ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2412, 18 March 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE COURT CARDS. The concert party with tlie whimsical title of "Uio Court Cards," and the ornamental costumes to fit their title, gave an entirely new entertainment at the Opera House last night. Their biggest effort of tho evening was the charming scena, "Night Times in Doll Land." The sketch opens with all the lights out and the stage in darkness. Presently there is light, and the various members of the company are shown in appropriate pose and dress as dolli The sceno is really reminiscent of "La Poupce." Mr. George Gray stone sang acceptably a song to the tune of "The Policeman's Holiday," and Mr. Mannering for, tli« nonce a wooden soldier, and Miss Maude Fane as a wax doll, sang of things that pass in tho realm of Toyland. Mies Reneo Matido (the Japaneso doll) sang of butterfly laud, and this particular section of. tho programme concluded with a general description of Noah's Ark in song by all the dolls. Tho second half was concluded with a dainty comedy telling of things related on the stago as compared with things as they 'happen in real life. To this there is a grand finale, the rescue of a heroine, dono to heroic music, as they do it in opera, and one may laugh or be enraptured as the humour fits. The concert section of the programme was at least as. enjoyable as the special part. Miss Maude Fane was charming, Mr. Titchener was amusing and ludicrous by turns, Mr. Edgar Warwick joked with and against his audience as is his custom, and Mr. George Graystone and Miss Renee Maude .upheld the reputation of the company as vocalists. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Bright entertainment may be enjojed at His Majesty's this week. The Ran-dtell-Jackson Company render an excellent concert, which occupies about half the evening. Marvellous gymnastics are performed by Piquo, the French clown, whose turn is immensely funny arid clever. Max Martin, the dancing comedian; Fred Ford, ventriloquist; Monsieur Poincair.e, bird and animal imitator; and Mami and Franks, who enact "Married Bliss," are among tho other artists on the bill. "LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN." How a fan can indicate an intrigue and can' bo the means of getting two unfortunate women out of what looks like a hopeless scrape is brilliantly told by Osoar Wilde in his comedy, "Lady Windermere's Fan." The play rives vivid glimpses of the halls and boudoirs of London's social host, bring 6 together a- group _of fascinating people, whose I conversation Bparkles with epigram and aphorism not, however, to the exclusion of a very human story and some strong dramatic.6cenes of great intensity. After all Lady Windermere was very human in her frailty—how she becomes strong again is best told by the playwright through the medium of the PlimmerH all Comedy Company, which is to commence its tour-at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening. All arrangements have now. been completed for the Wellington season, and the box plan at the. Bristol Piano Company's premises shows the healthy interest the public is taking in the big effort that is to be made for the suffering Belgians. "Lady Windermere's Fan" is to be played for four nights only, and the last three nights-are to be devoted to the performance of ■ that sterling drama, "The Mummy and the Humming Bird," a play in which a pretty foolish woman, thinking herself forgotten by her studious husband (the metaphorical Mummy), listens to the flattery of an Italian adventurer (the Humming Bird), but finds out in time where a true world and a clean heart exist. On tho opening night of the season the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) is to make a speech, and other Ministers of the Grown who are in Wellington, Sir Joseph Ward, and His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) will be present. "THE CLIMAX." A clever musical playlet called by the ambitious title of "The Climax is being shown by Miss Florence Young, a lady who needs no introduction to New Zealand playgoers, and her little ' company of associates in the Concert' Chamber of tho Town Hall. As a vocalist, Miss Young has few peers on tho operatic stage in these islands, and tfcis play might have been specially written for her. Her most striking effort is in the song "The Valley of tho Moon," and there is also a duet "Little Gray Home of the West," sung by Miss Young and Mr. Reginald Roberts, and sung so well as to be worth special mention, and special attention from those who happen to hear it. THE KING'S THEATRE. As usual, the King's Picture Theatre presents a very fine programme. The feature is "The Little Grey Lady," a stirring' story of American life. It is a tale'of downfall by extravagance and upliftment by love; and, as two women strive for the heart of one man,; the element of'competition, is introduced. There are, also, some good war films on the. pMigrnimne. tlio f-uppor' 1 -,:: pictures iu peunnil are of a high standard. Ctmrles • Cna humorous creation. 'Dough a' 1 Djnamite," will be screened this evening. ■ EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. "Dough and Dynamite" is the strange title of the laughablo picture which heads the bill at Everybody's Theatre., It is a Charles Chaplin skit, and Chaplin, is certainly the funniest baker ever photographed. Anyone wishing to be merry and bright awhile will find tho 'recipe at Everybody's Theatre, .if'they get there before the "Dough and Dynamite" season ends. While they wait the.v may enjoy sorno excellent supporting films. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The change of programme at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures today will be headed by the Xalem Company's comedy-drama, "The Girl and the Explorer," a story of a magazine publisher's daughter, who rets out to steal the manuscript describing the adventures of a young explorer. The explorer and the girl, however, discover that they love each other. The climax is reached when the young couple get married under novel circumstances. Supporting the main subject aro "Hop Smugglers" (Reliance detective drama), "The Australian Gazette" (topical), "Nature's Celebrities" (Thanhouser nature study), "Magazine Cooking'' (Lubin comcdy), and "'The Courtship of the Cuoks" (Edison comedy). PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. To assist in spreading a wave of patriotism throughout the country at the present juncture and promote a desire to enlist is a noble aim, and for this reason the kinematograph picture, "For King and Country,' deserves commendation. "For King and Country" is to be produced at the People s Picture Palace to-day, and it will he screened on several following days, "ho film breathes patriotism in every scene. The doings at tho front are realistic to a high degree, and they depict ill glowing colours tho heroism of the British soldier, and set it forth as a contrast to the savagery and contemptible behaviour of the enemy The story begins with tlie meditations of a lonely man who views with displeasure the condition of Belgium and the tendency to frivolity in a certain great c:ty. He determines to stimulate tho ldlors, and ho succeeds. Even the women go to the front as nurses. In the fighting scenes tho lonely man is shown leading a regiment to victory where hope appeared forlorn. Many scenes of daring and gallantry are depicted, including some heroic rescues under, heavy fire.