ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2544, 19 August 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

'.'THE MAN WHO STATED AT HOME." The brilliant drama,' disclosing methods of German spies, "Tho Alan \V no Stayed at Home," attracted another large audience to the tirnnrt Opera .House last evening. The success 01 the play in Wellington is not surprising, lor it has -aroused enthusiasm wherever shown iu the principal centres ol" the linghsh-speaKiug world. "The Man Who Stayecl at lionio" has been recognised lo bo a great tecrniti'orce, and 0110 has only to sit it out to .understand tho reason for this. Last niglit the members of the clever, company were applauded time alter time l'or their splendid acting. The pwrormance of Jlr. li'i-ank Harvey, as tho man Who is doing a good work whilo staying at home, is excellent, while Miss Violet Paget, Miss I-'lorrie tjleesun, and Mr. Arthur Cornell give sterling performances. THE RED DANDIES. The versatile Red Dandies drew another enthusiastic audience to the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening, .when the programme went with a swing ■from start to finish. The principal funmaker is Mr. Claude Dampier, and he is supported by a strong company of performers, who work their material to the • very best advantage. The feelings of the audience towards the performers was shown by the frequent bursts of ap'plausa which followed the, numerous items. Tho j present bill will lie produced' again tonight and to-morrow night, and the uian- , age'ment announce a complete change of programme for Saturday evening, when 1 new songs and concerted numbers will be ; the order of the evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Th' popularity of "The Butterflies," who , have been providing the first half of the ! progiamme at His Majesty's Theatre for several weeks past, shows 110 sign of waning The second half of the programme is contributed, to by Coco and Chico, who amuse with unique acrobatic and ladder-walking feats; "The- Musical Clarinos," clever concertina players; Little Verlie, a child contortionist; and Armstrong and liowarth, burlesque artists. There are other performers of talent also 1 contributing to the current bill. ' ' THE KING'S. An altogether charming picture drama ■ features on tho current programme at the. 1 King's Theatre this week. It is entitled, 1 "A Child of God," and is aptly described ! as "a story of love, and. regeneration." t Introduced into- the story is a terrible rail- | way smash, which is very realistic. Supporting pictures include "Inspection of the N;Z. Hospital Ship," "Switzerland" (scenic), 'Gu.sslo's Backward Way" (ICey- • stone comedy), "Cause for Thanksgiving" ; (Vitagraph comedy), and Pathe's War Gazette. - . ■ , - j.. THE EMPRESS. - j For to-day, from 11 a.m. onwards, a strikingly attractive new list of subjects 1 will hold tho screen at the popular Empress Theatre. At the head of tho strong collection will be; tlie Reliance's powerful dramatic play, in two parts, "Eleventhirty p.m.," described as one of the finest .film productions secured for some time past, and is said to teem with effective episodes and situations. Big interest should centre in the French official film record of "The Great War," or "On tho Spot in Alsace with tlie French Inva- . sion." The record is 1500 ft. long, and reproduces actual battle episodes on the j heights of Alsace. The subject and treatment are both said to bo excellent, and the pictures on the battlefield should come as a relief after tho ordinary par--1 ;ades and pageants.- Keystone's jwesenta- , :tion,'"The Beauty Bunglers," is ; said to 1: be, .'comedian "Hogan's"|.biggest success, i. .and travesties, in humorous fashion the 1' idoings. of so-oalled beauty specialists.'Selig's latest melodrama,- "Tho Leopard's 'Lair," acted by Baby Wade and a strong cast, is said to be orie of tho most convincing dramas ever, turned out by the 1 Selig Company. I , ' : — ' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. f The programme at Everybody's Theatre Jtliis week-is a varied and\ interesting one. The big avtraction.yis "Tho -Might of tho • iAUies," depicting the great.'resources on 1 ! inrid, on" sea, and in air, of tho Allies. The pictures is one that arouses the patriotic enthusiasm of the audience : at each session. Besides this picture. .there .is ' an engrossing Lubin drama, "Rated at [ 10,000,000 Dollars," "Do Re Mi Boom," a 1 ludicrous Keystone comedy, and some in- . teresting'topical pictures. . ' ' "A SCRAPE 0' THE PEN." Mr. Graham Moffat, who wrote, and produced the popular " "Buhity'. Pulls the Strings," has written still another comedy 1 which refutes the old idea, of their being ■ no humour in Scotland. The new play, ' "A Scrape o' the Pen" is being produced ' at the Grand; Opera. House 011 Saturday, ■ and the author lias turned to good ac- ; count the old customs and superstitions of Scotland, treating such subjects as Ilogmanay, first-footing, Bible reading, etc., humorously, and yet without the slightest semblance of burlesque. The title of the play is suggested by tho old- ' ' time Scottish marriage ceremony of the I signing of papers 'before witnesses, and Mr. Moffat has written a comedy-drama ' that lias its moments of pathos as well as its 'laughable comedy touches. Mr. and Mrs. MolFat are - themselves appearing in ■ their original parts of Mattha and Leezie Inglis, and will be supported by a newly augmented company, the "Bunty" favourites being joined by new artists specially imported for this production. The season ■ here will last seven nights, and the. last will be devoted to a' revival of "Bunty," as a farewell to Mr. and Mrs; Moffat, who . will not again return to New Zealand. The box plan is open at the Bristol. CHARLIE CHAPLIN CONTESTS. A novel "extra" attraction is promised for patrons of His Majesty's : Theatre, commencing on Monday, evening next.' This will bo a. "Charlie Chaplin Contest" in which competitors are required to give tho best. and. most consistent: impersonation in •mak6-up,i dress and characteristics of the fajnous .film .comedian. Bach competitor will be allowed.to employ .not moro than two. assistants,, thus enabling a scene from any of the Chaplin comedies to be presented in. the.time allowed (three minutes). . Cash prizes will! bo and intending competitors may. obtain advice'and help personally 01' by, letter from Mr., Tom Armstrong at'. His' Majesty's Theatre.