ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2350, 5 January 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE SIGN OF THE CROSS." To-morrow and two following nights tho Julius Knight Company will stage their third attraotiou of tlio season, "The Sign of the Cross." Mr. Julius Knight's performance of tho Roman Prefect, Marcus Superbus, is' known throughout Australasia. The play has always proved vastly popular. The 6tory of tho conversion of the pagan Marcus Superbus to Christianity under the influence of a good woman's love, and the heroic death of the lovers in the arena before the bloodthirsty Nero <an never fail to awaken sympathy in a modern audience—this addea to the glamour of ancient Rome, with whioh the play is liberally endowed—and the gorgeous mountings and costuming, invariably assist in making it more than ordinarily powerful attraction. Special interest as attached to the production by the appearance of Miss Irene Browne in the role of Berenice, and Miss Lizette Parkes in that of Mercia. Saturday and Monday next "The Silver King" is underlined—the three last nights being devoted to performances of Monsieur tieaucairo. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Fields and Coco,. who made a first appearance in Wellington at .His Majesty's Theatre last night, are comedy acrobats of high class, and their turn is quite the feature of> the Fuller-Brennan vaudeville programme this week. These new performers, hailing. from America, bring with them a number of wellknown feats in the line, but in addition introduce several entirely new ideas of hand and head balancing, and their turn is produced in a droll, inimitable manner which makes a strong appeal to the house. There is an element of dangep to one of the performers in almost every part of their work, but, judging by the ease with' which all feats are accomplished, they seem quite oblivious to this. .The conclusion of the turn last evening was the signal for vociferous applause, which lasted some minutes. The newcomers had thoroughly deserved the warm reception accorded them, and they are sure to draw big houses while appearing in the ' City. The Corrick Family, instrumentalists and variety entertainers, gave all new items on tho first half of the programme, which did not contain a dull moment. Tw.o very good numbers by this clever little company were the quartet "Stealing a Kiss," by Misses Ruby and Elsie Corrick and Messrs. Corrick and Caldwell, and the finale, "Saucy Sally," by the whole company. Mr. Jaok Bonny had good opportunity to display his ability as a comedian in the finale, and made the most of it. Mr Carleton Chase, assisted by Mr. Gene ' Hawkes at the piano, is never laboured in his efforts as a specialty entertainer. He rendered new songs last night in capital voice, his enunciation remaining as clear as ever. Clinton and Boatrice, the wonderful sharpshooters, proved as accurate as everj and at the conclusion of theb> performance commenced their competition, the first heat being won by Mr.'Hickson, who is to compete in. the final on Friday night. The Barclay Sisters Bang fresh songs, and the Famous Dangars filled { a corner in the bill with their 'sensational cycling ■ THE KING'S THEATRE. A remarkably, fine picture drama, which is something 1 of an education in New York politics, was shown at the King's Theatro last night, and will be billed, every, evening this week and on Saturday afternoon. The film is entitled, "The Man and the Ring," and the story concerns the Mayoral candidature of one Gormley and the means adopted by the Traction Ring to oust him. The head of the traction ring is Haldane, who was with Gormley on the goldfields in years. gone by. In those days both men occasionally'visited Jim Martin' 6. inn. Haldane ran away with Jim Martin's wife. Being pursued, the pair separated, and Mrs. Martin took' refuge in a hut which. happened to' be Gormley's. . Martin followed, revolvers were drawn, and Martin wa'6 shot. Gormley and the woman fled, and left Martin for dead. Pinned to his coat was a note signed by Gormley : "I kill-' ed Jim Martin." Years afterwards Gormley was a New York merchant prince, and a beneftctor of the poor. He was induced to stand for the Mayoralty to expose the traction ring. At a critical stage of the campaign tha ■ woman Martin came on the scene, .and attempted to blackmail Gormley; She failed, and sold her information to Haldane, the head of the ring. Haldane 6ent for the sheriff, who had the "confession" regarding Martin's death, and at a dramatic meeting the "confession" ,was produced, also ' Jim Martin (who had-recovered), whose words were: "This man did not shoot, ma " The ring was foiled, and .Gormley succeeded to the Mayoralty. What was of more importance, to him,, he won Haldane's pretty daughter. Among the other > items on ■the programme are: "The Island of Madeira," "The 'Bear' Facts," "The Latest Topical)" and "Susanna's New Suit."

"CAUGHT IN A CABARET." "Caught in a Cabaret";proved a great drawing card at Everybody's Pictures yesterday afternoon and evening, and between 8 and 9 o'clock many patrons could not be accommodated. Any Keystone comedy will draw the crowds, and when the leads are played by Charles Chaplin and oMabel Normand business will never, fail. , "Caught in a Cabaret is considered to ■ be the piece in which Chaplin has'scored his greatest success. The screening of the film 'resulted in enormous attendances at different picture houses in Sydney and Melbourne, and the indications are that it will have a record run in Wellington. IJnlike many another picture comedy, it ha,s en interesting plot, and. many funny situations are developedin that fast and furious style, familiar to Chaplin and Miss Normand/ Ae a waiter in a cabaret, Chaplin has numerous opportunities to 'display his artistic abilities, but it is while he is off duty that the opportunity comes to him to, rescue Mabel Normand from a footpad. He appears such a hero in the eyes of the girl that she inquires his name, and he produces his card to show that he is Baron Doobugle, Prime Minister of Greenland. Ho is invited, to a party the following day, and after attending, disguised as a statesman, he is subsequently identified in his lowly position in the cabaret, and rather severely punished by Miss Normand. The picture is in two parts, and sets the house in roars of laughter for half an hour at every session. Supporting items include a Western drama by the Majestic Company entitled "Every Man His His Price"; and an interesting industrial subjeot by the Kalem Company under the name of "Pood for the Doge of War," which illustrates the manufacture of ammunition in all its branches. Other films are: "A Coward's Sacrifice," an intensely .human story; "Bully Boy," latest- war cartoons; "Wild Birds of Scotland," Pathe colour nature study; and'a remarkably good edition -of the Gaumont Graphic. A capable orchestra accompanies the pictures at both afternoon and evening sessions.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Th« Tower of Terror," a drama by the Abulia Company, ranks as the main item in tho change of programme presenteel yesterday at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. Count Adolpho, an Italian nobleman, while in India, elopes with Vasca, daughter of a Hindoo priest, and forgets' Elda Fassino, his fianceo, in Rome. Elda's father, a banker and member of the Black Dagger League, sends his servant Michael to India to be avenged on the count for his treatment of Elda. Michaol and his assistants kill the count's Hindoo bride, and abduct his infant daughter. The count returns to Rome and weds Elda, and when

Ilia father dies becomes heir to a big estate. The' balance of the story is exciting with plots and thrilling adventure, and grips right to the end. The "Eclair War Special" depicts the ruthless destruction wrought by the Germans in Belgium. A famous Maori battle is commemorated by the unveiling of a monument on the occasion of the jubilee celebrations which are shown in "The Battle of Orakau." "Oh That Telephone," a laughable, up-to-date skit, is prominent among the comic films. The series will be soreened again to-day and to-night. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. Two very good domestic dramas were included in the new change of programme shown for the first time at the People's Picture Palace yesterday. The principal one, "The Stepmother," iB full of pathos and feeling from beginning to end. Briefly told, the story is as follows: —Flo has a bosom friend. Hazel. Both are in lovo with Matt, but Hazel becomes his wife. Flo remains the bosom friend, although her heart is brokon. Some years later Hazel dies, leaving two children. Flo marries Matt by Hazel's express desire. The pair drift apart, however, on account o! Flo having the idea that Matt is indifferent to her love. She proves her worth by her devotion to one of the children, who is stricken with a contagious disease, and the pair are brought together, and all ends happily. The acting throughout the piece is good, especially that of the children. The other picture is entitlod "Forgetting." It is a pretty little story, telling of a man's neglect of his wife and her faithfulness despite the fact that she loves, and is ioved, by another. Other items on T he new bill are "'The American Soldier" (dramatic): "Spending it Quick" (comio): "Warwick Chronicle," and "Jike's iHoodoo" (comic). The latest series of war pictures were shown last evening, and attracted considerable attention.