ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2247, 5 September 1914, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

HARRY LAUDER. At tho Grand Opera House this even* iii{! Harry Louder will conimonco his Wellington senson. Mr. Laudor and his company arrived from tho south this morning nfter a most successful season in Cliristchurch. Owing to the early arrival of tho steamer, it was impossible- to hold any formal reception, but this evening tho pipers of tho Scottish Society will escort Mr. Lauder from Ills hotel to the theatre. The first part of the programme-this evening will be provided by tho supporting artists, including tho Threo Hassans, acrobats and high-wire performers; Irene Bercmys, cymbalist, assisted by Yoska, a celebrated Violinist; Selwyn in humour at the piano; Miss Kitty Itynn, a singer of Irish ballads; Ernest Sewcll, jiving lnarionettist; and Jack Ark, who is featured as a juggling diabolo expert; and Mr. Hofaco Sheldon will direct the orchestra, which is a feature of all tho performances. As advortised elsewhere, Mr. Lauder will give as his opening number "Tobermory," to be followed by "I Lovo a Lassie," "The Sbftest o' Hip Family," "She's Ma Daisy." and "A Wee Deoch an' Doris." Tho box plan will bo at the Dresden till 12 o'clock to-day, and after that hour at Christeson's, whoro unreserved seat tickets may be obtained. ; • HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. In addition to tho very entertaining company of vaudeville artists who havo gladdened tne hours at His Majesty's Theatre during the. week, two new turns were submitted for public approval lust night, and passed as "the right goodsi" Stockw'hin cracking and twirling as an art wa-s t'ho mission of one Billy Lee, who is really amazingly dextorous in tJie. manipulation of tho bull-whacker's weapon. So accurately Mu he judgo the distance, and so siiro his judgment, that standing on one bide of the stage, he can flick out the light of a candle without disturbing the stick of wax. In his more subtle moods ho becomes a pickpocket by adroitly nipping tho handkerchief of his partner from hie pocket. Billy Leo also proved that there are more ways of cracking a. stockwhip than one. The other nowcorner was the old favourite Bonita, a crack rifle-shot, who, in picturesque trappings of a girl of the prairie, smashes brittle white discs at 'ten paces as eho likes-—frontings, sidenays, upside-down, lying on her back with her head .towards the target, and lacing the, audience (with the aid of an inch mirror). A row of wine-glasses ■with small objects in between aro held up, and she picks each object out without touching one of the glasses. Her male assistant then dons a /halo of discs, and with unerring hand and eye eho picks them off the frame (which is only a couplo of inohes out from Mβ head). At a time when rifleshooting is in the air, Bonita is certainly worth seeing. ' KING'S THEATRE. "Lost in Mid-Ocoan" is as fine a spectacular drama , as the sensationloving picture patron would wish to see, and, riewing the shipwreck scenes, one is filled with amazement at the realism lof it all. This thrilling photo-play heads the bill at the King's Theatre, where excellent business is reported. If it is laughter that is wanted there is a Keystono com'edy picture, entitled "Mabel's Busy Day," with tho incomparable Chaplin, as chief jester, whilst .topical events are represented/in "Harry Lauder /at Golf," and viows of Samoa. ; "DAVID COPPERFIELD." , Monday night will'see tho first screen,ing at,the Jung's' Theatre of "David -.Copperlieldj". an all-British ; exclusive film production of' Charles ' Dickens's most popular story, in 7000 ft. of kiuematography. The picture is said to be .a real him classic. If ; very evidently created a profound impression at Auckland, for the "Star" says: "A number of big! things in pictures have- recontly -come tho way of Auckland theatregoorsj each of them seeming to set the limit of the picture-maker's enterprise. The adaptation of 'David Copperiield' which is-boing shown hero just .'now-sets quite a new standard,'and is .quite tho best of the many good things introduced here. The picture is in four parts, and takes up the whole of tho programme, yet-it is only long .enough to mako one. wish it were .longer. Tho parts of David Copperfield, Micawber,' and Uriah Heep are delightfully presented, and all the rest of the immortal characters are acted in a most pleasing and natural manner. The setting of the picture is very beautiful, especially tho scenes taken itt tho old Cathedral town of Canterbury, nuvriy oli which show the actual places mentioned by Dickens." Special music by the King's Orchestra will accompany the screening. Bos plans are now available at tho Dresden. ■ THE EMPRESS THEATRE. A final opportunity will be offered today and to-night of witnessing tho Ralem Company's spectacular "featuro" drama "A Celebrated Case," a story which .deals with a romance of the middle of the eighteenth century, when Franco and England were at war. The play is superbly staged, and there are a, number of spectacular scenes, including a fine representation of the famous. Battle of Fontenoy. Tho screening of the subjects occupies about an hour and ft quarter, New supporting films will bo shown to-day. A complete, change will bs presented on Monday. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The current programme at Everybody's Theatre, which contains many, interesting features, will be : screened for the last time to-day and to-night. An entire change of programme will be presented. Particular interest, in view of late developments in the European War, will be taken in some fine pictures of Paris. The principal item is "The Unwelcome Throne," a production featuring remarkable episodes in which wild animals appear. The picture is one of a series which will dopict the adventures of Kathlyn Hare, the daughter of Colonel Hare, and a- collection of 'African wild animals. The opening stages of the story deal with the adventures of Kathlyn and her sister in a native Indian State, to which they are decoyed by a forged message, ostensibly coming, from their father. Apart from the dramatic interest of the story and the wealth of stirring incidents in which it' is clothed some magnificent spectacles are introduced. One of them, it is said, is comparable with tho famed Durbar of India. Other items in the programme are a beautiful scenic study, "Tho Torrents of the Cascades," and some amusing comedies. THE MAORI CLUB. ■ This world-wide famous organisation, consisting of orer 40 clever performers, will give their unique entertainment in tho Town' Hall on Wednesday and Thursday next. This company, whoso headquarters are at Rotorua, is mado up of four distinct sections—the famous choir, the orchestra,, the champion lia'ca and poi dancers, and tlio tableaux company. Sir 'JMes- Haggard says.no ballot he ever saw surpassed tho beauty and interest of this great Poi scene. His Excellency the Governor, Sir Hartman Just, Madame Nordica, and tho Countess Cisneros and many others haro given unstinted praise to theso clever Natives. The "Sydney Morning Herald" gavo a column in their praise, saying, among other things: "Nothing can surpass the voices of the Natives. Theirs is not the singing of the professional, with the clear-cut palish, but tho tru\> natural warbling of the bird, who sings because he must, singing that rises full end clear, and then seems to 1 drop from sky so softly as to bo more than human; ii singing so wild and pathetio o.j to make one weep, and a singing

to which- that of all the Melbae in the world is uncomparablo. Such is the Maori concert." Tho gay'colouring, the shriek of fcmalo ■β-eblo combined with the deep bass of tho chiefs, tho patter and stamp of bare feet, tho wild, troird.strains or the choruses, iho thud of pois, the swish of the piupiu, enhanced by various coloured delights, surrounded by tho familiar scone of Ohinemutu, all. combine to produce a scries of pictures as striking as thoy fire wonderful, which mako upon tho European mind an impression as lasting as it is vivid and instantaneous. MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE, "Tho Silence of Dean Maitland" was produced for the last time at the New J'heatre last night, tho business at this popular little place of entertainment being once more well above'tho average, the building boing insufficient during the evening session to accommodate all the would-bo patrons. The programme throughout the week has fully justified tho managerial heralding, and "the cosy corner of picturedom" looks like retaining its' early reputation. I'o-night a new star picture will be shown in conjunction with a strong supporting prograramo of comic and dramatic pioures, "Absinthe," which is the headliner of tho now bill, is a French production, and it is described as a tragedy of exceptional strength. There is a-_pretty lovo story miming through the picture, and the ultimate redemptiov of the- victim to tho absinthe craze is happily, and humanly conceived, The programme will start ot noon, and sessions will bo continuously.thereafter at intervals of an hour and a half* ' ,: THE DANDIES." The Orange Dandies ate an exceedingly clever little organisation of high-ly-talented/ vocalists and comedians, whose efforts to amiise never go amiss. Tile audience appreciate the broad buffoonery of Mr. Roland Henry, tho' gentle subtlety of Mr. Andrew Pace, and the robust humour of Mr. George Taylor. Mr, David Lyle sings a good song artistically, and Misses Naonii M'Quoin, Etliol-Walker, and - Linda Bradford havo voices and personalities that pleaso rather more than ordinarily well. BUCKLER-PAGET COMPANY. On Saturday, Septemeber 12, there will be presented the first of tho attractions promised to Now Zealand by Beaumont, Smith, Ltd. It will be company from • the Little -Theatre,- Sydney, headed by Hugh Buckler and Violet Pftget. This coterie of artiste have recently comploted their forty-third week in Sydney, during which period they have met with continuous success, and they have recently won universal enconiums during a season in Auckland. _ Prom their large repertoire a selection for tho forthcoming season has been made from modern notable successes in London and New York, while a leaven of popular playa from earlier periods has also been introduced. "His House in Order," by Sir A. W. Pinero, will form tho piece de resistance for the first week, and tho box plans for this production will open next Wednesday. During tho latter portion of the season a policy of quick changes will bo indulged in, when amongst plaj'e new to Wellington, Bernard Shaw's "Fanny's First Play" and Arflold Bennett's whimsical comedy, "The Great Adventure," will bo introduced, while there will be revivals of "The Gay Lord Quex" (Pinero), "David Garrick" alid "Tho School for Scandal."