ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2532, 5 August 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE REBEL." The story of "The Bebel," to be played by Jlr. Allen Doone to-night at the Grand Opera. House deals with the adventures ol' Jack Blake and Ned M'Dcrmott, soil of the Squire of Dtmleckny Castle, of Captain Armstrong, of the Wicklow Yeomanry, who pretends to be in with tho young- rebels. He and Jack Blake aro in love with Eileen M'Dermott, and once the military officer's real charactor and motives are made clear the play simply teems with adventure ami hair-breadth escapes. > Armstrong, fights a duel with Ned ■ M'Dermott, and kills him, having protected himself by wearing a coat of mail under his unform, a perfectly legitimate thing in war, but quite'outsido the code in duelling. The adventures, the romance, the daring, the ingenuity of Jack Blake carry the story through with a swing and with many sensations. In escaping from prison he is forced to tho rather gruesome expedient of impersonating a corpse, but gets clear away, and everything ends happily for all concarned. Mr. Doone will sing to-night "Doone's Lullaby," "Ireland and Liberty," and "Eileen Aroon."

"THE MAN WHO STAYED AT HOME." For t'lio representation of "The Man Who Stayed at Home," the successful patriotic drama to be staged by J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday night next, it was necessary to procure star artists for the distinct types of characters created by the authors of tho spy drama. The disbandment of the Hugh Buckler Company released Miss Violet Paget, and she was at once engaged for the part of Miriam Leigh, a secret service agent. Mr. Frank Harvey appears as Christopher Brent (the man who stayed at, home). A good deal of amusement is created by the eccentricities, of Mr. Arthur Cornell as John Preston,' J.P., and by Miss Tempe Pigott as Miss Myrtle, an elderly spinster. : Mr. Austin Milroy, a famous London actor, will make hi 9 debut hero in the role of Carl Sanderson, tho leader of the German gang of spies. Miss Florence Gleeson, an old favourite with Now Zealand playgoers, takes the part of Fraulein Schroeder, and Miss Emuui Templo will receive a welcome wlion she appears as Mrs. Sanderson. ■ Miss Dorothy Gumming, who last appeared hero vith tho Julius Knight Company, when she took the role of Marie Louise in "A Royal-Divorce," will appear as Molty Preston. Mr. Leslie Victor, one of the finest of character actors, will take the part of Fritz, tho German spy waiter. Mr. Kenneth Brampton, Mr. Charles Morse, and Miss M. Browno aro also in the cast. Tho dressing and staging will be a special feature of tho production. Tho box plans for tho first four nights will be opened at the Bristol on Monday morning next at 9 o'clock.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. One of the most equally-balanced of Fullers' best bills is the one tlmt is attracting large audiences to His Majesty'* Theatre this week. The talented "Butterflies" are entrusted with the first part of the programme, and all who liavo scon these capable Engiisk performers will agree that they are all sufficient—Jack Waller, Wylie Watson, Foster nine, Grogory Ivanoff, and F. W. Dennett, Marion Armitage and Cclia' Gold. In the second half aro Montambo and Wells, comedy acrobats extraordinary; Maudo and Gill, in their novel aerial gyannastic act; Nellie Kolle, vocalist; and the Goolmans, Ball'ling Baker, and Gracie Graham. Tho usual matinee will be given on' Saturday, afternoon. ' .

EVERYBODY'S' THEATRE. The first moving picture to be enacted in Australia by the employees of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., is now creating a considerable stir at Everybody's .Theatro in Manners. Street", is "The - Hero of the Dardanelles," a picture which includes a graphic representation of the landing of the troops at the Dardanelles. Tho actors in the story include such wellknown players as Mr. Frank Harvey, Mr. Cyril Mackay, Mr. Leslie Victor, Miss Dorothy Gumming, and other popular Williamson favourites.

KING'S THEATRE. Another overflowing attendance was, attracted to the King's Theatre last evening. • The enormous'success of Elinor Glyn's "Three Weeks" nt other places is certainly being repeated at Wellington. This is no matter for wonderment, as the motion picture is a' superb production which glides skilfully over any dangerous passages of tho banned book. An outstanding feature is the splendid work of Madeline. Traverse as the erring "Queen of Severia;" It is interesting to note that Miss Traversa was at oiie time well known in Sydney (society, and was associated with the Julius Ivniyht Company in Australia as "Miss Elbert Orton." "Three Weeks" terminates its season positively oil Saturday evening. There will be -a matinee on Snturdav at 2.30 g,m. Seats may be booked therefor at the ristol. . . . ' ■

THE EMPRESS. Crowded as usual was the state of affairs at the popular Empress Theatre last evening. To-day's new list is said to bo a splendid list of subjects. Broncho's star feature drama, "Winning Back," is described as a fascinating human play, dealing with tho theme of neglected wives with thoughtless husbands w]io. follow the lure of T>ntterflies of fashion. The production is described as potent and powerful in the extreme. The action takes place mainly in Bohemia, and the drama is richly mounted and costumed. Popular Syd. Chaplin will appear again— this time in Keystone's special star comedy, "Guzzle Rivals Jonah," in 2000 feet of. film. This big fun farce is reported to be one of tlie very best, and Chaplin is credited with showing to unusual advantage. Kalem presents a strong sensational drama, "The' Box Car Trap." Tho Australian Gazette and war cartoons complete an excellent programme.

THE BED. DANDIES. The Bod Dandies, who cominance their, season at the Concert Chamber on Saturday next, was Mr. Branscombe's first venture of this nature, and it met with so much success that other companies were formed till to-day six Dandies Companies aro touring Australasia. Having such a large. number of artists at his command, Mr. Branscombe is in a position to present to his public companies evenly balanced and with that cohesion which is so essential in the performances presented by costume comedy companies. Tho Red Dandies who visit us liavo just completed «. most successful season in Auckland of seven: weeks, and prior to that they played for eight months in Brisbane,, where they presented over 700 separate items, and thus it will bo seen that their repertoire is enormous. The Branscombe Firm's agents in London send out the very latest songs, sketches, etc., itable for tho companies, nud after tltey have been reviewed by Mt. Branscombe they aro passed on to the producer of the various companies, who in the case of the Bed Dandies is Mr. Claude Dampier. whoso stage business and groupings are cleverly worked out and ever artistic, and liis stage settings and groupings are a feature of the productions. The season in Wellington is limited to three weeks, and the box plan of reserved seats is now open at Tho Bristol.

WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL. At to-night's Liedertafel concert a well arranged programme of part songs and instrumental items will he presented. The society will hare the assistance <jf Miss Nellio Simpson, solo flautist, arid the solo vocalists will ho Messrs. Clarkson, Fergusson, Searle, and Waters. Amongst new music to be rendered by the choir will be Dudley Buck's cantata, "The Nun of Nidaros,"- a very fine .setting of Longfellow's poem. Another Dudley Buck iteai will bo the "Bugle Song," from Tennyson's "Princess."-