ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2561, 8 September 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

■ "FUN ON THE BRISTOL." . J "Fun on the- Bristol," ono of the most popular, musioal farco successes, is to bo revived to-mght at the Grand Opera House, when George Stephenson's company of comedians •infuirur.ite a tour of the Dominion. The production, which as advertised is for laughter 'purposes, only oontains a plot full of amusing situations and one that lends itself to the introduction of tie latest song successes dances, sketches, and dialogue. "Widow O'Brien" and her two daughters in their attempt to enter society have provided the author •with; a theme for almost unlimited possibilities of merriment. Tho ladies, who lhave suddenly become; possessed of unlimited wealth, are tho" prey of a designing count, who in his endeavour to secure the one lady with the money proposes to all three. The various escapades of the ladies, \vho take a sea trip for a change, are.unique. Frank Hawthorne as the Widow, appeals in a most congenial Tole.'and his interpretation of the character .is said- to! be excellent. He is supported by: ii- company of capable come-, dians, which includes Misses ; Ivy Davis, Annie Berrill, Bertha'Busch, Daisy. Dut-ton.-Messrs. Fred Hughes; Courtney Ford, Will •-Gilbert; Ernie Delavale, Truman Neilson, and Arthur Sharpies. ' HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Paul Stanhope : and ■ his humorous followers are again providing much, fun at His., Majesty s. .Theatre, ttos -week. The company appear this time in an extraordinary- piece, of absurdity, entitled "Fun on a Farm." Mr, Paul Stanhope is quite irresistible in lis queer sayings': and doings, while, the others ■ of- the company carry along the . farce in good style. Franke Herberto sings songs which 6eem to please everybody, : while with Ernest Pitcher, Miss Jessie. Milte, Miss Dolly Millar, and others time passes merrily. THE KING'S THEATRE. |*Full house" has been the order at the King's; Theatre this week, 'when the screening of that powerful picture drama, "Two Women,", has-been the attraction. The film features such popular picture artists as Julia Swayne Gordon, Anita Stewart, Henry Morthujj, and Earle Williams, and depicts, in linished style the trials and tribulations of a faithless wife. Other good pictures are: "Cartoons," by Haoul .Barre; .Pathe Gazette; a scenic, "From Mountain to Plain"; "Mabel's Wilful Way," and "The Man He Might flavo Been." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. . A 'dramatic production,.""The :Lion's Cubs," is-the head- liner at Everybody's Theatre this week. The picture, which fe produced by the London Film Company, deals wi th_ tlie German spy system, arid illustrates interestingly / the usefulness- of Boy Scouts who track the Germans down. and successfully - frustrate their treacheiy. . The programme' also includes such good pictures as "The Professional Scapegoat, a laughable -produc-. tion; the "Gaumont Graphic," and -an interesting study of the Australian Navy in the Making. THE EMPRESS. - Densely crowded attendances approve the very excellent list of subjects at thi> popular Empress Theatre. The big Keystone comedy, "Our Daredevil Chief," is a great success. The new comic notions of comedian Ford Stirling elicit.the loudest kind of laughter. To-morrow's all- . aew programme will, boast'an especially strong star dramatic attraction in Lubin's special, "The Bond of Womanhood," a play abounding; in sentiment, and said to be more emotional and just as strong in Its appeal... as "Bast ■ Lynne," to which type of drama it belongs. Whether shown on stage or screen, the play that gets the strongest hold on theatregoers is the one that reproduces.life as it is, .and this : is said to be tho strong point about "The Bond of Womanhood." Keystone will bo represented by "The Versatile Villain," in which it is stated, ''Determined deteotive demons, dispense :dTOll : ddight,. defeating dark, devilish designs." Other good subjects ; will ;be "A Chip of the Old Block" (drama)-, "The Myotic,-Moustache-less Magician" (comedy), and: "Australian 1 Gazette and' Cartoons." . . THE. BRITANNIA THEATRE. - "Hearts - in Exile,"*, anV absorbingly interesting drama adapted from 1 John Oxenham's novel of that name', - is "proving a very strong attraction ; at the Britannia Theatre this . week.. . It reveals in l grim . detail the. evils of the bad , days in Bus-, sia when life wms indeed' low in value. ■ The picture bespeaks a very .'high :standard of photography, while many of tho incidental scones—such as. sleigh rushes over snow. and ice-fields—mako the film one well worth 'seeing. : The: acting is of ti particularly, high, standard. . THE MAORI OPERA COMPANY, : One of tho most unique and charming theatrical attractions at present, touring 'New. Zealand, is Mr.: F.-.Bennett's Maori Opera Company,: which will-open a six nights' seaSon at -the Grand 1 Opera House, on September' 16,- under' the patronage and in the presence'of Their Excellencies- the Governor and' tho Countess of' Liverpool, and the Right Hon. Mr. Massey. The'whble of 'tile first' nighfs takings .go .to. our Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Tho company . comes direct from a successful'soason at Auckland, where the Press and . public eulogised the production. . The reception it receivM there, it is stated/ was. remarkable. The historical legend of "Hinemoa" and her lover Tutanekai, 'provides : a charming story on. which 'the/play, is,,based, j The company includes forty talented

Maoris, who, it is stated, act and sing 1 their allotted parts with remarkable ability. The music is of a most' inspiriting character, and the scenery, which is specially painted for the production, is described ag gorgeous. Some of the dresses worn are most authentic, costly, and rare. One of .them is made of the skin of the extinct Maori dog, and is reported to bo valued at .£450. Thevo are many supplementary numbers introduced I into tho opera, such as liakus and poi dances. There- is a full and efficient orchestra travelling with the company. The play is . produced by Mr. Chas. Archer,' formerly of the Royalty Theatre, London. Tho box plan opens on Monday morning at Bristol. • "DANIEL." • The cantata "Daniel" was sung by tho specially augmented Berhampore Baptist Choir in the Concert Chamber last evening in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The cantata, which is simple and hymnal in character, has several good choruses, which, wero most vigorously sung by a oiioir that was not at all backward iii expression of its vocal power, and in suoh. numbers as "In God is our Trust," "Sound We the Loud Trumpet," and "Tho Lord Reigneth," there was heart and sincerity in tho singing. Miss Brittain's sweet soprano was heard to advantage as the Queen, and Mrs. Duncan (contralto) 6ang the role of the Queen'd Sister. Mr. W. Church, who has v a strong well-tutored light baritone voice, sang the music' allotted to Daniel with certitude and conviction. The part of the King was lustily sung by Mr. H. Holland (basso), and Mr. J. Searle sang the music allotted to Azariah. The cantata was con-' ducted by Mr. G. F. Frew. j