ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2237, 25 August 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "A German Invasion" occurred at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. 1c I was not a very serious attack, and was eventually repelled. While it lasted, it kept the audience merry. Briefly, I tho Gorman intruder was an army ofiicor, whom an English girl insisted on marrying. Her aunt employed a rab-bit-seller' to oust the enemy. The ordinary weapons of war failed to kill tho Gorman, but a sight of the Union Jack brought him to earth. Misses Tilly Dunbar and Daisy Merritt, and Messrs. Nat Phillips and Dan Dunbar enacted "the invasion."- The new programmo at the house of vaudeville is a very interesting one. Tho Baftletts .provide a dazzling aerial act. Their tricks are amazing, daring and sensational, and the woman of the company displays in an attractive manner her extraordinary strength. The Four Goldinis are Spanish dancers and acrobats, and give an extraordinary exhibition of' ring spinning. Their turn is good and somewhat unique. Stan Stanley's Hebrew songs and stories are a good feature of the bill; and the' music of the Millar Sisters is pleasing. Miss Jessio Millar is a fine cornet player, who also extracts beautiful music from her piano accordion. Miss Dolly Millar is ono of the quaintest of singers and prettiest of dancers. _ The Chipola Twins and Bear make their first appearance in a novel act. . Among the other artists ivho Krace the bill.are: Phillips and Merritt, Uirdon and Day (pantomime cyclists), £• m-V, d Kennedy (vocal ducttistsV Miss Tilly Dunbar (character 'comedienne), and the New York .Comedy Four.

. ( , "HINEMOA." ' „"? c inel ? oa i" the.most beautiful of ail Maori love - legends, was portrayed in picture form at the King's Theatre last night, and the production may well be classed one of the. most ambitious cinema efforts yet attempted in this country By arrangement with the New Zealand Government, the producer, Mr. Geo. H. To-rr, was able to have the legend photographed over the traditional spots on. Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island, and the scenes actually include Hmomoa's Bath, which took its name from the legend. The story has been enacted for the camera by a picked cast ■of oO Natives, selected from.the Rev. F. Bennett's notable Maori choir, the part, of the heroine being cleverly played by Hora Tawhai. An additional touch of the romantic is given to the film by orchestral selections from Mr.' Alfred Hal s compositions. The story principally concerns Hinemoa, the beautiful daughter of Umukaria, ohief of the tribe which lived on the shores of Lake Rotonia, and Tutanekai, a Maori youth of Mokoia Island, whoso baa- sinister prevented him from openly aspiring to the hand of such a noble maiden as Hinemoa, In those days the liaka often kindled the first spark of love in the youthful breast, and, although Hinemoa was wooed by many great, chiefs, it came about' that Tutanekai won the way to her heart by bis masterly dancing 'of the haka on the occasion of a gathering of the tribes. Every obstacle was placed in the! way of the' match when Hinemoa's choice became known, but lovo proved stronger than maiden modesty, and, in order to be iinited to the bridegroom of her own desire, the heroine swani the three miles to the.island nnd was there married, to Tutanekai. The legend, which runs .remarkably well on the screen, was received with warm approval last night, and is sure to'attract big bouses during the week. It is supported by several other.capital films, one of particular interest being "Exercise and : Tests .. of Strength-in the French Army." A Charming drama by the Majestic Company,, entitled "A Song at Twilight," also figures on the ''-programme, and there ore two highly amusing comedies. "The IWun's Mate".(W. W. Jacobs) and "Tho Misadventure of -a Mighty Monarch" (VitagrapM. Other subjects are "The Birth of Plants" and "The Gaumont Graphic." ' EVERYBODY'S PICTURES." By this time all lovers of animated pictures are conversant with tho style of-tho popular Keystone comedian, Mr. Shaplin. who in the sphere of farce is as'popular as dainty Mary Pickford is in pictorial drama. Of the two the. come-' dian produces -more tears —tears born of laughter that comes too quick. Ono of the feature pictures this week at the Old Opera House is' built- round the comic personality of tho famous comedian and acrobat." "The ■ Fatal Mallet" is not. the best of farcical pictures of the Keystone brand, but Mr. Sllaplin is funny enough to keep one giggling incessantly the- whole way through. A topical picture is a very fine review of theTiclgian Army, which has proved to a world that She possesses troops as brave as any that wear uniform, and thero • is perhaps nothing which has surprised Germany more than the check the' Belgians .nave offered. The troops are shown on parade, and manoeuvring. .One picture, shows the Belgian cavalry climbing a perpendicular cliff as flies do a wall. Some excellent views of Brussels, and' one of the Crown Prince of Germany (reported amongst the kilted at Liego) add much to the interest of the new programme. "The Fighting Blood of 1809'-' is the title 1 of a lengthy dramatic picture, depicting the rise of the Tyrolese under Andreas Hofer, and the gallant fight his mountain people made against the', troops of Napoleon. I "The Naval Review off Spithead," reflects 'the grim glory of England afloat, on which the prestige of Great Britain as a first-class Power now depends. "There is beauty even in ugliness,'.' says tho witty Gilbert in "The Mikado," and as., one passes down the long sea-lane (kinematqgraphically), an impression of grave dignity and grim-importance is gained from the squat grey Dreadnoughts. The whole scene is'.most impressive. THE EMPRESS. THEATRE. "InHho King's Service,!' a lengthy film of the British Army and Navy, occupied prido of place in the new programme introduced yesterday at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. In the opening scenes the land forces are seen carrying out manoeuvres as if in actual warfare. There are attacking skirmishes, counter-attacks by infantry, bayonet rushes, and spectacular cavalrycharges. The naval brigade artillery is shown at gun practice, rushing the quick-firers to the front, and shelling the enemy. A fine military and naval pageant exhibits various detachments of soldiers and sailors of Britain from the days of Drake to the present day. His Majesty King George is witnessed embarking on tho flagship of the Home Fleet preparatory to putting to sea. Next the fleet is shown at battle practice. Huge Dreadnoughts pour volley upon volley with their big guns upon the attacking ships, while the destroyers and submarines play an important part in the. operations. A fine spectacle is prcsonted by the mammoth superDreadnoughts steaming in a long lino and rolling lazily as,they encounter tho big waves out at sea. Tho production is most, complete and provides a full hour of entertainment and instruction. Tho auxiliary films include: "Tho Bonefactor" (Lubin drama), "Cured" (A.B. comedy), and "Specimens of Wading Birds" (Nature study). THE DANDIES. Tho excellent entertainment provided by "Tho Dandies" affords effective relief from the- train engendered by tho stressful conditions which prevail at present. Mr. Edward Branscombo's very fine company will renew their liappy acquaintance with the Wellington public next Monday evening at the Town Hall Concert Chamber. "The Dandies" will be heard in an entirely new budget of the latest successes, and although the return sc-aeou is

limited to six nights, opportunity will be found in that time to present two now programmes. Tho repertoire of "The Dandies" contains'many excellent numbers; not presented on their first visit, but which willfbe submitted next week. The plan opens at the Dresden to-morrow morning.

THE HUGH BUCKLER COMPANY. Tlie Hugh Buckler Dramatic Company from tho Little Theatre (Sydney) are giving great satisfaction in Auckland, where tho business is'reported'to be growing nightly, despite the prevailing depression. The company is producing such interesting plays as Sir ,A. \V. Pmero's masterpiece, "His House in Order," Bernard Shaw's "Fanny's First Play," Arnold Bennett's "The Great Adventure," and Brinsley Sheridan's dohghtful and brilliant old comedy "The School for Scandal." The Auckand_ season will finish on August 29, but instead of playing the small towns tho company will come on to Wellington, and after.a brief rest (occasioned by the dislocation of the tour), will open here with "His House in Order"' on Saturday, September 12.

"THE SILENCE OF DEAN MAITLAND." MacMahon's New Theatre, • which for a long time past has -been known simply as-the New Theatre, will be reopened on Saturday next, under the management of Mr. Charles MacMahon, in a guise that will surprise even the most ardent of its old patrons.' Since Mr. MacMahon has resumed command and purchased the lease of-the establishment, it bids fair to once more resume its place' among the most attractive places of entertainment in.the town. The whole premises have been renovated from top to toe,l and re-lighted, reseated with -ho most modern seats, and { re-painted and re-organised throughout. •It is now a cosy little palace of comfort, 'which for daintiness and convenience will be hard to surpass. Tho programme is to bo in keeping with the good- resolutions of the new building, for the management has secured the ox-, elusive rights of a series of very special films. The first of these, to be shown Hi the opening night, will be a magnificent dramatisation in picture form of Maxwell Grey's celebrated novel, "The Silence of Dean Maitland," a-tragic and' dramatic story of an intensely appealing nature, which lends itself with peculiar appropriateness to picture presen- r tation., and supported.by ! a strong pro-' grammo" of general subjects', it Bhould form a fine opening for the new and commodious theatre. '