ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2285, 20 October 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The chief attraction at His Majesty's Theatre last night was Holmes's Costume Comedy Company. This talented little band of players occupied the stage for the first half of the evening, and contributed some delightful numbers. Mr. Leslie Holmes was responsible for hilarious comedy work, which was new and clean, and the audience showed keen appreciation. "A Chip of tho Old Block," by Mr. Holmes, was an amusing song, which was helped out by some good patter, and a hearty encoro had to be lesponded to. Mr. Holmes then told about, the girls ho knew, occupying several verses for the different varieties, to the great entertainment of the audience. Mr. Fred Deal was another comedian who scored a noteworthy success, and his numbers wero ostremely laughable. Miss Madge Griffith, a contralto, with, a pleasing voico, sang "My Dear Soul." Miss Lenore Graham was delightfully quaint in her songs, and with Mr. Harry R-omaine did good work. All the members made tho, concerted numbers go with a swing. Especially fine was the finale, "Our Empire, which finished with a nice tableau. The other turns wero of an entertaining nature. Brown and Lawson, coloured entertainers, from the Pork Chop Club, put on a dashing turn, and, in addition to the' quaint coon sngs. did some eccentric dancing. The Casselli Sisters continuo to provide a good singing and dancing turn. Brown and Sorlie have some new songs anrl patter, which thoy give with fine effect, and the Two Storeys assist with ragtime. The concluding turn is the crystal tank act of Arthur Troutt and Violes', and this is both unqiue and clever. '

THE KING'S THEATRE. What is easily one of the cleverest things in kineniatography yet shown in Wellington w;as screened for the nrst time at the King's Theatre last night," under tho title of "Goodness Gracious, or "Movies as they Shouldn't Bi. It is a Vitagraph production, designed to burlesque the highest coloured .melodrama of the day, and the methods of melodramatic actors. Tho plot is workod out,very effectively to the desired end, and the acting by Sydney Drew, Clara Kimball Young, and a star cast, is of the best. The heroine of the story is an orphan, who is called upon not only to steer clear of the many traps set for her by the villain, but also to marry tlio son of a millionaire. After having overcome tho stupendous difficulties in the way of all this, tiho heroine has stil] fallen 1 short of the ideal, •inasmuch as she has not won favour with tho millionairohimself. The latter objects to the marriage, and the son- is cut off with a shilling. Here romance begins, and after many thrilling complications the father forgives the unhappy, pair, who open their eyes on a world , of sunshine and happiness. The film made a big hit with patrons'of tho King's Theatre last night. It was supported by another amusing comedy, 'Bill's Job," by the well-known Komio Company. Other items were: Gaumont Graphic (war topical), "Crocodile Shooting (sporting), "Fjords of Norway" (scenic), "Ghost of Granleigh" (drama), "A Scoundrel's 'Chance" .(drama), and "Off nt Last." EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. ' War liews in tho programme, now running at Everybody's Pictures, includes views of tho British Grenadiers landing in France, .French, soldiers leaving, for the front, tho funeral of General , Griorson at Glasgow, Japanese cruisers for Kiiao-chau, and other interesting subjects. The star dramatic film Vitngraph production entitled "The Night Ridors of Petersham." The story is of an editor of a newspaper in an American township arousing the enmity of sonio of the inhabitants by his exposure of-an illicit still, and the Night Ridere threaten to burn down the office if .another edition of tho paper -is published. The paper, notwithstanding, is issued as usual, and an attack is made,, but is repulsed after a hot encounter. The film concludes with the hero's marriage to tho editor's, daughter. Among the supporting items : are two highlyamusing comedies, tho Keystone Company's "Caught in Tighte" and the A.K. Company's-"Modern Romeo." A Pathecolour scenic also finds place on the Bill. , Tho theatre was crowded at tho evening sessions yesterday, and the new series of war pictures from week to week are , undoubtedly proving a big attraction., An orchestra is in attendance at both afternoon and evening sessions..''"" \

MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. "In the Sultan's Power" was the title of tho new attraction at MacMahon's New Theatre, in Manners Street, yesterday. It is the old, old story told over again, in which tho conrsoof true love does not run smoothly. Two lovers elope, and eventually they arrive in Africa, where they call upon the Sultan, who abducts tho girl. Jack'rescues her,after some thrilling experiences in an aeroplane. • "The Kidnapped Pugilist" is a sporting drama of merit. .In this picture J. Clabby and Alf. Kaufmann are depicted sparring with each other. Clabby is represented as being tho hero, and he fights to win a girFs love. Supporting pictures last evening were! scenes showing Belgium during the present war. Two excellent comic pictures were also shown—"The Comedy of Errors" and "Howlin' Jones. "J On Thursday evening the management wiil present another "star" attraction—a Milano film entitled "The Trial of a Heart."

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Streets of New York," a mofeion-picturo adaptation of Dion Boucicaulb's sensational melodrama, was presented at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday with the new programme. Tho play is splendidly stagod, and interpreted by noted American players. There are a number of striking situations wliich are vividly and convincingly enacted. According to the plot,. Captain Fairwcather deposits £20.000 iii cash with Bloodgood, a banker, who, with' bis accountant Badger, is about to abscond, as the bank is on the vorgo of insolvency. With this as a basis a remarkable chain of developments is built up, full of interest and excitement. The plot culminates in a thrilling firo in a tenement building, and a sensational rescup. Bloodgood's bank.wont smash, but the financier ie ultimately compelled to make restitution. Tho supporting pictures .are also good. SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON'S FARE- / , WELL. Nest Thursday evening at the Grand Opera, House, Sir Douglas Mawson will givo his farewell lecture in New Zealand, and already a dftal of interest is being evinced in tho lecture, which is to bo illustrated with magnificent filni6 (which have beon specially tinted by a new process), and a number of beautiful coloured slides. The lecture should prove both interesting and instructive, as Sir Douglas has a lot to tell of his thrilling experiences in tho ■ frozen eolith. Tho plans are at tho Dresden, and day sales at Christesen'e. WALTER KIRBY SONG RECITAL. Mr. Walter Kirby'e complete programmo numbers for his final song recital in. tho Concert Chamber this ovening are published elsewhere. Mr. Kirby's own numbers comprise over twenty items, and ho will sing many delightful items, amongst them, "If With all Your Hearts," "Celeste Aida," "La Donna e Mobile," "The Dying Child," "My Lagan Lovo," "Beyond tho .Sunset," and by special request "We'll Know. We'll Understand/' "I Hoar You Calling Me," and "Tho Bolls of ShaM oU>, -' ft- l§! r $S w ttl bo aj-.

sisted by Miss Driscoll, Mrs. Ernest Quereo, Signor A. P. Truda, and Mr. H. Moschini. "BTJNTY PULLS THE STRINGS." At the Grand Opera House on Saturday oyening, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Moffat and a company of Scottish Players niako their first appearance in Wellington, in the successful Scottish comedy, ''Bunty Pulls tho Strings." The Sydney "Sun" says: " 'Bunty* is the same type of comedy as was 'MrE. Wdggs of the Cabbage from America, and 'On Our Selection' in Australia. The first merit of such comedies is in their absolute fidelity to life; and being life-like tho characters necessarily must be human, and must command human sympathy. It is a wonder that such a dramatic experiment lvas not made before with a Scotch setting, for the kailyard has been diligently exploited by novelists. The dramatisation of Barrio'* 'Little Minister,' which was a romance as much ae a comedy of manners, did not fill the gap. 'Bunty' does. Unlike much .popular Irish comedy, it is not traditional, not stagey,. not canny, serious Scots come straight from mankind, not from some older theatrical model. , ' The box plans for the Wellington .season open at the Dresden to-morrow morning at B olplock. ELOCUTIONARY RECITAL. Owing to the crowds turned away at last night's recital by Mr. J. Culford Bell, Miss Betty Purdom, and their, pupils, the concert will bo repeated on Thursday evening, in the Concert Chamber, when tho -whole proceeds will be again handed to the Huntly Relief Fund. Ticket-holders who failed to gain admission last night may use their tickets on Thursday. slr. Leslie's Town Hall staff kindly consented to again give their services free.