ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2345, 30 December 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"A ROYAL DIVORCE." The success of the Williamson, revival, "A Royal Divorce," continues, another big attendance greeting the rising of the curtain at the Grand Opera House last overling. Mr. Julius Knight j gives a fine impersonation of Napoleon. , The spectacular splendour of "A Royal j Divorce," with its picturesque and miii- ; tary surroundings, together with its ; interesting story dealing with the love episodes of the great Emperor and his , Empi-ess Josephine, have made this play one of the greatest attractions of the modern stage. The tableaux describing Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, the two scenes showing the Battle of Waterloo and the moving picture of the man of destiny, alone, on the rock at St. Helena aro not only gems of the sccnc-paiuter's art, but "are also fine creations of the dramatist. In Mr. Knight we have an fnteresting figure, arid an almost speaking likeness, according to recognised prints, : of the "Little Corporal." As he walks upon the stage he looks as if ho had stepped out of one of Messonier's masterpieces. Miss Irene .Browne as the Empress Josephine, divides the principal honours with Mr. Knight. TJhe box plans for the last ten nights, including performances of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "The Sign of the Cross,',' "The'' Silver King," and "Monsieur Beaucaire," will be opened at the Dresden this morning. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ■ This week's bill at His Majesty's Theatre is as bright and entertaining as ■any lover of vaudeville could wish. The Corricks provide an excellent vocal and instrumental, concert, which occupies the first half of the evening. Clinton and Beatrice give, a wonderful exhibition of sharpshooting;, and the Dangars introduce the cyclodrome, with which bicycling races are held on the'stage. V Mr. George Melrose gives some excellent impersonations of well-known artists; and the Helen-Leach-Wallin Trio and other performers complete the bill. THE KING'S THEATRE. . The Kalem Company's study of re-, incarnation entitled "The Mystery of tho Sleeping Death." heads the bill at •the King's Theatre this week. It is a highly interesting romance, embracing an ancient Indian legend. 'The Pathe Gazette" contains topical war pictures. "The' Little Mischief," "The Price of a Lio," and "Summer Resort. Idyll" aro among the other pictures in- .the programme. Special arrangements are be--1 ing made for .the New Year 'holiday sea'son. r. ' ■. ■ * ■ '.

EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. The attractive programme now) running at Everybody's Theatre is being exceptionally well patronised. It is headed by a.Patho-Colour military play, "King in Name Alone," a really fascinating film. Among the' supporting numbers is anlexcellent. Keystone comedy, "The Naval Brigade in Holland," "Girl of the Season," and "The Gaumont War Graphic." MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. Holiday audiences continues to throng to the New Theatre, and the change of programme "yesterday was greeted with warm enthusiasm.. The .'head-; liner is a stirring dramatic'photo-play, entitled "Stolen Laurels," featuring the ups and downs in ' life of, an enterprising couple,' who ■ battled • against big • ocKs, and won right out'eventually. Another attractive picture is a series of views of the Indian troops, ; showing the enrolment ,of our native allies, their dispatch to the front, and the men, actually in -the fighting line. This is the most interesting war picture, that lias yet been shojvn. Supporting these' stars are: : "forgotten" (a throbbing society dramas, "The Talisman" (a quaint, . coloured. . comedy-drama), "Papa's Boy" (absolutely the latest Keystone release),, and a number of other varied pictures." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Those who have not already witnessed "Classmates," the K. and E. : Company's drama, and current supporting programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures will /have a final opportunity of doing so to-day aiul to-night. Other films on the present bill include the latest; "Topical War Budget," "Lake Maggiore," scenes on the picturesque lake of North Italy, and comic items. There will be a complete change to-morrow. /PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. An unusually fine series of photo plays wa6 produced at the People's Pioture Palace yesterday. Large crowds visited the theatre during the various sessions. The principal attraction on the' programme is an excellent Tanhauser drama entitled "The Catspaw." It deals 1 with diplomatic life-with the usual love story running through it.' A pair of foreign spies, are frustrated in their efforts to secure the King's dispatches by Lord Trevor, a "free lance." who is said to be attached to the British War Office.; Both the acting and staging of the piece are good, and many of the scones are of particular interest at the present time. It is one of the best pictures of its class seen in Wellington for some time. There is another good drama supporting the leai ing attraction, called "The Field Foreman." Other pictures screened yesterday were the Warwick Chronicle, giving the latest war news, "Bill Barley a > a Dancing Master (comic), "Land of the Hindoo," "Pimples Fire of London," and many others. The pro--1 gramme will be repeated l till further notica.

PETER, DAWSON'S FINAL CONCERT Mr. Peter Dawson gave his third and final concert in tho Town Hall last nifilit, and received a most enthusiastic reception from an audience that, comfortably filled the. hall. Mr. Dawson is a type of singer that one can listen to for hours and not tire of. His programmes are admirably arranged—for instance, his items last night opened with the dramatic Prologue 5) Pagliacci (Leoncanella), sung with power and effect,, then followed a most sympathetic and appealing rendition of "To Chloe, In ' Sickness" (Robert Burns). Then on liis nest appearance Mr. Dawson bracketed the following trio of popular vocal numbers, "Soul of Mine" (Ethel Barns), "Beyond the Sunset" (Frank E. Tours), and "Parted" (Tosti). The baritone's other numbers were two of Rudyard Kipling's inspiriting and rollicking songs. The most successful concluding numbers of the singer were "Danny Deever" (Walter Damrosoh), "Up From Somerset" (Sanderson), and others of the'most popular of his previous concert repetoires. Miss Annetta George sang with some success "Mimi's Song" (from La Boherae), "Love's Appeal," and "New Moon" (two ballads),, and oncoro numbers. -; She was also associated with Mr. Dawson in a vocal duet; "Beyond the Meadow Gate" (Montague Phillips). _ Miss Grace Newman played several violin solo numbers, "Hejre Kati" (Hubay) and Lemare's "Andantina" 1, being the best of her selections. M'ss Carlien Jurs was tho accompanist, while 6he opened the programme with Debussy's "Prelude No. 3."