ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2261, 22 September 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

BUCKLER-PAGET COMPANY. The Buckler-Paget Company introduced to Wellington by Beaumont Smith are- 'quite tlio vogue, 5 ' and last night's large audience who atouded the second performance of "Fanny's First Play" were most enthusiastic. If the management are successful in their, negotiations to extend tlio season for a third , week, it is likely that an additional performance of Shaw's brilliant play may be given. "The Gay Lord Quex," associated with memories of the Brough and Boucicault triumphs, will bo revived to-night and to-morrow. Pinoro is one of the few authors who ever -writing for his period so brightly strikes the pulse of human nature, and in his dialogue is so intensely witty that his plays of a generation ago are to-day in full touch with all' that is most modern in life and thought. "The Gay Lord Quex" will be followed on Thursday by Tom Robertson's version of "David Garrick," which will be preceded by Louis N. Parker's playlet "The Man in the Street." HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There was a good attendance at. His Majesty's Theatre last night, when an excellent change programme of vaudeville turns was presented. Many new artists appeared, while the old favourites contributed materially to a wellvaried list of turns. Miss Maud Fanning, coon impersonator, and the Elliott Sisters, in their novel dancing and singing turn, wore most appreciated. Their turn was full of life, and the dancing was quaint and . attractive, while the melodies were good. Miss Rosa Loader made a first appearance, and created a good'impression in comedy musical sketches, entitled "The Happy Slavey at the Piano." Miss Loader is possessed of a pleasant voice, while her mannerisms assist her greatly while at the piano.. At that instrument she shows herself an accomplished player. The Dumitrescu Troupe, continue to amaze the audiences with their marvellous horizontal bar act, in which one startling turn follows another with startling rapidity and neatness. These artists are in the first rank, of their and provide an important item in the programme. Sam La Mert delighted the audience with his whistling. His whole performance is pleasiii" and highly entertaining. "The Qnealys made a welcome reappearance, and presented an original comedy sketch entitled "Jim Cooper's Burglar," into which an amusing wrestling match is introduced. Violet Carmen, assisted by Alf.' J. Lawrence at the piano, 6ang seme very catchy songs,' and, in response to a hearty encore, gave that favourite number. "Wanganui." "The Mullaney Twins,'' in a singing and dancing scena, were entertaining while they occupied the their turn having a good swing. Miss Ray Devere contributes several excellent ballads, and the other performers were of a high standard. The programme will be repeated this evening. . KING'S THEATRE. '.'The Heart of Midlothian," Sir Walter Scott's masterpiece, was written under unique circumstances. Ho had beon asked to' write an epitath for the tombstone of a girl who had died near Edinburgh. It was then that Scott Iciirncd the beautiful story of Jeanuio Dean«, and he was so impressed by it that lie not only wrote the epitath, but paid for the stone and later wrote of this wonderful story of a woman's devotion and truth. Last evening, at the King's Theatre. "A Woman's Triumph," adapted from Scott's famous novel, was produced for the first time in Wellington. Tlio cast w\is drawn from tho Famous Players Company, and the .nicturo, which occupied tho whole of tho second part of the programme, was a masterpiece of the art of tho kmematographerX' Beautiful Scottish scenery was shown,, and every detail of Scott a great story was faithfully poitrayed. It was an excellent picture fro* start to finish, and was much appreciated by those' present. Briefly told, the story is as follows:—Jeannie and Effie Deaiis are the daughters of David Deans, living near Edinburgh. Jeannie is steady, oalm, noble, and unaffected, while Effi" is gay and Mighty. -The latter falls in. love with young George Robertson, who is a'Smuggler, and ho gains her trust and love, but when he is about to marry her he is arrested. Effio secures a position in Edinburgh, and subsequently goes to tho homo of Madge Wildfire and her mother, a wicked old hag, whose daughter has become demented over the loss of her babo. Effie endures severe •hardships, and is finally cast into prison. Robertson, who has managed to escape, lendcavouH to rescue his sweetheart, but she refuses to quit until her innocence is proved. He endeavours to got Jeannie to lie to save her sister's life without avail. The plot thickens, and many sensational scones are thrown upon the sheet, such as the search for Robertson, and his escape; Jeaimie's. visits to her sister in prison, and later, her barefoot pilgrimage to London to seek a pardon from the King. The most thrilling scene of all is Jeaunio's arrivol at the place of execution of her "sister just in time to save her lifo. Other pictures in this exceptional programme were:—"The Gaumont Graphic,' "Lit • in the Philippino Islands," "A Modern Samson" (comic), "Prairie Dogs," and "An Easter Lily" 'comic). . Tho same programmo will be shown throughout the week, EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. "'Europe in Peace and War" is the title of a.big patriotic film, intruded in the new programme at Everybody's Pictures yesterday and evening. The big attendances at eevry session were no doubt attributable to the appearance of the him. Various features of it brought forth applause from the audience. An excellent idea of the armies and navies engaged in the present war is to bo gleaned from the picture. Amongst its interesting sections are:— Scenes on the French Frontier—Paris— Vienna —Britain's Tommy Atins—British Army Manoeuvres—Guards, Lifo : Guards, and Bonnie Highlanders—lndian Troops—British Guardians of the Air —Hon. Asquith, Secretary for War —Lord Roerts Presenting the Colours to the Grand Old Gordons—General French in France—Lord Kitchener, the Man of the Hour —the Launch of the Latest French Dreadnought—Artillery if France —Terrible Turcos, now fighting in the French Lines—Russia's Advancing Army—French President's Visit to the Tsar of Russia —Heroes of Heligoland Bight, H.M.S. Arethusa', H.M.S. Queen Mary; and H.M.S. New Zealand, and Germany's ships. "Europe in Pence and War" is a very instructive subject at a time like tho present, and it is sure to prove a great drawing-card at this theatre during the week. _ It is supported by a number of good items, chief among which is the Nordisk drama "A Deal With tho Devil," a dreamplay crowded with startling episodes. The famous Vitagraph Company is rerepresented by the drama entitled "The Silver Snuff Box." Other pictures are: "Cowboy Clarence" (Chicago comedy), "Among the Adirondack Mountains" (scenic), "Three of a Kind" (comedy), and the latest copy of the "Patho Gazette."

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. ."A Stolen ' Inheritance," a sumptu-ously-staged society feature drama by the famous Gloria Company, was presented for tho first time yesterday at tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures. A boautiftil but unscrupulous adventuress, Helen Rombert, gains tho friendship of John Watson, a shipowner, who, through mining speculations, becomes ruined, and commits suicide. Helen steals a letter,, in which Watson lias asked his millionaire brother in New YorktQ take care pf the dea4

man's daughter. Helen thereupon goes to New York and passes herself off as Nora, John Watson's orphan. She is kindly received by the millionaire and his 6on Jack. Helen completely wins the confidence of the millionaire) who desires his son Jack to wed her. Jack loves a talented harpist, and, contrary to his father's wishes, marries her. The father immediately disinherits Jack, and makes a will in favour of Helen. Tho adventuress, afraid that tho millionaire will alter his will, secretly tampers with the steering gear of Ids motor-car. This causes the car to he overturned and tho occupants are killed.' Helen now becomes possessor of great wealth, and she entertains royally wliilo Jack and his wife are thrown on their own resources. Nora Wateon, who has been demented by the sudden death of her father, recovers her senses and journeys to New York, where she discovers her cousin Jack. She convinces Jack of her bona-fides, and the two confront Helen. Terrified at the prospects of a lengthy term of imprisonment, Helen swallows poison and ends her life. There are also entertaining supplementary subjects of a varied type. MAOMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. A revival for two nights, by special request, of the Nordisk feature drama, "Love in the Tropics," attracted large attendances at MacMahon's New Picture Theatre, in Manners Street, yesterday. This fine study of tropical life in the Pacific Islands will be again shown to-day and to-night, supported by an excellent series of bright and entertaining pictures, which include a diverting comedy. "The Eyes of Satan," by the Solas an instructive series of views of the Telegraph Department at work; "Mixed Mails, an amusing A.B. comedy; some views of the smallest motor-car in the world—a Cadillac; and a fine scenic production, '.'Through Brittany," by the Barker Company. ._ To-morrow will be featured a stirring and highly sensational study of certain aspects of London life—"ln the Hands of London Crooks," a photo-melodrama in five parts—which is said to have attracted great attention when exhibited in London and in Australia._ The story features amongst the incidents the Royal Ascot ■ Meeting, ehowing the King's arrival on the course, the "dop-' ing" of a jockey, a battle on the Afghan froutier,. a raid on a gambling den, and the adventures of a/highgrade swindler in his pursuit of, illegal riches. The management also announces the .initial presentation of the wellknown drama, "The Lights o' London," tho next feature on the bill at the New Theatre. '