ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1959, 16 January 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG." • "The Count of Luxembourg," which is to bo staged dnrinf; tlio first five uights of J. C. Williamson's new comic opera company season, which begins on Wednesday night next, enjoyed a run of over 500 nights in London. In Syd.noy'nnd Melbourne it attracted play<£*pora for ovor six months, and in AuckInnd recently it had great success. "Autumn Manoeuvres," the military ' musical comedy, which is to bo presented on Tuesday, January 27 and four following nights, proved one of the biggest triumph « produced in England during recont years. The opening performance of the "Count of Luxembourg" at Daily's Theatre, London, was ;B great event, as the- King and Queen were present. At the conclusion of the production King Georgo sent for the composer, Franz Lehar, and cpmplimentcd him <n the success of his work, adding that the music of "Tho Merry W.idpw" ■ had charmed nnd delighted him, but that in his music of that nicht he had cortainly gone, ono better. Picturesque incident, delicious humour, artistic singing, and good acting blended in barmpnious proportions, and. skilfully interwoven with an interesting story and haunting melodies aro ; it is said, the delightful features which were responsible for tho long runs enjoyed everywhere by."The Count of Luxembourg." The part of Angolo Didier, ii is said, gives Miss Florence- Young every opportunity to display her rich and beautiful soprano voice-to the fullest advantage, and Celia Ghiloni, Dorothy Brunton, and Frank Greene aro nlso at their very best in. the new opera. The comedians, Messrs. Phil Smith, Kcbert Whyte, jun., and Victor Prince have an abundance of opportunities for fun-mnking, of which they take full advantage. Special interest will centre in the appearance of Vlasta Novotna, the Russian dancer, who created quite a furore in Auckland recently. Positivelv only tho five, performances can bo given of tho "Count of Luxembourg," ns, on Tuesday, January 27, "Autumn ■Manoeuvres," the tuneful comic opera will be staged. 'In this opera the company is said , to be at its very best. The story, is said to bo exceedingly, interesting and tho comedy element is one of its features. The plans will be opened at the Dresden on Monday morning nt nine o'clock. 'A "queue will bo , form;cd from 8 a.m. • • ''THE KING'S. THEATRE.- '•■ -The'-pictorial version of ;: "A Message from. Mars"''is proving, a great attraction at the King's Theatre this week. I'ho film preserves all the charm of the play, with vastly enhanced spectacular effects. Tho picture will bo. shown to-night-mid to-morrow night. There, will bo a matinee exhibition on Saturdav afternoon. , - * ; HIS .' MAJESTY/S THEATRE. A very clever company of vaudeville artists .are appearing this week at His Majesty's Theatre. "Huntress," a dancer of exceptional merit, gives an exhibition such as may seldom- be seen on. tho vaudeville etago in this country;' Henri French, by hi 3 sensational and eccentric' antics, on various erazy single wheels, puzzles and astonishes tho crowds who see him., and the Sister's Straubb have a novel and amusing sketch. In a long programme thero is not a- single turn that is dull.

BBITAN'NIA THEATRE. A striking picture- entitled "The Dragon's Breath" ie included in the chango programme at the Britannia Theatre. It deals with the deadly opium habit, and depicts the downfall of an', attractive- young woman. Tlie principal character is well represented, and convincing acting lends a ; touch of realism to. the; picture. .A young v 'wopian is , married to. a college "professor, and tho.pair live- , ' happily 'together when first marvied. The processor's duties claim a good deal : ot' his time, and the young wife finds, time hang-heavily on her hands. She is thrown a. good deal..-in contact with'a number of /Chinese servants, the-'scene evidently, being in the weinity of San Francisco. , On one occasion she- visits; a. sick Chinese servant, and in-idle curiosity picks up an opium pipe. The insidious fumes first repel, then, attract, her, and, urged on by cupidity, the. Chinese supply the young woman with opium, till she becomes a slave of/the pipe. Realising, her degradation,, she allowe her husband to think she has been, burnt,to.death in a fire which-tates. place on the.estate. For five years the Luß.band is uphold by belief in his wife's purity I and faithfuls ness, and is -eventually raised to the position of Governor of the State. Tho unhappy woman sinks lower and lower, arid is seen iii the grip of tho demon of desire in a Chinese elum, where stealthily she feeds her unnatural cravingEventually she is discovered, and the picture.ends somewhat unhappily by tho husband leaving her sunk in drugged sleep, induced by. the opium. An amusing picture in tho programme is entitled "A Muddy Romance," in which n number of persons go through various adventures of a laughable kind. "A Delightful Dolly" is a pretty story, while "Gaumont-. Graphic" contains many views of. great interest. The other filmV aro all'good. Hie. programme will be continued to-day.

.;; EMPRESS THEATRE. . The , new programme yesterday at the Empress Theatre 'Continuous Pictures included : a stirring A.B. "feature" dr3ma entitled "In .the Elemental World." Tho leading characters in tho plot are a hunter and his wife- who nro lost in tho wilds of a dense North AnieHc'.iu forest, and owing to the absoiico of game they aro threatened with starvation. The mail leaves the woman who has become delirious to make another desperate effort to- 6iid food. When the woman recovers she imagines that, she has been.deserted, and goes in quest of of help. She meets another hunter, who • has. a small: supply of food, and' he gladly succours her. Eventually ' she. falls asleep, and the stranger also dozes, but subsequently sho wakes and' with the olemontal instinct of. self-preservation, she steals tho stranger's provisions and riflo and decamps. The man awakens shortly afterwards, and discovers the theft. The womaii, in her hurry to escape, scumbles over the edge of a cliff, but she manages to retain hold of bush while she loudly calls for help. The' stranger rescues her, but finds that she lias dropped the riflo over tho cliff, and it is hopelessly damaged. He allows, tho woman to go on her way, and she meets her husband who has procured a quantity of food for both. After their meal tho husband falls, asleep. The woman, filled with remorse, steals her husband's rifle, and a portion of their food, which she takes to'tho-stranger. When the husband awakens he demands that his v.'ifo ohall tell him what she has done with his rifle and the food. The woman confesses tho truth, tolling her. husband how,she owed her lifo twice over to tho stranger whom she had cruelly robbed. As they nro now out of danger from starvation thn hunter forgives Ilia wife. "Tho Hindu Charm," a Vitagraph mystic' dramn; "Reaping a Harvest," a stirring Comet, drama; ''The Baby Elephant," tricks by a circus elephant.; "Trout, Fishing," interesting sporting study ; and number of comedies' complete the series. "THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS." Tim painting with 'tho peculiar property which causes the mysterious emblematic shadow to appear in it is being exhibited over.v afternoon in Harcoiirt's rooms by Mr. Edwin Kilpatrick. Daily fresh crowds <-f curious people, man'y more or less sceptical, go to £M it, and ull cuuie away puzzled and mystilied.'