ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2426, 3 April 1915, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

NELLIE STEWART AS "DU BARRY." GRAND OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. This evening a 7.45 the curtain will rise at tho Grand Opora House on tho great historical costume play "Du Barry," which is said to provide Miss Nellie Stewart with one of those romantic and picturesquo parts which suit her so admirably. According to a Sydney papor, "it might have been expressly written to bring out to tile full all her great gifts, her charm, her coquettishness, and her vivacity of temperament. Gay, girlish audi happy, she was Jeanette to tho life." Du Barry deals with the love story of Jeannotte, the fascinating little milliner, audi Cosso Briss;ac, the dashing King's Guardsman, nor forced marriage with Jean Du Barry, and her meteoric rise to place and fortune at tho Court of Louir- XV of France. "Du Barry" is in five acts, in which tragedy and comedy, and laughter and tears are said, to be skilfully blended by the master hand of the dramatist. The play is said to bo mounted' on the most gorgeo as scale, and the furnishings and costumes are of the richest description. A very strong company will support Miss Stewart, including Mr. Clarence Blakiston, a distinguished actor froxu the leading London theatres; Mr. H. R. Roberts, the. brilliant romantic actor; Mr. Allan Wilkie, an English artist or wide experience: and Mr. J. B. Atholwood, who is well known'as a "character actor of great talent. The box plans and early door tickets are available to-day at Miss Lennox's, next the theatre. The performance will commence each evening at 7.45. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. To-night at His Majesty's Theatre the versatile Henri French will make everyr body merry again with his whistling jokes and his exceedingly clever impersonations. Another of the favourite turns on the programme is that of Mr. Eiton Fox, caricaturist and rapid sketcher. Mr. Fox draws his sketches on smoked glass, and projects the result on to a screen by means of a strong light. The other artists appearing have all very good entertainment to offer, and altogether the show is one of the Brennan-Fuller Proprietary's best. THE KING'S THEATRE. A special matinee, with' pictures of subjects suitable for the day, was given iu the King's Theatre yesterday, and the attendance was large. This evening the 'programme already shown to big crowds all the rest of the week will be shown- again. The feature of the bill is a drama, the motif of which is thoroughly in accord with popular sentiment. It is entitled "The Fringe of War," and the story it tells is' sensational as well as wholesome. A big- Edison three-part comedy will head the new bill on Monday. The picture is entitled "My Friend From India." This is said to he one of the best of modern farce comedies, and introduces the clever comedian Walter E. Perkins, and is a picturised version as played ' throughout England, America, ".and the Far East. 'Hie plot centres around _ Erastus Underholt a > retired millionaire pork packer, who has come, to New' York to get his two (laughters into society. His son, a wild youth, brings home with him an unknown stranger. Next morning the stranger is palmed off to the unsuspecting father as the Rev. James Tweedie, a theosophist from India. A b;g reception is planned to draw society to see the great theosophisj;, but Erastus Underholt dops not snow that all his family are against his wishes in the matter, and they decide to mesmerise the father and lead him to Relievo that' the reception took place. How they succeed in hoaxing him is exceedingly laughable. The trouble seenis over until the real Rev. James Tweedie arrives. ' There are quite a new' set of complications. But the daughters of Erasmus combine with their brother and the imposter, and amidst whirlwind scenes, which create gales of laughter, they succeed in hoodwinking their cood-natured, easy-forgiving father. The rest of the programme is exceptionally well balanced and for general variety is said to b e one of the best series presented at this popular theatre. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The showings of special pictures yesterday at Everybody's Theatre were witnessed bv crowds of people all the afternoon and l evening. To-day the ordinary programme will be resumed. ' The biggest picture tells of tho love story of Daiid. Garrick, a pretty romance about one of the most ronnntic figures who ever appeared on the English 'stage/The Keystone comedy for the week is a jaughable piece of farce about a shoot ing expedition,' in which the eccentric Koysiono sportsmen set out one day. Commencing on Monday will be screened what is described as a superior dramatic story, "The Best Man," an Edison two-part star feature, with an original plot. After many years of adversity, George: Havne sepufed a fortune and set sail from Europe to marry the girl of his heart. On his wedding day He accidentally locks himself in' the wardrobe and his chauffeur waits in vain. In the same building a thrilling seoret service denouement is culminating, and the detectivp,' who resembles Hayn'e, jumps in the waiting car, pursued by relentless, foes.- He is' iarried to the church, and marries the expect! ant feridfr Interesting complications and exciting adventures, in' which trains play a prominent part, ensue. Strange to say, the bride falls in love with the impersonator, whs for his skill in securing. England's safety is promoted to an important position. The story is capably acted by a star cast, and is full of intense interest to the last inch. Supporting subjects include "Noise pi Bombs," a Keystone comedy, in which a careless maid, a stolen .baby, and' 9 lighted bomb play pronraent parts, and Ganmont Graphic, Sugar Industry, and a splendid Titagraph drama, "The Man Who Knew" will also be screened. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures were accorded' a full measure oi patronage yesterday afteniooji and evening, crpiyHccl sessions being the rule. A programme specially selected for the opcasiou was submitted. ' The final appearance of the current series is announced for to-day and to-night. Tlu list is beaded bw the Keystone two-ree farce-comedy, "Soa Nymphs," iu whicl tho principal characters arc interpret** by "Fatty" Roscoe and Mabel Nor niand, who it is stated frohc in a amusing maiinor, diving and swimming at thp end of a pier. The new pro gramme 011 Monday will" introduce ; brilliant motion picture version 0: Uedrgo R. Sims's famous melodrama "Jiarliour Lights" which will bo sup ported by thp Keystone farce-comedy "How Horocs are Made," "Tho Topica Budget," aiwL "Tho End of an Din lirolla" (Kdisoii drama). I'KOI'LE'S PICTURE PALACE. A particularly- line war drama, iuti which is interwoven many incident cnimcclod with the present war, macli its first appearand; at tho People's Pic tpre I'alncc 011 Thursday. Tho piutnr is entitled "The Sinews of War," am the scone of the plot divides itself be tween' London, where spins are oporat . ing, ami tlio tiring line whore soldier , arc lighting uml dying for their conn trv. A famous dancer is the leadin: figure in the drama, an.l it is she win endeavours to ijssisl. a German spy. I.'s ing her beauty as her main weapon, sh at first, appears likely to bo successfii in Flealinst important dispatches. Thes have bfien" civ«n to u. ti/ivnl ofljnor, wh i& lured to tho daiwev'ii hounn, drugged

and robbed of his dispatches. Hero a Salvatiou Army lassio comes on the . scene, and Hearing where tho spies were located, she visits the Louse, and by strategy eventually succeeds in recovering tho dispatches. Thoso- are the main incidents in a sensational • story. The scenes whore the Allies are lighting the Germans are very realistic. The supporting subjects are excellent, and include somo amusing comedy films, and interesting dramatic and scenic subjects. On Good Friday a specially se- ' lected programmo was shown. To-day will be the last opportunity of witness- J ing the present programme, as the hiweekly change will ho made on Monday. Tho orchestra contributes in no small , degree to tho general success of the , show. ' | A feature of Monday's new bill will be a screamingly funny Keystono comedy, "The Fatal Taxi-Cab." ill which the principals are "Fatty ■ Arbuckle and Mabel Norman. The picture is said to be brimful of laughter-nuking situations, and shows lio-v "Fatty" loses Mabel by the use of a taxi-cab. Another star item will be "The Road to i Calais," a stirring war drama. THE CHERNIAVSKY S AND AMERICA. ...Leo, Jan, and Mischel Cherniavsky, who will shortly visit Wellington to i give three concerts, open next year in New York with the Symphony Orchestra, and after presenting concerts in conjunction with the Symphony Orchestra of the various cities, proceeds on a tour covering, ill the leading towns of the United States of America, Canada, and South America. These young geniuses made such a profound impression when they were in New Zealand last year that they should be certain to be received with wide open aims, for New Zealand has never heard more wonderful instrumental music. Mr. Howard Edie is the general manager of the tour. The Cherniavskys recently created in Auckland a profound impression, and it is freely stated by contemporaries that they achieved the greatfl.it'musical sucr cess since the visit of Melba and Clara Putt. SUNDAY CONCERT. ' The Natives' Association Band (late Garrison) will give a concert at His Majesty's Theatre to-raorrow evening. An excellent programme has been arranged. Mr. Hamilton Hodges will sing "0 Soul of Mine," and Miss Mai Fontaine "The Children's Home." _ Mr. P. L. Minifie, piccolo, soloist, will play "Will o' the Wisp." Tho band items are especially interesting, and include a tuneful selection. "Memories of Mercadante" and "a military fantasia, "The Outpost" (with echo effects). _ A silver coin Collection will be made in aid of the uniform fund.