ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2421, 29 March 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

NELLIE STEWART AS "DU BARRY." Tho box plans will bo opened tomorrow morning at tho Bristol Piano Depot for tho Wellington season of Miss Nellie Stewart, commencing next Saturday evening at the Grand Opera House. _ Miss Stewart plays tho title role, it is said, with the same charm, tho same delightful archness, and tho same little undercurrent of pathos which made her "Sweet Noll" so irresistible. "Du Barry," however, strikes ft deeper note, and gives more scope to the draamtic side of Miss Stewart's art. The play tells a stirring story of tile days of Louis XV of Franco, and several dramatic incidents occur amidst the splendours of tho palace at Versailles. Later, the action hurries on to tho stormy days of the French Revolution, culminating in a most dramatic climax. Du Barry is in live acts, with a cast of no fewer than thirty-seven speaking characters. Tho play is said to be mounted on the most gorgeous scale, and the furnishings and costumes are of the richest description. In this respect tho management claims tliat nothing finer has ever been seen in the Dominion. Special interest attaches to the first appearance hero of Mr. Clarence Blakeston, a distinguished English actor, who will play King Louis. Mr. Blakeston has appeared ui all the principal West End theatres, a notable engagement being one of five years' duration with Cyril Maude. "Du Barry" will be played for six nights, with a matinee on Easter Monday. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho talented artiste who-have been appearing at His Majesty's Theatre during last week under the management of ttie Fuller-Bremiaii proprietary, will submit an entirely now programme tonight, tho. outstanding feature of which will be the reappearance of Henri French, the popular pot-pourri entertainer, . who will present what is reported to' be an excellent series of impersonations of celebrated musical conductors directing their own compositions. In addition, Mr. French will stage for tho first time in New Zealand an allegorical battle entitled the endless army. Merlyn, who figures on. the bill as tho world's worst wizard, will burlesque well-known feats of slight of hand. Marzon and Florence, tho American athletes and hand-bal-ancers, will appear .in a number of difficult feats of strength. Eltin Fox, the lightning cartoonist, will produce a number of drawings of prominent people. Williams and Warner, the pair of musicians described as tho two crazy Frenchmen, will perform on a number of liovhl instruments. William Lumner, a coloured ragtime artist, will sing a budget of American songs. Ella Airlie, the favourite comedienne, at the 'piano will submit a budget of humorous refrains. Amongst those who will contribute to ?the programme James Teddy, the jumper, and -Jock Tho'mpeon will introduce new material, and tiie bill will be completed by Moredith and Adnil, Uonun-riug- experts. A matinee will be given on Saturday.

"THE FRINGE OF WAR." Tho' star attraction at the King's Theatre this week is what is described as a .truly remarkable masterpiece of society drama and war romance, entitled "The. Fringe of War," by the famous London Film Company, who were the producers of those triumphs, "England's Menace" and "On His Majesty's Service." "The Fringe of War" is.said to be one of the most thrilling and sensational war dramas ever screened, glittering with patriotism and overpowering love episodes, surrounded by realistic battle scenes, intense in their hun.an appeal. The central figures in the story are Captain Gerald Anstey, an English Army officer, who has been sent by the War Office to examine plans of a new siege gun, and Captain Von Endig, an officer of tho. German Army, who meet as guests in the home of General Marlowe, the inventor of the siege gun. Von Endig is endeavouring to steal the plans of the gun, and-he is assisted by a German butler in General Marlowe's service. The efforts of the Germans to steal the plans lead to some highly sensational and interesting situations, in which tho General's wife and her sister Amy become complicated. Filially Amy, Von Endig, and Captain Anstey are seen in a cottage in France, round which tho tide of battle rages. The cottage becomes the centi-o of violent fighting, and Von Endig drags himself, badly wounded, to the house. Amy temporarily bandages him, and sots out to find Anstey, whom she discovers staggering about, blinded by an exploded shell. She leads him indoors, and there between these two men, one blinded and the other fearing to move lest the bandages on his leg slip and he bleed to death, a dreadful groping duel occurs. In his eagerness Von Endig over-reaches himself and collapses. Just then reinforcements arrive and Anstey and Amy are conveyed in safety to the back of the firing line. Time in due course brings to the world pea'ce, to Gerald Anstey restored sight, and to Amy happiness with the man she loves. A feature of the production is said to be the strikingly realistic battles scenes. Other attractions are "Wilful Peggy" (A.B. comedy-drama), with "little" Mary Pickford in the leading role, and "The Honeymoon," Vitagraph's latest, with John Bunny to the fore. The bill also includes "The Folly of Ann" (Majestic), "Departure of the Maori Contingent, Third Exjpeditionaries," and the latest war topicals. A "violin solo will be played by Miss Ruby M'Donald during the interval each ovening.

■ EVERYBODY'S. "The Romance of David Garrick" will figure as the star item on a new bill at Everybody's, starting noon today. David Garrick w.as a well-known eighteenth century actor, and he attained immense success achieving to managerial rank at die Drury Lane Theatre. His versatile powers were great, and his repetoire ranged from low comedy to Shakespearian dramas. The play written around this wonderful man has been a 'phenomenal success where over played. Briefly, the story is that a society lady falls in love with David Garrick, and hor father points out the incongruous positi9n and asks will he nullity same. Garrick consents to try to dissuade his lady-love, and. the various dramatic scenes portray in a striking manner how love triumphs over all difficulties. The Vitagraph Company have made the most of this famous play, and the various scenes are said to "be produced with fidelity to detail as regards the surroundings and costumes of the period. Supporting items include "Shotguns that, Kick," a keystone scream featuring Fatty Arbuckle. ."Study in Feet," a new-idea farcecomedy, "Flying Freight's Captive," a drama concerning trains, jewel cobbers, and a brave girl. "The Championship Sports of the Expeditionary Force" held at Trentham and the Gaumont Graphic are also to bo included. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. The star picture at the People's Pic.ture Palace in the now bill which commences to-day will be "The Crickot off Hie Hearth.'" This _ adaptation of Dickens's story opens with the introduction of Caleb Phimmcr and his children, Edward and Blind Bertha. May Fielding, Edward's sweetheart, and her friend Dot next come into the scene, followed bv the betrothal of Edward and May. John Porrybingle, the carrier, who is in love with Dot, next brings a letter from a friend across the sea, asking for the services of a young man to help in a new enterprise. He induces Edward to accept the opening,

parting with May. Tackleton, the boy merchant, is in love with May, but she discourages his advances. Time passes, and a letter comes from Edward saying that he has made a fortune and leaves for home by tlio next ship. Tackleton is more than ever determined to win May, and, as he holds a mortgage on Mrs. Feilding's home, he bargains with her for -May's hand. The development of the plot is finely dono, and the picture is said to be excellent in every way. Among the supporting items is a good budget of 'war news and scenic, comic, and dramatic films. THE OHERNIAVSKY'S.

Leo, .Jan, and Miscliel Cherniavsky, the brilliant violinist, pianist, and 'collist, who recently terminated their Australian tour ere departing for America to commence their tour of the U.S.A., are to appear in Wellington, Christcluirch, Dunedin, and the leading small towns of the Dominion. The "Sydney Morning Herald" of July 6 says;—" The event of the evening was Leo Cherniavsky's brilliant rendering of the first Allegro from Tschaikowsky's amazingly difficult "Violin Concerto in D Major." The player exhibited a resonant and sympathetic tone, fluency in the correct delivery of the chord passages and harmonies, and feeling for the music. Jan Cherniavsky, who played with sentiment two pieces by Chopin, captured the Sydney audience in Liszt's bravura paraphrase on the vocal quartet from "Rigoletto," rendered with power, and,.where need, with much lightness of touch. Mischel Cherniavsky showed purity of tone and expression in Cessar Cui's "Cantabile" for 'cello, and proved adroitly skilful in Popper's tricky hut piquant "Arlequin." Hie Cherniavskys appear in Wellington on April 17, 22, 24. ' SACRED CONCERT. The _ Wellington Tramways Band, which is going to Christchurch shortly to compete at the contest there, gave the public of Wellington an opportunity of hearing the band in contest form at, a sacred concert in His Majesty's Theatre last night. The baud played two of the test and their "own choice" inarch for'the quick-step competition. Mr. M'Masters also played his ""own choice" cornet solo. Miss N. Castle, the only vocalist, sang very sweetly two very well-known and popular numbers—"Tho Arrow and the Song" and "Whore My Caravan Has Rested."