ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2451, 3 May 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"WHO'S THE LADY?" Large audienoes continue to interest themselves in tie pleasant task of ascertaining "Who's tie Lady?" at tho - Grand Opera House. The comedy company is certainly one of the most capable that has been seen in Wellington in recent years, and Miss Ethel Dane in the alluring role of Gobette is distractingly winsome in personality and chic in style. Only two more performances of this racy French comedy can 'be given. On Wednesday evening "The Glad Eye" is to be revived. "THE~VIOLETS." "The Violets" will arrive in Wellington on Tuesday and make their first ap r peaiance in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Wednesday evening. It is said that the programmes of "The, Violets" contain a much wider variety than that of any similar organisation. The opening programme will contain several, items which have greatly assisted in establishing the popularity of "The Violets" in Australia. The 'company under notice has just completed _a most successful season of sis months in Adelaide, and this fact may be accepted as a testimonial to its merit. The Wellington season will last for six weeks, during which period frequent changes of programme will be made. This, however, is an easy matter for "The Violets," whose repertoire is most extensive. The box plan is now open at the Bristol Piano Co. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre is keeping up its reputation as a place where patrons will find plenty to amuse and enliven them. The new vaudeville programme to be presented by tho Fuller-Bronnan proprietory to-night will' contain an ample supply of bright and varied matter which it is hoped will meet with popular appreciation. A feature of this evening's performance will be provided by Mr. Les Warton, a coon impersonator, who is well known to vaudeville audiences, having appeared liere on several occasions. He will provide an entirely new repertoire of ragtime songs and dances. Another first appearance -will be that of Mr. George Campbell, an English iartist who is reported,to be an exceptionally clever oomedy juggler. Other newcomers to appear in to-night's programme are: Dormer and Lloyd, musical comedy sketch artists, who are said to hold a prominent position on tho English vaudeville stage; Carlton Max, the popular ventriloquist; Fred Swift, the musical nut; and The Bandell Jackson Company.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Head of this week's bill at the King's Theatre (commencing this evening) " is "The Intriguers," a Lubin star drama. The picture is a fresh study of tho modern society of America, wheie money is' the passport to the highest functions. Naturally everyone who appears to be wealthy can be received mto such society, and this leaves tho opportunity for well-dressed parasites to prey upon all who may have a weak spot in their lives. Viola Vincent and Wiiithrop Hagen are society parasites who secure an invitation to a society week-end and party; Viola finds immediate prey in Henry Blackstone, a diplomatic agent connected with tho foreign service. Hagen takes a fancy l to a society girl who is wearing a magnificent set of diamonds, which Hagen The working out of the plot is interesting. The programme' will include also, "The Red Signal" (a. railway drama), "The World Grabber" (a series of animated subjects), "Coney Island nightmare" (comedy), and "Tlie Wonders of Magnetism" (an Edison invention). EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. To-day, at noon, what is described as a sensational and exciting adventure series by, the famous Nordisk Company, will be screened at Everybody's Theatre. "The Abduction," which is £600 feet in length, depicts the criminal escapades of the groat master in crime, Dr. Gar-El-Hama. Placed in prison for a grievous crime, he escapes therefrom, and decides to make an easy living by abducting the daughter' of an American consul, whom ho holds for a- ransom of £10,000. The father in great distress acquaints her fiance, Lieutenant Erskino, who, with a crew from his warproceeds to Snake Island, where she is interned. What follows is most exciting. The supporting subjects include one of the favourte Keystone comedies, which are always bright and full of humour. It is entitled "His Second Childhood," and depicts some ridiculously laughable characters, who are highly diverting. "Pleasing Uncle" is a comedy that is very enjoyable. 'Willie's Bubble Burst" is a serios of topical cartoojis. "The Baumont Graphic" gives the latest views from ths war, and tho latest war topicals will also be included in tho bill.

PEQPLE'S PIOTUR3 PALACE.

"The War Baby" is the chief picture in the new programme to be presented at tho P.P.P. to-day. It is claimed for this story that it cannot fail to arouse tho sympathy of any audience, ami that it includes numerous realistic battles scenes. The story is to tho effect that Helen Marsh elopes with Bobby North, her father's privato secretary. Mr. Marsh, who had intended Helen to uiarr.v a Gorman baron, dismisses North from his employ. Bobby takes Helen to his mother's home, whero- they live happily together until war is declared with Germany, and Bobby is called away to' serve with tho colours. Whilst her husband is at tho (rint Helen civcs birth to a son. Weeks pass, but Helen receives no news of her husband. Christmas draws near and she writes to her father wishing liim a merry Christinas. The old man T s heart »flft«iip.> and lie teMsa to go wl m jii& littie sraudwn, At tho front flobb>;

is fighting bravely, and the story ends with a happy reunion, and all is forgiven. Other pictures on tlie bill are "The Way Home" (drama), "Heart's Refuge" (Lubin story of the tragedy of an artist's model), "Topical Budget," "A Little. Hero" (Keystone comedy), and "Wild Duck Snooting." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The new programme at the Empress Theatre Continuous Pictures to-day and to-night will be headed by the Majestic Company's drama "Flight For a Fortune." Tlie principals are a political "crook," his step-daughter, and a young city lawyer, who is in Jove with that young lady- The politician, recognising that the lawyer is bent upon preventing the former carrying out an illegal scheme, endeavours to prevent his step-daughter meeting the lawyer. The girl escapes in a boat to tell her lover of her step-father's plan to injure him. Exciting adventures lead to a pleasing climax. The accompanying pictures will be "Fatty's Magic Pants" (Keystone comedy), "Topical. Budget," "Dolly at the. Helm" (Edison drama), and "For a Widow's Sake" (Lubin comedy). JOSEPH BLASCHECK. On Saturday evening next at the Grand Opera House Mr. Joseph Biascheck, the popular entertainer, is _ to present a new addition of his "Society Snapshots," the title under which he groups together a series of character sketches of members of all grades of society, from Kings to costermongers. His many admirers iir Wellington will be glad to renew their acquaintance with this genial and gifted entertainer. Miss Alyce Austin, a young singer of Australian repute, supports Mr. Biascheck, and is making her first tour of the Dominion. During the season of two weoks at tho Auckland Town Hall her songs at the piano were greatly applauded. Miss Austin is a L.A.B. and L.T.C.M. of London, and her pianoforte solos are 'anxiously looked for by the musical students in the towns she has appeared. The management have arranged that holders of day sale tickets will be admitted fifteen minutes before the ordinary doors open. The box plan opens on Wednesday at the Bristol. There are no booking fees or early door charges. BAND CONCERT. There was a fair attendance at the very interesting' concert given in His Majesty's Theatre last evening by the New Zealand Natives' Association Band under the baton of Lieut. T. Herd. The band, which is a very well-balanced combination, showed the result of rehearsal and good training in its. good tone, crisp, clean playing, and notably good attack and release. Its quality was in evidence in a contest selection built cn Verdi's almost forgotten work "Nabucca," which embodies all the inspiriting ensembles .and melodious graces of this prolific genius. It was interpreted with studied insight and a notable regard for contrasts. The euphonium solo was admirably played. Another delightful number was morceau by Batiste, "Andante in G," in which the theme is payed by the cornot, and subsequently, by the and cornet, to an attractive accompaniment. Tlie band also played the march "1-leimkher" (Gunter), a fantasia "0 Lovely Night" (Round), with variations for the cornet and euphonium, and the quickstep "Tonowonda" (Brown). The band was fortunate in securing tho services of Mr. Frank Charlton, who has a baritone voice of rare sweetness and sympathy, and whose songs wero selected with the best of tasto. These were "Hainicl's Song" (Gould), "Mother o' Mine," "Inter Nos," a remarkably impressive song by Fiulen. popularised hero by Mr. Taul Dufault,, and that charming love lyric "Now Sleeps' tho Crimson Petal." Mr. Charlton sings most artistically, land liis numbers were tlie feature (if the programme. The effect would have been even better had the accompanist been provided with a better pianoforte. Mr. H. Phipps, a sympathetic tenor, wlio develops a well-defined liuskiness when using his upper register, sang "Roses" (Adams), "J. Know of Two Bright lives," »nd tho recitative and aria "If With all Your Hearts" (Mendelssohn). Mrs. Monlsgup acted as accompanist.