ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2360, 16 January 1915, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

GEORGE WILLOUGHBY DRAMATIC COMPANY.

"The Ever Open Door," described as a human drama that touchcs the heart, by George It. Sims, is to be the opening attraction of the George Willoughby Company, who commcnco an eight-night season at the Grand Opera House on Monday evening next. 'The London Press, describing the production of "The Evor Open. Door, states, that "Tho piece is a revelation . of thought and circumstances, showing tho countless types of character in the world's metropolis. It is a play with a purpose, with an'uncommon and original story." _ Tho company, which will appear with their scenery and appointments in their entirety, will be headed by Mr. George Cross and Miss Vera Romeo. The first three nights of the' season will bo taken up by "The Evor Open Door," which will then give way for three nights to "Ouida's" famous story "Under Two Flags," and tho re- ! maining two nights of the season will bo occupied by Alexander Dumas, Eils celebrated classic drama "Camille," in which Miss Rcmee is said to have achieved a success of moro than honorary mention, Tbe box plans for tho season, are now open at the Bristol Piano Depot, and no extra .charge is made for booking. Reserved seats three shillings. Early door day sale tickets tc> back stalls and gallery are I now obtainable at Christeson's. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. At His Majesty's Theatre Mdlle. DaI venport's Models continue to -exercise a charm over audiences in their representations of sculptural groups, which aro faithful in pose an symmetrical in figure. Keen and Waller and Fields and Coco contribute excellent turns, and Mr. Geo. Whitehead sings with his brain as his voice. The Corrick Family supply the first half of the programme. . There will be a matineo performance this afternoon. Schell's lions will be the attraction for Monday evening. 1 KING'S THEATRE. At the King's Theatre, splendid acting, an appealing story, and a very close attention to detail is incorporated in "A Million Bid," which, in brief, is the price offered by a millionaire for the love of his wife, who has been forced to marry him through her mother's overweening ambition. The story is admirably told, and has made a distinct- impression on picture lovers. Other, good pictures in the programme are "The Temples of Nikko," "Septem-' ber Morn," and "Tho Battle for Calais." There .will bo a matinee performance at the "King's" this afternoon. The music at this theatre is good enough to call for special attention.

EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. . A galaxy of stars of the "movies" contribute to a very excellent programme at tho Opera House. A picture of outstanding charm is the quaint; Dutch conceit, "Lena and the Geese," in which Mary Pickford' figures to advantage. "The Acid Test" brings Maurico Costeilo into tho limelight, and there are a number of up-to-date war pictures showing ''Tommy" and the Allies at "work near the front. On Monday the change programme will include the latest Keystone comedy "The Iloiindors," in which Charles Chaplain and Roscoe Arbuclilo, tlie fat man, have a gloriotis_ night out. ; The latest war pictures will also be soreelied. ; PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. "The Sheep Herders":", is the: chief dramatic feature in., the picturo pro-' gramme at the People's Picture Palace, an interesting little- drama enacted in a picturesque sotting. Other good pictures that are being screened to-day are: "Mother of Seven," "Whoso Diggeth a Pit," and "Pimple's Fight with Jac'k Johnson." .War pictures also figure in the bill.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE.. The final appearance is announced for to-day and to-night of the present programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures, which includes the K. and E. Company's "feature" comedy, "Liberty Belles." Other-films.are: "The ' Defence of Alost," "The Topical Budget," "Cairo and the Pyramids," "The Siege of Antwerp," and "Greed for Gold" (Lubin drama). An entirely new programme will be introduced on Monday. J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA. The booking recorded for. the overland tour of J. C. Williamson's Gilbert, and Sullivan Comic Opera Company is. reported to have been simply phenomenal. At New Plymouth, where "The Gondoliers" is to be staged on Monday night next, there wis a record demand for seats, and the same thing happened at Wanganui}. where"The Gondoliers" will be presented on Tuesday next, and "The Mikado" will be revived on Wednesday next. Oil Thursday next "The Gondoliers" will bo staged at Palmerston North, and ' '£he Mikado" will be produced on the 22nd. On Saturday next "The Gondoliers" will bo staged at Napier, and itWill be followed on Monday, January 25, by "The Mikado," and the Japanese comic opera will be performed at the. Masterton Town Hall on Tuesday, January 26. Great interest centres in. the Wellington, season, which begins on Wednesday, January 27, because tho opening night will signalise tho first appearance here with a professional company of Miss Ethel Morrison (Miss Ethel Maginuity), who was a leading member of our local amateur society. Miss Morrison has achieved a distinct success in tho Gilbert and Sullivan roles in England, and Australian critics comI pared her work very favourably with that of previous delineators of tho contralto parts in theso oporas. Although the season is to be a brief one, the management has decided to present tho company in no fewer than six of the best and most popular of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera,;. The season will be inaugurated with "The Gondoliers," and tho Venetian opera will be followed by "Tho Yeomen of the Guard," "The Mikado," "H.M.S. Pinaforo," "The Pirates of Ponzance," and "lolanthe." The plans for the entire season will be opened at the Bristol on Saturday, January 23. A' big feature of the operas are the chorus and orchestral work. There are over ISO travelling members in the organisation.