ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2309, 17 November 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"HUJIPTY DDJIPTY."

; Wellington playgoers have beon favoured with quite a number of pantomimes lately and the latest offering in this .line, "Humpty Dumpty," as presentod by Messrs. G. Stopheuson and A. Linley, is quito as enjoyable as any previously presented. Harry Taylor; who has composed tlia book and music of the pantomime, hae been unkind enough to make heaps of fun out of the pereon upon whom the laws of gravitation lias such a disastrous effect. Harry. Taylor has, moreover, added many other things to the old nursery story of "Humpty Dumpty," 6o that the pantomime is genuinely amusing. The artists in the pantomime all work hard to make' it a Sliecess. ..Moreover, the catohy songs,clever dancing, beautiful 6cenery, and last, but not least, the bevies of pretty girls, all go to make for the evening's enjoyment. Incidental s turns are introduced, the acrobatio"s by Messrs. Lennbn, Hyman, and Lennbii being particularly attractive. '

"Humpty Diimpty" will continue being the object of great attention by "all the kiug's horeee and all the king's men," and incidentally by the Wellington public till Saturday nest, when "The Jam of Cathay" will take its place,

A matinee will'be given on.Saturday afternoon. .'

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Chief among the re-entrants to the vaudeville arena of-Wellington last evening was Miss Carrie Moore, the vital Australian actress, who'still retains as much verve and sparkle as half-a-dozen of the ordinary song 'and story artists that come and go with every change of wind. Miss Moore, who. is always superhumanly bright, and who,moves gracefully and dresses well, might have improved her reception if ■ sh/e had elected to introduce something novel. Her turn is practically what it was when she appeared in vaudeville at the demolished Theatre Royal about three years ago. She still gushes "I'm All Alone" at the telephone, and recites with much dramatic resource "A Woman's Eyes." She also! sang tho :somewhat hackneyed "Foolish Questions," and added a topical version of her own , of "It's a-Long Way to-'-Tip-perary," which found favour with the audience. Gruett and Gruett, the fullblooded American comedians and musicians, appeared ■ bofore a new and con.spicuously loud cloth and hurled a torrent' of negro minstrel jokes and ■breezy American patter, at an immensely amused audience. A not unfamiliar magician returned to His Majesty's under the'alias of "Mysto," and in a ten(minutes' seance .exhibited uncommon. -skill'as'a-palmer of coins, cards, and billiard' balls, and wound up his deft performance with an illusion in which a lady appeared from a cabinet which a'-, few. : minutes previously had been plainly "to let." Monahan andSheehan repeat their clever musical act, in which the male performer shows particularly 'to advantage. Brinkman and the Steele Sisters.are a show in themselves—such as it is. Mr. Brinkman sings a, good song in an aggressively ■ theatrical manner, one of his numbers being a fireman's song, which was declaimed with polished bravado that was pretty but somewhat unconvincing. Les Bates shook off some of his lethargy, and made quite a hit in an IrishAmerican character. ,He joked with more. spontaneity than heretofore, arid sang "Where 'the' Shannon Flows" in such comic' earnestness that applause and; laughter fought'for supremacy. Benson and Bell danced the light fan;astic, she on her-toe-tips, ho on the flat,. but; both were there when the drum banged. The Three Homaz, Lena Lucas, a serio, and Miss Eloise Taylor also figured on the programme. THE KING'S .THEATRE. ' ; The new programme presented at the King's Theatre this week is headed by a powerful drama, entitled "Tho Inspector's Story." The piece is arranged for the screen from a well-known poein. It is well acted, and one of the striking things about the work of the players is: the fine acting of the child in the piece. The etory presents a great study of humanity, and shows how drink dom-, inates its ■ victims, and how drunkenness spreads misery all around. In

this case the mother of- the family is dying, and she is attended only by her little daughter.. The father is absent, and the child is sent to bring him home so that his.wife can*-wish, him good-bye. However, the man-at about that time becomes ;entangled in a drunken brawl and kills one of his associates. This, of course, hastens the death of his wife. The little girl is left to the tender caro of a cold world. In her pitiful circumstances she realises the terrible plight of her father, and she nobly resolves to endeavour to'bring about his Telease. To obtain for him a pardon, however, is a mighty- undertaking; but, difficulties notwithstanding, she succeeds. - The Pothe Gazette" is particularly interesting these, times: and the programme includes a delightful variety of other pictures. There is a rollicking extravaganza, "Heeza Liar's Big-game Hunt"; "Ancient Egypt": "The Davis Cup'.'; "On: the Border, , ' a drama' Fanny Melodrama,' and "Max on tho Briny.' ,

. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. ; lm The new programme at Everybody's Theatre, presented for tho first time , yesterday, contains many films of interest; The programme is headed by an exceptionally vigorous two-act Edison drama, entitled "The Shattered. Tree." The story begins in New York, where a stockbroker and /his v two sons are in business. The eldest is inclined to be a little wild, while the youngest, apparently the pride of ibis father's heart, is everything that can be desired. He, however, begins speculating, and robs his father of a large sum of money. To escape detection he throws the blame of his brother, who is expelled, and leaves for the West to seek his fortune. ; There he meets a beautiful young girl, the daughter of a gold prospector. He enters into partnership with the latter, and they strike it rich. In the meantime his brother has got the father's firm into financial Ho dies of shock, but leaves a letter exonerating tho brother. The latter leaves for his home, but assures the prospector's girl that he loves her, and his love will remain true as long as , a favourite, tree stands. ' While, he is away a jealous suitor for the girl's hand shows her a telegram to her lover, from his sister, and declares that the young man has another girl back East. The girl, is greatly upset, and wheu the tree is shattered by. lightning during a storm, believes that her lover is false. . She temporarily loses her mind, and is just about to destroy herself when the .lover'returns, and all ends happily. Tho aoting is good, and the incidents in the story interesting. . An amusing comedy is entitled "Fiolt'es, Art, and Sauerkraut." A poor artist marries a portly widow, the owner of a delicatessen store, but finds later that hi» heart yearne for his studio days, and his artist models. Many amusing complications arise out of his flirtations. "The Sky Pirate" is a Keystone comedy, in which an exciting aeroplane chase is shown. -Kitchener's Army, with Lord Roberte inspecting it, and many topical European war subjects, are shown in tho programme.

houses, mid will no doubt meet a big success-to-night at Lower Hutt. The R r °? e ?<k So to tho Britain and Belgium Relief Fund.

MACMAHON'S NEW.THEATRE,

At MacMahon's New Theatre, Mannere street, to-day, a new programme will be screened, and will include many notable films. Tho chief attraction will be one entitled "Our Japanese Allies,, in which will bo shown views or the Japanoso Army, which has recently been operating against the Germans in the Far East. Tho Japanese Army has always been a subject of interest to people in this part of the world, and tho views to be presented at MacMahon's Theatre to-flay should be witnessed by large numbers. In addition to this great attraction the supporting films will be up to the high standard set at this theatre.

PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A very ambitious' project was undertaken when the film entitled "Tho Great European War" was constructed. was shown at the People's Picture Palace yesterday, and aroused a great deal of interest. The idea of the film is to faithfully depict all the events leading up to the present European war. Actual scenes from Germany, France, and England are skilfully woven into, the film, while other scenes are acted 'to make the story complete. The first picture shows' the anarchists plotting to destroy the .heir to the Austrian throne. Then the aged Austrian Emperor is shown receiving the news, and then the various European monarchs are faithfully depicted in historical scenes connected with the declarations of war. The different Kings, are true to life. The famous speakers in the House of Commons t ' are next shown, and the midnight meeting of the- English Cabinet, when England demanded that Belgium's neutrality should be respected - by Germany-. The film, which is a remarkable one in many respects, faithfully records all the events wliich led up to the terrible conflict now raging, finishes with a fine tableaux, in which the Triple Entente is the central arrangement. This film, which is unique and historical, is supported by many other fine subjects, including another of the '-'Lucille Love. -, series, in which the mysterious' girl is taken to Mexico, and there escapes; a screaming farce called "Pimple Pinched;" scenes in Switzerland; and the "Warwick Graphic."

' THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Woman v. Woman," a particularly well staged melodrama by the K. and E. Company, was presented' with the new programme at tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday.' The film is a lengthy one, occupying nearly an. hour in the unwinding. According to the plot, owing to the death of their father, two sisters, Bessie and Miriam, arc compelled to go from the country to the city to look for employment. Rachel, a girl acquaintance, who is jealous of Bessie because she is loved hy John, a joung blacksmith, introduces the sisters to wealthy young men of_ an undesirable class. Aβ a result Miriam forme a mesalliance, but her husband meets with' a fatal accident while out hunting. A year later Miriam accepts the proposal of Ralph Chesterton, who is. not aware that she is a widow and has a child. Ralph is a man of considerable wealth, and he gives hie young wife a luxurious home. Bessie •undertakes ifo have Miriam's child placed in good keeping, and promises to keep her secret. Rachel becomes viciously jealous when John and Bessie also get married. Rachel watches Bessie secretly visit Miriam's child, so •. she brings John. to see Bessie nursing the ■ infant. John mado_ to believe that the' little one is- Bessie's, but though the episode nearly separates Jolin and Bessie for life, the. letter's mother makes Miriam confess .. the truth to John, and thus restore his happiness. Rachel, while intervening in a brawl, receives a fatal bullet wound. The rilay] is well mounted, and includes a bril-

liant scene at a New York fashionable cabaret.' Supporting tho main subject are "The Eclair Journal" ■ (latest war pictures), "Trouble on tho Stage" (farce-comedy), "Universal Weekly" (N.Z. nows),' and "Mr. Dippy Dipped" (S. and A. seaside comedy).' ' ' :

"A TALE OF OLD JAPAN." • On Friday evening next, Wellington is to hear the late Mr. Coleridge Taylor's charming cantata, : "A Tale of Old Japan," written to the pretty verses of Alfred Noyes. Those who know the exquisitely melodious and characteris-

tic setting of Longfellow's "Hiawatha" by Mr. Taylor will bo surprised to learn that a number of critics at Home have set down "A Tale of Old Japan" as the composer's masterpiece. The; soloists in "The Tale'.' will be Madame Briggs, of Wangalrai (soprano); Mrs. Rosewarne, of Napier, (contralto); Mr. Jas. Simpson, of Dunedin (tenor); and the baritone role is to be taken by Mr. Jim Jago, also of Dunedin, Liza Hehmann's beautiful song cycle, In a Persian Garden," will. also be eung .during, the evening by the above artists. The Choral Society is expected; to give a good account of itself .under Mr.. Herbert Bloy, as the chorus has been re? hearsing the cantata'for some months past. The box plan' is open at the Dresden, where Ss. and, 2s. < seats' can bo reserved without extra charge. ..