ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2367, 25 January 1915, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

GEORGE WILLOTJGHBY'S DRAMATIC COMPANY. On Saturday evening, at the Grand Opora House, "Under 'IVo Flags" was produced for tbo last time. To-night, "Camille" will be produced. This is an evergreen favourite, as much so as tho historic "East Lynne." Miss Vera Remee will tako tho part of Camille, and will have every opportunity to display • hor attainments in emotional work. Mr. George Cross will appear as Armand. Tbo season will close tomorrow night. J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA co;' THE GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SEASON. This morning at 9 o'clock the box plans will be opened at tho Bristol (late Dresden) for the three representations of "The Gondoliers," to be staged at the Grand Opera House by J. C; 'Williamson's new English Comic Opera Company on 'Wednesday Tiert and two following nights, for the three performances of "The Yeomen of the Guard," to be staged on Saturday next andtwo subsequent evenings; for the revivals of "lolanthe," to be presented on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, February 3, i, and o; for the three productions of "The Mikado," to- bo perforated on Saturday, February 6 and two following nights; for the ' representations of "ILM.S. Pinafore," to be staged on. Wednesday and Thursday, February 10 and 11; for the revival oi "The Pirates of Penzance," to be produced on Friday and Saturday. February 12 and .13. "The Gondoliers": What memories are reoalled by the words? What famous personalities, names half forgotten in tho_ ebb and .flow of the years, spring into being before the mind's eve of those among us who have had the happy privilege of personal acquaintance with the palmy days of Gilbert and Sullivan, when these two makers of nativo opera first cast the spell of their magic ovor the Eng-lish-speaking world ? The J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management lias_ got together an organisation which, if we may judge by criticisms, does justice to the' genius of the famous librettist and composer. In Miss Gladys Moncrieff, has evidently been unearthed' a singer right out of. the ordinary. After hearing her in "The Gondoliers" in Sydney''Madame Melba took an active interest in the young Australian, and she predicts a big future for her. One of the best comedians rfho has yet visited' Australia is Mr. Charles Welenn, and unquestionably a very fine tenor in' Gilbert and Sullivan works is Mr.', Edwards M'Keown. ~ Albert Kava-> nagh, the Howard Vernon of the company, made a very favourable impression as Don Alhambra in "Tho Gondoliers." Special interest centres in the appearance of Miss Ethel Morrison in the role -of the Duchess of Plaza Toro, from the fact that she was a prominent member of the Wellington Operatic Society before sho joined the London . Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. Miss Pearl Ladd, Miss Katie May, and G. Villiers Arnold are other noted London artists, who will mako their first appearance here in "The Gondoliers." HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. For to-night's change of programme to be presented by the Fuller-Brennan Vaudeville Company, at His Majesty's Theatre , several now' star imported acts will be presented, notable among which will be John Earl, who is described as a "hatedian" "or hat juggler; Mdme. Rose Lorenz, who will go through a performance on the aerial trapoze,. which is reported to be of a sonsational nature; the Franklins, a pair of acrobatio comedians, who have been delighting Auckland audiences recently, wul present a novel sketch, entitled "Fun in a Farmyard"; and the Driscoll Bros, (reappearance),- who are well known here. Among others who will contribute to the entertainment are Herman and Shirley, in their amusing sketch, "The Mysterious. Masquerador; Brinkman and Steele Sisters, tho popular vocalists; Mr. Reg. Wykeham and Miss Pressy Preston, in a new farcical comedy; and ' M'Kenzie and Guest, the popular drawing-room entertainers. The last six nights are announced of Schell's lions. The programme will run for nights, and a matiilee will be held on Saturday.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The new programme to bo introduced at Everybody's to-day at noon contains special feature pictures. ' The star is a Vitagraph military drama, "Warfaro in the Air," iu which Gaston Mervale, an actor well known to Dominion audiences, through his association with the ,T. C. Williamson companies, plays tho part of Count Zurich, oommander of the Aviaition Corps. Gaston Mervale first came to New Zealand as a member of the Julius Knight Co. He was the original Tigellinus in "The Sign of the. Cross' in Australasia, and and achieved fame as Black Michael in "The Prisoner of Zenda." In "Warfare in the Air," a story of modern war, gigantic armies are engaged on either side. Gaston Mervala has a part which gives him great freedom for the display of his unique abilities, and as commander of the fleet of aeroplanes he achieved success. Supporting the star is a glorious Keystone comedy, "The Masqueraders," in which the favourite picture comedian, Charles Chaplin, disguises .himself as a lady, and fools the people all the time. Scenes of the "3rd N.Z. Expeditionnries," ''Gaumont War Gazette," "From Peril to Peril" (a dramatic ' gem), and "Wifie's Athletic Mania," are some of the other pictures to be screened.

KING'S THEATRE. At the King's Theatre this evening a very strolls dramatic feature is promised in "The Brute," in which Malcolm Williams is introduced to picture lovors. It is the storv of a self-made man wrapped up ii> his business, and a pretty delicate wife who'covets luxuries lier liusbaud is unable to give her. An old admirer, who has grown rich, comes her way, and the woman half- promises to elope with him. Tho tempter hurries west to realise on his mining interests preparatory to compassing his objcct, and whilst in Denver dies of appendicitis, leaving lier all his wealth. How she accepts tho fortuno, liow her husband discovers all, and the reconciliation, makes up a story of a highly dramatic character. The cliarming Mabel N'ormand will also appear in tlie comedy Keystono "Hello, Mabel!" and Mary l'ickford will figure in tho A.B. drama, "The Schoolteacher and the Waif." MAOMAHON'S THEATRE. < Owing to tlio success attacking to the production of the nntriotic story of the "Long Way to Tipperary," it- will, by special request, be kept on for. tine moro day at MncMahon's Theatre. Sido by side with it to-day will be shown a powerful Nordisk drama entitled "The Temptress," a photo-play of vividness and strength. This double bill will have the support of a merry comedy and the usual valued series of dramatic ami topical general subjects. To-mor-row will see a complete change of programme, and later in tlio week a uronue attraction in tho shape of a 3000-feet drama, "Tlio Pnrasite," will be shown. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Facing tho Enemy," billed as a sensational .war "feature" by tho Regent Company,' will bo tlio outstanding attraction of the new programme to-day and to-night at the Empress Theatre continuous picturos. Tho plot relates that a widow in Belgium, just before dying, leaves to each of her three young children a locket, in which are photos of herself and hor late husband, The

children arc adopted by different peoplo. Bob, tlio eldest, is taken to Germany, Kitty is sent to a convent in Belgium, and Billy, tho'youngest, goeswith his foster parent to England. When war is declared, Billy, now grown np and a prominent London journalist, accompanies tho forces to Belgium. Bob lias become a spy in tho service of tho German Government. Finally, the brothers meot again under tragic circumstances, and one identifies tho other by tho locket he wears. Tho supplementary programmo will be interesting and up-to-date.

PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A big attraction is offered at _ tho People's Pioture Palace this week in a pictorial representation of Du Manner e Trilby," with Sir Herbert Tree, one of England's greatest actors, as the role he created originally in England with enormous success.. It is not very often that a player of such prominenco is seen in pictures, and the chance' of witnessing the actor in such a notable play will he appreciated b) all lovers of tho drama at its best. This is only one of 'the many good things to bo offered at the Palace from tc-dav. A capable orchestra wiU supply tho incidental music.