ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2519, 14 July 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"A MESSAGE PROM MARS." ' .Tile Flimmer-Hail Comedy Company gives one of the best all-round performanccs of "A Message from Mars" yet witnessed in. this country. Mr. Harry Plimmer as the delightfully 6elfisli Horace Parker strengthens tlio often-expressed belief that comedy is his true metier. He made every point tell in one of tho longest parts fcnbwn in modern comedy. Mr. Winter Hall is impressive' as the implacable Messenger; anil speaks the lines with fine elocutionary skill. Miss Beatrice Day is as finished as usual as Aunt Martha, and'- Miss Ena Shanahan as Minnie showed that the last three months' experiences have been most valuable to her. She now speaks and acts with more confidence and aplomb, and her stage movements are. always the result of natural impulse. Excellent characterisations are, also presented by Misses Holroyd and Sopeiy and Messrs. Paul Latham, Vivian Edwards, and Gilbert Emery. "A Message from Mais" will be played again to-night and tomorrow iiight.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ; On. account of the late arrival of the Main Trunk express from Auckland on Monday ni»ht patrons of His Majesty's' Theatre had a change of programme presented to them last evening. There were several new artists on the bill, in addition to some old' favourites. The chief item on the new programme was the appearance of Madame Marion, whq played all of the female characters in the playlet, "A Daughter of Proteus." To say the least, Madame Marion is a very clever quick-change artist.' In the space of a second or two she changes from one character to another, and completely mys*Sed her audience. Not only does this clever actress change her attire, but her personality a3 well. Last evoning ghe made a decided hit, and her future success in Wellington is assured. Nellie Kolle, the well-known character impersonator (male) made, her reappearance here after several years' absence, and judging by iter reception ■ she is still a firm' favourite with patrons of vaudoville in this City.. Her songs were, of the 'patriotic order, and the audience joined in the choruses. "Tozart," a lightning sketch artist,, showed his ability in that direction, and the: "Two Rhodesburys" sang and danced well.' Other artists who appeared were "Bluflo," "Victor tho Great," "Tho Tossing Testros," "Alton," and last, but by no means least, Miss Dorothy. Harris, tho talented singer of ragtime songs. .

THE KING'S THEATRE. • A charming romance, founded on the famous song, Tosti's "Good-bye," and entitled "Good-bye, Slimmer," is the leading lilm on the now programme introduced at the .King's Theatre last night. The subject has been remarkably well handled by the Vitagraph Company, ail interesting plot 'being .worked out among delightful scenery. Valerie Blake, who inherits her father's and . mother's artistic temperament, is left in care of a guardian, who does not understand her. She constantly feels tile loss of the love and contentment which permeated her home with her parents. When her guardian is approached by Martin Sperry for his consent to his marriago with Valerie, the guardian prevails upon her to accept the offer of marriago. Her husband is a decidedly practical man, who crushes all her artistic tendencies and fino nature. On the birth of a' little son, she decides to- make him a boy after her own temperament and training, but her husband insists upon making him a hard selfish business man after his own nature. and disposition. Valerie seeks consolation in her art .studies. Here she meets with sympathy and appreciation from an artist, With whom she decides to go abioad. Influenced, however,.by the love she retains for her child, she goes back to. her husband, resolved to endure the old desolate life nnto ( th'o end. The song, upon which the story is founded, is rendered during screening of the picture. Supporting items include "Making a Rifle" (industrial),"Handicap of Beauty" (comedy), "Clothes Count" (comedy), "Love in Armour" (Keystone comedy), "Bully Boy No. 6" (cartoons), "Thief in the Night" (drama), and "Patho Gazette", (topical). ' v ' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. An exceptionally good programme of moving pictures ,is Hieing screened at Everybody's Theatre in Manners Street this week. In fact they are all "star" attractions. "Where is My Wandering Boy To-night?" is a splendid film study of one of the most popular of old English songs., ,It : is a pathetic -dramatic playlet which will appeal to everyone who sees it. The Keystone. Company is well'represented by "That Band of Gold." Miss Mabel Normand and Messrs. .R-oscoe Arbuckle and- l'ord Stirling supply ■ the fun. The other pictures are all entertaining. . , MACMAHON'S THEATRE. '. The second "episode" in the big Bison .serial, "The Master, Ivey,"> will be shown again, at MacMahon'6 Theatre to-day,,and the story, which is creating.'wide attraction, will 1 be continued next week. Todaj; will also.be the last opportunity, of seeing the. powerful woman-drama, "Ann, the Blacksmith," and; that pretty epitome of all the domestic' Virtues, "In the Vale of Sorrow." "The Xnre of tho Green Table" is also billed for a last screening, along with those two diverting comedies, "Hans the Iceman"- and. "Lovo and Water." The star attraction in tomorrow's change of programme will be the strong four-act tragedy, "His Son's Accuser," a sociological study of tho hand of heredity, of great force and vital interest. . Chief in the comedy- section will be a laughable Keystone story of "Hogan's Annual Spree."- •

THE EMPRESS. "House full'was 'posted at the popular Empress Theatre almost (Continuously throughout_ yesterday. That excellent and'extensive motion record showing "New Zealand's Soldiers at Home and in Egypt" is proving a great draw as its many sections are full of a particular interest. Selig's powerful drama, "The Leopard's Foundling" with''ltathlyn Williams and Baby Wada showing to special advantage, is vastly appreciated. Other good films are-.—"Patches too Plenty" (Keystone), "Moonshine Maid" (Vitagraph drama), "Malooma of Paloona" (comedy), and' the' "German Air Raid on' Ipswich. To-morrow's all-new list boasts two lavishly-praised dramas, in Kalem's girl detective sensation, "Following a Glue" and" the . "Imperial" . play,' "Heart Punch" (with Jess Willard, the white conqueror of Jack Johnson in the leading role). Supporting films will be: "Ambrose's Little Hatchet" (Keystone), "War Topical," and "The Australian Gazette."

RICICARDS'S TIVOLI FOLLIES. . Mr. Hugh D. M'lntosli arrived at Auckland on Monday by the Niagara, and his big combined vaudeville show opened in that city last night. The new company, the Tivoli Follies, is an aggregation of star vaudeville acts, together with a finely-staged revue, numbering thirty distinct items. Chief amongst the artists who will be seen here at the Grand Opera House, commencing next Monday evening, are Mr. Robert Parker, the notable Covent Garden baritone. Mr. Parker is one of tho world's finest singers, and. will no doubt arouse unusual interest in. local musical circles.' Mr..St. Ledger, who goes with Madame Melba to America shortly, is Mr. Parker's accompanist. In lighter vein, Mr. Jack Cannot's inclusion in the company is a special attraction, while Mr. Frank Greene and Miss Vera Penrce are other nntsical-comed.v favourites who find more scope' now in vaudeville. ■Isabella'd'Armond-is a burlesque actress from America, who has made a big lianio in Australia by-her clever characterisations; Alfredo, a violinist of rare ability; Alvarelto Kfgo and Stoppit Yaklovenko, a brilliant Russian dancer; Jean Keith, a dainty danseuse, are all new artists to Welling'ton. A very, attractive' ballet and big chorus is being brought along, and an extensive series of ensembles "Teatly assist in the general effect of the production. Box plans will open at the Bristol to-morrow morning.