ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2487, 14 June 1915, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"CINDERELLA" WITH HARLEQUINADE. Nover was there a more delighted theatre-full of children than 011 Saturday afternoon at tile Grand Opera House. "Cinderella" as a fairy story iiolds a premier position in the estimation of 90 por cent, of our children, and they simply ato tho beautiful pantomime version which J. C. Williamson, Ltd., stago so gorgeously. An innovation was made 011 Saturday, whereby an old-time Harlequinade was inserted at the sacrifice of several of the most attrmotivo numbeTs [in tho pantomime. True to tradition, we were given the masked Harlequin, with unlimited powers of creating fun; once more there was the well-stocked butcher's shop, from which the Clown, and his aged papa Pantaloon, steal endless streams of sausages and then make more by feeding passers-by into a big 6ausage-mauhine. The chief joke in this ancient absurdity is the Clown's desire to brand tilt, policeman with a red-hot poker. This lias ever been regarded as a joko of classical lineage, the point of which is always so painfully apparent to the policeman. For the adult tho Harlequinade is a thing of yesterday, but it went with a shriek with the children. On Saturday it sorted to introduce those amazingly clever acrobats Tiny Tot Marjorie and Little Eileen, and Mr. Barry Lupino wooed and won every juvenile heart by his ingratiating methods, assisted by a liberal distribution of chocolates. Mr. Charles Albert was Harlequin, Mr. George Young was Pantaloon, and Miss Maud Annery a graceful columbine. The Harlequinade will. be presented again at. the final matinee on Wednesday afternoon. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Lovers of vaudeville will be well catered for this week at His Majesty's Theatre. The Fuller management has secured a number of new artists, who come with good reputations, and who will make their first appearance in the new programme to be produced this evening. Principal amongst tho newcomers is Mr. Dan Thomas, a comedian, who appeared in pantomimes here some time a"o, and- is making his debut in vaudeville. This artist's repertoire is said to be an extensive one, and among his contributions his female impersonations aro said to be the best. Ho is also stated to be an expert dancer. Val and Lottie Newman will apepar for the first time in an original sketch entitled "llevue Tit-Bits," which is reported as being a happy blend of song and humour. The male member is said to be possessed of a resonant bass voice. Tho lady member is said to be very clever in imitations of London newsboys. The Three Ruddles, three juvenile comedians, who have been well spoken of by the northern Press, will make their initial bow. Rozeal and Ross, comedy arti-ts, have been specially engaged to present their original offering "Fun In a Kitchen," in which some novel juggling plays a prominent part. Others to appear will be Eileen Henry, soubrettes; Edwards and Parks, Tom Dawson, Courtney and Shaw, and Liunley and Rhodes. THE KING'S. The flower of the Dominion's young men «ro to-day enrolling, in the Empire's causo, and only the parents of these know the heart courage required to send a son forth to assist in routing out "the unspeakable Turk." A "Question of Courago," the war drama at the King's, will strike a reverberant note of sympathy in tho hearts of many. The play deals with a soldier's widow and her three sons, comprising a happy family. On the outbreak of war the mother decides to give her sons to her country. The eldest is killed, and later tho name of the second son appears on the Roll of Honour as killed. The mother determines that the third and last son shall' not be killed. The sequel shows how the last boy after many vicissitudes returns from the war promoted, and in honour, to his mother's arms. "Making American Greenbacks" is an unusually interesting educational film depicting the manufacture of paper currency at Washington. A popular comedian of ample avoirdupois, together with Miss Normand, "the Keystono Princess," appear in "Fatty, Mabel, and the Law," an item of excellent wholesomo humour. Dudloy Buxton, the well-known London artist, contributes somo very fine animated war cartoons. The Latest War Budget, and "Tho Better Way." a delightful . corncdy drama, complete a fine entertainment. The King's Symphony Orchestra provides the musical accompaniment. "WAR IS HELL." At Everybody's at noon to-day a notable military drama will b'o screened. The resistance of the Belgians in tho early stages of the war enabled the Allies to consolidate their forces and prevent the Germans from advancing to Paris. This activity was strongly resented by the Huns, and they descended to deeds which will forever tarnish the nation. In "AVar is Hell" there is shown tho methods which the Germans adopted with peaceful villagers in their attempts to gain information. • The drama runs to 2000 ft. in length, and ombraces many sensational scenes. A thrilling duel in an old chateau is quite realistic m its intensity and vigour. "AVar is Hell," with its strong martial spirit, is said to bo a subject that impresses. It will be supported by several other pictures, including the latest Keystone comedy "Hogail's Mussey Job," which features Charles Murray. The "Gaumont Grapliic" also forms part of the programme, which will run until the end of the currelit week. MACMAHON'S THEATRE. Another of the big star dramas associated with the name of MacMahon's Theatre will bo at tho head of the programme in to-day's change. "Captain Alvarez" is a spirit-stirring story of life in the Argentine. It is a fine, vigorous drama in five acts, full of incident and vivid action, and the cast includes such popular favourites as Edith Storey, "William Taylor, and George Holt. The plot deals with the intricacies of revolution, and it has an impetuous love story as a weft'for the warp of its crisp militarism. Tho supporting comedy is an ingenious frivolity entitled "A Corner in Hate," a diverting story of misplaced marital jealousy, which is described as one of the most, exhilarating comics yet shown in the City. Tho latest issue of the Patio Gazette is rich with a budget of war news in picture form, and other matters of topical interest at the moment. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "One Flight Up," described as a sensational feature drama, by the Reliance Company, will be at the head of to-day's new programme at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The central figure is Alice Reed, a newspaper reporter. She proceeds to have an injured finger attended to by a doctor, and is accidentally an unseen witness of the abduction of the doctor by a suspiciouslooking in? 11. Alice follows the doctor to a tenement building in the slums, w'here she experiences a startling adventure, which affords good "copy" for tho newspaper. The supplementary items will be: "Tho Topical Budget" (animated news), "Trapped Ify Heliograph" (Flying A drama), "Coloured Villainy" (Keystone comedy), and "Rural Demons" (farce-comedy). PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. Tho AVellington Professional Orches- I tra gave a most enjoyable concert in His Majesty's Theatre last night. Tho programme was interesting, in that it included two numbers performed for the first time in AVellington. and the pick of oast MICCGS6OS, which the or-

chostra lias pleased Wellington audiences with. Maiicinelli's overture, "Cli'opsitra," was given a lirst rendition. The ovcrturo ombotlios portions of the incidental music written by Muiiciiiolli for Pietrsi Cossa's drama "Cleopatra." The work describes in a wonderful maimer Clio groat fight at tho Actium. In rentarkalilo contrast came the succeeding number oil the programme, tho peaceful "Angolus," from tho "Scones Pittoresquos" of the great Massenet. Then tho stra.iigcly-attnictivo fantasia "Mclistofelo" (Hoito), was played with considerable success. Debussy was represented oil tho programnio by his "Second Arabesque." Here again the orchestra's interpretation of this most unusual of selections was good. Verdi's Triumphal March, from "Aida," was also played, while tho concert was brought to a fitting finals witli Wagner's great overture to "Rienzi." Mr. Herbert Bloy, wlio has been inifisposed for some weeks past, was well enough to again take charge of his orchestra.