ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2303, 10 November 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

LEROY, TALMA, AND BOSCA. Tho Opera House is being excellently Eatronised during tho reign there of oroy, Talma, and Bosco. Theso clever illusionists completely surprise and puzzle their patrons. In a very entertaining. playlet, a lion (seemingly an awkward thing to juggle with) vanishes. Besides juggling, there is some remarkable eccentric dancing by White and Warner, and Santo Santucci gives a wonderful performance on a most unusual accordion. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. As is usual, several new performers dashed into tho focus of tho calcium light at His Majesty's Theatre. last evening, and being gifted with the ability to entertain, were welcomed with boisterous approval. The, first of tho newcomers were Monahan and Slieehan, -a_very clever pair of male instrumentalists, and a lady assistant, who sings modestly and rattles away with plenty of vivacity at tho pianoforte. Mr. Monahan (or it may be Mr. Sheelian) plays a wide variety of instruments, and plays them, all well. He is a facile cornetist and coach-horn player, produces a nice mellow tone on tho piccolo, played the flute obbligato to "Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark," and on tho muted cornet played the "Lost Chord" with a clangorous- bell accompaniment. -Relapsing into humour, he tooted comically on the clarinet as a German bandsman, and as a bibulous trombonist-gave fresh meaning to "The Merry Widow" waltz. Another welcome turn was that provided, by Gruott and Gruett, two exponents of old-time black-face mirth, and excellent rough musicians. They have the knack of keeping the fun going, and score laughs all through, without suggesting a shade of coarseness. Benson and 801 l are dancers and singers, the lady a deft exponent of tiptoe dancing, and her partner sings humorous songs. The Three Btomaz are two strong men, who go in for equilibristic work, and work cleanly and with a youthful vigour that pleased. The third member of the trio a dainty little lady who danced very neatly on the slats. Still another new performer was Miss Eloise Taylor, whose thin, but withal sweet soprano, was . heard m the timc-lionoured ballad 1 , "Come Sing to Me," and-a. florid waltz song. Ragtime may be considered one of America's vices. It arrives witli every newcomer from the States, showing mighty little variation in tune and idea. Les Bates is a hearty and genial , exponent of the ragtime ■■song, and would be a good comedian if ho took the trouble. Neil Cant follows (a long way after) Lauder in "Roamin' in the Gloamin'," «nd introduces an interpolated ballad in which, ho forces a falsetto voice to the detriment of his once vigorous baritone. Other artists who aTe. known to the Brennan-Fuller pat- . Rons were Foy and Foy and the Brad-, nas. ' ■ THE KING'S THEATRE. An exceptionally pleasing series of pictures were presented at the King's Theatre last night to an appreciative audience. Tho new programme 'opened 1 with the "Gaumoiit Graphic," which contained fresh views from the front. Another topical film was entitled "Wireless" from the Front," and gavo a number of lightning black and white sketches, dealing in an amusing manner with tho war. The final' picture was a great laughter-raiser, it depicting a bearded Russian demanding 8,000,000 single tickets; to Berlin from Russia. One of W. W. Jacobs's most delightful comedies, "Beauty and tho Barge," was presented, with Mr. Cyril Maude, as Captain Barley, the old aalt who was so susceptible to female beauty that he had to pay his attentions to every girl he met. A powerful Edison drama was entitled. "Across the Burning Trestle." A very pretty love story, was told in the film entitled "The Toy Shop." The inimitable John Bunny made an appearance in tho film "Setting the Style," in which Bunny and his equally portly spouse visit the horse ehow in New York. "Our Mutual Girl" was a delightful story. . "A Day 'on the Boy Scout Farm in Sussex" showed some toxical events, while a screaming comedy in continuation of the "Bill" series showed "Bill" taking a lady to lunch. The programme will be repeated this evening.

; EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. :. Pictures of the destroyed city of Louvain may be seen at Everybody's Picture Theatre this week.' The scenes of ruin are appalling, and they provide a very fine idea-of one aspect of the horrors of war. The chief drama of the current, programmo is a war subject entitled "War's Heart Blood." The drama is set in a district on one of the Russian borders. Two brothers fall in love with a girl across the border. One (Gregory) wins her, and lives with her in her country. War breaks out between the countries on either side of the border. The brother ; who has, left his home for love of his wife, finds himself torn between two fires: his angry father curses him for not joining his country's colours; he cannot bring himself to fight against liis adopted land. At length the soldiers of his wife's, country force him to guide them over some territory with which 110 is familiar. However, this party is captured, Gregory with them. Ho is ordered to be shot as a spy,, and the man. to whom is_ consigned tho duty of having' him shot is his brother. The programme includes other interesting pictures. 'PEOPLE'S PIOTURE.PALAGE. At the People's Picture Palace the popular film "Tlie House of Temperley" will be shown again to-day. The public patronised. the picture so well that tho management felt justified in extending the opportunity for viewing it. The new programme will include "Lucille Love" (series No._ 9), the latest war news, and other pictures.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The new programmo at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday introduced a sensational naval and military warfare "feature". drama, "Victory." A battle is depicted in which the battleship Utah, cruisers, destroyers, hydroplanes, and forts take part. Tho majority of tho scenes aro at Guantanamo, the Cuban station of tlie United States Atlantic Fleet. It is represented in the plot that General do la Monto arranges the assassination of President Martinez, ,of Antillas, and endeavours to throw suspicjon upon Lieutenant Towers, of the_ United States Navy, as the general is jealous of the lieutenant's popularity with Helen Gordon, daughter of the American Ambassador. Lieutenant Towers is arrested 011 a charge of murder of tho President, but Helen's father secures proof of his innocence, and tho young officer is released. Helen in the meanwhile has found out that there is a plot to b'ow up the battleship Utah. As there is no other means of warning tho commander of the Utah, Lieutenant Towers takes a hydroplane and flies to the warship. Tlie vessel changes her anchorage in goo.l time, and after a brisk engagement defeats the forts, and sinks the attacking ships. Tho United States marines .land- and suppress a revolution, and fame and happiness reweird tlie bravo lieutenant £Liid finnceo Helen. Other films include:— "Eclair War Pictures," "Beautiful New Zealand Scenery" (views of the thermal regions), and "Oh, Wliat a Night (farce-comcdy). DRAMATIC RECITAL. Oil Wednesday Mr. Culford Bell, Miss Betty Purdom, and their pupils are giving in the St. Augustine's Hall, Petone, 0110 of their popular dramatic recitals. Tbc programme contains o,uito a number

of character sketches in costume, which, with humorous recitations, a dialogue and dance, and the two principals iji Shakespeare recital, Cockney sketch, humorous monologue, ond tho clever comedy sketch, "A Bus 'Ride," should diaw a croirdcd house. Tho whole of the proceeds go to tho Britain and Belgium Relief Fund: / '"OUR INDIAN ARMY." Big business was again recorded at MacMahon's New Theatre in Manners Street yestorday, when the new. war picture "Our Indian Army" was introduced. Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, whose name is indissolubly associated with India, is very much in evidence in tho film, which also shows famous Indian princes of tho Army. The most remarkable feature of the film is tho camel corps, comprising hundreds of camels "Our Japanese Allies" is tho title of another fine war picture shown for tho first timo last night. _ New subjects to be introduced to-day include the" Eclair Company's drama in three acts. "When Pierrot Meets the Pierrette,' a deep and heart-moving _ story,' in which love is made to triumph over vengeance; . "The Fourth Proposal" (Rex comedy), "The Long- Portage" (K. 8.), "Our New Beau" (Keystone comedy), "Gontrain's Little Worries" (Eclair Company), and "Diatoms" (Urban scenic). "RUMPTY DUMPTY" PANTOMIME. The above pantomime, which is to open at tho Grand Opera House on Saturday next, is described as being full of wholesome humour, and a procession of comicalities. There is said to be an abundance of pretty, catchy music, of bright picturesque handsome young ladies, graceful groupings, lio.vtl ballets, with beautiful and artistic scenic settings. The transformation "seena," in .six scenes, entitled "Dreamland," painted by _ tho Horry 'Whaite Studios, are described as superb. Lennon, Hyman, and Lcnnon provide an amusina acrobatic speciality, "Fun in a Restaurant." Although the expense in importing from Australia the complete company of 85 people is large, popular prices -are being charged. Messrs. Stephenson and Linley are said to bo exceedingly fortunate in securing o strong combination; it does not consist of one or two leading artists, every role that lias tho slightest claim to prominence is given to ah artist who makes it conspicuous for some special feature. Matinees will be held during the .season, specially reduced prices being mado for children. The box plan for the first six nights is now open at the Dresden.