ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2531, 4 August 1915, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THE ATE E. One of the best vaudeville programmes presented for some time is being produced at His Majesty's Theatre this neck. There is not a dull moment during the whole evening. Maude and Gill, "trampoline" experts, give an extraordinary acrobatic display, and they are followed by Ma-tn-mbo and Wells, a pair of comedy acroliats. Their work is of a sensational character, especially their ground tumbling aud what is described as a "catastrophic tumble into tho orchestra." "Tho Butterflies," that talented company of ■ versatile artists, also appear, as well as Baker, tho magician, tuaoie Graham, Nellio Kollc, Musical Goolmans, and others. KING'S, THEATRE. Those people who are desirous of seeing the current week's programme at tho King's Theatre will bo well advised to either book their seats at Tho Bristol Piano Company or else get down to the theatre very early. The house is filled nightly long before eight o'clock, the attraction being an adaptation of Elinor Cilyn's well-known book, "Three Weeks." Although the propriety of the work has been questioned in some quarters, there is certainly nothing to take exception to in the story as told on the film. There is also 11 good supporting programme, included in which are;—" The Royal Engineers at Work," "Topical Gazette," "John Bull's Visiting Card," and many others. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "A Hero of the Dardanelles," a stirring war - picture founded on Ashuieud Bartlett's famous dispatches, is drawing big houses at Everybody's Theatre at all sessions this week. It is a sequel to that patriotic drama, "Will They Never Come?" Some of tho scenes depict tho landing of the Australians and New Zealandera on Gallipoli. Tho screening is excellent, and gives ono a splendid idea of what our troops had to put up with during tho early stages of tho attack. In addition to "A Hero of the Dardanelles" foui: other interesting pictures are shown, "THE MAN WHO STAYED AT HOME."

"The detailed doings of tho Allies, the landing at the Daraonelles, and of the glorious losses and victorious advance of tho Australian, and New Zealand troops kindled an eleotricaL enthusiasm at tne opening Sydney productionol 'The Man Who Stayed at Home.' War was in every mind, and at last thore was to be a real war play. The orchestra started a potpourri of national airs, and every time a war anthem of the Allies was begun playgoers rose excitedly. Patriotism, however, was at its highest pitch when the band played 'God Bavo the King,' when the whole house cheered, and tho curtain quickly rose upon a drama which touched the very heart of tho military situation in England." The foregoing is how a leading Australian critic began his' notico of tho first representation in the Commonwealth of "The Man Who Stayed at Home," which is to be staged at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday night next by'the J; C. Williamson Co. Tho new spy drama is a brilliantly, cleverly constructed piece. The dramatists secure tlieir first surprise upon their audience in showing that to stay at home may be as heroic a proceeding, and as important as taking deadly gas in the trenches. Tho secret service work is what the hero of the new drama is employed upon, and it is really a pleasure to note, said a critic recently, that from tho first moment that Christopher Brent ("Tho Man Who Stayed at Home") appears • ill liis true character as a secret service agent, the attention of § tho audience' is secured, and the unfolding of the exciting plot is followed with tho closest interest. AVhen the debonair "eye-g ass idiot" accidentally discovers the wireless installation in tne hoardinghouso, and cleverly puts it out of action he feels that Brent, the man'who stayed at homo, is not only a personal friend, but a friend to tho Empire. Tho subsequent incidents all help to sustain the interest in the new drama right up to the fall of tho curtaiu. The box plans for the first foui nights will be opened at the Bristol on Monday morning at 9 o clock, A queue ■will ho formed from S a.m;

. THE EMPRESS, Crowded attendances testify to the merit of tho programme at the popular Empress Theatre. Vitagra.pl> s feature play, "Anne of the Mines," providca excelle it dramatic fare, an also does IndisS," while endless laughter-peak throughout the screening of Keystones wonderfully clever fun farce, "Fatty Aft buckle's Faithful Fido. Other good subjects are: "The Fresh Agent," and an mterSting War Gazette. This programme finiSies to-night. chanco is spoken of as a splendid list. A big 2000 ft. ICeystono star, Gussle Rivals Jonah," will bo shown for tlio first .time, •vil. Chaplin is said to com© out of his shell and eclipse all his previous efforts iu this comedy. Indeed, this farce is heralded as something altogether out of the ordinary. There is also . Bronchos rreat dramatic special, Winning Back, the story of ono who had "gone under in the battle of life, described as an unusually powerful drama. luilem s exciting sensational drama, Ihe Box-oar Tiap, and the latest Australian Gazette will also be shown.

THE RED DANDIES. The Red Dandies will ' appear at . the Town Hall oa Saturday next, and will no doubt be given a hearty welcome on their return. In the present company there are nine artists who have been working together for a long time, and the result is that there is cohesion in the productions which ensures success, and tho programmes are never dull or patdhy. Each individual artist is an important niece of the' human mechanism that works smoothly with, the one view in mind-to entertain the audience and to convince the pcoplo in front that it is a pleasure to entertain them. Mr. Claude Dampier is the fun centre, and lie it is as stage manager and producer wfoo is responsible for tho artistic presentation of everything the Dandies have gained a reputation for. In addition to Mr. Daranier there are to other members of the original company, Miss Irene Vero. comedienne, and Mr. Oliver Peacoclc, tenor, who will make their reappearance on Saturday night, and the new artists aro Miss Mona Thomas, lyric soprano; Miss Ida Newton, stated to be a clever and versatile sou'brette; Mr. John. Webly, a youn" baritone with a fine voice and artistic interpretative powers; Mr. Harry Borradale, an elocutionist and a light comedian. Mr. Cvtil Connolly is a talented vioiinist and dancer. TJvo box plan is liow'open at The Bristol. There is no booking fee, and 110 extra charges for earlv' (ioors. Miss Rima Xoungj an. accomplished Australian pianist, is now with the company.

PATRIOTIC CONCERT. Under the auspices of the Tramway Bovb' Carnival Committee a concert was „iy ell in the Town Hall last evening as an adjunct to the drawing of several important art unions (particulars of winch appear elsewhere). The attendaneo was somewhat meagre, and tlio chill atmosphere of tli© big hall hardly conduced to the maximum comfort of those who did attend The programme submitted wa3 of the popular order. The outstanding performer was Miss Mina, Caldow, whose full-bodied, well-controlled, and sympathetic contralto was heard in a fine declamatory reading, of M l nyden s splendid c on», "Inter iNos." Miss Caldow was desen-eSly recalled, when she sang ■ that striking song "How's My Boy? • introduced here by Mr. Paul Dufault) In tho second part Mis.v Caldow mad?; a popular appeal in the locally-written son" "The Soldier." By permission of tho°'Fuller management Mr. .Gregory IvanofT, the Russian violinist,, played the "Russian Life .Guards' Marcilii" some Russian folk song airs, the Russian Na : tional Anthem,, and some fiery Cossack dance tunes to the delight of tho audicnce. With .Messrs. F. IV. Dennett (pianist) and Wylie AVatson ('cellist), also of "Tlio Butterflies," Mr. Ivanoff was lieard' in "My'little Grey Homo in tho West" and Dvorak's "Humoresque." Mr. Hamilton Hodges sang "Across tho. Tar' Blue Hills, Marie," and "I love, and tho World is Mine," and Mr. H. P. Wood 6aii" tho musical comedy number "Hero's lo Love and Laughtor" (Paul Rubens). Mr. T. H. Heketa, who has'a sympathetic drawing-room baritone, lacked tne declamatory power necessary - for "Tho. Pagan." Ho was lieard to better advantage in "She: is Par From the Land." Mies W. Lonsdale sang "Plum Stones," Lyric ?««'. tfUsfflu &3fg yiTopd^

Goudio. W. Jennings, and C. Connors) sang the quartets, "Calm is tlie Sea," and "Spin, Spin." Mrs. E. H. Queree was the accompanist. • . , ■ At the conclusion of tlio concert a New Zealand ensign, l>orne upon the stage by Dr. Platts-Mills, was auctioned by Mr. S. Harcourt, and realised the sum ol ,£4B 155.. It was then passed in for future sale. Dr. Mills then offered for sale a toy engine on behalf of Master Ronald Greenwood (aged three years), arid approximately ill was raised either by bids or coins thrown on the stage. CHORAL CLUB CONCERT. The Wellington Choral Club's monthly concerts, which arc held in 'the Concert Chamber of the Town. Hall, tho funds of which are devoted to returned wounded soldiers and their dependents, are becoming very popular, tho management being careful to provide good, bright, and enjoyable -items. The next concert .takes place to-night, August 4. Madame Anderson," contralto, from London, Master McCarthy, Miss Petrio, elocutionist, and Master O'Brien, violinist, will contribute items; also the club will render four-part' choruses. SUNDAY CONCERT. The Wellington Professional Orchestra gives its fifth concert of the season at His Majesty's. Theatre nest Sunday evening, under the baton of Mr. Herbert Bloy. Tho prigrammo is one calculated to suit all tastes, including as.it does, Beethoven's immortal "Egmont" Overture, and tho famous "Marche Slave" of Tschaikovsky. Lighter items are "Zampa" Overture, a Hungarian Rhapsody by Roberts, and a Spanish Suite by Leoncavallo. Messrs. Truda and Moschini will also contribute to the programme. A silver coin collection -will be taken up 'at the doors.