ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1848, 6 September 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

4 "MAN AND SUPEKMAN." G. Uern'ard Sliaw's comedy, "iMan and Superman," now beitiy played at tlio Opera Houso by the \Villiamson Company, is both intellcctCTii refreshment! and excellent fun. Abovo all, and first and foremost to tlio thinker, it is a philosophic preachment favouring Hho jettisoning of the cant and htimbut; with which modern society is afflicted. . This is cleverly conveyed in tho opening scene, wliero Violet Kobmsoir is pjx'sunietl to Jiirro-t]oits thaf whicfi she shoniu not have done, and whilst her friends and relatives aro calling tho tnuii rcspoiisiblo all tho evil names they can lay their tongues" to, they aro seeking to lind ways and means to make him marry the girl (to whom, by tho way, ho is already inarried). It is John Tanner, tho. rabid Socialist and freethinker, who points out tlio magnificcnco of their charity in wishing 'to marry tho girl to ono tlfey all consider an arrant knave and villai;i. Violet's announcement that sho is married acts liko a bomb amongst all these good people. John admits that they havo all been shamefully in tho wrong—all except Ann Whiteiield. who had acted kindly throughout. "\es," says Violet, "but then Ann knew I" That is bomb tlio second, for tho smooth oieurotic, hypocritical Ann has wittingly let tlio scandal run its full eourso, knowing perfectly well that thero was no scandal at all. It is John who measures up Ann as' a modern Circe, and brooks iiot to tell her flatly of her failings; yet Ann, sinuous and smug, smiles on as sho sets all lie'r feminine arts to attract tho one man who knows her deficiencies, and in tho end John falls a ripo victim into the thrilling arms of the eternal woman. If thero bo regular playgoers wlio know not- Shaw, "Man and Superman" will servo to enlighten them as to what they have missed. Tlio. final performance of the season will bo given this evening. NORWOOD, HYPNOTIST. Professor Norwood, ■ tho American hypnotist and mental telepathist, who created so much wonder and amusement in ■Wellington somo months ago, returns to tho Opera Houso for a brief season commencing on Monday evening next. Tlioso who attended Professor Norwood's entertainment n/ay remember tho achos resulting from tlio laughter created by his amusing hypnotic experiments with a committee of subjects selected from the audience. Sinco ho has been away Professor Norwood has toured Australia, tho Phillipines, and has visited Hong-Kong, and everywhere his entertainment has been received by applauding audiences. An Australian paper says of the entertainer that porliaps tho biggest compliment that could be paid to tho entertainers would bo to say that, keen though'the anticipation was, and. comprehensive tlio expectancy, no one was disappointed. Tho Norwoods aro genuine entertainers, and that they aro exceptionally clover as such not even tho most snake-hoaded " individual can deny. ■ Professor Norwood will be assisted by Miss Winifred Norwood, a mental telepathist, who performs marvels merely by the aid of mental suggestion. 'The programme on Monday evening will includo the picturesquo hypnotic sleighride and living statuary. Thero will be a complete change of programme each evening. On Thursday next Mr. Harry Wilson, a talented pianist, will-arrive from America to join Mr. Norwood Ono of his acts is to perform for hours whilst- in a hypnotic state. THEATRE ROYAL. As far as the' Brennaii-Fuller managempht is concerned, the Theatre Royal will bo occupied for tho last time this evening, and as the occasion is one of note in tho theatrical history of Wellington,, thero will probably bo a largo audienco present to hid good-byo te the old house. An attractive programmo; will be presented by Gloria Mayno, the Lyric Four, Georgo Dean, the Leopold Sisters, Ruby Wallace, Bryant and Bryant, aud Fred. Branscombe. THE SMART SET. The Smart Sot 'continues'to amuse largo audiences at tho Concert Chamber. The present programme includes a distinct novelty in Edward Elliott's humorous revue, "Kia'Ora, or Move Along, Please," a title as irresponsible as tlio actions and words of the numerous local characters introduced. Apart from tho revue, smart songs and sketches are contributed by Misses Georgio Martin, Mona Thomas, Maynard Dakin, Walter George, Ernest Parkes, Edward Elliott, and others. A' complete chango of programme is duo on Monday. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. • Tliis afternoon and this evening will be tlio last opportunities of witnessing that sterling dramatic picturo "Tho Heritage" which is notable for its plot, artistic sotting and colouring and tho fino quality of the acting of tlioso engaged in tho playlet. A matinee performance will ho trivon this afternoon. "EASTLYNNE." Next Monday evening at His Ma> jesty's Theatro the massive pictorial play, "East Lynne," founded 011 a new and unusually comprehensive dramatisation of tho widely read and popular novel of that namo will bo screened for tho first time in Wellington. ' Tho picturo is 7000 feet long, is 1 presented in fivo acts of 117 scenes, and ; is to all intents atjd purposes a complete entertainment. In England, "East 1 Lynne" is stated to bo 0110 of tho most ( popular favourites of tho season, while ' in Auckland, where it finishes to-night, ' it achieved a distinct success. ■ The 1 ■'Herald," writing.in criticism, said: ! "Seven thousand feet of film passed beforo tho eyes of tho audienco during the ' production of 'East Lynne.' . . . The story is to become world-famed in pictures. Miss Blancho Forsytho appeared as Lady Isabel Vane, and her wonderful impersonation brought tears to tho eyes of many. Not ono of the thrilling passages in Mrs. Wood's great novel was missing, and ( not ono of the many stirring incidents j lost any-thing of its charm. Tho costum- | ing was most elaborate and apparently no expense was spared when tho film j was produced." Special music will'accompany the screening which will be further embellished by an explanatory lecture. Tho box plans are at the Dres- : den. ■ KING'S THEATRE. j At tho King's Theatre some splendid E cinematograph pictures of tho wrecked p iteamer Devon nro being shown. Both J :o tlioso who have visited the wreck ahd T ilioso who liavo not, the picturo is of s ;reat interest. "A Regiment of Two," c i comedy picture, is ono of tlio best in c ts class seen for somo time past in j Wellington. Thero will bo a special j natineo performance at rcduced prices ( j ;his afternoon. j. During tile wholo of next week tho Jicatro will bo closed for a complete •enovation. It will bo reopened 011 Monday, September 10.' THE EMPRESS THEATRE, j The final appearanco is announced for • to-day and to-night of tho sensational f A.B. "feature" drama, "During. tho 1 Round-up"'and supporting programmo 1 jf tho Empress Theatre continuous pic- J fcuros. The plot of "During tho Roundtip" is associated with lifo on a big s liorso ranch, and actual scenes of a ranch aro introduced. Tho story has a ionsational climax in which a cowboy res;ucs a girl from a wagon drawn by two f bolting horses. There nro several other | enjoyable films' including "A Woman t of Impulse" (drama), "Buddhist Temples" (scenic), "Brick-making by Mndarasca' - Natives" (travel), "Tlio Blind t Domposor's Dilemma" (Kalem drama), j "Ji'infl leathers Make Fius Birds" (oom-J c

ocly), and "The Amateur Juggler" (comody). A now programme will be introduced on Monday when tlio "star" attraction will bo tho A.B. "feature" drama "Tho Reformers." . PUPILS' RECITAL, Tlie Courtenay Place Congregational Schoolroom was crowded last night, when the pupils of Miss Betty Purdom and Mr. J. Oulford Bell gave their annual elocutionary recital. Miss Nelly Castio and Mr. I''. Laycock also assisted •in tho evening's entertainment. The first-named was applauded for her rendering of tho "Slave Song" (Del Riego) and "Sunshine and Butterflies" (Bunning), wliilo Mr. Laycock did justice to Sullivan's "If Doughty Deeds," and "River of Years (jfarziale). Tho items contributed by Missl 'Purdom ("Joseph lledhorn's Toilet") and Mr. Bell ("Napoleon's Tomb"), earned a largo sharo of applause. Other items in tho programme were as followß-e- • citations: Miss Bertha. Cross, "A China Tragedy; Miss Zoo Large, "Tho Forsaken Merman"; Mr. H. Grant, "An Incident"; Miss Sanders, "Hero of tho Commune"; Miss M. Moyes, "The Freckle-faced Girl" ; Master L. Riddell, "Tho Gay Gordons ; • Miss M'lnernay, "Tho Rcquittal" ; MissJloller, "Gift of Tritemius"; Mr. Matthewson, "The Benediction." Musical monologue, Miss F. Bealo, "Roses." SUNDAY CONCERT. Tho Wellington Professional Orchestra, under tho conductorship of Mr. Christian Hellemann, is giving another of its popular concerts to-morrow evening at His Majesty's Theatre, commencing at 8.30. An attractivo programme has been arranged, and a silver coin collection will bo taken up.