ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2386, 16 February 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE GLAD EYE" COMPANY. "Kiki," of the "Glad Eye" Company, iii the person of Miss Ethel Dane, will arrive in Wellington by the Sydney boat to-day, and will lose no time in demonstrating to the {niblic of the Dominion the powtr and fascinatiou of "The Glad Eye," wlien given with, all the subtle charm that attracted London for fifteen consecutive months. "Tho Glad Eye" has had every possible opithot applied to it that denotes a successful comedy, and it is anticipated that Wellington will invent fresh terms of descriptive enthusiasm. The original scenery and furnishings sent out from London will bo used in the production here, and as in addition to Miss Ethel Dane there are a number of fresh faces (all specially chosen people) for this lour, the presentation of a West End comedy, "exactly as she was originally spoke" should be of more than interest and afford more than ordinary (Lmusomont.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The change of programme presented last evening at His Majesty's Theatre met with the approval of a fairly large audience, which was given a bountiful menu well in accord with the character of the providers, tilie Brennan-Ful-lor Company. Tho only new turn to Wellington audiences was the daring aerial act of the Dental Riskitts, which name is a gentle play upon the nature of the performance. Many people are said to eat to live, but the Riskitts simply bite their way into popularity. Using a large trapeze as a base, they' perform a number of amazing feata on smaller trapeze. The man hanging by his calves suspends his partner in midair by his teeth from a waist-belt and by means of a swivel attachment she i* made to gyrate in the manner of a governor on an engine. The lady is strong of arm as wSll as teeth and holds a small trapeze by one wrist (whilst hanging by her calves), and trills a merry lay as her associate performs. The crowning feat of the Riskitts is a side swing from wing to wing by the lady whilst hanging by one foot to a grip held in her partner's teeth. A frame of coloured electric lights illuminates some of the feats, all of which have an element of thrill! The Solio Trio are wild-fire dancers of the ultra-modern variety, who are as electric in their speed as they aje daring in their - poses. The third member of the trio is a gifted contralto, who sings that hackneyed ballad "The llosary" very nicely, as the others' dance. Phil Smith,, the comedian-whom we remember pleasantly in "Autumn Manoeuvres," presented a loose-jointed sketch, which gave him the opportunity to patter''amusingly; and to simulate the idiosyncrasies of Tommy Atkins and a Lciidon coster. He was assisted by Miss Jessie Barlce, who sings a stave br two sweetly enough. The Three Starrs, song :'and dance girls, Miss Marie Quintrell, a full-voiced soprano with a laboured' dibtion, and the Driscoll Brothers also contributed to the gaiety of the audience. The first part was provided by the Magpies, whose efforts to please were on the whole satisfactory. The bright particular unit in this combination is -Miss Pearl Livingstone, a magnetio soubrette with a distinct gift for character impersonation. The "Giovanni" dago song was one of the brightest spots in the bill. Mr. Lou Vernon recited "Bravo" and "The Day," and Mr. Clifford O'Kcefe took liberties with that fine old bass song "Drinking," which were quite uncalled for. As intoned by the Lyric Four, Sullivan's "Lost Chord" was distinctly depressing. The lady lead was quite inadequate vocally, and the insistent drone of tho American organ drowned all definition and sense of climax.

KING'S THEATRE. ' Marie Corelli's "Vendetta" .was produced in picture form at the King's Theatre last evening before a crowded house. Long before ij p.m. the dress circle was full, and indications point to good business being done at this favourite* place of amusement during the current week. '"Vendetta" is. a remarkable film, 7100 ft. in length, in five parts. Some of the best acting seen in Wellington is given in this particularly good dramatic study, and the staging and scenery are excellent. Thrilling is the word which adequately describes many of the scenes, and at times the hou6e is held spellbound with expectancy. It is undoubtedly the most realistic drama seen in Wellington for 6ome considerable time. A feature of the perlormance was the-incidental musio supplied by the King's Orchestra. Fabio liomani is the husband of beautiful Nina, an Italian girl. They have a charming daughter, Stella, and their life in Naples, on Romani's great estates, is one of love and happiness. Both husband and wife are fond of Guido Ferrari, who is a constant visitor at their home, and whose friendship for Fabio has been- life-long. A cholera plague ravages the populace of Naples, and Fabio, discovering a peasant dying from the disease, succours him,, and, in spite of the danger, decides to go into the city for assistance. He is seized with the cholera, and drops to the street. Pronounced dead, his body is immediately placed in a cheap wooden casket and buried in the long-disused Romani family vault. Alter some hours of apparent death he moves, and the casket slijw and falls to tho floor of the vault. In doing so it takes with it a coffin that has -laid undisturbed for many centuries. He immediately plunges into the casket, now broken open, and finds tremendous riches in gold, silver, and diamonds. Almost overcome by hia adventure, and suffering an agony of mental torture, Fabio's hair tuni6 white in a single hour. He finally breaks free of the tomb, and rushes through the.garden to his mansion. From behind an ornamental column he sees his old friend Guido embracing his wife, and determines upon a horrible revenge. He hnrries to lie nearest town, buys a pair of green spectacles and a suit of clotnes. Armed with almost inexhaustible riches of the treasure chest, he assumes tho name of Count Oliva, and after a lapse of tame returns to the scene of his misfortune. He succeeds in obtaining an introduction to Guido, and in course of time the two become fa6t friends. He professes himself to be an old friend of the dead Count Romani's father. In course of time he meets his faithless wife, and soon becomes an almost daily visitor at hi 6 own home. At this time his child Stella is taken sick and dies. Before the little girl passes away Fabio makes himself known to her. The wealth of Fabio dazzles Nina, and, being faithless, selfish, and mercenary, he] has little difficulty in laying the foundation of his vengeance. Then follow tho most thrilling scenes, which have to be seen to be appreciated. The supporting programme is gftod, a special feature being the war pictures. "Back to tho Kitchen" is a very funny comic film by the Majestic Company. Another beautiful fdra is a Pathe study, "Birth of Flowers." The programme will be repeated this evening and subsequent evenings throughout the week. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. • A Keystone comedy is always a big draw at a picture theatre, and the inclusion of "Those' Love Pangs" on the new programme at Everybody's Pictures yesterday resulted in largo attendances at all sessions. Charles Chaplin, who is probably the most popular performer in tho moving picture world at the present time, is featured in tho comedy. TTis role is that of an intruder into other people's love affairs. For a time be avoids trouble, and actually succeeds in carrying on a flirtation with two girls, whose lovers have been violently handled by Chaplin himself. The story ends in e. bfIUM of amuMwciiti srhefo Cfcitilin i» .deserted liy the airls ai>4 discovered fcsJ

the men. In the free fight which follows, Chaplin is outnumbered and defeated. The film is almost a continuous record of humorous situations with tho Keystone comedian acting in his very best style, and as a laughter-producer ft compares more than favourably, with the many good ones already produced by the same compauy. Topical events of much interest are to be seen in the latest edition of tho "Gaumont Graphic," and a war picture which is certain to prove a great attraction during the remainder of the week is "The Fight for the Coast." This is calculated to give somo idea of the magnitude of the stnigglo during the period (n which tho Allies fought so desperately and so successfully to defend the Channel ports. A fine dramatic war romance is "The Battle," though the actual war scenes in this film pale into insignificance when compared with the topical war views being screened from j weo-k to week. "Memories of Men's Souls" is a Vitagraph drama suggested by tho popular fallacy that a shattered romance prevents a man frorn being successful in business. Tho plot is quite unusual, and the acting something above the ordinary. Other items on the programme are "Film Favourites," a comedy -in which Miss Florenoe Turner impersonates well-known picture artists, and "Santa Catalina Island," a Keystone scenic. Musical accompaniments are supplied by an orchestra at both afternoon and evening sessions. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The leading item of the new programme introduced at the Empress Theatre yesterday is the Film a'Art Company's "feature" drama, "The Show Girl." Owing to the failure of a bank, Diana, an orphan girl, finds herself penniless. Rudolf, who has been paying her attentions, on discovering Diana s change of fortune transfers his affections to another woman who has just received a legacy. Diana then goes to Paris to earn her living. She has a number of unhappy experiences in her struggle for existence, but ultimately obtains a good position as a "show girl" i'L a ladies' costumery. While posing iu an elegant costume before 8 lady customer, Diana captivates Gaston Destournelles, whose sister is admiring the costume. Henceforth Gaston applies himself to becoming acquainted with. Diana. At a restaurant ho sits at the table at which Diana is seated', _but his endeavours to strike up an acquaintanceship results in Diana snubbing him. On a subsequent occasion Rudolf and his wife visit the showrooms in which Diana is employed, and Rudolf becomes attracted by his former fiancee. Later on he intercepts Diana on her way home, but Gaston's timely appearance causes the other man to . decamp. When she completely recovers from the shock, Diana expresses her gratitude to Gaston by accepting his offer of marriage. There are a number of other excellent films, including."A Man and Hiß Other Self," "A Trip to Mount Egmont" (scenic), "Kalemites at Gibraltar" (travel). "Animated Putty" (trick comedy), and "A Tale of an Egg" (farce-comedy). The pictures will be repeated to-day and to-night.

PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. One of 'the finest programmes ever shown at the People's Picture Palace, Manners Street, was screened there for the first time yesterday. _ The feature drama contains a refreshingly unhackneyed plot. The picture i 3 entitled "A Splendid Dishonour," and tie delineation of the principal characters is almost masterful. The story relates of a young man in the heyday of life; lie has wealth, position, everything, apparently, but that priceless treasure —health. He is informed by a great physician that he has six more months to live Itather than boar with the dreadful suspense he prepares to end his life immediately, when there rushes in one Julia Annersley, who prevents ■ the suicide. Her brother has been falsely sentenced to death for murder, and she. persuades the man she has just saved from a sudden death to allow,the suspicion of this crime to rest on him- In other words she persuades him to postpone his eventually inevitable end for a few weeks so that her brother may live. The plot succeeds so far that her brother is released, but here an unnatural little passage enters into the drama. Julia falls in love with her brother's saviour. How nil ends happily is best ascertained by paying a visit to the "People's," whero the sensational developments of the great picture are graphically portrayed. The picture also serves to introduce a fascinating little picture artiste, whose acting is superb. Among an excellent budget of supporting films' are: "The Man in Black" (an effective and unusual Selig drama), "Warwick Gazette" (topical), "Pimple's Leap to Fortune"' (comie), "Mud Bath Elopement" (comedy), "Daring Cyclists" (comic). _ Tho "orchestra at the "People's'' is quite a feature, composed as it is of three such competent musicians as Mr. F. Johnstone ('cello), Mr. J. L. Woodwart (violin), ami Mr. Wolfgang (piano). Last night the trio rendered quite effectively "Le Cygne" (Saint-Saens), "Saint d'Amour" (Elgar), and "Loin De Bal" (Gillet), and other selections.