ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2563, 10 September 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

. "FUN ON THE BRISTOL." , .Mr. George Stephenson's talented little comedians were again successful- in creating much merriment at Grand Opera; House last night, with 'heir enjoyable rendering of : Join F. oheridan's time-worn farce. Mr. Frank Hawthorne, in the leading .role of that eccentric: Irish woman, the Widow OBrien, succeeded in extracting all the humour from the part, and> managed to hit off somo very passable jokes.. His . songs, "Auntie. Skinner's Chicken Dinner" and "I'm in Love," were well received. Mr. Hawthorne received excellent support from, vivacious Miss Ivy Davis as Dora.O'Brien, and her song, ■ "Tq'Have r .to Hold, to Love," was sung in' capital .Sh-;w was also her . duet frith Mr; SKafiilPo,. .• Gilbert and Delavale 6cored heavijy -nty their amusing patter, and Miss Bertbi? Busch's solo , dancing was. again: juite u-feature. The .other, - members ; of ths company all performed excellently,-ajid combined to make, a. very bright entertainment.. . "Fun 'on -the Bristol" will be repeated to-night- and the .two following Bights. ' : HIS MAJESTY'S. THEATRE. • Mr. Paul. Stanhope's Americal Musical • Revue' Company, playing 'Tun on the Farm,", is. drawing, big-audiences at His i Majesty's Theatro this week. It is a. good show, and mirth-provoking from start to finish. The last two nights are announced, and; a matinee 'will bo held tomorrow, afternoon.. In ;addition 'to tie . above, .an -"all-star" 'vaudeville . programme is being presented, and several : well : known artists are making their last: appearances.' ■They include Billy Wells and the Eclair Twins, Jessie:'and Dolly Miller, Phil Percival, Ernest Pitcher, and ,F. Herberte. A complete new programme is announced; for Monday evening.

KING'S THEATRE., • . "Two Women"'is'the title of the-"star" ' attraction which is being produced at th« King's Theatre this. week. It is a Vitagraph three-part , drama, filled with pathos, tho poetry," and : the sunshine of \. life. Miss Anita, ■ Stewart sustains the principal role, and her acting is all tint cf.iild be desired. The. drama illustrates thej powerful influence which a good w6man can exercise upon tho life of a n;au. Other pictures include: "Making Shell and Shrapnel,"'' a particularly interesting study at the present time;' "Mabel's •. Wilful .-Way," and "The Man He Might Have Been." A matinee will be held tomorrow afternoon. :

"THE SPOILERS." :•Hex. Beach's story of Alaskan mining life is one of the most widely read books of this favourite American author. "The Spoilers" ha 3 been adapted to the screen by the Selig Company, and the 9000 ft. of resulting film will constitute the evening's'- entertainment' at the' King's Theatre, commencing on Monday, next. The Auckland "Star"- says ,of the picture:— "Despite: its 1 length, there is not .a moment that the photo-play does 'not.hold the attention ot the wdiericc Just as Rex Beach's work is vivid .and compelling;; so the pictorial reproduction grips and' thrills, and 1 there is never a dull moment. Influential and unscrupulous men in Washington plan to juggle with the Alaskan'land laws, so as to rob the rich mine-owners of their: claims.. The agent, of the plotters is one of the strong characters of the,play—Alex. ; M'Namara —and 'he takes a corrupt judgevnorth . with him' and proceeds to oariy through the' gigantic plan for robbing the mm-, ers. : But"there is-a ssaying ,in that region, "There's never ' a law /of God or man runs north of 53,' and they, proceed to fight for their, rights.' Chief amongst the; miners:' is Gleniater, the handsome ■part owner of the wonderful "Midas" mine, and he is foremost in the battles of wit and strength - agaSnst M'Namara. Never was _kinematograph story so easy to follow, in natural sequence, «is "The Spoilers,' and'rarely has a story thrilled convincingly. It is tense with live, hpalthy, vigorous action, and every action is .as;,cleverly-'.portrayed.;, by... the artist as it was truly drawn .by the' author. It-was just as if the audience had been; transported into the Alaskan mining camp, and became personal spectators' of the great struggle which' right foright against might."'': The play is enacted by a distinguished cast, including Kathleen WUliams and Wililam Parman, late _ lead for ' the Famous Players Co! Special orchestral music will'he provided. The plan is now at the Bristol, and is said to be filling rapidly.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. •Since ; the. outbreak of war the' Boy Scouts all over the British Empire have excelled themselves in many branches of useful work, and ;the picture now being shown at Everybody's Theatre, entitled "The Lion's Cubs," illustrates this. Another interesting, picture is entitled "Cradle of the Australian Navy." On Monday a complete new bill bo screened, the star item of which is a Majestic Kim Co. heart-stirring drama, "The Living Death," a picture which tells how' a father tried ;.to protect his only daughter ; from the fascinations . of this worldly world. A splendid Keystone'comtdy, featuring Syd. Chaplin, entitled "Gujsle Tied to Trouble," will also be shown. ;■ THE EMPRESS. ; The best programme seen at tho • Empress for a very long time is now being shown to packed houses,'-with long queues waiting for admission. The star attraction,' Lubin's, great drama, "The Bond of Motherhood," is'distinctly one of tho

best plays of its kind seen here. Replete with emotional passages that ring tender and true, the fine story, which is wouderfully faithful to life, tells of the manner in which women subjected to illusage by worthless. husbands cling together, and sympathise with and help one another in time of stress and trouble. Yesterday: the presence of ladies' handkerchiefs denoted the suspicion that the appeal of the drama drew a tear from many an eye. : Fun and brightness followed in Keystone's really clever and intensely humorous comedy, "The Versatile Villain," "A Chip of the Old Block" is one of Edison's .best productions to (lato. The "Mystic Moustaoheless Magician" (featuring Little Herman) is a good comic, while the latest number of the "Australian Gazette and Cartoons" is very interesting.

. . BRITANNIA THEATRE. Clara Kimball Young, t'ho talented actress, can be seen to advantage, in "Hearts ,in Exile" at the Britannia Theatre in Manners Street to-day and to-night, Tho film is a story of Russian life/ and is of great'dramatic interest. A beautiful girl is lawfully-married to two men, both of whom are devotedly attached to her. The supporting pictures are many and varied, and a visit to this, cosylittle theatre will repay one. There is also a splondid orchestra, which plays appropriate music during all sessions.

"HINEMOA," BY THE MAORI OPERA COMPANY. At the Grand Opera House on Thursday, September. 16, Mr., F. Bennett will present the Maori Opera Company, in the charming Maori musical play, "Hinemoa," in three acts, by Percy Flynn, a young New Zealand, comppser. The company, is playing under the patronage of their Excellencies the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool, and the Right Hon. W. F. Ma6sey, and the net profits of the tour go; to our Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The play is founded on the story of Hinemoa, a' beautiful Maori maiden, the idol of; her race, who dwelt at Rotorua. Her .beauty, together with her charms, reflected a sacred and an endearing devotion. in the hearts of all who knew her, though but a child of nature, clothed in sweet simplicity, loving, and sharing her happiness with all around her. A day arrived when that sublime JBission which comes to conquer and reigns supreme over all our other thoughts, oame to Hinemoa. The die was cast, for when she first niet Tutanakai she loved him. beyond all things, and. Tutanakai lovgd her in return. But Hinemoa was of high rank, and was enthroned highly in the hearts of 'her people, who thought that no man' could'be worthy to claim her heart and hand. But soon the truth revealed itself, and after many barriers were _ broken, which stood in Tutanekai and Hinemoa's way,-they were united,, and, like the Prince and. Princess in our fairy stories, : they lived happy ever afterwards; It is a .simple .and exquisite story. To see the opera "Hinemoa" acted and sung by the Maori Opera Company, which comprises 40 - talented Maoris, each one an artist, is (it is stated) a revelation. The complete scenery of tho production, which was painted by two clever artists; is a standard-feature of the. opera. The; scenes comprise many beautiful landscapes of Rotorua, including the lake and Mokoia. 'Then again, the dresses are said to be superb and costly. One oostume is made from- the skin' of the extinct Maori dog, and is stated 'to be valued at ,£450. - There is a vfull orchestra travelling with, the company under the baton of the composer, Mr. Percy Flynn. Many supplementary numbers are introduced, into • the opera, including hakas, poi dances, and other native novelties. ' The opera is produced' by Mr. Charles Archer, formerly of the Royalty Theatre, London. • . The first night's tak-'. ings go to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The box plan will open' on Monday morning next. '.

CENTRAL MISSION CONCERT. ; .'Che Rirls of the physical culture classes of the Wellington Methodist Central Mission provided - a;, fine, gymnastic display and cor,cert ;.in -the. .Concert: Chamber/of the Town Hall list ovehihg. The' effort was made by the children in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' and Sailors' , Fund, and it was well patronised by the public, a' full house responding to the call' to help. The entertainment was excellent. The pupils did their work remarkably well, and some showed talent, and everything reflected great credit on the teacher* and those, responsible for the programme. The -singing of little' Irene Marsh must be specially mentioned. Her rendition of "Down the Mississippi" was remarkably good. She was encored, and sang "Gretchen" very attractively. The recitations of Rita M'Gee were much appreciated by the audience; also the dancing of Miss E. Marsh and Miss Bona Chapman, the electric club-swinging <fl Mi3n Stairmand, aid tfie singing of Master' Winstono M'Cartliy. Other items on the programme were:—Pole?, junior girls; dumbells, seniors; Swedish: drill, little junior girls; rods, seniors; Swedish, juniors; poles, senior girls; ball swinging, junior girls;' Swedish, senior girls; skip-, ping without ropes, juniors; flag drill, juniors;' and grand finale, juniors and seniors,