ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2417, 24 March 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

PATRIOTIC DRAMATIC SEASON. Though the weather was exccrablo last evening, there was a large audience present to witness the third performance of "Ladv Windermere's Fan" by the Plimmor-'Hall Patriotic Comedy Company. Miss Beatrice Day gave full vent to her histrionic talents ill the difficult role of Mrs. ErlymiOj and Miss Una Shanahan combined grace and youth in a very sweet and sincere performance of Lady Windermere. Mr. Harry Plimmor as Lord Darlington was easy and gripful in his methods, and Mr. Winter Hall made an ideal Lord Windermere. Miss ' Nellie Calvin's Duchess of Berwick was ail exhilarating comedy study. The play is admirably produced, and the frocks of the ladies are a feature.

This evening's performance will be attended by ,the National Reserve, which is to parade through the city from different points to the theatre, headed by brass bands.

To-morrow evening the tennis and other sports bodies aro to be represented; on Friday the New Zealand. Natives' Association are to attend in force, and on Saturday evening the members of the Wellington Patriotic Society are to extend their patronage and presence to the performance. There will be only two more performances of "Lady Windermere's lan."

On Friday evening will be produced Isaac Henderson's interesting play, "The Mummy and the Humming Bird." This is a powerful drama with a turbulent love _and_ hate interest. Lord Lumley, a scientist, is really very fond ,of his wife, but absorbed in his research work he neglects her. The inevitable third point in the domestic triangle turns up in Count D'Orelli; a specious i Italian, who insinuates himself into Lady Lumley's good graces, feeds herdiscontent, and finally makes open love to her. Tho dramatic interest begins when Lord Luniley becomes distracted by the alleged music of a street organ; goes into-the street to protest, and becomes interested enough in the owner, Guiseppe, as to invite him inside. There the Italian by dumb signs cleverly tells how he has travelled from Italy in search of one who has ruined his daughter, one against whom he has sworn a vendetta. At a critical moment Giuseppe catches sight of a photograph of the Count D'Orelli, and "sees red.!' He is the man 1 How cleverly that scoundrel is accounted for by Giuseppe and Lord Lumley let the dramatist reveal.- . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Chief among the new artists who may be seen at His Majesty's Theatre is the versatile Henry French. He impersonates great conductors, does burlesque juggling, and acts the inebriate on a urucycle. Ella Airlie sings lively songs; Elton Fox gives a fine exhibition of sketching; James Teddy, the American jumper, reappears; Merlyn comes on as a "guy" musician; Marzon does some extraordinary feats of strength; Meredith and Adnil are clever on the Roman rings; Jack Thompson sings Scotch songs; Piouo is a very agile French down; and George F. Ford puts on a good ventriloquist turn. THE KING'S THEATRE. The current programme at the King's Theatre lueludes a sensational picture drama by the Vitagraph Coy. It is entitled 'Captain Alvarez," and was selected from hundreds of other films as a New York feature. The "Pathe Gazette 1 contains a fresli budget of war news, and the supporting pictures aro all very interesting. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. Everyone who wishes to know about Australia, something which they have never before had an opportunity of learning, should see tho big film, tralia's Unknown," which is now being screened at Everybody's Picture Theatre. The pictures, are the result of a remarkable motor-car tour through the interior/of Australia, and they bring before tho mind very vividly the' fact that unknown Australia is weird •and wonderful. A ,J Modern Crook" drama, and a comedy entitled "Among the Mourners," are among the other pictures. The comcdy is excellent. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. Tho big attraction at the People's Picture Palace is "The Now Magdalen;" It is a "picturisation" of Wilkie Collins's notable novel, and in both plot and production is an excellent number, rile book is remarkable for the powerful grip it takes of its readers, and for the film it can safely he said that the interest of those who see it is securely held. , THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Those who have not already witnessed the present programme of the Empress theatre continuous pictures will have a final opportunity of doing so to-day and to-night. A special "draw'-' is advertised for to-morrow, when the first part of a most sensational wild animal drama "The Unwelcome Throne" (by the Selig Cunpany) will be introduced. This film which is stated to-have cost £30,000, extends over thirteen parts. Miss Kat-hlyn Williams, who is said to be quite fearless with regard to handling wild beasts, figures in the leading role. It is announced by the management that the picture will he shown in serial form on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. NELLIE STEWART, IN "DU BARRY." Theatregoers will no doubt welcome the announcement that Miss Nellie Stewart will shortly make her reappearance in Wellington after an absence of novoral years. A season of thirteen nights will be commenced at the Grand Opera House on Easter Saturday evening, with the production of Belasco's romantic costume drama "Du Barry." According to a Sydney paper, - Miss Stewart's part might have been expressly written to bring out to the-full all her great gifts, her coquettishness, her powers of pathos, and her vivacity of temperament. The story'deals with the tempostuous days of Louis XV of France, and tells of the sudden rise to place and fortune of a fascinating milliner's apprentice. The reigning beauty of her days "Du Barry" enslaves Louis and practically dominates the'court jof that misguided monarch. The leading personages of those exciting days aro.epresented in tho play which is mounted and dressed on an elaborately gorgeous scale. The cast contains thirtyseven speaking characters. Mr. Clarence Blakistonj from the Haymarket Theatro, and Mr. Allan Wilkie, from the' Garrick Theatre, London, will make their first appearance in Wellington, the former playing the King and the latter Jean du Barry. "Du Barry" will be played for six nights and will be followed by "Dorothy o' the Hall" and "Sweet Nell of Old Drury." The plans for the whole season will be opened at tho Bristol next Tuesday morning.