ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2542, 17 August 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

•"THE MAN WHO STATED AT HOME." Tho methods of tho German spies, as 'dramatically shown in tho play, "Tho Man Who Stayed at Home," thrilled ailother large audience at tho Grand Opera House last night. Tho artists selected by the J. C. Williamson management to present this • world-famous play are so well fitted' to tho pairts that tho audience forgets for the time being that a drama is being unfolded, and begins to realise tho potent forces at work to injure tho great Empire. The scenes aro thrilling, and on occasions exciting, and it is easily understood bow the play has become a great recruiting force. Mr. Frank vey, "the man. who stayed at homo" and rot played his part, gives a careful study, while Miss Violet. Paget and the other artists make real living characters. Tho Man Who Stayed' at' Home" .will be repeated this evening. ' .'.'WITH THE' FIGHTING FORCES OF BUBOPE." At tho Town Hall to-morrow: night a series of kinemacolour' films, cntitl&u "With the Fighting Forces of Europe,.will bo scre&ned. . It is stated that these pictures, are totally. different from tho ordinary cinematograph views, in that tne natural <*>lour 6 aro reproduced, . making for some striking and beautiful effects. programme is evidently a comprehensive one, for it not only deals - with tne German tod and sea forces, . but gives an excellent idea of the wonderful organisation of . the Allied troops, and the com* position of the forces of the nations favourable to the Triple Entente. Striking views, of the Kaiser's army and navy arq shown. Splendid pictures of New Zealand, Australian, Canadian, and Indian soldiers are also screened, besides many interesting glimpses of most of the leading men of to-day. ' Scenes in Russia and France are depicted. The mobilisation of British troops, stirring views of the gallant Belgian army and some of the fiie wttrk of the British soldiers in the firing line are also shown. The Japanese, Serbian; and; Italian _ armies are 6hcwii to advantage in oavaiTy and artillery work. The box plan for the season is now on view at the Bristol, and day sales may be obtained at ChristesQii s. The management .extend a hearty invitation to all returned soldiers to attend any of the performances. "THE RED DANDIES." This merry' party of entertainers are. nightly amusing and otherwise diverting good audiences at the Comceit Chamber. They have new songs and new stories, but the old among them have all 'their former, tricks of ]est and humour; Mr. Claude Dampior makes as much fun as ever, especially with his affectation of 'a lugubrious, turn of mind which does .not, belong to him. All the members of the company score successes in their several way 6, and the entertainment altogether is a bright and. enjoyable one., • . ' THE KING'S THEATRE. A wholesome and natural pictnro play was featured) in the now programme at the King's Theatre last night. In title the film was "A Child of God, tho child of God boing embodied in a young ranchman. The. story of his conversion from almost primordial: savagery, worked by a young schoolmistress,- is an appealing one. i, Tho young ranchman and tlie schoolmistress -meet early in the story, the ranchman to love with all,tho ardour i of his mature, but to kill a dawning love in the heart of the young schoolmistress by displays against his fellow ranchman of his latent savagery. Then of the £>tory shifts ..from' the wildness of the mountains to the' conventionality and order of. town. A wealthy young civilian makes love to the schoolmistress aid to. save the latter from financial ruin the daughter consents to marry her cul.tured suitor.■;■ In'the'meantime'her former admirer lives- the wild life of the West, but is suddenly brought to' a realisation of things by 'a terrible railroad accident. Ho then sees what Christianity and religion mean, and under the gsidance of a minister is transformed to "a child : of God." The conclusion of the story, is satisfying. The film is splendidly acted, while the great railroad, smash, is , vivid to a degree. _ The supporting subjects include an interesting local film descriptive of the inspection of the Now Zealand "Hospital Ship. .Other pictures are: "Cause for Thanksgiving" (a charming Vitagraph' comedy featuring "Sonny Jim"), "Ohissle'e, Backward Way" (featuring Syd. Chaplin), "Switzerland—Off the Beaten Track" (a beautiful scenic), and the .Latest Gazette. . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATKE. ■ The new bill at His Majesty's Theatre possesses 110 outstanding features of particular merit' outside thoso who have been'seen in Wellington before: - Little Yea-lie, the extremely graceful child contortionist, returned to favour, and showed how attractive such body-twisting- performances can be made, by the immature artist. , Coco and Chico, attired very realistically as apes, created mild amusement by their antics on _ the revolving ladder, but, their acrobatic and comedy business nothing original beyond their clever monkey garb. The Musical Clarinos' are fail' exponents of the concertina, but did not by any means exhaust - its possibilities. They played some national tunes, the "Miserere" from ."II Trovatore," and a selection of Harry Lauder melodies that found favour with tho audience.: Their efforts woro restricted to the . concertina. 1 The Armstrong of Armstrong and Howarth is Tom Armstrong, the popular comedian, who is an old,favourite in these parts.. His dry humour found expression in 2. ■ railway sketch; apropos of nothing in particular.' It afforded him, however, an opportunity: to indulge in some comic patter, to sing comic verses about the. Kaiser, and to clatter his Tvthmical feet oil the slates. Miss Howartk is a bright singer of ragtime songs, and plays, vivaciously Tig to her partner. The Two Gibsons dance better than they sing American rags, and Hajnilton. and Barnes (both burdened with a 6trong Kansas City accent) repeat their last week's stunt which, is well infected with, laughter baccili. . "The Butterflies" are generally satisfactory. Mr. Jack Waller told Hebraio stores, ancient and modern, ed a dramatic exposition of "A Pool There Was," the drift of which was only vaguely apparent. With Mr. Watson, Mr, Waller lapsed into broad comedy is "The Idea," and again in "A London Street' Scene" tho two comedians wero farcically funny. Miss Ada Smart tho' intermezzo from "Oavalleria Eustir cana" as an "Ave Maria," "with an organ, violin, and 'cello accompaniment, rind Mis 9 Marion Annitage produced a budget of'broad comics. Miss Cecilia Gold sang about "Matilda Mn.gee" (with chorus), a.nd Mr. Foster Hine's robust baritone was heard in "Who's , For the Flap, which had not merit, enough to do the singer justice. Mr. Gregory , Iyanolf played "Habangia," a piece calculated to display his ability as an exponent of violin trickery, but made a bigger appeal in popular tunes, in which M_r. 'Wylio ('cellist and vocalist) and Mr. I'. W. Dennett lent valuable assistance. "THE MIGHT OF THE ALLIES." Great interest was aroused at Everybody's Theatro yesterday, when a magnificent war film, entitled "The Might of the Allies/' was presented ns the ■star attraction. Tho film gives a bettor idea of tlie. resources of the forces gathered against tlio common enemy than any written description could, and shows vividly the different methods of fighting. All tho services are pictorially treated, from tho foot soldier to the airman, whilo the submarines and battleships present an imposing study of the power swayed by tho Allies. The well-known leaders with the great armies are presented in realistic scenes, whilo other views'show the bravo Belgian soldiers, the dashing Italians, and the great army of Lord Kitchener undergoing training. A section is 1 also devoted to the soldiers of the Dominions who hare taken their places alongside the soldiers of tho European Powers. The supporting films include a very exciting detective story, entitled "Rated at 10,000,000 Dollars," in which 3omc novel effects aro shown. A laughable Keystone oomedy, "Do He Mi Boom," features Charles Murray in absurd antics, while the "Gaumont Graphic" is l'nll of' topical war studies. Tho programme is a iwiod M 9,

THE EMPRESS. Elinor Glyn's electrio story, in film form, "Three Weeks," is attracting crowded sessions to the populnr Envpress Theatre. Tlio enterprise of the management in scouring the picture at the ordinary pates of admission is being well rewarded. "Three Weeks" is a very.lino example of kinemn. art' and its appeal grows stronger after a second visit. Tho present screenings are notablo for clear projection, ami. a big improvement is that by using two operating machines the picture is shown without a break. The story is therefore uninterrupted, and is more readily followed. The orchestral music at tlio night sessions is well selected and fits tho filmed subject like a glove. A very good Topical Budget serves as a curtain raiser. The Wellington season of "Threo Weeks" positively closes bo-morrow night. "A SCRAPE 0' THE PEN." Graham Moffat's now comedy of Scottish farm life is to be produced here on Saturday nest at tho Grand Opera House raider tho direction of Mr. E. J. Carroll. "A Scrape o' the Pon," will occupy the boards for six nights, and on tho last might of tlie 6eason Mr. and Mrs, Moffat will revivo the popular "Buntv Pulls the Strings." It is somewhat interesting to note that Mr. Harry Lauder made his only., appearance on the legitimate stage in "A Scrape o' tlie Pen," the occasion, being a charity matinee at the Comedy Theatre, London, and Mr. Moffat and Mr. Lauder being great friends, Lauder consented to appear in tho ■ comedy role of Ge'ordie Pow, a character wliich will be' portrayed hero by tho inimitable Abie Barker, well remembered for his clever work as Itab in ■ "Bunty Pulls the Strings.'" Mr. and Mrs. Moffat are appearing in their orgipal roles of Matfcha and Leezle Inglis, while the newcomers include Mattie Maclellan, Jean. Lowther, ■ Margaret. Noble, Flora M'Gilp, Gertie Henderson, Mrs. Baikie, Alec Hunter, Hugh Menzies, Robert Purdie, amd Aloe Inglis. The box -ifian will' open to-morrow morning at the Bristol.