ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2535, 9 August 1915, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

STUB MAN WHO STAYED AT HOME." BOX PLANS OPEN THIS MORNING. • Bristol at 9 o'clock this mornmfftfao Ijox plans will be opened for the vm OIH representations of "The Man Who Stayed at Home,*" the groat spy play, to bo staged by J. C. Williamson's dramatic company at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday next. Indications point to a largo demand for seats, and to obviate any crushing the management wil L have a staff of ushers at the box office to form a queue. "Tho Man Who Stayed at Home" is described as thrilling and amusing from beginning to end, but perhaps its greatest charm lies in the fact that spectators never know what to expect throughout the many stirring scenes and startling situations embodied in tho unravelling of tha plot. Full of excitement and of topical interest, the story is one which appeals to all. A feature of tho spy play, is it is said, the all-round excellence of the company which interprets it. It is years since an actor has. achieved greater triumph than that won by Mr. Frank Harvey in tho role of Christopher Brent (the man who stayed at home). It is a character of a similar type to that of Sir Tercy Blalteney in "The Scarlet Pimpernel," and it is said that Mr. Harvey, whether as the "silly ass" or as tho secret service agent, is most effective and always artistic. Miss Violet Paget is a. general favourite with playgoers all over Australasia, a popularity won by a number of magnificent impersonations, and she will doubtless be welcomed when she appears as Miriam Leigh, a role in which slio has scored one of her greatest successes. "Tho Man Who Stayed at Homo"- is proving a great attraction in America, and quite recently Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, late Minister, of Customs, saw it in New' York. Writing regarding .it to The Dominion, he stated —"Tho other night I sew -'The White Feather' ('The Man Who Stayed at Homo'), a. thrilling war play specially written for the present day. It was splendidly acted, very anti-German, and received with unqualified approbation. If I had had the money I would have bought the Australasian rights and sent it out to bo put on while tho war is still going on. It is a most cleverly written play, and its intensity is most fascinating. It is all to do with the subject of German spies in England, and our colonial audiences would go mad over it." The members of the company will arrive by the Manuka to-day. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. In the new programme to be inaugurated by tho Fuller Proprietary at His Majesty's Theatre to-night several new Ameriican artists will make their initial bow, notable among whom will be Hamilton and Barnes, who will submit an original comedy. "Just Fun," in which Mr. Barnes's quaint humour and mannerism plays a prominent part. Brown and King, described as "two' men and a pair of legs," will appear for tho first time. Both of these artists have each lost a leg, but in spite of this they are stated to be clever acrobats and hand-balancers. Ophea, another new artist, will apear. in a musical melange, which consists chiefly of solos on the French horn, piano, violin, and corliet. Mintambo and Wells, the clever tumblers and funmakers, will adi several new feats to their already excellent torn. Miss Nellio Kolle, whose last few appearances are announced, will introduce several new songs. Mr. Jack Waller's inimitable musical combination, Tho Butterflies, will submit an entirely new programme, a specialty of which will be tho new violin solos by Mr. Gregory Ivanoff. The programme w.ill be repeated every evening during the week, and a matinee will be given on Saturday, THE KING'S. The star attraction for this evening is said to bo probably the finest dramatic photo-play the celebrated Edison Company nave ever' been responsible for. The Stoning" is in three parts, and features that remarkably clever little artist, Viola Dana. The story tells that Ruth Fenton, a beautiful young member of the church choir of the village, meets Alec. Fenton, who persuades her to elopo with lu'in. They register at a hotel as man and wife, and Ruth innocently thinks it great fun. Very soon, Alec begins to maltreat her, with the result _ that she leaves him. Ruth's mother is failing fast, and Ruth is sought out by the minister of the home town and to return and nurso her. On the following Sunday when she takes her place in tho 1 choir the other girls all walk out of tho church, as also docs a portion of the congregation. Tho next morning the poor girl's body is found in the lake. The minister delivers a strong sermon, taking as his text, "Judgo Not!" At the funeral lie brands tho iliard-shelled congregation as murdereK-. In happier vein is "Billy's Wager," a Vltagraph tun-maker. A beautiful scenic is "Tho Channel Isles," "Our Soldiers in Egypt" shows the boys of the Fifth Reinforcements and. the Maori Volunteers in camp at Mena. Pathc'6 War Gazetto and somo excellent cartoons complete the bill, "THREE WEEKS"- AT EVERYBODY'S. The management of have achieved quite a score in picture strategy in being able to announce that they liave secured the right to screen at their continuous theatre, starting at noon to-day, Elinor Glyn's famous record picture, "Three Weeks,'" which has just completed a triumphal week at the King's Theatre, when over 11,000 people paid for admission. Its success iu Wellington was only one of the many instances wherever "Three Weeks" was shown.. In Auckland, where three theatres screened it, over 100,000 peoplo viewed ■it with pleasure, and that success will no doubt be followed by a phenomenal week at Everybody's here. Tho picture is described as being unusually well produced, and the claim is made that tho story shows to hotter'advantage on the screen than in tho novel form. Tho film play has of course been passed by tho censor, and • it bears his certificate to tho effect that it is absolutely free from • anything objectionable. The picture needs no introduction, as tho life story of Sonia, Queen of Severia, is now well known, and the film play's many admirers in this town should be sufficient to ensure a business this week at Everybody s. Special musical orchestration will bo a feature, and another feature is that no advance oil the prices of admission will ba niado for this grand star subject. THE EMPRESS. Eclair's dramatic sensation, "A Daredevil Circus Queen," in 3500 ft. of film, has been scoured lor presentation at tho Empress Theatre, tho first screening "being' timed for 11 a.m. to-day. This drama is particularly powerful as to 6tory and plot, and its success at Auckland is said to have beon astonishing. A startling episode and 0110 of tho most daring feats ever performed is recorded by the camera in the course of tho play. Madame liomain, a famous equestrienne, to savo her husband's circus from ruin and to win a wager of J,'20,000 made by an American millionaire, actually rides a thoroughbred horse over the "big wheel" at Paris, tho wheel being over 20Qft. high. Tho exploit is said to have a most thrilling effect upon spectators. The latest Keystone fun absurdity, "Wished 011 Mabel," comes along with a big reputation as a laugh producer. Mabel Norlnand and Fatty Arbuckle fill tho principal roles. Tho Topical Budget is unusually extensive and contains the latest European news, SUNDAY CONCERT. Another of those Sunday concerts which have become so popular with AVellington music-lovers was contributed by tho AVellington Professional Orchestra in His Majesty's Theatre last evening. Tho discrimination usually shown by the Orchestra in their selection of prograinmo numbers was again apparent at last evening's concert, the programino including as it did items both tuneful and musingly virile. '.l'schaikovsky's "March® Slave," specially written by that great composer for a concert in aid of wounded soldiers during' the Russo-Servian war being in t'ho latter category. That wellknown number, "Lo! Hero the Gentle Lark," was well rendered by Messrs. A. P. Truda (flute) and H. Moschini (clarinet), while the ensemble numbers, including Leoncavallo's Spanish suite, "Beethoven's Overture to "Eginont," tho Hungarian Rhapsodies (Roberta), were l>l»yed in finished style. Mr. Herbert Bloy conducted the oi'fihegtw*

| "THE PARISH PRIEST." A delightful little domestic drama in "A Parish Priest" was presented by the Allen Doono Company at the Grand Opera House 011 Saturday night. The story was a simple one, dealing with the loves of young people, and the guiding care of tiie parish priest lo prevent the chaos which at times seemed inevitable. Dr. Edward Walsh (Mr. Onslon Edgeworth), a young practitioner, had grown up, almost, with Helen Durkin (Miss Edna Keeley), and had learnt to lore her. The lovo was returned, and met with the approval of Father AVhelen (Allen Doone). When the young doctor returned from college, ambition entered his mind, and lie became engaged to Agnes Cassidy (Ethel Bush ford), the daughter of the old doctor «hoso practice he was taking over. Wealth and social position seemed to bo his by this means, but love triumphed in the end, mainly through, the euro of Father Whelen. Mr, Allen Doone showed another .side of bis character as an actor in tho kindly old priest, whoso every thought was to safeguard tho love of his ward, Helen Durkin. He interspersed the play with many moments of good humour, being ably assisted by Mr. Tom Buckley, Dr. Cassidy's Irish handyman. Miss Edna Keeley was Tcry sweet as Helen Durkin. and.by her unaffected manner quite won tho hearts of tlio large audience. Her silvery laugh was always welcomed 011 the stage, and her acting in the moment of her trial gained sympathy from all. Miss Basbford gave a faithful portrayal of the girl who through temper or otherwise could quickly chango tho dictates of her heart, and Mr. Edgeworth gave a fair interpretation of a young man who was alternately swayed by love and then ambition. Although apparently suffering from a bad cold, Mr. Frank Cullenano admirably played the part of the doctor's brother, hitriself in love with, the young girl, but sacrificing all self-interest to keep her happy. The other characters were well adapted to their parts, and the' play proved interesting from start to finish. Mr. Allen Doono sang "An Old-fashioned Mother" in his inimitable manner, and had to respond to a hearty encore. "The Parish Priest" will be repeated t'hia evening. ORGAN RECITAL. For his weekly recital in the Town Hall, Mr. Bernard Pago, tho City Organ, ist, presented a. programme which afforded keen delight to tho select few to whom these evenings are a source of unmixed delight. His numbers included tho first movement from Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony," which was followed hy a characteristic prelude of Corelli's—a transcription of tho opening to the composer's 9th Sonata for the violin. A "Romance" from Rachmaninoff, and one of Dvorak's characteristic "Huinoresko's" (Op. 101, No. 7), were two delightful numbers. Bach's magnificent "Tocoata, Adagio, and Fugue in C Major," followed iu sharp contrast, and the recital concluded with a graceful "Elegy in G" (No. 2), for strings, and the brilliant finale from 'l'schaikovsky's Sixth Symphony.