ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2536, 10 August 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE MAN WHO STAYED AT HOME." To-morrow night at the Grand Opera House, J. C. Williamson, Ltd.. will present the stirring spy drama, "Tlio Man Who Stayed at Home," which, it is stated, teems with thrilling dramatic situations, stirs up patriotic sentiment to fever pitch, unfolds a fascinating story with a charming love interest, and possesses some really humorous and wholesome comedy scene?. In Australia .several critics described "The Man Who Stayed at Ilome" as an absolutely actor-proof play, which colild not possibly fail, even were it performed by a mediocre company. Bowever, the J. C. Williamson Company, organised to interpret the new drama, lias been acknowledged one of the finest which has ever toured Australasia. The cast includes Miss Violet Paget, a. universally popular actress, who quite recently delighted New Zealanders in a number of charming comedies, with her husband, who is at present assisting the Empire in the. trenches in Prance; Miss Florence Gleeson, who will be remembered as Nat-■U-lfich in "The Squaw Man"; Mr. Frank Harvey, who is filling the place in J. C. Williamson's companies created by the departure of Mr. Julius Knight; Mr. Arthur Cornell, whoso clever comedy work was one of the factors which made the Hugh Buckler lour so successful; Dorothy Cumming, who proved her histrionic capabilities in hor representation of Marie Louise in the recent revival of "A Koyal Divorce"; Mr. Leslie Victor, one of the finest all-round character actors the Australasian stage has known; Miss Emma Temple, whoso successes are many; Miss Temple Pigott, a talented comedienne; Miss M. Browne, said to be excellent as the lady who imagines she is'doing her duty to her countrv by presenting white feathers to any young able-bodied man she may happen to meet; Mr. Charles Morso and Mr. Austin Milroy, who comes with credentials won in England and America. In order that nothing should bo left undone to make the production completely successful, the Williamson management specially brought fromVAmerica Mr. George Barnura, under whose direction the spy play was produced. Seats in excellent positions may bo selected at the Bristol, and day salo tickets can bo purchased at Christeson'e.

. THE RED DANDIES. The Red Dandies, Mr. Edwartl Branscombe's popular entertainers, appeared again at the Municipal Concert Chamber last evening. Mr. Claude Dampier, the delightful comedian of the company, was in excellent form, and he kept the audience in roars of laughter throughout his occupancy of the stage. Mr. Dampier is, if possible, more humorous than ever. The company all round is si good one, and there is ample variety. Miss Irene Veve, Mr. . Oliver Peacock, Miss Ida Newton, Miss Mona Thomas, Mr. Harry Borrodaile, Mr. John Welby, Mr. Cyril Connolly, and Miss Kim.t Young aro talented members of the."lleds." The management announce that a complete change of programme will bo given on Saturday next.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The talented "Butterflies" continue to provide a cheerful first part at His Majesty's Theatre, interspersing some acceptable mirth with Highly delectable music. Their programme included the playing of Fritz Kreislcr's "Tamborin Chinoiso," by Gregory Ivanoff, who is certainly the best violinist we have heard in vaudeville. The gospel of musical uplift was also carried on by Mr.' F. W. Dennett, a delightful pianist,. with the crispest, cleanest touch imaginable, who played the "Hungarian Rhapsody" of Liszt (with an orchestral accompaniment) with ingenious delicacy and verve, and as an encoro played the dainty "Pierette" of Ckaininadc. Messrs. Dennett, Waller and Wylie repeated their screamingly funny burlesque of- a Hungarian band with all its original humour and ridiculous interpolations. Miss Marion Armitago dispensed broad comics, and Miss Ada Smart'sang t'he catchy "Old Girl of Mine" charmingly. As the chief humourist, Mr. Wylie.. \Vatson was exceedingly droll in a farce entitled "Shakespeare's Birthplace," with Miss Cecilia Gold as an' Ophelia crank and lengthy Foster Ilino as the shade of tho immortal 'tfird of Avon. In tile second part "Orphea," a musical expert of diverse talent, played a cavalry horn and a mouth organ to her own pianoforte accompaniment, rattled off some lively jig. tunes on a violin, and played a mouth organ, bones, chimes and piano at one and t : hc .same time. She was also successful as a cornetist. King and Brown, billed as "two men and a pair of legs," are an extraordinary pair. Both performers (who hail from America) have bad a leg amputated, and on the rise of the curtain are found seated wearing one coat between them, tho removal of which discloses tho amazing fact that thero is only one .pair of legs between them. Yet, so handicapped, tncy a capital hand-balancing turn, being as steady on their hands in any attitude as tho average person is on his legs. Proof of their .astounding strength of arm is given, when they each stand on their hands on stands at least eight feet high, and jump to tho stage, landing still on their hands. Hamilton and Barnes, also new arrivals, specialise in quiet comedy patter of a highly original order. Both artists have an ingratiating manner, and the subtle fuu they made of one another found hearty appreciation. Nellie Kolle, with her big voice with its rugged appeal, was again successful in song, and Mmitambo and Wells, the clever acrobats, amused and startled by tur.ns in their own inimitable style.

THE KING'S THEATRE. In the now picturo programme at the King's Theatre, tho feature iilm is a drama, entitled "The Stoning," by the well-known Edison Company. Tho plot of this remarkably interesting photo-play has been admirably worked out to ajfrand climax. Apparently tho author wished to point a moral from a very common tragedy in life, and has based his story upon the ordinary case of a young gin, who, after fighting a valiant battle against unscrupulous men, is practically stoned to death by the members of her own sex. Tho principal character in the drama is Ruth Feuton, and tho part is very well acted by Miss Viola Allen. Miss Feuton, who is a, mernbor of tho church choir of the village, meets a young- man, who persuades her to elopo with him. They register at a hotel as man and wife, and Miss Fenton innocently thinks it great fun. Very soon tho young man bpgins to maltreat her, with tho result that she leaves him. Miss Eenton'e mother is failing fast, and the girl is sought out by tho minister of the homo town and persuaded to return and nurse her. On.the following Sunday when 6ho takes her place in the choir the other girls all walk out of the church,' as also does portion of the congregation. The next morning the poor girl's body is found in the lake. Tno minister delivers a strong sermon, taking as his text, "Judge Not!" At tho funeral he brands the congregation as murderers. Tho supporting programme includes the following items:— Cartoons in a Barber's Shop" (comedy), "Billy's Wager" (Vitagraph comedy), "Our Soldiers at Homo and in Egypt (topical), "Tho Channel Isles" (scenic), and tho latest topical "Gazette." Excellent music is supplied by the King's Symphony Orchestra.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. This is a notable week at Everybody's Theatre, for there is showing Elinor Glyn's world-famed story, "Thrco Weeks,''' adapted to the pictures. It is not often that a'continuous picture theatro can secure such, an attraction as this, and when it (locs there is usually an increase in tho price of admission. Everybody's management lias decidcd. however, in order to allow all a' chance to see this wonderful film, to continue 4_t tho ordinary price. "Three Weeks" has been widely discussed wherever shown, and the fact that it lias been passed by tho National Board of Censors is proof "that it is entirely without offence of any kind. 'The tragic story of tho young Queen of Scveria is now well known, and also tho three weeks of adventure she goes through when she csenpes for a time from tho dissoluto monarch who claims her as wife. The-intri-cate story clearly, shows tho Queen's sacrifice to provido that only heirs of her blood sjiall reign in the State of Severia, and her ninny trials arc brought to an end in a dramatic manner. Tho mounting of "Three Weeks" is superb, and many gorgeous sconcs add an attraction (o the film quite apart from the story. Tho acting of the principal characters make thorn stand out as masters of their profession, and those who witness the film enior most sympathetically into the lives of the people shown. The film has met with tremendous success wlerever it JiM teen Riejegted, afld PAjXPSS fif Eierjs>

body's will Ims lucky to avail themselves of the opportunity given at the theatre this week. A good scries of supporting war pictures is also shown. THE EMPRESS. Easily the best circus drama seen in Wellington this year is now being screened beforo ovcrllowinp; attendances <it the popular Empress Theatre. This film play, "A Daredevil Circus Queen," 3500 ft. long, is from the French studio Eclair, and the production reflects credit on the makers. The story is a powerful one, moving along on strongly melodramatic lines. It includes n big robbery and a long search by detectives for tlio criminals. There is also nn appealing love interest and incidental to the drama some clever sections of a circus performance are presented, in which horses, lions, and elephants take part, but the great outstanding feature of the presentation is the remarkable kincma achievement reproducing with startling vividness and thrilling effect, the Circus Queen's daring exploit of riding a thoroughbred liorse over the entire circumference of the big wheel of Paris, the wheel ' being 200 ft. high, for a wayer of This is an astonishing picce of work, effectively done, which u;ell merits the applause bestowed upon it. Mabel Normand and "Fatty" Arbuckle appear to advantage in Keystone's fun farce, "Wished on Mabel." The current number of the Topical Budget is more than ordinarily interesting. . THE ALLEtf DOONE SEASON. The Allen Doone season came to a closo in Wellington last evening when "The Parish Priest" was plumed before a very appreciative audience. Tlr company experienced a very successful run in' Wellington.