ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2420, 27 March 1915, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

NELLIE STEWART AS "DU BARRY" Iho box plans will bo opened next J.Uesttay morning' at tho Bristol for cue Aollie Stewart season, wliicli commences at the Grand Opera House next Saturday''evening. Tho opening piece, vf 1 ' >e P' a J' c( i f° r six nights, with a matinee on Easter Monday, is tlie romantic historical play "De parry, which comes with a high reputation as being one of tho outstanding dramatic successes of tho day. Just, as the orangegirl m "Sweet Nell of Old Ihury enabled Miss Nellie Stewart to vim an enduring place in tho hearts of plaj-goors, so as ' 'Du Barry" Miss Stewart has a part which, whilst reminiscent of "Sweet Nell" is yet different, ill that it strikes a deeper note of pathos and tragedy; but at the same time gives scope for much delightful comedy. The play is said to be more nearly historic than these romantio stage pieces can usually afford to be. ihe picturesque period of Louis XV, followed by the tempestuous days of the French Revolution, forms, the background for the love storv of the pretty milliner girl and the Kind's Guardsman, de Brissac, her subsequent marriage to the Comte Jean du Barry, and her meteoric rise to power as the favourite of the King. The play is said to be mounted and dressed on the most prgeous 6ca(e, and will be interpreted by a cast of no less than thirty-seven characters. JVo English artists of repute will make their hrst appearance in v\ olhngton. Messrs. Clarence Blakl B J an d Allan Wilkie, together with . ■ B" Roberts, who played in the original production in America for sev®ra' years. "Du Barry" will be followed by the romantio costume play Dorothy o' the Hall" and "Sweot Nell of Old Drury." HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. At His Majesty's Theatre this afternoon and evening, tho last current programme, which contains many excellent vaudeville items, will be given for the last time. Henri French's comicalities tre very amusing, while James Teddy, champion jumper, Manson and .Florence, Meredith and Adnil, Merlyn, the mock magiciaa, Ella Airlie, and Jock Thompson, also do creditable turns. THE KING'S THEATRE. The last showings of that sensational film "Captain Alvarez" null be given this afternoon and evening at the King's Theatre. On Monday a great attraction is announced entitled "The Fringe of War," a society and war drama. Tho scene is laid first in England before the war, and. continues on the battlefield in Europe after the nations have come together in the clash of arms. The film has aroused groat enthusiasm wherever shown.

, Commencing Monday at noon will be screened in '.pioture form the romantic play, "Romance of David Garrick," acted by the well-known Vitagraph artists. "David Garrick" is well known in Australasia through its inclusion in the repertoire of various theatrical companies. The story revolves round a notable eighteenth century actor of romantic character. His acting impresses a lady of beauty and social position, who fa'ls violently in love with him. Her father has other views, and he offers Garrick a large sum of money if he will leave the country. David Garrick refuses and says lie will cure his daughter of tho infatuation. How he endeavours to carry out his promise and the subsequent events make the production of the pjay perfection and the end of the play is one of tho prettiest of all stage romances. A shrieking Keystone comedy, "Shotguns that Kick," features "Fatty" Arbuckle. "A Study in Feet" is a new idea in farce comedy. "Flying Freights Capture" ii a story of trains, jewel robbers, and a pVuoky girl. The "Sports of the Expeditionary Force at Trentham" and a "Gaumont War Graphic" are also included in tie programme. "EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Those who have not yet seen "Australia's Unknown" would do well to pay a visit to Everybody's Theatre today, where it will be shown for the last time. This picture, as a record of interesting ■ travel alone, is one of the best pictures ever shown in New Zealand, while the unique scenes depicted from the hinterland of Australia are hardly oredible as being so olose at hand in the Island Continent of Australia. The supporting items to this great attraction are good subjects. | PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. , The famous French comedy "Divorcons," in picture form, is proving / a great attraction at the People's Picture Palace, and crowded sessions were recorded last flight. Tho film is something new in picturo play 6, and is well worth seeing. The other films are I equally interesting, and includo "A Fallen Idol," "The Bulwarks of England;" and a good war budget. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. ' The final screening will take place to-day and to-night of the present programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures, headed by the Selig Company's wild animal drama "The Unwelcome Throne." Monday's change of programme will include the Keystone Company's "star" comedy "Sea Nymphs," in two parts, .with Miss Mabel Normand, and "Fatty" Arbuokle in the leading role 6. Incidentally these two performers give a remarkable display of swimming and diving. The other "feature" is "The Manufacture of Maxwell Motor-cars," said, to havo cost £8000 to produce. Tho subject shows the creation of an automobile from "pig-iron to the demonstration of finished car 3." "THE MESSIAH." Attention is directed in our advertising columns to the fact that on Monday and Tuesday next, March 29 and 30, the combined cnoirs of St. John's Presbyterian Church and the Taranaki Street Methodist Church are giving renderings of portions of Handel's "The Messiah ; on Monday evening, in the Taranaki Street Church, whon Mr. Ch. W. Kerry will be the conductor, with Mr. H. Temple White at the organ, and on Ttiesday evening at St. Join's Churoh, when Mr. White will conduct and Mr. Kerry will be the organist. The Passion music of "The Messiah" is possibly the most beautiful in the whole work, and is particularly appropriate for Holy Week. Nine of the choruses will be sung by the choir of 60 voices, tho soloiste being Miss Gladys Watkins (soprano), Miss Nellie Castle (contralto), Mr. S. Laslett Exton (tenor), and Mr. Hamilton Hodges (bass). With suoh a quartet a musical treat should result. Each evening a collection v.ii be taken in aid of tho Belgian Relief Fund. GRAND SACRED CONCERT. An opportunity is to be afforded the public of hearing the Tramways Band prior to its departure for the big contest in Christchurch. A concert (which •will include two of the official test pieces and also the baiid's own selection for the quick-step) has been arranged for to-morrow evening in His Majesty's Theatre, when no doubt a. large attendance of the public will be present to listen to the band's rendering of these items. Included in the programme also are two songs by Miss N. Castle and a cornet solo by Mr. M'Masters.