ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2415, 22 March 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE, At His Majesty's Theatre the customary weekly change of programme to be presented to-night will include six new artists, their first appearance hero —Henri French, described as "the intoxicated genius on the wheel," who is said to present a novel trick cycling act; Marzon and Florence, who will contribute' what is reported to' be a novel athletic act, a unique part of the performance being (ho balancing on his shoulder by Marzon of a high ladder upon _ which Florence performs some thrilling acrobatic feats; Miss Ella Airlie, humorous songs at the piano; Merlyn, a mock magician, will entertain with. humorous exposures of wellknown legerdemain feats; Elton Fox, a comedy cartoonist, will make his Wellington debut and present several humorous cartoons which have been spoken of as being extremely clever. Jack Thompson, a Scotch baritone vocalist, will render songs of his native land in appropriate costume; Meredith and Adnil will appear in athletic feats on the Roman rings. James Toddy, the jumper, who appeared here recently, has been re-engaged. Piquo, the French clown, and Geo. Ford, the ventriloquist, will complete what promises to be a strong bill. The programme will be repeated each night this week, and a matinee will be given on Saturday. CAPTAIN ALVAREZ. For the new programme to-night at the King's, another gigantio production by the Vitagraph Company is being presented, entitled "Captain Alvarez," an exceptionally fine drama of the South American revolution. Robert Wainwright is commissioned by his father"s company, to proceed to t'ho Argentine Republic..to watch' the interests of the estates. The country is in a state of unrest owing to the cruel tyranny of Rosas, the President, assisted by Tirzo, his spy and Chancellor, and Gonzalo, chief of police. Many dark atrocities aro committed by these minions of Rosas. Th 3 conditions of things greatly outrages Wainwright's feelings. Wainwright pays great attention to Bonita, the niece of Don Arana, who induces him to assist the revolutionaries. He joins the Rebeels under the name of Captain Alvarez, becoming a scourge of the Federals. "Captain Alvarez" is supported by a new series of war news in the Pathe Gazette; and "A Corner in Hats," an amusing farce-comedy by the Kojnic Company, completes the bill.

AUSTRALIA'S UNKNOWN. Commencing at Everybody's at noon to-day will, be screened what is described as a splendid series of exploration in' the never-never country of Australia. The explorers, Messrs. Birtlee and Hurley, determined to traverse .the continent from east to west, right through the desert on bicyoles, and burdened with cameras. During the four months they were in the wild country they came across many interesting and strange animals—the frilled lizard, the wombat, the great ant, alligators, and crocodiles, and their experiences have been preserved for; the world's benefit by means of the kinematograph in 3500 feet 1 of educational, interesting and amusing scenes.. The Press notices of Australia speak highly of the production and state that too high a value could not ho placed on its_ attractiveness, both from an historical standpoint and entertainment. Supporting the star item are "Among the Mourners,"' a Keystone comedy featuring Syd Chaplin, the brother to Charles Chaplin, and reputed to be equally as clever a oomedian. The "Gauraont War' Graphic" gives the latest war news, while "Thumbprints aud Diamonds" is. a sensational detective story in which the thumbprint leads to an arrest.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. An entire change of programme at the Empress Theatre (continuous pictures) is advertised for to-day and tonight. 'Die most important inclusion is the Vitagraph Company's "feature" drama, "Brandon's Last Ride." Two comrades, Brandon and Wado, love the same girl, but she rejects Wade, who goes West, and the girl becomes betrothed to Brandon. When the latter's firm fails, Wade invites Brandon to join him on' his ranch in the West. Brandon accepts the invitation. While riding in the range, however, Brandon meets with an accident and is cared for b.y an Indian chief's daughter, who falls in love with him. Brandon tells her that his fiancee is coming' out to join him in the West, and the chief's daughter then conceives a scheme which has tragic results. "The Topical Budget" will be another prominent item. The supplementary films will include: "A Messenger of Gladness" (Thanhouser child study), "Such a Cook" (Keystone farce-comedy), "Pheasant Shooting for our Wounded" (topical), "Herring Harvest at Yarmouth" (industrial), and "The Smuggler's Daughter" (Lubin comedy)'. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. "The New Magdalen," _ a photo-dra-matisation of Wilkie Collins's powerful novel, which years ago was a popular diama. on the stage, is the star picture to be presented at the People's Picture Palace to-day. It is the life story of Mercy Merrick, who through force of circumstances takes the wrong turning, and afterwards repents. She finds how difficult it is to regain the respect of the world, until as a Red Cross nurse the opportunity. presents itself for hei to. personate a woman she thinks dc«id. What follows forms a most interesting dramatic story. .In addition to this pioture will be shown "The Shadows of War," "A Maori Village," and "When a Count Courted" (comic).