ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2416, 23 March 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN." A delightfully smooth aud finished performance' of "Lady Windermere's Fan" was givon by tho Pliuimer-Hall Patriotic Company at the Grand Opora House last evening. Tho sparkle of Wilde's clever dialogue, his well-bred cynicism, and sharp-sot humour wero given admirable expression lo by each member of this capable company. Miss Beatrice Day lias seldom been seen to such advantage as in the part of Mrs. Erlyiino, in which tho dual qualities of a hardened ivoman of the world are beautifully contrasted. Mr. Winter Hall as Lord Windermere is well fitted in that role, and his girlish wifo with uncontaminated ideals ■was prettily suggested by Miss Ena Shanahan. Mr. H. Plimmer as Lord Darlington, and Mr. H. Varna as Lord Augustus, were also well within tho frame of the picture, and Miss Nellie Calvin was quite admirable as the society gossip, the Duchess of Berwick. The grand military night will be held at the theatre to-night in tho presence of the G.O.C. aud staff. On Wednesday the National Reserve will march to the theatre, and Thursday is the Tennis Clubs' night. On Friday the New Zealand Natives' Association will have a big party, and for their night Messrs. G-eorge and George have written to include all their employees. Saturday will be the Patriotic Society's night. For the last two nights of the season (Friday and Saturday) "The Mummy and the Humming Bird," a strong dramatio play, will be produced. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There was a large audience present at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, when a complete change ol' programme was presented. Chief among the newcomers was Henri French, whose versatility is amazing. He commenced by giving a series of impersonations of great conductors presiding over their own masterpieces. His make-up was exceedingly faithful. He then gave some clever burlesque fooling as an irresponsible juggler, which was distinctly clever and amusing, and followed it up by some extraordinary gyrations supposed to bo performed by an inebriated person on a unicycle. Another comic performer who pleased the audience immensely was Merlyn, a "guy" magician, who, with the assistance of Archibald, does a series of well-known tricks, and immediately exposes the trick, Miss Ella Airlie is a singer of lively songs, who was also ■ genially received. She sang "My Boy Jim," "Mister Cupid," and "Go Away, Mr. Orocadile." She concluded her song cycle by ■ striking a popular note in a lilt entitled "Are We Down-hearted?" James Teddy, the American jumper, reappeared, and Mr. Elton Fox, an adept caricaturist, who sketches on .smoked glass in a. manner that permits every line he draws to be seen on a screen through the medium of a powerful arc lamp. His sketches of Kitchener and Lauder were very perfect. Marzon i 6 an athlete of line physique and so ,is his lady assistant. Marzon enters bearing the lady aloft at full arm's length, and on a platform goes through a series of postures during whioh the lady never reaches the floor of the stage. He then manipulates a cannon-ball with romafkable agility, throwing_ it finally into the air and catching it between his musoular shoulder-blades. Meredith and Adnil did soma clever work on the Roman rings, and Jack Thompson, arrayed in kilts, sang Scottish songs. Piquo, the agile French clown/ and George F. Ford, the ventriloquist, also contributed to a full and most diversified programme. THE KING'S THEATRE. A sensational picture-drama by the Vitagraph Company was at the head of the new programme at the King's Theatre last night* - It is .entitled "Captain Alvarez," and is produced in six parts, the amazing adventures depicted providing continuous thrills for the onlookers. An idea of the allround merit of the film may be gleaned from the fact that it was a Broadway feature. That is to say that it was selected from hundreds of films offering, as the season's chief attraction at New York's exclusive theatre. The production, is on the high scale, for which the Vitagraph Company has long been known. Throughout, the photography is splendid, while the acting leaves nothing to be desired, the cast including Miss , Edith Story, in'the role of Bonita. The story concerns the stirring adventures of a young American, who, 'Sent , to Argentina upon • a business visit, is so impressed with the wrongs and sufferings of the people'that he joins the revolutionary forces, where his dashing exploits provide material for much exciting worK. ■ Two scenes are of particular interest. 1 One- the burning of a bridge, by which Alvarez stops the rebel pursuit of his force; the other his dashing gallop across a narrow footbridge spanning a great chasm in his escape from his captors. How he assisted to depose the tyrant, and at the same time won the love of . a southern maid is splendidly portrayed upon the screen. During the remainder of the week the picture should prove a good drawing-card at this popular nouse of amusement. A further budget of war news in the "Pathe Gazette" lends support to the feature number, and there is also an amusing farcecomedy by the Komic Company,. entity 'A Corner in Hats." _ In this latter picture a leading part is portrayed by a clever dog, who <rauses a fight or two, and then helps to a happy double reconciliation. New selections by the King's Orchestra Band add to the pleasure of the entertainment. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. A new programme of pictures was screened at Everybody's Theatre yesterday. The leading number in the bill is "Australia's Unknown," in which are shown many of tho things which may be seen in portions of the vast area of Australian territory, which is almost unknown. The pictures wero taken by Messrs. Birtles aud Hurley, who toured from Sydney to North Queensland in a motor-car. The result of their enterprise is a series of films which are hghly instructive and very interesting. The Australian black is caught "at home," and many glimpses are obtained of the "Never, Never," of which most people who read never wish to visit. The land-and-water inhabitants of this expansive out-back country are pictured, and a general idea of tho hunting methods of the Natives is given. Among the other items is a drama of the "modern burglar" type. It is entitled "Thumb Prints and Diamonds," shows the up-to-date Sykes at work after tho diamonds, shows Fate at work after the thief, and Cupid at work after several people. The chief comedy is an excellent picture. It is the story of a mournful undertaker, who reckons he has a grievance because his wife does not love him. His business partner (thinking of liTs own chances with tho aforesaid wife) advises him to feign death. The idea is accepted, and it provides great opportunities for fun-making. Tho deceased and tho mourners are amongst the most amusing pcoplo who ever sorrowed. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. A striking "feature" drama, "Brandon's Last Rido," by tho Vitagraph Company, is tho outstanding attraction of the change of programme introduced at the Empress Theatre yesterday. Brandon and Wade, two pals, arc in love with tho same girl, Alice. As Wade is addicted to drink, Alice declines his offer of marriage, and becomes engaged to Brandon. AVade then goes out West, where ho settles oil a. ranch. When he hears that Brandon's firm has failed, he invites his old comrade to join him in the West. Brandon accepts the invitation. When'

Brandon _is riding in the ranges he meets with an accident, aud is kindly treated by an Indian chief's daughter. Brandon makes love to her, ana \?lns her affections. Later on he tells tho Indian girl that Alice, his fiancee, is on her way out to marry him. The chief's daughter is angered, and decides to be avenged upon Brandon. She entices him into a cave which is infested with poisonous snakes, and then she suddenly.rolls a huge stone across the entrance of the cave, so that he cannot escape. There he meets with a terriblo end. When Alice arrives at the ranch, Wade hides tho truth concerning Brandon's death, but a few years later she discovers her late lover's perfidy. Wade eventually marries Alice. The_ supporting films include: "The Topical Budget" (including war scenes), "A Messenger of Gladness" (Thanhouser child story), "Pheasant Shooting for Our Wounded Heroes" (topical). 'Such a Cook" (Keystone farcecomedy), and "The Smuggler's Daughter" (farce-comedy). PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. The celebrated A.B. masterpiece, "The New Magdalen," is the chief attraction at the People's Picture Palace in Manners Street. The picture has been adapted from Wilkie Collins's great novel of the same name. The title suggests the story as it is a struggle for existence of friendless girls in large cities. Left alone in tho world Mercy Merrick toils for a living. Faint with hunger she falls one evening at the door of a restaurant, and is revived by a glass of wine, given her by one of the diners. Her bodily weakness makes her an easy prey to the man. Some time later, again forced by circumstances to earn her living, she is arrested for shoplifting, and, although innocent, she is sentenced to prison. From the prison she is taken to the House of Refuge, and later, with the help of the matron, she obtains a position in the household of a wealthy woman. Her story becomes known, however, and she is forced to leave. Again at the Refuge she becomes a nurse, and in the course of time one of the visiting doctors falls in love with her. But she will not marry him till he knows her record, and when he learns the truth he shrinks from her. Mercy goes :to the church for consolation, end falls under the spell of the powerful sermons preached by the Rov. John Grey. After much suffering she, determines to leave England, and goes' out as a Red Cross nurse. It is while thus engaged that she yields to temptation, and impersonates a woman whom she believes dead, so that she may have a change of life. The splendid drama which follows, when her past rises up to accuse her, must be seen to be appreciated. The supporting programme is a good one, and includes a splendid series of the latest war pictures.