ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2565, 13 September 1915, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

''HINEMOA/' THE MAORI OPERA COMPANY. Ot the Grand Opera House on Thursday, September 10, for six nights only, Mr. i\ Bennett will present the Maori Opera Coinpauy, in the charming Maori musical Play ' llinemoa," in tlirep. ants, by Percy ,« ynn. a young Now Zealand composer. Ilie company is playing under the distinguished patronage of their Excellencies the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool and the Right Hon. Mr. Massey, wlio have signified their intention of being present on the opening night. The first night's takings go to our wounded soldiers. "Hinemoa is a. simple and exquisite story, but yet historical—a story which every child and grown-up person should know. To see the opera "Hinemoa" acted and sung by tile Maori Opera Company, whiqh comprises 40 talented Maoris, each one an artist, is a revelation. The complete scenery of the ■ production, wliich was painted by two clever artists, is a standard feature of the opsra. The scenes comprise many beautiful landscapes of 80-, torua, including the lake and Mokoia. Then, again, the dresses are superb and costly. One costume is made from the skin of the extinct Maori dog, and is valued at ,£l5O. There is a full and efficient orchestra ti'avelling with the company, under the baton of the composer, Mr. Percy Plynn. The mechanical effects are stupendous; many supplementary numbers are introduced into the opera, including lakas, poi dances, and other Na tive novelties. The opera is produced by Mr. Charles Archer, formerly of the Royalty Theatre, Ixmdon. It is advisable to book your seats to avoid disappointment. The box plan is now open at tno Bristol, is,, 35., 25., and Is.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Three special imported attractions will be presented in the new programme to be submitted by the Puller Vaudeville Proprietary at His Majesty'a Theatre this evening:—The Great 1 Lutes, billed •as the twentieth century marvel, is armless, but performs some great feats of skill in tho playing of drums, trombones, and bugles, and rifle shooting. Miss Hazel Morris, an American ragtime vocalist (initial appearance), in a budget of the lat-f est Tagtime successes; first appearance of Len. Hoffman, spoken of as being a wonderful juggler of hats and a quaint humorist; the Rosie Rifle Company (sharpshooters), Edwards and Partes (comedy duo), the Casseli. Sisters (vocalists and toe dancers), Orphia" (lady instrumentalist), Prank Herbert fdescrptive vocalist), and Ernest Pitcher (comedian). The programme will be repeated nightly during the week, and a matinee will be given on Saturday.

•"THE SPOILERS." Patrons at the King's Theatre to-night will see the first screening of the remarkable film adaptation of Kex Beach's book, which will taice up the entire programme. Auckland papers stressed tae absence of

"padding." The "Star" paid: "Despite tlio great length of tJie pictui'e,. the interest never flags for a moment, and never was n, film story easier to 'follow. It was just as if the audience liad been transported to toe Alaskan mining cnmp ana became 'witnesses of tlio terrific struggle between might and "right." There is a powerfully romantic love interest entwined throughout the film narrative, and Jliss Kathlyn Williams, as "Cherry Malotte," the beautiful dance-hall gir.i, portrays many difficult situations. . Special music will accompany the screening. The plan is at the Bristol', where a brisic demand for reserves set in on Friday last, " :

. THE EMPRESS, . ■ The. Empress Theatre management is screening to-day a two-part Kalem drama entitled "'.'Her Husband's Honoua'," being the story of a wife who assisted her father to smuggle diamonds' from Paris into tlie United States of America. Tlie drama is very well produced, cud ICalem's artists make the most of the numerous' dramatic situations. The Topical Budget depicts a remarkable Russian cavalry charge upon the German positions in Galicia; the arrival of 400 British prisoners of war after spending many liarsh arid weary months in Germany; and a review of a portion of the Swiss Army. There is a Keystone comedy called "A Human Hound's Triumph," the Vitagraph people contribute a drama entitled "Breaking In," and an amusing comedy, -Cupid's Pranks/'- completes the bill.

EVERYBODY'S. Tlio new programme, commencing at noon to-day, will bo headed by tlio Majestic Company's "Living Death." The plot is unusual, and is skilfully treated. Tlie development/of the story moves forward with rapidity, and the final scenes are full of intense interest. Supporting items include an exceedingly .comical Keystone, "Gussle Tied to Trouble," which features Sydney Chaplin; the "Gaumont Graphic," showing the French Fleet bombarding tho Turkish forts; "Human Chain,' a pathetic drama; "The Life Of a Laplander";, and'the Vitagraph comedy, "His Phantom Sweetheart."

"HEARTS IN EVILE." ■ Clara Kimball Young, in the title role of tho five-part photo-play, "Hearts in Exile," which is again being screened at the Britannia this week, lias firmly established herself as a favourite with local picture lovers. "Hearts in Exile" will bo screened all this week again at tho Britannia, thereby creating a Dominion record of the one picture being shown continuously at the same theatre for two weeks. By Saturday night it >vi.ll have been soreened here 90 times.

ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard P. Page (City Organist) gave an interesting organ recital at tlie Town Hall oil Saturday evening. Tho programme, -which was arranged with that perfect taste usually displayed by Mr. Page, included the beautitul and ennobling second movement from Beethoven's "Second Symphony," the.mrisicianly "Prelude and Fugue in D" of. Glozoiinov, Cesar Franck's ."Piece Heroique," Saint Saens' "R'hapsodie No. 3," a charming "Nocturne" by Wolstenholme, the "Suite Ancienne" (Hoiloway), and the ever peaceful and melodious "Elegie" of Claussmann,

SUNDAY CONCERT. , The Wellington. Corporation Tramways Band gave a performance at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, before a large audience. The most .attractive item- on tlie programme from the band was a very good arrangement by Ord. Hume, of Gems from Sullivan's operas," which was very well played, and recalled pleasant memories of some of tho finest light operas ever composed. Another worthy number was the overture, "La Flandre" (Bouillon). Other items were the march, "La Russe" (Riramer), the idyll, "Cacheco" (lteeves); the march "The Durhams" (S. Douglas). Madame Anderson, a 'talented mezzosoprano, sang "Shipmates o' Mine" (Sanderson), and "Sweet Spirit, Hear my Prayer" (Wallace), and Mr. Courteney V. Mohr sang Goetz's charming song, "Melisande in the Woods," and "Tho King's Minstrel'' (Pinsuti).