ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2155, 22 May 1914, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"AT CRIPPLE CREEK;" Tlio bright ami breezy Wild Western drama "At Cripple Greek" entertained a largo audience at the Opera House last evening. Tlio mauagemOßt presents this play in first-rato style, and with a s cast that is adequate in every respect. 31r. Cyril Mackay contributes a winning porformanco as Joe Mayfield, a simple, honest miner with ail tlio virtues to bp expected in a hero. Ho is richly endowed to adorn such parts, and lias a itico turn for comedy. Miss Nell Holroyd is as bright as aluminium as Maggie Mason, and iittlo Vera Hti.ggett does very well in a character which sho dresses out of keeping with tlio setting. Miss Pearl Smith is sweet and ladylike as Bella Gordon, and Mr. Frank Neil does well enough as Reggie liarwood, of Boston, who is looking for gold, and finds it in sweet tittle Maggie Mason. "At Cripple Creek" will bo played agftin to-night and to-morrow night, and on Monday that arresting drama, "For tho Term of His Natural Life" will be presented for the first t-iffio for many years. Sir. Mackay will appear as Kufus Dawes, Sir. Herbert Leigh as Captain Frerfi, Mr. V. Edwards as the I'm-. John North, and Mr. J. P. O'Neil as Gabtett.

THE ORANGE DANDIES. Tho execrable weather is having little effect on tho size of the audiences tlsit are finding intoita entertainment at the | Town hLuii Concert Chamber on theso bitter muter 'sights. Tl» Orange Dandies succeed ill creating a warm, genial atmosphere that deiies the weather, and melts the chilliest of audiences into laughter and applause. I'ho third programme presented last evening is even better than the last week's offering, and was right up. to the standard of tlio opening bill, 'i'he loader <rf tlio comedy corps—tho Dandies' aro rich in purveyors of musical comedy—Mr. Iloland Henry, hopped into favour last evening in his comic song "Our Wedding," in i which his prehensile fingers pointed tho jokes with a humour that tickled all present. Ettco-rcs were, of course, demanded, and generously given by tho clever comedian. Sir. Andrew Paeo is another finished performer, whoso work holds good under the most critical analysis? His contribution to the first part was, "I AVant to Gb to tho Beautiful Country," which was sung \viih_ a polish and subtle humour aliko admirable. Tho two comedians were associated later' in the clover comic duet "So ■Very Refined." 'Mr. Pace making up capitally as a dear old lad.y with silver hair: ■' Tho effoetivftMss of tlio duet gained by tho restraint both artists exercised. The big ensemble voca.l number was tho famous sostetto from "Lucia di Lanimermoor,"which was really admirably sung. Mossrs. Henry, Webster, and Taylor got tnorry. iii "Three Gay Sparks," and tho, concerted number "I'd Liko to Gazo Upon Your Sunshade" was neatly pantomimed. 'Mr. Goo. 'Taylor revived tho ancient "BalljMnony," and with Naomi M'Quoin, who appeared as a caddy, built up a clever golfing sketch with tho song "Jones of tho Lancers" as _a basis. In tho first part MisS M'Qiioin scored in tho so'ubretto soiig "Green Ribbons." Miss Ethel Walker sang '"Ecstasy," and, with Jiiss Liiido Bradford and David Lyle, tho trio "Came, Let TJs Sail." Miss Linda Bradford, a strong soprano, sang Frances AJlitzen's "Song of Thanksgiving" with heart and sincerity, and responded with a daintv little, sang all about a maid and a kiss, &. David Lyle Jras a fuio resonant toijor voice, and sings some songs admirably. lie rather lacks a. sonso of cliinax,, and hardly . realises tho poetry of, some of tlio songs should convey. This was the case jn Balfe's beautiful song "Con-M Into the.Garden, Jlaud.", In the- charming dact "Beyond the Meadow Gate," sung with Miss Bradford, Mr. Lyks was heard to distinct advantage, and the niozzo-voce effcct in the final bar or two was artistically* modulater}. Mr. Harry Webster, chortlcd merrily about "Tlio.Ragtime Navvy," and had to sing mom. "Militant' Suffragettes" made a comic finale.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. J "Tho Wa-Mroiis," comedy skotcli aiv tists, made their first appearance an.: His Majesty's Theatre last wetting and' quickly justified tlieli* existence as capable rough and tumble burlesque mummers. They presented a burglar sketch, in which the- principal comedian, who lias a mania for wrestling, imjKrswt-. ates a burglar t.O frighten a particularly vigorous and bosom servant maid, who wishes t<J get rid of lvim so that silo might entertain lier favourite police* man. The sketch is wildly absurd, but tho knock-about business is dev-tfr and the three Waldrens are oil good laugh-ter-getters.- Charles Z-oli, the clever singer of Dago ditti.os, is also mi the bill once more, which is a cheery circumstance-. Other performers on the programme are: Knowles and Lee, Denis Carney, La France, Carlton Masj Fernandey ;.iml May, and Josephine Gassmann and her piccaninnies.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Tho great popularity of tins present exceptional programme at the King's Thoatro is responsible for crowded attendances nightly. Tho star picture, which illustrates "London by Day and Night" on an ostoiisivo scale. ' from Windsor Castte, • the homo of Royalty, to tho hovel of the pauper in tho" Bast End, is instructive and entertaining, and of educational value. A firm favourite with tho audience is tho capital film of the ,'Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase, which provokes enthusiasm. Mftny other excellent pictures are shown. A special matinee for schools and others will be hold to-morrow afternoon at 2Xi, THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Heartsease," _ a beautifully-staged drama by the \ itftgrapii. Odiiipaiiy, is tho foremost "draw" of the change ;of programme introduced at the Empress theatre yesterday. In the opening scene a charming French girl is tending her flower-bed. in whieii is planted some heartsease, when an English tourist, having lost his way, makes inquiries from the. girl. This chance meeting leads tip to « lore- match. The couple _ wed, and take tip their residence in the Englishman's mansion iu his own country. Years pass, and tho husband's cold nature causes tho young wife to pine for her native land, an 3 her heartsease flower-bed. Her sole comfort is her second son, v. ho clings to his mother and sympathises with her in her sadness. The husband makes a favourite of his elder son, who is robust and manly.- The husband considers tin other boy too effeminate. Later on tho mother dies, and although tho years slip by the second sou is inconsolable. Ho treasures his mother's photograph and is not interested in the sports amipastimes of his brother. One night the mansion catvhes 011 fire, and the occupants have scarcely time to escape with their lives, Tiio father is glad to see his t\yo boys hov-e'escaped,'but to his astonishment tlm second son ge.es back amidst the (lames to resclio J-.i.is'mother's photograph. The bravery of the boy in lacing almost certain death awakens within the father a realisation' of the heroic and lovable cluvractcir of tho second son. The lad'emerges from the tottering building with the treasured photograph, and is clasped to his bosom by his father. A story of u wi-dely-difl'ercut setting is tho Knlem Company's spectacular Indian dvamn "His Indian Nemesis." This narrative is convincing. A word of commendation is also duo to; "The Shadowgraph Message" (8. .and A. drama), "An Itinerant Wedding" (A„K. comc-dy), "Simple Simon's Family Drama" (comedy), and ■ ".The Skittle Match" (farce-comedy). .