ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2341, 24 December 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"A ROYAL DIVORCE." 'At the Opera House on Saturday • night J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will present the popular dramatic actor, Mr. Julius Knight, supported by Miss Irene Browne and a powerful supporting company of over 80 artists, in the successful Napoleonic military dramatic spectacle, A Royal Divorce." There has j been a large demand for seats, but posi- J tions in central parts of the theatre may be selected at the Dresden to-day and to-morrow, and on Saturday seats can be reserved at the office of His Majesty's Theatre, and day sales may j be purchased at Miss Lennox's. During j the present tour, it is stated, the i "Royal Divorce" has broken every 1 known record in each theatre in which it has been presented, not only in New Zealand, but in Australia and England. Mr. Knight's Napoleon is a characterisation which is full of artistic nobility. When he leaves the stage—and the present is to be his final tour —bis wide circle of admirers'will always recall this dominating figure of the all-conquering and conquered French Emperor as one of the most impressive of his greatest achievements. Special interest will centre in Saturday night's performance from the fact that it will introduce to us a new Josephine, and in this character that brilliant actress, Miss Irene Browne, is said to be at her best. Her characterisation of the hapless and discarded wife of Napoleon created quite a sensation in Melbourne recently. Miss Dorothy Cumming, said to be one of the prettiest actresses on the English stage, has been lavishly praised for her representation of the haughty Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon's second wife, and Miss Lizetto Parkes has created an excellent impression in the role of Stephanie. Messrs. Leslie Victor, Eardley Turner, Herbert Bontley, J. Harvey, and Martin Lewis have all most congenial parts to portray. New scenery and effects were recently made for the thrilling battle tableaux which depict "The Battle of Waterloo," "The Burning of Moscow," and "The Rock at St. Helena." PETER DAWSON. On Saturday evening the English Concert Company, with Mr. Peter Dawson as the star artist, will give their first concert in the Town Hall, the box plan of which and the- two following concerts is open at the Dresden. Realising the advantages of a varied concert programme to suit all tastes, Mr. Dawson has a number of artists whose talents are unlimited in their respective spheres. Mr. Dawson is a tower of strength as a concert_ artist, and it is said that he treats his items with an artistry that compels admiration. His London and provincial successes have extended over a period of eight years. His name is now a household word; ho has fought his way up the ladder of fame in London. For prices of seats see our advertisement columns. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The brilliant wire-walkers, the Helen-Leaeh-Wallin Trio, are scoring great successes at His Majesty's Theatre. The bill contains a number of other artists who are very entertaining, including George Melrose, impersonator and elocutionist; George Hall, elocutionist; Neil Cant, Scotch entertainer; and the, Magpies' Concert Company. THE KING'S THEATRE. The "Adventures of Miss Tomboy" are entertaining big houses at the King's. It is a fine picture, featuring John Bunny as the very heavy father. "The Pathe Gazette" is most interesting, and the programme includes also "The Chief of Police" (drama), "When Men Wear Skirtß" (a scream), "Scenes in and Around the. Belgian Capital," and "The New York Police, Carnival." EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. Max Pemberton's great spy story, "Kronstadt," :s drawing heavily' at Everybody's Theatre. The supporting films include "Canada's Call to Arms," . an instructive numher which gives a fine idea of the quality of the men the big Doniinio.i is sending to the front. There will.be a ipecial programme on Christmas Day. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. The change programme at the People's Picture Palace to-day will etar a very fine drama, entitled "His Last Chance." A short synopsis of this film says: "Bob Reid is a reporter. His friend Tom is one of a fast gambling set. Bob and Tom arrange to kidnap a millionaire, thereby securing for Bob a fine story for his paper. The semicomedy develops into a tragedy when the millionaire is found murdered. A detective lays a trap for the murderer, with surprising results." Other pictures to do shown are; "The Annual" (Rex drama), "Lisbeth" (drama), "The Motor Boy'* (comedy), "The Girl Boy Scout" (comedy), "Eclair Journal" (latest topics), "Paris and the Eiffel Tower" (scenery). There will be a special series of pictures for Christmas Day. MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. To-day.is the last of the children's special Christmas present matinees at MacMahon's Theatre, and m addition to the regular present and the special children's programme, every hundredth child will receive an extra gift. Ine experiment has been a great success, and throughout the week the theatre has been one riot of happy children, who have supplied their own orchestra, with trumpets and whistles. To-night the usual programme will be shown, headed by a really charming drama, The Spider and Her Web," and another delightful little domestic photo-playlet, entitled' 1 "He and She." The comic element is also strong. Last night "Weird Rotorua" was added to the bill, ibis is a truly remarkable scenic picture of tho weird wonderland of the thermal regions, showing the geysera in action and all the features of the district Tomorrow a special programme will be shown, commencing at 2.30. This will include "The Power of the Cross, "The Angelus," "God's Way," "Weird Rotorua," "Our Egyptian Allies," and other scenic and topical subjects. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. There will be a complete change of programme at the Empress Theatre today, the leading subject being "The Race for the Rubies," described as a thrilling "feature" detective drama. Nat Pinkerton, the eminent detective, is commissioned to capture a gang or jewellery thieves. Pinkerton tracks the criminals to Naples, where he experiences several thrilling encounters with them, but ultimately he is triumphant. "The World's News" includes topical happenings in various parts of the world, and shows tho Servian Army at Belgrade and Nisli guarding the railway. "The German Occupation of Louvain" should prove to be thoroughly interesting. The rest of the series will comprise comedy photo-plays. To-mor-row (Christmas Day) an appropriate programme will be presented, including ''Pilgrim'B Progress," commencing at' 2.30 p.m. '