ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2238, 26 August 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Ready Money," the attractive comedy staged at tho Grand Opera House last evening by tlie J. C. Williamson ' Co. was the cause of much hearty > amusement, the numerous situations > created during the running of tho piece 1 heing appreciated to tho full by the audience. Owing to the management hav- ' ing found it necessary to curtail the \\ ollington season, a now piece will bo ; produced to-night. "The Argyle Case," a stirring detec- . tive drama which has been the sensa- . tion of both Europe and America durv wig the last year, will, be staged toi night. It is claimed for '"The Argyle i Case" that constructively it is. one of , t'hebest dramas ever staged, for whilst ; it is full of thrilling situations and rich with sensation, It carries a logical and sequential story, blessed ■with a ; pretty love theme, and with a happily ' conceived voin of comedy.. The box plan is now open at tho Dresden, and day sales for the stalls and gallery only, aro obtainable at Miss Lennox's, Grand Opera House buildings. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A number of vaudeville "turns" of distinct merit feature this week's programme at His Majesty's Theatre, C'ourtenay Place. "The Aerial Bartlett's" give a most daring exhibition of trapeze work. "Tho Four'Goldinis," a quartet of performers who feature dancing, acrobatic specialities, and ringsptoning, give an' interesting turn, while among tho other performers' are: "The Chipola Twins and Bear." Stan .Stanley, 'filly Dunbar, and others THE KING'S THEATRE. Of particular interest is the very fine picture .drama "Hinomoa," now being shown at the King's' Theatre. The pro r duction, which is the first drama ever made in this country, is a particularly line one, and is really worth paying a visit to The King's to see. The supporting pictures are excellent, and include an amusing picture comedy of W. W. Jacob's "The Bos'un's Mate," "A Song at Twilight"' (most effective little drama), and the Gaumont Graphic. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. "Fighting Blood of 1800'.'. is the title of the feature picture now showing at Everybody's Pictures in the old Opera House buildings, Manners Street. Tho film is a particularly fine one, and treats in a graphic manner of the stirring days in Napoleon's time. The programme also contains an abundance of subjects of. particular war interest. Other features are: "The Fatal Mailct" (a Keystone comic) and "Tho Pathe' 1 Gazette." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. At the_ Empress Theatre continuous pictures is now appearing the descriptive "feature" film, "In the King's Service," depicting life in the British Army and Navy. The screening of the subject occupios fully an hour, and introduces some fine spectacular scenes, including tho land forces carrying out manoeuvres just as in actual warfare, and a thrilling cavalry charge. The remaining items include "Tho'Benefactor" (I/üßin drama), "Cured" (A.B. comedy), and "Specimens of Wading Birds." The series will bo shown again throughout to-day and to-night. .. PATRIOTIC FUND LECTURE. Another channel has been found along which the patriotic citizens can help the Patriotic Fund. Mr. 0. R. Bostock,' of Fernhill, Hawke's ■ Bay, the well--known honey producer of that province, has undertaken to give, a lecturo in the Concert Hall *"on Thursday night on "The Wonders of the Honey Bee and the Modern Bee-Keeping "industry," illustrated with over 150 lantern slides. The slides will show many incidents both in the life of the bee and the beekeoper, of which the general public know but little. A number of th& slide* wero taken by means of micro-photo-graphy, and these show how tho bee's body is constructed and how its work is accomplished.' The entire proceeds will be devoted fo the Mayor of Wellington's Patriotic Fund. i'. -____ ( THE DANDIES, The return season of "The Dandies" gives promise of being as successful in every way' as their season of n few weeks ago. .The farewell vtfsit will only bo of six nights' duration, however. Tho company .will appear m the'Concort' Chamber of the TownN Hall next week, tho first performance hels<y food for next Monday evening.' "Tin? Dandies" have, such an extensive that two new programmes will bo presented next week. Apart from individual items, tho season will servo to in- | troduce several excellent concerted i numbora not previously submitted. The plan is now open at the Dresden. ''SAMSON AND DELILAH." Notwithstanding the . general- disruption that has followed the outbreak of international hostilities in the Old World, the Royal Choral Society has too far committed itself to, abandoiuits performance of Saint-Stfen's opera "Samson and Delilah." Rehearsals are being held regularly under the baton of Mr. Herbert Bloy, and the famous opera, which has never yet been heard in Now Zealand, will, it is hoped, bo given a satisfactory rendition on Friday, September 18. The full cast is as follows:—Delilah, Miss Mina Caldow; Sansom, Mr. Walter Kirby; High Priest,' Mr. Barry Coney; Abumelech and the Philistine Messenger (baritone), Mr. Fred. Twiss; First Philistine (tenor), Mr. P. Cutforth ; Aged Hebrew aild Second Philistine, Mr. F. B. Young. HARRY LAUDER. A career really unique is'{hat of Mr. Harry Lauder, who under the direction of Messrs. J. aiid' N. Tait makes his first appearance in Wellington on Saturday, September, 5. The famous comedian was born in Portobollo, a Buhurb of Edinburgh, but most of his ' childhood was spent in Arbroath. 1 In ' relating some of his earlier experiences as an entertainer he says:—"l was lor' ton years an amateur before I thought of making the- stage my profession. I used to go round singing at charity concerts, and a\ places like-that, never for a moment thinking that anybody would give me money for singing. Then it happened that they would ask mo to sing, and offer me half-a-crown, and a cup of tea, and two or three buns in a paper bag, and an orange—that was my night's salary, with the half-crown. Well, that was all right. I was working in the mines at tho time, getting from 35a. to 455. per week, and three or four half-crowns over and above that helped wonderfully. Then look at the joy I was deriving from singing my own songs. Finally I applied for a situation as a, comic singer with a concert party, and my application was accepted. The terms wore 355. a week. With this concort party I toured through Scotland — all through the little villages. The tour lasted for four months. I was a baggage man, too; in tho forenoon I went round the shops with handbills, ' and handed them over tho counter, telling them there was to be a concert that night. At dinner time I went to the works and gave tho men tho handbills as they wero coming out, and in the afternoon I went round the houses of tho gentry and gave them a programme —not a handbill. Then I wont back to tho hall and put up the scenery, and took tickets at the door before I did . my turn. Then 'after the performance , I hud to pock nil the bnggngo boforo I i went home." .To-day. Harry Lauder ia[i

the highest-salaried entertainer in the World, and he is visiting Wellington at tlio zenitli of his fame. The box plan opens at the Dresden on Monday next. PATRIOTIC CONCERT. Hie patriotism of Highlanders is well known and appreciated. They are nonanxious to assist in the augmenting of the War Fund, and the Wellington Society has secured the Town Hall for Saturday next for a, patriotic concert. Tho gathering promises to be one of the most successful held in Wellington. As many as eight performers will give exhibitions of Highland dancing at the samo time. Some of tho best vocal talent has come forward. The committee will announce tho completed programme in The Dominion to-morrow morning.