ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1949, 5 January 1914, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"wrrnix THE LAW." The powerful American piny "Within the Law" was presented before a large and appreciative audieneo at the Opera rioii.se on Saturday night. .Miss Muriel Starr is excellent in the role of Mary Turner, and she takes full adiantage of the opportunities available in proving herself a very clever actress. The other principals also acquitted themselves well in the dramatic incidents, which are by no means infrequent. The season is to conclude on Wednesday evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Another big bunch of attractions is announced for the new programme to he presented at His Majesty's Theatre this evening. The star turn will bo that by the great Henri French, billed as the intoxicated genius on one wheel, and said to be one of. the most expensive acts that lias been imported by tho Brennar.-Fuller management. Other now artists are Jewel and Jordan, two whistlers of unusual ability; Carlton Max, ventriloquist, and Camielle Cameron, soprano; Myria Gale and Little Sadie, song and dance specialists. Irving Sales and Los Warton, tho coloured comedy duo, who havo already become, lirm favourites with Wellington . amusement ■lovers, will appear in now songs and patter. Leonard Nelso.i, comedian, singing his own songs; Maurice G'henoweth, tenor singer.; Neil Cant. S:otch comedian; and Franz and Maurice, sensational athletes, arc billed to make a complete, change. "THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBL'HG." To-night at the King's Theatre will see the first screening in Wellington of the "Battle of Gettysburg," 4500 ft. long. Tho realistic naturo of this reproduction of tho great three-days' light, of the American war tf rebellion is said to be remarkably tine. An Auckland contemporary remarks that it u difficult for spectators to believe that they are. not looking at photographs of the actual battle, of. fifty years ago. Centrals Lee, ' Grant, Meade, and Lincoln and other heroes are all impersonated by people bearing .striking resemblance to the originals. The "New York Tribune" said: — "Here is undoubtedly the greatest spectacular film yet. produced. Nearly three reels of tho-five which go to make up the fine military drama aro battle scenes, with every scene- a gem in itself and spectacular enough to carry an ordinary production. Yet so varied aro the scenes and they aro kept so short that at no time do' they get tiresome. That- ought to be- enough for anybody. When nearly 5000 ft. of battle aro good enough to rivet the attention all the way, there is something in that film. The Now York Motion Picture Company has for a long time been noted a,? the best producer of spectacular films. This film is that concern's greatest, effort, and it is the product of a master." Suitable- nuisic of martial character by tho King's Orchestra will embellish tho screening. A number of other fino pictures, including one of tho American athletes in action, will act as a'series of curtain-raisers to tho big star feature. Box plans arc at the Dresden. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Tho Foreman's Treachery," a lengthy Edison "featuro" drama, will bo the outstanding attraction at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures today, when a complete change will bo presented. The plot is described as an exciting one, dealing with mining life in tho Wild West. The play, it is stated, is realistically produced, and tho situations are tense. The Vitagraph Company's drama, "A Kiss of Retribution," is the next in importance on the bill. This is reported to be n capital story with a- caste comprising all the Vitagraph Company's leading players. ".South Bong," a travel subject of unusual merit, will ,bo among tho best studies. The A.J.V Company's farcecomedies. "The Somnambulist," and "Mixed Xuts" arc reputed to be two of the most laughable picture-plays imaginable. . There will be a number of other subjects.

BRITANNIA THEATRE. A drama of human interest "Man and Woman" is the star feature subject of a new programme to bo screened to-day at 11 a.m. at tho Britannia Theatre. The story is one of moro than ordinary strength. James Clark, an ambitious young lawyer, is so engrossed in business that he neglects his wife, and she seeks companionship elsewhere. She discovers that her conduct is wrong, and returns to her husband. But Carl Liobchcn, the musician, with whom she had become attached, commits suicide. Tho wife discovers the body, and secures letters that incriminate Jierself. Another is charged with the murder. James Clark, is engaged to plead for him. How he succeeds at his wife's reputation, is stated to afford a scene of exceptional strength. Supporting sub; jects include, "The Farmer's Daughter," "Two Cowards," "Love and Potatoes," "Topical Budget," "On Mount fit. Gothard," etc. THE ART OF JOHN M'CORMACK. Tho tenor who wins his way into publie favour on his merits must liavo as his passport to popularity either rare beauty of voice or captivating beauty of slyle. If he combines the. two high orders of beauty and has in addition emotional warmth, persuasive •grace, and an attractive personality, ho will be recognised and appreciated' as a perfectly equipped artist who is always worth listening to. On tho test points of voice, culture, temperament, and charm, Mr. John M'Cormack, who is giving a series of concerts under the management of Messrs. J. and N. Tait, is credited with all the essential qualities of a first-class singer. While under the spell of John M'Corraack's voice and John M'Cormack's art, what may be called tho technical side of singing is said to be forgotten, and the mystical cant of tho so-called "schools" of voice production is blown to tho winds. The art of singing, as personified by John M'Cormack, is to sing with sincerity, spontaniety and expressiveness. If you do not, know what bcl canto means, it is said that one can have an illuminating lesson in "beautiful singing" by listening to John M'Cormack. An. imaginative American critic wrote a .few months ago: "Tho unsullied lyric voice of M'Cormack, with its tender grace and its melting sweetness, is the voice one would expect to find on somo enchanted island. Faultless in his style this melodious Lohengrin of song amid the half-forgotten traditions of tho world's groat lyric tenors seems to sing more by instinct than by any fixed rides of art. Sometimes concealed, and never, paraded, the art is there all the time. In tho simplicity of John M'Cormack's singing of a song that reaches tho heart therc'.is vocal skill of tho most adinjrable kind and something moro exquisite still in the controlled fervour of a nature which is moro attuned to the tender stops of pleading pathos than to violent outbursts of grief or passion." Mr. M'Cormack, and the artists assisting him, will give the first of tho two Wellington concerts at the Opera House on Friday evening next. Tho box plan opens at the Dresden to-morrow.