ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2335, 17 December 1914, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. .The current programme at His Majesty's. Theatre is full of up-to-date, vaudeville items, including Mr. Gco. Hall, the Ariiericati raconteur, whose turn is bright and attractive. His "Dooloy" stories are new and funny, and are greatly enjoyed by the audiences. Miss Carrie Moore still continues to provide her successful songa; Herman and Shirley in their weud novelty act create a good impression, ■while "The Magpies" provide a oomplete show in themselves. ' THE KING'S THEATRE. The strong emotional drama, "Tess of the Storm Country," is proving a great success at the King's Theatre. Miss Mary Pickford is the chief character and her delightful acting forms the main attraction in the film. The story is well told, and the many dramatic scenes are of exceptional merit. In

the-. Fupporting films, , "A Midsummer Love Tangle is a screaming comedy which deserves great' praise, while the other views of the war are topical. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. "The Woman with the Red Hair," a detective drama full of exciting events, is tlie star film at "Everybody's" Theatre. It is the tale of the tracking of a gang of jewellery thieves, who are captured just as they are on the point of escaping by steamer to America. A further "Bully Boy" series of cartoons, ''.Those Country Kids," and "A Dog's Good Deed," are other films of much interest. ' MAOMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. . The programme at MacMahdn's New Thoatrflj Manners Street, is headed by a Lincoln-Cass drama, entitled "The Reprieve," a story dissecting this, primitive liiimari passions. "The District Attorney's Burglar" is another fine love story, while "Mabk and the Fashion. Model" is a ra-pid comedy which causes screaming laughter. "A Dramatic Mistake" is a Keystone comedy., up to the standard of this well-known firm of makers. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. Tho new programme to be presented at the People's Picture Palace to-day is headed by a Bison drama, entitled "The Isle of Abandoned Hope." This deals with a party of white meii, who are wrecked on. a savage island in the South .Seas. They would have . been exterminated by the natives had not tlie chief's daughter interceded in their behalf. They aro then placed in a valley, the only outlet from whioh is guarded. One of the men, Clifford, finds an underground river leading to the e'ea, and after exciting adventures the white men escape, just as the natives arrive to avenge a wrong committed by one of the prisoners. The supporting films . include the Eclair Journal; "Toilers of the Sea," "Estranged, .. "Bloomer Photographer," and "A Midnight Wedding."

THE EMPRESS THEATRE.

"The Gypsy's Vendetta," described as a stirring dramatic "feature" by tho Scandinavia Company, will be the main item of the ne\v programme to bo introduced at the Empress Theatre today and to-night. The heroine, a woodcutter's child, is adopted by a baud of gypsies; When, she grows Up she is courted by .Serena and Pablo, two of tho band, but she has no alfectioh for cither: She accidentally meets Fritz, a young composer, and love springs up between them. They run away and get married; Belle's disappearance causes a. quarrel between Serena and Pablo, which results in the latter's death. Serena escapes froni the camp, but Pablo's sister swears to be avenged for her brother's death. Some years pass. Serena, an outcast, discovers where Belle Uvea, and kidnaps her child Ina. Fritz dies broken-hearted, and Belle becomes a Sister of Charity. Liter on Pablo's sister meets Serena and murderously attacks him. Ina defends Seronij biit he suffers fatal wound?, and is carried to the hospital of.the Sisters of Charity, where he. meets Belle. Before he dies lie confesses all. Among the supporting films are "Eclair , lVar Special No.. 7," showing the Indian troops in France; the Bengal Lancers going into action, and other interesting scenes.

"THE MESSIAH."

Since the days gf Santley no male singer lias so completely captivated the English public as Peter'Dawson. Even in "these prosaic.days when "hero atid hero worship" are regarded as things of tllb past, he is as great an idol of London's popular concert-goers as were the great Santley and Sims Reeves. In these- terms the London "Post" recently described the exalted position that the world-famous baritone, Mr. Peter Daw-' son, to-day occupies. His voice is possessed of great breadth and power and beautiful .musical timbre; in its compass it carries every shade of vocal colouring.. His breathing and phrasing are also described as phenomenal. In the Town Hall to-morrow night the musical public of. Wellington will have an opportunity of hearing Mr. Peter Dawson for the first time in New Zealand in Handel's masterpiece, "The Messiah." The other soloists will bo Miea Mina Caldow (contralto), Miss Ahnetta George (soprano), and Mr. Martin Duff (tenor). The booking is said to be very good, and a full houso is expected. Two shilling aud three shilling seats can still be reserved at tho Dresden. A limited supply of Is. tickets will be on sale at the box office to-morrow. The.final rehearsal will bo held in the Town Hall to-night, when only performers will be admitted. The concert will commence at 8 and conclude at 10 p.m.