ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2442, 22 April 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

Pantomimes always prove an irresistible attraction to the public, and such a glittering show as that provided in "The Babes in the Wood" by the Willoughby Company at present holding the boards at tho Grand Opera House should be even more popular than its predecessors. There is the Dame, who this time has a failing for tin infinite variety of hats, and who is more voluble than ever, the usual pantomime satellites hovering round the said Dame, bevies of pretty girls, gorgeous costumes, beautiful scenery, etc. "The Babes in the Wood" is, however, principally notablo for the prominent vaudeville artists it contains —artists who have already made themselves popular here. There is Daisy Jerome, perhaps the most popular of all, who sings a largo number of songs in her original fashion; Mr. Bert le Blanc, in his Yiddish representations; the New York Comedy Four, and Josephine Gassman and her Piccaninnies. Of course tho Kaiser's name helps in the general fun of the pantomime, while the scarlet-robed demons inseparably associated with pantomimes appear quite fit companions for a group of terribly fierce-looking German officers. Altogether the show provides three hours of fun' and music, .vhich tho audience seemed to find passing away quickly enough. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A troupe of trained dogs, styled "Mandeno's Dogs," contribute the star turn at His Majesty's Theatre this week. The animals skip, ciimb ladders, vault through hoops, and do all manner I of astounding things. Other prominent artists appearing 011 the present programme are Kelly and Pollock, a pair of likeable comedians: Carlton Max, the ventriloquist, with his inimitable "Jerry"; George Hall, the popular Yanked raconteur and Vaude and Verne, original comedians, KING'S THEATRE. At the King's Theatre the main attraction is a film by the Edison Company, a magnificent photo-play adaptation of the romantic novel "Tho Colonel of tho Red Hussars." The subject deals with a delightful love story in which a princess and her handsome cousin arc princess and her handsome second cousin aro tho principals.''l'he staging is on a sumptuous scale, and the acting is of tho best. The programme also embrases "The Lovo of Pierre l.arosse" (Vitagraph drama), "The Great Earthquake in Italy," "Pathe War Gazette," "After the Snowstorm in Denmark" (scenic), and "Getting Father's Goat" (Kalem comedy). The aeries will l)o shown again this evening. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. . A special feature at Everybody's Theatre is a two-reel Keystone comedy "Hushing the Scandal," which for over half an hour creates roars of merriment. Sydney Chaplin plays the leading role, and the awkward situations in which he finds himself as a victim of circumstances, and the manner in which he contrives to get out of them prove irresistible. There is a particularly good Majestic story, "Baby's Ride," depicting the startling adventure of a baby, and tho trouble it caused. "Fiiio Feathers" is a society drama with a novel moral. Other good films, including a topical war gazette, go to make a programme that should appeal to the tastes of all. There will be a repetition at all sessions 'to-day and to-night. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. At the People's Picture Palace to-day will be presented one of Dickens's famous novels in pictorial form. The book chosen is "Martin Chuzzlewit," the scenes of which lend themselves so well lor pictorial adaptation. Those who have already seen Dickens's storieß in pictures will realise the interest such a film can command. Supporting films will be: "His Father's Scapegoat" (drama), "Vale of Ossata" (scenic), "Topical' Budget," "Sixes and Nines" (comedy), "Bloomer Plays Football," and "The Benefactor" (drama). THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Charles Chaplin is the "star" performer in the keystone Company's tworeel comedy "His Prehistoric Past," which will bo presented to-day with the new programme at the Empress Theatre. Tho subject is stated to be easily the most laughable play yet produced by the Keystone people. Charles takes tb« part of a. tramp who falls asleep on e bench in the park. There he lies dreaming, and his visions are enacted in th« subsequent scenes. The episodes arc 6aid to bo as original as they are ludicrous. The tramp's awakening provide! a fitting climax to the play. The fifti series of "The Adventures of Kathlyn," Selig's exciting wild animal drama, en. titled "The Colonel in Chains," will alsc be a prominent- feature of the bill. Th< rest will include "The Australian Gazette" and "The Daddy of Them All 1 (Lubin comedy);

"WHO'S THE LADYP" "Wit is the essence, ingenuity the sauce of true comedy," said Dumas pere: what he said of the spice, it is unnecessary to add in relation to modern French farce, inasmuch as the flavour of a generation ago is changed for tho healthy humour of to-day. "Who's the Lady?" is one of the examples of modern French .style, and has been cheerfully accepted as such. in. many lands. On Wednesday next, at the Grand Opera House, Miss Ethel Dane and all tho old favourites of "The Glad Eye" Company will seek to qualify for further friendship with the Wellington public, when they appear in "Who's tho Lady?" described as one of the brightest and wittiest of modern French farces. "On, on with tho fun," said Ucquelin, the gifted son of the French Academie, and while the fun is fast, furious, and healthy, "on with the fun' repeat all good play-goers. Past experience shows that Tom Shelford, Henry J. Ford, and Frank Bradley, together with Claud Vernon and Edward Landor, lack nothing in pace or appreciation of the opportunities that'authors give them, and the management declare themselves happy in their confidence that another successful season is in store. The box plans openi next Monday.