ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2371, 29 January 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE GONDOLIERS." It is after tho succession of latter-day comic operas or musical comedies, as wo have came to know them that one appreciates to the full the advent of tho Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. After tho host of ephemeral light operas the sparkling, wonderful melody of Sullivan, interwoven with tho mordant Batire. and just as wonderful huhour of Gilbert, is indeed most refreshing. The first of tho repertoire, "Tho Goudoliers," was repeated at tho Opera House last night before a houso which was crowded from floor to ceiling. Tho casting of tho part of that volatile, whimsioal dandy tho Duko of Plaza-Toro with Mr. Charles Walenn has been singularly successful. If ever an aotor appreciated all the subtle touches of Gilbertian wit and satire Mr. Walenn does. Undoubtedly the most popular itom of the whole performance was Mr. Edward M'Keown's singing of, "Tako a Pair of Sparkling Eyes." In this, as in the other wellknown selections from the opera tho audience insisted on encores. The choruses went with an admirablo swing last night, while th« orchestra was successful. To-morrow evening and on Monday . and Tuesday nights "The Yeomen of the Guard" will be produced. "Tho Yeomen of tho Guard ' is the model of what a comic opera should be._ Seldom have stage effects and music combined to such an impressive climax as that achieved in the sudden ending to the execution scene where Colonel Fairfas was to have lost his head. Both the librettist and the composer are absolutely at one. Tho music in "The Yeomen of the Guard" rises at times to the plane of grand opera, and tho chorus at tho end of the first act is alone worth hearing. Miss Pearl Ladd receives every opportunity as Elsie Maynard to display to tho fullest the richness of her magnificent soprano voice. The part of Jack Point, the jester, taxes every resource of the comic opera comedian, aud in Mr. Charles Walenu's hands it is said to receive the treatment mapped out.for it by W. S. Gilbert. Mr. Edward M'Keown has been lavishly praised elsewhere for his brilliant characterisation of Colonel Fairfax, and his singing is a feature of the revival. Miss Ethel Morrison made a big success in Auckland as Dame Carruthers, and Miss Katie May, as Phoebe Meryll also achieved a triumph. A feature of the production is the orchestral and chorus work. Only three performances can be given of "The Yeomen of the Guard," which will be followed by three performances of "lolanthe." The plans for the season are at the Britsol. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. . Only for two nights longer will the wonderful animal act, billed as "Schell's Lions," be showing at His Majesty'e Theatre. It certainly has been one of the greatest attractions the firm hasever secured for the New Zealand cirouit. John Earle, the man who does wonderful juggling tricks with hats, has already won lame and popularity, and the Driscoll Brothers' snow is one that never fails to win general approval. Among other popular performers are: Madame.Rose Lorenz,. the Two Franklins, Herman aud Shirley, Briukman, and the Steele Sisters, Wykehani and Preston, and M'Kenzio and Gue6t. THE KING'S THEATRE. The biggest picture on the bill at the King's Theatre is the drama with the startling title of "Tho Brute." It is a strong drama, performed as well I as, it is possible to perform it by the famous Players Company. The title role is played by Mr. Malcolm Williams, a noted American actor. In more cheerful vein is a Keystone Comedy entitled "Hello, Mabel!" The Keystone farces are invariably funny. An unusually interesting descriptive series shows the American-lumber men, renowned by story, at work risking their lives and .earning their dollars running logs on the River Maine. The Bathe Gazette for the week is an exceptionally interesting budget of news pictures. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The ever-changing crowds of people who.are flocking to Everybody's Theatre this week are being attracted by the feature item "Warfare in tho Air." Tho evolutions of modern aircraft and their use in thus newest kind of warlike operations are well described, and illustrated by tho film. The comedy of the programme is supplied mainly by the Keystone picture "TheMasquerader," by Mr. Charles Chaplin, the now familiar and widely-popular fun-maker. Other pictures are the Gaumont War Graphic, "From Peril to Peril," "Nieuport Under Fire," "Wife's Athletic Mania," aud the departure of New Zealand's Third Reinforcements. THE. EMPRESS. THEATRE. "Fangs of Fate," a "efature" drama by the Latium Company, js at the head of the new series introduced at the Empress Theatre yesterday. Madame Dora Fleming, a noted singer, leaves the stage and settles in the country with her daughter Lucy. At a social function Lucy meets Baron Leroux, who becomes a suitor for bor hand. She, however, falls in love with Charles Vernon, son of Sir Harold 'Vernon. Sir Harold gives his consent on the condition that Lucy's mother shall leave the district. Charles Vernon is loved by his cousin Maud, who is. frantically jealous. Together with Baron Leroux, Maud plots to debase Lucy. During Charles' absence, Maud hides the Baron in Lucy's rooms. As soon as Lucy discovers the Baron she alarms the household, and the Baron is shot and wounded by Sir Harold Vernon. Charles is told of the affair by his father, and the former turns Lucy from the house. Lucy goes to her mother, who unmasks the villainy of the Baron and Maud. Supporting films include: "The Poblet Monastery (scenic), "The Silkworm" (insect study), "The Topical Budget" (animated news), and "Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe." MACMAHON'S THEATRE. The feature of the programme at MacMahon's' to-day will be the photoplay entitled "The Parasite," dramatised from Helen Martin's novel of that name. This picture is claimed to be a social study, and it created something of a sensation in London. The book was a brilliant one. The picture-play is even more convincing, because it eliminates in its rapid action much of the detail that is apt to burden the modern ■ novel. It is a lesson and a prayer, and a problem in one, and no picture has made a wider impression in London this season. "Tho Parasite" has been secured exclusively for MacMahon's Theatre, where it will be shown to-day with a specially, strong supporting programme of dramatic, comic, and scenic features. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. The success of the pictorial version of Du Maurier's fjreat play "Trilby" at the People's Picture Palace has been so pronounced, that the management have decided to show it until the end of the week. Yesterday the other pictures on the bill were -changed, tho principal new ones being an A.B. drama entitled "Chief's Love Affair," detailing how a chief of police went about to capture a gang of thieves, and "Pals," a pretty story which tells how a flower girl saves a pavement artist from being sent to prison. Other new pictures are entitled: "A Vcgcterian's Dream," "Umbrian Scenes," and "Under the Flug of France." All are intensely interesting, amusing, instructive, or otherwise diverting, according to their character. The programme is an exceptionally strong one, and as has been stated on all bands on many occasions, tho pictorial dramatisation of ..<!_mu_ji _.jkjnost marked guocepa. _>./