ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2476, 1 June 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S TLI.EATRK

"I'm Sorry," the tillo of Air. I atil Stanhope and Company's burlesque it I. His Majesty's Theatre tliirf week, if_ i>"imeant to dcscribo tho show. obiNocly is sorry about anything while it is gem!; oil. One of Air. Stanhope's remarks just about liis Lis revuo: "It's about all I lie things 1 could think 01, and u good many that 1 couldn't lliinlt ol." Al any rate, lie did not think of any lor very long at a time when he made ii|> tins revuo, because it is Iho mosl noii-sei|tioiil, jumble of events thai could be strum', together. There are events, because Mr. Stanhope and his jokes iind absurdities keep on happening with great freshness and frequency for nearly an houi—a sound, hard-working porlorniance. The beginning of the plot is a very nervy, llagranfc piece ol theft I rem tho person by an enterprising widow, and in his determined if spasmodic ell'oris to gaet liis diamond ring back, Mr. Stanhope explores some of the side shows of a most mysterious reshiurnnt. This is how it happens that Aphrodite, also a hideous mighty marine monster, rses from the deeps, and Hie Chinese waitor goes crazy about breakages ol costly cliina. There is a piquant ballet by Miss Fritzee de Guy and hall a do/.en other girls, a song or hvo, and a sort of musical jumble by the main members of tho chorus. Tho artist does not live who could put those attaint all into a real story, wherefore Air. Stanhope has not tried to make a story at all. All that, is claimed for it is that there is something doing all the time. In the first part of tho program mo appear Lumley and .Rhodes, doseriebd as eccentric character comedians. They have a groat number of jokes, some of them new, and they had their share of laughs last night. Air. Lcs Alarton has also come back with coon songs and coon stories, all of them good in their way. Miss IDffie Followos repeated last night her success of last week as a male impersonator, singing songs which completely captivated the males in the audience. Otlior artists reappearing woro Ida Jarvis and Frank, Lank, and Alice. THE VIOLETS. Air. Edward xiranscombe's talented little company, "The Violets," tho last seven nights of whoso season at tho Concert Chamber is announced, delighted a large audience last night wich another change ol programme. The selection of items was m every way enjoyable. and included several of tlie more popular items that have already gainod tliern approval- Air. Cuthbert ltose, the chief comedian, pleased immensely with his contributions to the programme. He was most successful in comedy worls, particularly in the doleful lament of a hen-pecked husband, entitled "If tho Missus; ." Among liis other items —he received double and triple encores —were "Ho* Vve Talk" and "Child Stories." Aliss Dorothy Gard'ner, who is one of the most popular members of the company, gave "Tho Goblin Alan," "The Housemaid," and "Not At 'Ome." Air. Arthur RiseiiJ, Air. Howard Hall, Aliss Checkette (who sane "Roses and Memories"), Aliss Shirley Cooke, Aliss Marguerite Leroy (the company's danseuse), Air. Georgo Broke, and Collins and Browne all gavo delightful items which were fully appreciated by tho audience. THE KING'S THEATRE. Stories of tho Indian' Mutiny alleys grip ono's interest, but never moro than at the present time, when tho splendid lighting troops of India arc warring in deadly earnest on the side of Groat Britain. At tho King's Theatre this week there is told on tlie screen a thrilling story of the mutiny days. The early chapters of the tale show the Indian regiments at drill, and gradually it becomes evident that strife is being stirred amongst the native soldiery. Ram, the High Priest of tho Temple of Delhi, urges liis people to throw off what he terms "the British yoke." An uprising breaks out, and word of it reaches General Kirnber, in command at Calcutta. He summons Captain Arlington and Captain Shannon, of the Sixth, and orders them to go to Delhi with their troops. Arlington had been betrothed to a beautiful Eurasian, but had tired of her, and bocoma enamoured of General Kimber's daughter, Dora. Dora Shannon. and this made Arlington jealous. The love quarrel led to considerable trouble and the incidents arising out of this load on to tho massacre at Me«mt in 1857. Aluch of tho drama is true, with the liunies of the chief actors carefully readjusted, and the whole story is strong and interesting. Among the supporting pictures arc: "Australia Will Bo There" (a historic farewell ceremony), "Dr. Smith s Baby" (comedy), "The Fashion Shop' (comedy), "The Latest Topicals. lbe topioal pictures are particularly well selected, and contain glimpses of Europe's battlefields, and. scenes from other lands. "WILL THEY NEVER COME?" Ten thousand soldiers appear in the film "Will They Never Goine?' —a patriotic subject which heads this week s programme at Everybody's Pictures. When screened in Australia the film did a great deal for the cause of recruiting, and it is such a thrilling drama that it should not be less successful here. In Wellington it is being produced under the patronago of His Excellency the Governor (the Earl of Liverpool), the Prime Minister, and t'he Alinister of Defence. The production 'lias secured very large public patronage, and at times last evening nothing but standing room was available in the old Opera House.' The story of tho play is of two brothers, one heeding tho call of duty and the other remaining at home in Sydney to follow sport in all its alluring forms. Often the call for reinforcements rings in the ears of the brother who has remained at home, but as often it goes unheeded. Thou comes a time when tho soldier brother returns homo wounded, and a hero. His narrative of the campaign strikes the right chord and the other brother enlists and leaves for tho front. Olio or two scenes in the drama are of particular interest, notably the march through Sydney and the departure of the troops for Egypt en route to tho Dardanelles. There are, too, some excellent tableaux, contrasting fierce battle incidents with sporting scenes on tho beaches and the racecourse. The picture draws to a climax with a viow of our defenders at the front fighting against fearful odds, and iii desperation waiting for the promised reinforcement and wondering "Will they never come?" A strong list of supporting items includes': "Giddy, Gay, and Ticklish" (Keystone comedy), ''Her Winning Trick" (comedy), the most recent "Topical Budget," and a realistic war picture, "Brilliant French Victory in the Vosges." This last-named subject is about the best war lilm received to date. It reproduces an actual i-attlo in one of the most important lighting areas in the West. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Mischief Maker," a stylishly mounted "feature" drama by the Vitagraph Company, is the leading item of the change presented at the Empress Theatre Continuous Pictures yesterday. Dolly, a society young lady, is visited by Anita, her chum, who falls in love with Peter, Dolly's comrade Irom childhood. Peter is attracted by both young ladies, but eventually proposes to Dolly, and is accepted. Anita joins a. house party given by Dolly after her marriage. Anita directs Peter's attention lo Dolly who is apparently Hirting with one of the giu-sls. f'otcr lie. conies madly jealous and leaics the house at. an early hour in the morning tow#, Aaita also,,

proceeds to town by,that train and accompanies Poter. Dolly becomes atruro that the two aro travelling in tho same tram, so she hurries to town in a fast motor and intercepts her husband and Anila leaving tho station. Peter's I'lolestations of innocence are futile, loi: Dolly motors away leaving him ill despair, lie'hastily returnes home and on Dolly's arrival mutual explanations result in a reconciliation. Among tho supperling lilms are: "The Topical l'"dj;el," "Megan's Wild Oats" (Keystone comedy), "Tho Taming of Suu.Nell" (Flying A. drama), and "lbe Groom's Doom" (I'arco comedy). I'KOI'I, ICS PICTURE PALACE, yesterday's change of programme at the People's Picture Palace attracted flood crowds at every session. Tho feature lilm <>n the now bill is a touching drama entitled "A Poor Relation," thu slory concerning an inventor, whoso kindness to a mother and her two children was amply rewarded in tho end. Jhe scene hinges round about a largo factory, and an industrial upheaval gives the inventor a chance to prove ~'i S s ' s "! a labour-saving machine, ihe principal part in the drama is J'biyed by the famous American actor, lliomas Jcflorson, whoso stage work is well known to picture-lovers. The supporting programme includes a s-plendid assortment of scenic, comic, industrial, and topical items. New subjects will he introduced (o-day on the arrival of Iho English mail. "OAVALLEMA RUSTICA.NA." Under the conductorship of Air. Maugnan Barnelt tho Royal Wellington Cl.oral Society will perform in the Town j 1 all to-night. I'ietro Alaseajni's grand Italian opera, "Cavalleria Rusticana." Iho soloists engaged for this occasion are: Soprano, Aliss Elsy Troweck, who has been brought over from Australia to sing tho pari of Santnzza, and is to pei'lnrm the same work next month in Adelaide; Mr. W. G. Saunders will take the tenor part; Airs. Rosewarne, of Napier, sings the contralto; Airs. C. G. Alcorn, tho mezzo; while Mr. Frank Charlton will sing the baritone part ol Alho. A very successful final rehearsal was held last night, and everything points to a very fino performance. A special feature will be Air. W. G. Saunders singing the Sicilane, an ardeiit serenade, behind the scene with harp accompaniment. The doors will open at 7,15 10-night and the opera conclude shortly belore 10. The prices aro 3s. (leserve), !>s. (reserve), and Is. All tickets are obtainable at tho Bristol I lano Company, where 3s. and 2s. seats can be reserved without extra charge. ORGAN RECITAL. An organ recital was given in the \\ esleyau Church last evening by Mr. Norman Collie, who submitted a very entertaining programme. It included Bachs' "Prelude and Fugue in D Major," Boellmann's "Suite Gotliique,! 1 a "Meditation," and "Toccata" of D'Every, Schubert's inspiriting "Marclie Alilitaire," and two melodious fragments from the always graceful Wolstenholme. The soloist was Air. Reginald Blow, who sang. "Lord God of Abraham" from "Elijah," Doornk's ''Songs'My Alother Taught Ale," and "The Birth of Alom" (Leoni). A collection was taken up in aid of the Hospital Ship.