"; Frank Sydney, jumper and whirlwind dancer; and Mathews and Mack. Theso American favourites will present another travesty "The Union Men," in whicti fivo performers take part.. . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. To-night's completo change of programme at this theatre is generous in length, and diversified as regards subjects. The leading feature \vill be the very latest French melodrama, "Great Possessions," which is stated to be quito the best of its'kind yet screened here. Tho plot is described as being unusually strong and attractive, and it develops amitl quite a plethora of stirring scenes, thrilling situations, and "hair-breadth 'scapes by land and sea," with, tho result that tho attention of the house is said to be riveted on the unfolding of the story from beginning to ehd. Other screenings will include: "The Photograph and the Blotter" (Edison drama), "Sister's All" (a fine dramatic series), "Rambles Through, the Bass Pyrenees" (a mountain scenic), "The Rivals" (comic), "Collecting the Bill" (comic), and the latest Gaumont Graphic. His Majesty's Orchestra will, accompany the screening. The box plan is at Cliristeson's.KING'S THEATRE. To-night's new programme makes a bold bit for public patronage. It is of unusual length and exceptional merit. The management is star-featuring three distinct pictures:,' firstly, "Mount Egmont," a superior-"toned" scenic, which, discloses views of Taranaki's famous beauty spot and its environs. The photography is said to bo very fine, and the film is undoubtedly one that should prove of special local interest. Secondly, there is "Till Death Us Do Part," a distinctly powerful drama, dealing with tho sacredness of the marriage vows. It tells an unusually interesting story of a man who has risen from practically nothing to some eminence, and is offere® still 'higher social honours on condition that lie di- / vorces his lowly-born wife. While he considers the question, their early days of struggle and adversity are brought back to him by means of an exceptionally good series of vision ■ effects. They disclose the nobility of his wife's character and conduct in time of stress and trial, and ho realises that his success in life lias been due mainly to'her guiding hand, selfsacrifice, and devotion. Altogether, the picture is beyond the average, and points a most excellent moral. Thirdly, is "Max Binder on Pancakes."- of course, in comedy vein, which shows the popular comedian to rare advantage. Other supporting films are: "Hadji, Upside Down, depicting a clover vaudeville turn; The Pawned Bracelet," a Ilubin drama; "Pilgrimage in the Crimea," an interesting scene ; "Puzzled," said to bo a very funny humorous film; and the latest "English Gazette." Tho screenings will be accompanied by the King's Orchestra, " THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Tho Price of Pardon," billed as a 1 "stylishly staged, powerful domestic drama," will bo ono of the features of tho new programme of tho Empress Theatre Continuous Pictures to-day and to-night. It is a story of a brilliant society lady whoso' selfishness causes sorrow in lier home. She is soon stricken with remorse, and makes a noblo sacrifice to gain her husband's pardon. Tho other "star" attraction is the A.B. Company's drama "The Stolen Loaf." Tho plot concerns a butler who steals a diamond necklace, and shifts tho blame on to another. Tho Edison Company's offering will be "With the Assistance of Shep," an amusing talo of a sagacious coliie. There aro soveral other entertaining Tiutpbers on the list. ORGAN RECITAL. The Sunday organ recitals in the Town Hall have been appreciated by a largo number of Wellington music lovers, and yesterday afternoon thero was an attendance of about 1500 to hear Dr. W. Kington Fyffo. The innovation of Sunday afternoon froo recitals has proved a distinct success, as tho audience yesterday was not alone composed of the floating population of Wellington. The programmo given was a very classical one, and tho pitting of a high character,