ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2464, 18 May 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE COURT CARDS. The Court Cards Company of entertainers now showing at tho Grand Opera House is of tho typo that improves on acquaintance, and so it is that they are more popular than over with tlio public. The company is particularly strong vocally, and to listen to the mala vocal quartet ia a real treat. Tho comedy work of tho entertainers too is exceptionally good, and with Messrs. Edgar Warwick and George Titcbener in the van tho fun is fast and furious. Miss Maude Fane too is a pleasing oomedienne with a delightful voice. All the members of the Court Cards are in absolute sympathy with each other, so that tho show goes with an irresistible swing from the opening chorus to the hilarious finale, Mr. Albert Keats is « most competent accompanist, and contributes in no small measure to the success of the 'entertainment.

"FUN ON A FARM." Paul Stanhope's gay little American Revue Company presented at His Majesty's last evening a rip-roaring musical farce entitled "Fun 011 a Farm," which is packed with laughs from beginning to end. Hearty, healthy fun with a strong American liavour, tickled the audience into screams of laughter. There is nothing blissfully Arcadian in "Fun on a Farm/' when Jake Hogan (Mr. Stanhope) is around, for Jake is a master of slap-stick comedy, and nothing he does or says or sings bears any resemblance to a pastoral symphony. He is just thereabouts to score laughs off old Si Perkins, the,farmer (Mr. Lei Bates), fall to the wiles of a bunco man (Mr. Frank Norton), and turn out bales of jokes about anything or anyone with a riotous disregard_for any rules. Mr. Stanhope, as tlie Tan-kee-Irishman, oozes a perfectly silly sort of humour that is waste of time to resist, and nobody tried to last evening. Loping round the farm is a very capable male quartet, who dropped their hay-rakes to sing the Offenbach "Barcarolle" with excellent expression, and who also sang a catchy medley of ragtime ditties, in harmouy. Les Bates, as the farmer, showed out strong as a character comedian. -Miss Ruby Kennedy appears as Ethel Strathmore, a widow tourist. Hose Perkins is played with a light and airy touch by Miss Fritzee do Guy. In the vaudeville first part. Misses Dormer and Lloyd, song and dance artists, and "Merlyn," tho bogus jester, and his friend in deception "Archibald," once more raised laugliter. Miss Ida Jarvis, V'aude and Verne, and the Dc-ntinos, were also on the bill and pleased.

"THE VIOLETS." . The party of clever people styled "The Violets" entertained a delighted audience in the Concert Chambor last night with a programme of light comedy .and tuneful music. The entertainment they offer is of the sort that has always met with ready acceptance in Wellington, and "The Violets" do it all at least as well as any of their forerunners. Their humour' is lightsome and whimsical, their music is of good cjuality, their ragtime singing and dancing is—just ragtime—and the performers all have what Mr. Barrie calls "charm." All their efforts to plea6o were entirely successful last night as oil other nights. A change of programme is announced for to-morrow night.

THE KING'S THEATRE. Miss Anita Stewart, the popular picture actress, is featured in the Vitagraph Company's four-reel drama, "413," which heads the bill at the King's Theatre this week. In addition to having the curious title, tho drama' has . a most unusual plot and works through thrilling situations and attractive scenery to a. sensational climax. The number "413" is the working name of a jewel smuggler who does business with a band of criminals at a strange rendezvous. The jealousy of a girl, who is in love with one of the gang, leads to _ the • downfall of the whole organisation. The leader's rendezvous is raided, and one of the gang is shot dead during the raid. _ The smuggler chief, "413," escapes in his automobile. Ail exciting chase follows, and, finding his pursuers gaining, the smuggler chief steals an empty train at a railroad station. A telegram is [sent ahead and when.the train,-driven ! b\* "413" at sixty miles an hour, strikes an open switch, it ploughs down a 50ft. 1 embankment and piles up at the bottom—a total wreck. This final scene is one of those big picture efforts for which the Vitagraph Company is now famous and it is managed in capital style. Half-a-dozen films of interest are added to the programme. "The Man in the Vault" is an exciting Kalem drama, in which master-burglare take part, while comedy is supplied by an Edison, production, "In the Grip of the Plumber," and "A Horseshoe for Luck.'.' Duke Kahanamoku's visit to this oity is well illustrated, and latest war news includes a series of striking events of recent occurrence. There is also a screening of performing bears, showing the effects of a liberal education on these intelligent animals. Music is supplied by the King's Symphony Orchestra.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Two pictures of outstanding merit are contained in the change of programme presented at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, namely, a Keystone comedy featuring Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Normand, and the Reliance newspaper drama, entitled "The Beat of the Year." The latter is an intensely interesting story, and shows how the "cub" reporter on a large newspaper unearths a murder mystery. The methods by which he traces down the "story" and beats the "S,tar" man on the paper are of interest, but the events leading up to the murder are tlio chief part of the film. It deals with a beautiful young factory girl who is in love with a man of her own station, _ but is later infatuated by a millionaire's son who is leading a double, life. He intends to dupe the girl, but the former lover learns of tiis intention and confronts him in his rooms, where a fight takes place. Hero the rich man is killed, and the other would have got away had it not been for the efforts of the newspaper man. However, as the story unfolds, the sympathy is with the man who tried'to save the girl, and it is made clear that he will be able to get off. The Koystone film shows Fatty ami Mabel leading the simple life, and it is full of ridiculous ' situations, not the least of which is one scene showing an erratic motorcar in which Fatty attempts to elope with Mabel. The film causes roars of hearty laughter from start to finish. Supporting films include: "Gaumont Graphic," the latest war topicals; and a beauty comedy "The Rude Awakening." The programme will be repeated to-day.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Trucked by tlio Hounds," a realistic "feature" drama by the Edison Company, is the outstanding attraction of tlio new programme introduced at tlie Empress Theatre Continuous Pictures yesterday. Tho story tells of a millionaire, Itobort Stuart, his daughter Kathcrine, and her two suitors, Frank Johnson, and Count Francisco. While Katherino favours Johnson her father prefers tlio Count, owing to his aristocratic birth. When tho Count learns that. Katherino is about to le sont to Europe lie plans with two of Stuart's discharged gardeners to kidnap her and hold her for ransom. Tlio schemors carry out their plot, but when Johnsoil hears thai Stuart Ims received a letter demaudiua wunjom.is sets about.

to traok the kidnappers witli the aid of his two Siberian wolf hounds. Tho animals follow tho trail to a hut m tho woods whoro a desperate revolver fight rosults in tho death of ono of tho abductors and the oapture of the count and the third man. Tho hut catches firo and .Toll 11 son roscues TCatlierine and eventually weds her. The auxiliary films aTo: "Rum and Wallpaper" (Keystone farce-comedv), "Tho Topical Budget" (with scenes incidental to tho war), "A Silent Accuser" (Solig Western drama), and "Tho Bear's Omelette" (Cines cartoon).

MACMAHON'S THEATRE. The production of an entirely now film presenting in picture form Marie Corelii's celebrated novel, "Vendetta," attracted speoially large audiences at MacMahon's Theatre last night. Nothing, proverbially, "succeeds like success," and apparently everybody _ who has read this exceptional novel is determined to seo tlie picture presentation of it. The story is an intensely emotional one. and acted by Italian actors, for the famous Hecla Company, it naturally loses nothing in it« "counterfeit presentment." The photography of the picture is excellent, and its whole presentation marks it as quite an ideal picture. It will be sliown again to-day and to-morrow, as it has to leave for Sydney on Thursday. The supporting programme includes a specially diverting comedy in "Back to the Kitchen," a downstairs diversity that is provocativo of infinite merry-making. Tho last word from Home is embodied, in the Pathe Gazette, and other picture features make up a sterling programme.

PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. Good attendances patronised the People's Picture Palace yesterday, when the management screened it 6 fine new programme. The new bill is quite ono of the most entertaining yet presented to the public in this theatre. The chief item in the bill is a star film arranged by the celebrated Aquila Company. Its title is "The Romany's Revenge," and the story is as exciting as its name indicates. Many a thrilling tale has been built up on the basis of gipsy life with the love element closely intei woven, but none more romantic, more gripping than the story of the Romany's revenge. Expense has not been spared in producing the drama, and the photography is of the highest class obtainable. Ono of the features of the film is the remarkably fine scenic cects which have been secured. A gipsy story naturally lends itself to this kind of thing, and the producers have made the most of their opportunity. The Italian scenes which are introduced are really charming. The supporting pictures on the bill are all interesting, and "The Topical Budget" contains much that is worth seeing in those days of strife.

MADAM LINA NT BERG. In the programme to be presented at the Grand Opera House on Monday and Tuesday evenings next, by Madam Lina Nyberg, the Belgian prima donna, are several items of rare charm. Amongst the latter may be classed excerpts from "La Perle du Bresil," a very fine work by Feliciem David. Although this opera is practically unknown in New Zealand, it stands in high favour with Continental audiences, and its brightly (lowering melodies are very popular. Madam Nvborg will also be heard in favourite numbers from "Rigoletto" and other choice operas. It is some time since a recital of this nature has hcen given in the City, and the Belgian artiste will doubtless receive a warm welcome. The plan opens at the Bristol next Thursday morning.