ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2315, 24 November 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

-4 "THE JAM OF CATHAY." There was another excellent attendant® at the Grand Opera House last night, when the Stcphenson-Linley Company repeated their success of Saturday night, in the mußioal comedy "The Jam of Cathay." The amusing search of "The Jam," the typical Indian potentate, for the lost recipe for pickles, and the many bright vaudeville items, make tho "The Jam of Cathay" a laughable and light comedy. Miss Elsie Nicholas, the young Gisborne actress, who is not long out of the ranks of the amateurs, appeared quite at homo as the leading lady, and her serio songs were greatly appreciated. In "Give Me Love" and "The Lotus Land" she Was particularly pleasing. Mr. Con Morini, as Frascati, had the major role, and his comedy was of the best kind, while Miss Olive Robinson, in _ the role of Marmalade scored a distinct success, with her patriotic song "E-n-g-l-a-n-d."' The other parts were well filled, and the whole show was most enjoyable. "The Jam" will be repeated this evening for the last time. On Wednesday and Thursday there will be a revival of "Humpty Dumpty" with new songs and specialties. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. .< It is seldom that so complete achange is njade in the programme at His Majesty's as was the oa.se last evening. Outstanding among the newcomers were Kelly 'and Pollock, American sketch artists; of the brightest order. There was interest in every moment of their seance, and laugh's to be had for the mere listening. In their sketch, "Ginger Snaps," they pattered with refreshing originality, danced nimbly, and showed.a distinct facility for character comedy. Another oxoelleot turn was that provided by the Three Newmans, wonders on 'cycle, and I marvels on the seatless unicyck or | single wheel. . It is only a few year# ago since the manipulation of tho unicycle at all was considered a great feat, but the Newmans juggle with clubs and tall hats as they wobble round the stage on them, and finally engage in a comic glove contest on the wheels. "Ywaxy," tho dancing violinist, is another artist who l gave satisfaction to the audienco in . his own peculiar way. Ho also specialises in 'ragtime music. Matildo and Elvira returned 'with their quaint Spanish songs and dances and brilliant' dresses, and fairly oaptivated the audience. Brinkmaii and the Steele Sisters repeated last week's turn, with the addition of a patriotic naval song from tho spruoe Mr. Brinkman. Miss Ina Lucas saug, "Mysto" mystified Miss Eloise Tpylor contributed ballads, and the live comedy and loud music or tho Gruotts was.as acceptable as ever. The new programme i 6 the best presented at His Majesty's for quite a while. THE KING'S THEATRE.

The land of the "NeVer-Never"— Australia's vast way-back territory—is a country fascinating to many; but scores of people in New Zealand have to be content with reading about it. In this week's programme of pictures at the King's Theatre is included a very interesting romance entitled "The Shepherd of tne Southern Cross," a fine Australian; drama, introducing scenes pervaded throughout with the atmosphere of the land of the wattle. The story commences in London, where two cousins woo the one girl. The villainous one brings disgrace on his relative by placing stolen jewellery in his pocket, and he alienates the girl's affection for his cousin by other means. The villian and the girl marry, and the other cousin leaves for Australia, and takes with him a little girl who is really a daughter of the villain. Years roll by and find the emigrant a shepherd on an out-back station. The little girl has grown to young womanhood. The othor cousin and his wife visit Australia, for health reasons, and among their experiences is an encounter with bushrangers. They escape, but get lost in the bush. The woman (deserted by her husband) is found by the shepherd, and taken to his hut. There, also, the villainous one finds his way, and there his treachery brings him a traitor's Toward —a well-aimed bullet. The supporting .pictures are varied in character. ' Of the war films, much interest was taken in that showing the landing of the Indian troops in France. Scenes in Antwerp, Moscow, and portions of France and' Belgium close to the front (with troops goins* forward), also, are screened. In addition ther© are several good comics,

EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. • A ludicrous Keystone farce heads the list of new pictures at Everybody's Theatre. It is entitled "The Property Man," and the principal part is taken b.v Charles Chaplin, perhaps the best "movie" comedy man seen in pictures. "The Property Man" tells of the doings of that important personage who looks after all the details in a theatre. He tosses the artists, flirts with the pretty eirls, finds the "properties," and generally makes himself useful, or useless, just as he happens to have a bent for it. In the Keystone comedy he has a talent for getting into the most absurd positions,' and his antics with the vaudeville artists create shrieks of laughter. In addition there are many other amusing features in the film. The audience is shown hugely enjoying itself, while scenes behind the curtain are no. less amusing. To finish all, the property man drives the ballet girls, the strong man, and all the other artists on to the stage at the point of a hose, and after liberally dousing them^ turns the water on to the audience. The film is one of the best laugh-raisers possible. Supporting it are numerous 'other good pictures. "The Tell-tale Scar" is an exciting American drama, in which a young man puts up a fight with a desperate band of criminals, and gains a reward of £100, and the hand cf his sweetheart. Another excellent drama, by the Denver Photo Play Co.. is entitled "Abide "With Me," and musio from the well-known hymn is ntilised to good effect. The Warwick film showß tcpioal pictures of the English marines in the trenches helping to defend Antwerp. Some thrilling scenes are contained in the budget, including the big gun-fire of the British. Troops proceding through Antwerp to the front, and other topical events are watched with the greatest interest. A' beautiful coloured scenic film, "Mount Doro," shows stene; in France. The j:ngramme will be continued to^day. "BUNTY PULLS THE STRINGS." Mr. E. J. Carroll, in conjunction with •T. C. Williamson, Ltd., will present Mr., and Mrs. Graham Moffat's brilliant company of Scottish players in the delightful Scottish play of humour at the King Georgo Theatre, Lower Hntt", "to-night, for one performance only. The success of tho Wellington season should ensure a packed house, and Hutt Valley inhabitants who have not yet seen "Bunty," will doubtless seize this opportunity. The company arrive from tho south to-day by tho Monowai. The bo.-: ;:!• 11 is at the fruit shop, ; r own Hall Buildings. MR, FRANK WRIGHT. At the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-morrow evening, Mr. Frank Wright, a humorist and' monologue entertainer with a big Australian reputation, will entertain tho public. The Press speak in glowing terms of Mr. Wright's capabilities as an entertainer, and patrons are assured of a novel entertainment. A facial expression sketch entitled "Hats and Faces" is a feature in the programme. Mr.' Wright will have the nssistanco of Miss Mina, Caldow, who will sing "Moil Coeur S'ouvre a ta. Vois" (Samson and Delilah), "When Song w Sweet" (Baa* Sousjj, "0. M.y,

Garden Full of Hoses" (Coningsby Clark), and "My Heart is Weary" (Goring Thomas); Sir. Sydney Allright, who. lias selected "Pagan" (Lohx) and "The Devout lover" (White); and' Miss Gladys Watkins, who will act as accompanist. Popiilar prices will be charged. The plan is .at the Dresdon, and day 6ales at Christeson'e.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. An American, who is so wealthy that he indulges in a champagne bath, -and has a palatial theatre built for a one night performance, is the principal charaoter in tho It. and E. Co.'s "feature" oomedy "The Billionaire," which appeared with the new programme at the' Empress Theatre yesterday. Tho wealthy American, John Doe, with his valet, embarks on a New York liner bound far tho Continent on holiday bent. From Pa™ ho goes to Nice and Monte Carlo. Doe causes' amazement .by his huge wins at the roulette table. The onlookers include a beautiful womaii who seeks to make a fresh start in hro by winning at roulette. Doo stakes money on her behalf, and wins a largo sum for her. His actions cause jealousy, and in tho next few minutes he accepts over a dozen challenges to duels. When l)oo reachos the duelling ground the eight of so many duelliste waiting for him causes Doe to flee. The billionaire and his valet climb on to an aeroplane and seek safety in the air. Although the valet has a nasty fall from the machine, ho and his master make good their escaped One Frenchman, however, persists in following tho billionaire to the end. Thon follow a Beries of thrilling and laughable _ episodes, all of which work out satisfactorily for the billionaire and his bride. "Sentinels of the Deep" show some of Britain's big warships now- patrolling the North Sea, also the ill-fated Hogue and Good Hope. "Eclair Journal," "Broken Faith" (B. and C. drama), and "Sergeant White's Peril" (Lublin drama), completo a most enjoyable series.

~ PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. Altogether a most enjoyable selection of filmß was screened' at the People's Pioturo Palace, Manners Street, for the first time yesterday. The star attraction on the programme'is a remarkable stage drama, played as'it were "behind the scenes," and entitled "La Ballerina." A young lady who, like many other young ladies, falls in love with a stage idol, forsakes her home, and goes on the stage as a ballet dancer, with the one and only idea of meeting the object of her affection. Her infatuation, however, meets with a violent rebuff, for she finds that her idol (also like many other men) is not exactly what he should be. He in turn realises that the girl who loves bim is of finer mottle than the light fanciful creatures it had been his wont to associate her ;with. .He acta accordingly, and- shortly the pair are married. However, there, happens on the scene a dainty sprightly ballet dancer, who captures the husband's .love.. His old love dies, and finally the distraught wife is seen watching her husband and the object of his fickle love leading off the ballet on the stage. Mad with jealousy she rushes below the stage and releases a trapdoor; through whioh her unworthy husband drops and dies at her feet. The supporting pictures are excellent. Those who have followed the fascinating adventures of "Lucille Love" mil find Part XI of the series most interesting. There are some war films and dramatio, scenic, and comic subjects also on the- bill. The new programme will be repeated until fur-ther-'notice.