ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2380, 9 February 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

__ "THE MIKADO." The revival of "The Mikado" by J. C. Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan ' Co. has been singularly successful. Tho great comic opera was received enthusiastically on Saturday uight, and again last night, when (lie of the largest audiences of the season was present. Tho applause, the laughter, and general opinion acclaimed it co bo easily tho best, production to date. Mr. Charles Wuloun's Ko-Ko is immense. He is the life and soul of tho whole opera, while ho appears to enjoy interpreting the part quite as much as tho audience enjoys liis interpretations. "The Mikado" will bo staged for the last tinio to-night. "H.M.S. PINAFORE." "H.M.S. Pinafore" is to bo staged to-morrow and on Thursday night, its rovival in Sydney recently was a most brilliant success. It was in "H.M.S. I'iual'oro" that Miss Gladys Moucrietf iirst dolifihtod Sydney playgoers, and at tho conclusion her two big solos, "Sorry llor Lot Who Loves 'l'ou Well" and "Oh. God of Love aud God of Reason, Bay, wore both doubly enoored. The revival was featured, too, by the singing by Mr. Frank Wilsoii of the patriotic number "Ho Is An Englishman," which created quite a sensation, ami it was oncored half a dozen times. Miss Kthel Morrison, it is said, makes a splendid Buttercup, and Mr. Edward M'&cown is said to be Ralph ltaclcstraw to the life. He has a great opportunity to display his voico iu the number "The Nightingale Sighed," which, with its iluto obbligato, is ono of the prettiest solos in tho opera. Mr. Albert Kavanagh is said to be screamingly funny as Dick Deadeye. "One of the most- enjoyable moments of tho revival," said a Sydney critic, "was afforded by Mr. G. V'illiors Arnold in his singing as Captain Corcoran oi the tender 'Fair Moon.' The charm of bis light baritone voico, tho skill with which he blended tho registers, and his sympathy with tho atmosphere of tho serenade music so impressed the audience that a double encore was demanded." Mr. Charles Walenn, who has already become a firm favourite with playgoers, should be at his best as Sir Joseph Porter. Miss Katie May will appear aB Hebe, in which she appeared successfully in Sydney. "H.ui.S. Pinafore" will be followed each evening by the operetta entitled "Trial by Jury." Only two performances can bo given of "Pinafore," and the season will close on Friday and Saturday next with two revivals of "The Pirates of Penzance."

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The programme now showing at His Majesty's Theatre is the best lor many weeks. First of all there are "The Magpies," a cheerful party of entertainers, who have come back with new songs, and especially a new funny song, "Who Killed Bill Kaiser," a parody on "Who Killed Cock Robin," sung to organ accompaniment in voices of dolorous pitch. Some of the verses were exceedingly clever. The greatest bit of the night was made by Phil Smith, one of t):e most popular of J. C. Williamson's ruccnt comedians. He has a partner in his act, Miss Jessie Barlee, and—a most unusual circumstance in vaudeville sketch turns —the partner has a fair share in the funmaking. Air. Smith has a lot of "gags," some of which may not be quite new, but as he gives them they arc all fresh.. Their best effort was in a sketchy coster song, for Mr. Smith and Miss Sarlee understand perfectly and can pourtray to tho life the coster and the girl of his cboicc on their frolics. For fifteen minutes or so the pair made tho audience laugh and applaud unrestrainedly. ■ Other new people are "The Soho Trio." They are not really a trio. One lady is a vocalist much'above the common vaudeville rank, and the other two are dancers. These dancers are the first and only dancers who have shown to a Wellington audience anything like a real tango, the tango which has been banned. The as it has been danced here by various exponents has been an insipid affair, not worthy even of condemnation. The Soho team have another version. They also do a very vigorous acrobatic or eccentric dance, with much clan and vigour. Altogether it is a very well finished performance. Miss Rose Lee Ivy sings more operatic music, more comic songs, and more raucous ragtime songs, scoring successes in all kinds. The Three Starrs have an elegantly-dressed, very ornamental, and generally pleasing song and dance speciality. The Driscoll Brothers make merry at each other's expense for the benefit of the audience.

THE KING'S. THEATRE. Last night's attendance at the King's Theatre was large, as is usual on tiie occasion of the cnauge of programme. The now series includes a variety of subject®—dramatic, comic,- scenic, and topical—and provides a capital evening's entertainment. The feature film is a thrilling four-reel version of. Edward t'eplo'fi celebrated comedy-drama "The fcpitiire," in which the leading role is played.by Oarlyle Blackwell. The othor parts are filled by compotent artists, so lhat the acting leaves nothing to be desired. The play itself provides an attractive plot, and the scenes are harmonised in such a style that the picture runs aiong smoothly to the grand climax. The story, as told on the screen, has for its hero Bruce Morson, a young American, who when returning from travels in .Egypt is robbed of some valuable jewels in a London hotel. He chases the thieves to the yacht "Spitlire" at Calais. The thieves havo taken command of the yacht under a forged order, and the yacht is ju6t about to sail, but Morson manages w> get aboard, and promptly falls in love with Valda Girard, the daughter of the owner, who has been left beniud. The thieves tell Valda her father is a smuggler, show her the jewels, they have stolen, and convince her ihey are guarding them for her father, and lhat Morson is a Customs officer, spying upon her in order to trap Girard. Valda indignantly turns upon Morson and compels him to work his passage to New York. On the voyage Morson undergoes 'many ordeals, and is accused of tlio theft of his own property. The burning of the yacht and ihe heroic rescue of Valda by Morson aro two scenes which form the prelude to an exciting linalo, graphically detailed. The supporting pictures include a Vitagraph comedy in which the popular artist John Bunny appears as a private in the Army. There are also a charming nature study entitled "Sea Anemones,'' a Lteliance drama "Miner's Peril," and an interesting topical budget in which King George is seen on the battlefields of Ypres. Musical accompaniments are played by the King's Symphony Orchestra.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The new programme introduced at Everybody's at noon yesterday was headed by a star pictorial dramatisation of A. C. Gunter's world-wide popular novel, "Sir. Barnes of New York," with Maurice Costcllo as Mr. .Barnes. Mr. Gunter's books —"Mr. l'otter of Texas," "Miss Nobody of Nowhere," and "Mr. Barnes of New York" —have always been among the most poputar sellers of tho day, a fact which no doubt weighed with the Vitagrapii Company when it secured the solo exclusivo rights to produco "Mr Barnes of New York" in picture form. No cost was spared in adopting the work to the k.inematograpli, and it is said_ that to date "Mr. Barnes «!' New York" is easily the most expensive picture yet sent out from the Vitagraph studios. When the company allotted tho part of Mr. Barnes to Maurico Costcllo, that actor's well-known power of characterisation was taken into account, and in his hands tho chaxactor scorns to wtoost

live. Mr. Bnrnou, a wealthy American, was travelling in Kuropo wlioii lie mot Count Danolhi, who invited him lo liiu estate in Corsica. Iloio lio hioolb llio Count's ward, Marina I'uoli. Owing to tlio death of her brother in ji thiol, Marina swears a vendetta ngaiimt hid 6layer, a British naval cllicor, but love, which overcomes all obstacles, shows her the folly of proseeutiug the vondotta to tho end, and she marries Oerald Anstruther. liarnes beoomc«s involved owing to his love for Aiistnither's Biwter, and then his sensational adventures commence. Kvory inch of the 000IJ I'eet of drama, which embodies incidents in Egypt, Moute Carlo, Corsica, and France, is crammed full of (sensational and exciting scenes.. Barnes, in daily peril of his life, keeps pace with tho adventures, and finally bo porsnades the .beautiful Enid Ansiruther to wed him, thus completing the chain of incideuts and bringing the story to an ond. Tho acting aud production is on a splendid scale, and "Mr. Barnes of Now York" will rank as one of tho best featuro films yet introduced at this popular picture house. Supporting pictures ineludo a Keystone comedy "Da6h aud Splash, ' the latest edition of "Tho Gaunionfc War Graphic," and anothor splondid war picture by tho Topical Film Co., giving views of King George aud the King of the Belgians reviewing the troop« ac Ypres boforo the departure for tlio trenches. Music is supplied by an ellicient orchestra at botn afternoon and evening sessions. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A very fine feature drama by the imp. Company was shown for tho lirst time at the i'topio'is Picture Palace yesterday, among several other exceptionally good him subjects. The picture, which ib entitled "\vhen tho World Was Silent," unfolds a drama of absorbing interest, and one that is powerfully acted aud splendidly reproduced. The story tells of one Fielding, a celfr; brated pianist and composer, and how in preference to his pretty fiance, Mary Shelley, ho becomes infatuated with a 'society belle. His formor ■ loye is jealous, and his wife, like tho usual society belle, insincere. Mary Shelley's jealousy overcomes her, aud iu an intensely dramatic scene she pours acid into i'ielding's ear so that to the great musician tho "world is silont." His wife leaves him because of this affliction, and Mary Shelley returns to her old lover. Fielding is unaware of the real perpetrator ot his affliction, and marries lier. Then a butler comcs on the scene, and that troublesome person breathes it into Fielding's ear that his wile by her act brought on liis deafness. In his wrath 1' ielding turns his secoud wife from t,he house. Mary fortunately is also an accomplished musician, and it is her talent 111 this direction that once again brings about a reconciliation. Her wonderful playing of one of Fielding's compositions, listened to by Fielding himself, gains forgiveness for her. An interesting war picture is included'on the programme, iu which the l{ed Cross Brigade is seen at work. "A Pair of Bears" is a most amusing comic lilin, while the supporting pictures are all excellent. The orchestra is a feature at the "People's."

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The change of programme at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday included the 1 Majestic drama "The Tio That Binds." The principals are a shop girl ami her two suitors —a mechanic, and a bully of the workingclass quarters. 1 She marries the latter, but he is caught committing a felony and is sentenced to imprisonment. His wife finds it a difficult matter to earn a living for herself and little daughter. Her former lover returns and the wife obtains a divorce 60 that she can marry him. The husband, on being released from prison, goes to shoot tho maa wha has taken his place, but he narrowly escapes killing his own child. This causee him to relent, 1 and he departs with the intention of starting a new life. The A.B. drama "The Face at the Window" is a pathetic story of a young university man who weds an artist's model against the wishes of his father. His wife's friends cause his downfall, but father and son become reconciled beforo the latter is called to a higher judgment. "Noble Japanese Ladies" shows st remarkable procession of ladies of high rank in Japau. Scenes associated with the war are reproduced in the "Gaumont Graphic. Other entertaining subjects include "The Cockle Fishery.'* The series will be seen again to-day and to-night.