ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2310, 18 November 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"HUMPTY DUMPTY." . That merry extravaganza "Humnty Dumpty" was played again last evening before a largo audience, which enjoyed the pantomime from beginning to end. Tho action is now running with perfect smoothness, and the performers are getting in closer touch with the characters they represent. The final tableau, coming after tho dazzling transformation scene, "Dreamland," strikes the patriotic note full on the head,_ and never fails to bring down the curtain amidst''enthusiastic applause. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. As vimful as ever Carrie Moore loses no time in finding the soft spot iu the audiences which attend His Majesty's Theatre. With a voice which has lost a little'of its old-time brilliancy, Miss Moore does better as a diseuse, and her recital of "That Woman's Eyes" is outstandingly the best _ thing she does. The programme is given a zest by the whiz-bang act of the Gruetts, two old-time burlesque and negro comedians, whose music at times echoes from their very soles. Brinkman and the Steele Sisters, Les Bate?, Monahan and Sheehan, "Mysto," and Benson and Bell also helped to amuse the attendant public. KING'S THEATRE. At the King's Theatre some vivid war pictures taken just before the German investment of Antwerp are very clearly shown. Gruesome as they are these pictures serve to impress one with the dreadful vigour with which the German Army is seeking to wipe out an innocent, unprepared, and entirely unoffending little nation, that was never assumed to bo a twentieth part as strong in a military sense as the gross invader. As a welcome relief Max Linder smiles alluringly from the screen in a comic interlude entitled "Max on the Briny"—and now Linder has paid the penalty of his nationality, and will cease to amuse a world of hiß admirers. The Davis Cup tennis matches are attracting many adherents of the game in Wellington to the King's, and "The Inspector's Story" grips everyono with its clever dramatic touches. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. Everybody's Pictures at the Opera House—at the sign of the pale green snake —aro nothing if not topical. With the news of the death of Lord Roberts of Kanhahar fresh in our ears, there is presented a • picture of "Bobs" in-specting-Kitchener's Army. Perhaps it would be- better to say a fragment of Kitchener's Army, as few even among the.officers are.said to be aware of exactly the: number or location of; that elusive force.- It is sentimentally inspiriting to see the little dignified old soldier soberly and earnestly inspecting the troops, and to know that tho spirit of such as he lives in the leaders of the British Army now fighting the grimmest series of battles known to the .modern world. Another topical picture is a series of fine views taken before Antwerp, and showing scenes along the firing, line, and heart-stricken homeless refugees on the march before the German juggernaut. "The Shattered Tree" and "The Sky Pirate" (Keystone comedy) also-figure; on the screen.

MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. j .Another scrap from the . illustrated history of poor battered Belgium was I submitted to picture-lovers who attended MacMahon's Theatre last evening. The latest picture, which brings one face to face with the horror and pathos of war, opens with a parade of the Guides (a crack Belgian lancer regiment), through a villago which has already felt the shattering blast o'f war. The tumbled brick walls, broken windows, and roofless structures speak of imisery and desolation to the imagination. Following is a view, of the inhabitants of Alost ("all lost" would be a fitting interpretation of the name), old men, grey-haired women, young mothers with babies, and children dragging at their skirts, fleeing as fast as they can through a beautiful avenue of trees carrying as much of their worldly goods as their strength will allow. There are also actual views of street Bniping in, Alost, snap-shots of'. artillery, and armoured motor-cars in motion, and other details of the bloodiest arid cruellest war tho world has known. Other pictures at MacMahon's are a scientific study of the hermit crab, who seizes the shell of other fish for its home; a photo-play of strong material interest entitled "A Scandal at Cedarwell," "Run to Earth" (dramatic), and "All's Well That Ends Well" (comic). To-day a fine film of Japan's Army and Navy will be screened for the first time. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. f At the Empress Theatre Continuous , Pictures to-day and to-night the K. and E. Company's stirring "feature" melodrama, "Woman v. Woman," will bo soreeried for the last time, together' with the current series. In the "star" item two country sisters go to New York to seek, employment, and a highly Interesting story is woven round their experiences. Supporting the "feature" are; "Eclair War Pictures," "Trouble on the Stage," "Universal Weekly" (New Zealand, news), and "Mr. Dippy Dipped" (S. and A. comedy). A complete change will be introduced to-mor-row.

PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. At the People' b Picture Palace are to bo seen all the leaders in the present great European war, and a very fine selection of actual war pictures, in which one can almost smell the gunpowder: Another compelling picture is the tenth of the "Lucille Love" series, ia which that.popular heroine participates iii another well-planned sequence of thrilling'episodes. HUMOROUS RECITAL, i Next Wednesday evening, at the Town Hall Concert Chamber, the public will have an opportunity of hearing a. talented humorist and monologue entertainer, Mr.' Frank Wright, who _is appearing under the Faulkner-Smith concert direction. Mr, Wright possesses a number of Excellent Press criticisms of which the following is an example: "Mr. Frank Wright made a decided hit with his rendering of 'The • Groom's Story.' He has. many of the qualifications for success on the stage—a; fine,deep, flexible voice, good enunciation, and mobile facial expression." Mr. Wright will bo assisted by Miss Mina Caldow, Mr. Sydney Allriglit, and Miss Gladys Watkins. The box plan will be on view at the Dresden on Friday morning. Day sales will bo Christeson's. SUNDAY CONCERT. The last concert of the season is announced by the Wellington Professional Orchestra for Sunday next at His Majesty's Theatre. The outstanding feature of the programme will be that most fascinating of all symphonies—Schubert's "Unfinished," which is so rich in almost unearthly beauties. It is now nearly two years since its last performance in and only after numerous requests had it been finally decided to undertake the formidable task of its preparation. That Mr. Bloy has given liis consent to its performance should be sufficient guarantee that it will be adequately presented. Patrons will be asked to contribute at the doors.