ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2455, 7 May 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE VIOLETS. The Violets attracted another appro, ciative audience to the Concert Chamber last evening. The singing of Mr. George Brooke, the pert comedy of Miss Dorothy Gard'ner, and the comic eifusions of Messrs. Cuthbert liosc, Arthur Hiscoe, met- with general approval. Tho rag-timo effusions of Otto Collins and Oswald Browne were also favoured, and Miss Marquerito Leroy's dancing (;avo pleasure, 'i'ho company will change its programme every 'Wednesday evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. All lovers of refined vocalism should not miss tho last two remaining chances of seeing the talented Randell Jackson Company, and in particular of hearing Mr. Jackson in the charming and breezy ballads he interprets so perfectly. Tho last nights are also announced of Carlton Max, J)'red Swift, and other vaudeville performers. "THIS IS THE LIFE." In accordance of their policy of frequent changes, tho Fuller management is making what it is hoped will bo a welcome innovation at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday xiiixt, and will present for the first time in Wellington an up-to-date form of entertainment known as a "Ilevue," a class of production that has had a great vogue recently in England and America. The Stanhope Company since arriving from America has played a season or ten weeks in Melbourne and five weeks in Auckland. Besides the principal comedian, Mr. Stanhope, the combination will consist of Miss Fritzee da Guy, who is reported to be a sparkling soubrette and cancer; Mr. Les Bates, an Irish comedian; Mr. Frank Norton, lteht comedian ; and Miss Ruby Kennedy, a soprano vocalist (who has the distinction of being the only Australian in the cast), and the 'Frisco Quartet, who are said to present some of the best items in the picce. A troupe of dancers has been engaged, and the orchestra has been specially augmented for the season. Seats can now be booked at the Bristol Piano Company's depot. Usual prices will prevail.

EVERYBODY'S.

Seats .were at a ■ premium at Everybody's Pictures throughout yesterday, and vers much so during the evening sessions, when manj wero unable to pain admission. The programme hits tho public taste to a nicety. That really excellent film drama, "The- Abduction," dealing as it does with the notorious record of an accomplished scoundrel and the troublous perils of a pretty'girl, makes a strong appeal, and stands nigh in public favour. Supporting subjects include "Kaiser Willie's Bubble," a war cartoon of special merit and much humour, "Pleasing Uncle" (agreeablv reminiscent of that clever comedy '"Jane"), a Keystone farce, "His Second Childhood," and the latest ."Gaumont Graphic." THE KING'S THEATRE. A sensational society story entitled "The Intriguers" heads the current programme at the King's Theatre. The story deals, with the actions of a swell tbief and his female accomplice, who have entered, into society with the object of gaining wealth; the man by jewel thieving and the woman by blackmail. The ''crooks" are eventually unmasked at a society function. Other film 6 include: "Tho Wonders of Magnetism" (Edison scientific), "The Red Signal" (Kalem drama), Pathe's War Gazette, and "Gussie, the Golfer." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Tile new programmo at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday brought forward the seventh series of Selig s wild animal drama, "The Adventures of Kathlyn." In this phase of the story the heroine, Kathlyn, and Bruce, the young American engineer, escape from the band of brigands -vho had made them captives. The chief of the baud is attacked by his followers, and lie takes refuge in the jungle, while a tiger also pursues him. Katlilyn's father, Colonel Hare, is compelled to submit to beiniy crowned at Allaha, where a gorgeous coronation ccremony is performed. The heroine learns of her father's predicament, and hurries to his rescue. An ingenious ruse is put into practice by Katiilyn, who succeeds in liberating her father, but her people are perturbed at her. disappearance shortly afterwards. The supplementary pictures comprise "A Fatal Bumping" (Keystone comedy), "Joflre Nibbling at 'Em" (topical), "Prosecution" (Vita, drama), aud "The Australian Gazette" (topical).

PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE.

An exceptionally good' mid-week change of programme was presented at the People's Picture Palace yesterday, and it attracted large audiences at both the day and evening sessions. The leading attraction is a film entitled "Hei Brother's Redemption," a sensational drama depicting the life of a New Zealand settler. What makes the film all the more interesting is the fact that it is .written, acted, and photographed by New, Zealanders. The local setting will be especially appreciated by those who are accustomed onlj; to foreign productions, while the acting in the drama is very well done, 'file 6tory itself is one that lends itself to production on tlio screen. A supporting drama full of powerful situations is entitled "A Bachelor's Romapce." Many topical war films are shown, the one of most interest being a remarkable film showing thq mobilisation of the Swiss Army. This is an especially topical film. The programme will be continued to-day and to-night. JOSEPH BLASCHECK. To-morrow night Mr. Joseph Biascheck, the famous English humorist, is announced to present "Society Snapshots" at the Grand Opera House. The programme to be submitted is the same as presented by him last year at the Queen's Hall, London, before His Majesty King George and leading members of English society, and also some three weeks ago at the Auckland Town Hall before Their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpcol, who attended twice in one week. Mr. Blascheck brings with him new monologues, songs, duets, character sketches, comedy turns, and humorous stories. "He lias an extraordinarily mobile face, a knowitdge of human nature, and a genuine sense of humour; he is very versatile—in fact, a great artist," says, the "Westminster Gazette." He has happily selected in Miss Alyce Austin, L.A.8., L.T.C.L., an artist who has gained praise for her versatile work from the Australian and Auckland critics. She, like Mr. Biascheck, does not depend on costume or make-up,- but relies on her reridition of each item to convey the character. The public is promised a performance on Saturday nijjht above the ordinary. The box plan is at the Bristol and day sales at Miss Lennox's.

1 "SAMSON AND DELILAH. 1 ' There is perhaps 110 more thrilling story embodied in the Bible than that dealing with the revolt of the people, headed b,y the mighty Samson, against the crafty and corrupt rule of the priesthood, and nono which is so admirably suited to pictorial representation. Tlie picture was produced in America a few months ago by J. li'arrcll Macdonald at an enormous cost, and made distinct impression in the moving picture world. This picture, which is in lour parts and GOO scenes, was screened privately at tho People's Picture Palace yesterday morning, and it was at once noticed that there was 110 exaggeration rcita Notorial and aramatic at--

tributes. Tim story commences with baiuson s childhood, showing with beautiful simplicity the life of the East, his growth to manhood, and the gathering doubts that all was not well with his people. Maturity brings reason, and reason detects tho cause of the oppression of the people by the High l'rieet and his licentious satellites. Samson's astonishing physical strength is' shown in many ways, one being a struggle with a lion, whose jaws are broken by the young Goliath. He became looked up to as a leader, and linallv throws down the gauntlet to the High Priest. -Chen is depicted the High Priest's intrigue with Delilah to deprivo Samson of his strength by cutting olr his hair. Delilah exerts all her subtle arts to win the strong man's love, and the struggle between his duty to his people ! and Ills passion for the beautiful woman is strikingly conveyed. Aflame with passion, Samson finally yields to the wiles of the woman, and, shorn of : his locks, finds his strength gone and himself a prisoner, gnawed with remorse parsing description. Degraded and humiliated by the taunting priests be is made to crush corn and do other menial work, whilst his people mourn the loss of their prospective leader. Finally in a scene of great splendour the blind man is led by a child to the temple, where a great throng of his enemies are winebibbing and dancing. Calling on the Almighty for his strength to be restored, he suddenly feels his blood leap and his strength return, and seizing two of the great central pillars he tears them away, aud down crashes the temple, annihilating the people who have denied his God. The staging of this picture is wonderfully fine, and the acting of Mr. J. Warren Kerrigan as Samson is uncommonly . restrained and impressive. The picture is to be screened at the People's Picture Palace as from Monday I next.