ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2593, 15 October 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON. The new English musical comedy company recently organised by the J. C. AYilliameon firm for the purpose of presenting the latest musical comcdies which have proved successful in London and •New York, will make a first appearance in Wellington at the Grand Opera. House to-morroiv evening. The first play to be presented will be "Tho Girl in the Taxi," a bright, spacing musical comedy which ran for two seasons in tho big metropolis, and which has proved correspondingly successful ill tho principal Australian cities, and more recently in Auckland. The construction of this musical play is said to he clever, the dialogue smart and pointed, and the situations constantly involved of such an amusing nature as to ■create almost incessant laughter. Among the new play's claims to popularity are its musical appeal, its sumptuous stagin» and dressing, its bevies of gnily-at-tired pretty girls, and the novelty of a noiv companv. "The Girl in the Taxi" will he staged for the first five nights, for on October 22 the second production will be presented, entitled "High Jinks. When Tccenfly staged at tho Lyric Theatre, New York, it immediately ran into success. Tho central idea is a whimsical ope. It concerns the discovery of a magic perfume, whiffs of which exhilarate depressed people and make seedy folk fit. With such an idea to work upon, one can judge the possibilities for lively entertainment. "The Girl on the Film, ttus final production of the season, will bo staged on October 27 and 28. This piece comes with a fine reputation from Australia, where it had lengthy seasons. The new gaiety piece is founded on the idea, of a central burlesque sut-ne performed by a biograph 1 company, and afterwards represented by moving pictures, to tho amusement of the audieiiCG. The threo plays will serve to introduce a complete new company. A staff of mechanists, electricians, and property men arrived in "Wellington yesterday morning, bringing the scenery and entire outfit ior tho first production, so that the U6iial rush to get ready tho scenery and effects, which in these productions are a special feature, will be avoided, and a finished performance should be given to-morrow evening. The box plans for the 11 nights' season aro now on view at the Bristol, and patrons are advised to secure their seats at once.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. An attractive programme is beinj* presented at His Majesty's Theatre this week, and it is responsible for big business. As a complete change is announced for Monday evening, patrons will only hare three more opportunities (including to-morrow's matinee) of seeing and hearing Pollard and Jackson, operatic duettists, and Mr. Leonard Nelson, tho talented comedian. Other artists who are making their last appearances here are Lew Hoffman, the Two Colliers, O'Connell and Austin, Louie Duggan, and several others. . A NEW MAGICIAN. An Important engagement made by the Fuller "Vaudeville Proprietary at His Majesty's Theatre' next week is that of a new magician, in the person of Mr. Herbert Brooks, an English entertainer. There have been many exponents of card tricks in Wellington, but Mr.'Brooks is said to give the most interesting 6how of any. His smart business with the cards is, howeVer, a preliminary to his box I rick', wtiioh is his picco do resistance. In this Brooks allows himself to be crushed into a steal trunk, which is covered in a canvas and leather case. Tho box is then placed in a curtained cabinet, and in the course ol' a few seconds Brooks is free, and the box and its covering are still Intact. Owing to prior engagements Mr. Brooks can only appear in Wellington for a six nights' season, and ho will bo supported by a first-class vaudeville company. LAST NIGHTS "NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER." The final performance of "Neptune's Daughter" will be £iven at the People's Picture Paluc'e ? tomorrow night. ; The posing, diving, swimming, dancing, and acting of Annette Kellerman, tho principal character of the production, • constantly evokes outbursts of applause, while the large number of other characters w'hioh are necessary , to form a cohesive story seem to have been allotted after a great deal of careful thought—so well do they fit their respective characters. There will be a matinee to-day at 2.30. The box plans are at The Bristol. "DAMON AND PYTHIAS. Tho photo-drama of the greatest friendship kno ivn to history, that of "Damon and Pythiad," will he'presented for the first time in New Zealand at the People's Picture Palace next Monday afternoon. In this drama the spectator is transported to Greece, when slio was in the height of lier marvellous power. This beautiful story of friendship' is said to bo depleted on the screen with marvellous spectacular effect. It took months of preparation, during which a good-sized fortune was spent for equipment before the production was ready for its initial performance. It is stated that the utmost fidelity .lias been shown in costumes and scenic effects, and the American oritics have acclaimed "Damon and Pythias" as a triumph of spectacular picturo art. The box plans are now open at The-Bristol. THE KING'S. "Her Shattered Idol," the sterling comedy drama now showing at the King's Theatre, has been responsible for big business throughout the week, and has been received with every expression of praise. Tho happy combination of mad 'merriment and stirring adventure makes an original and vigorous picture. The acting and photography are of the best, and those who have not yet seen the picturo should not ■ miss doing so. The other pictures shown aro also excellent. Tho programme trill bo changed after tomorrow night, and on Monday what promises to be a big "feature' will bo shown for the first time. This is a power- | ful and exciting story by William Le Queux, tho famous novelist, and bears the somewhat startling title of "Sons of Satan." It is one of the biggest productions of the favourito London Film Co., and deals with the undor-current of London society, and tho workings of a "swell mob" of blackmailers. EVERYBODY'S. The final screenings are announced of tubln's sensational melodrama, "Whom iho Gods Would Destroy," "Merely a Married Man," and the fourth episode of "The Million Dollar Mystery. Commencing Monday at noon a splendid new bill will be screened, headed by "At tho Bottom of t)ho Sea," the fifth episode, of "The Million Dollar Mystery." In this series Jones, fne )Hitler to Ham-eaves, the millionaire, secretly removes the treasure. He is pursued by the gang in a motor boat, which, ignites and soon becomes a mass of flatiies. The gang are left struggling in the sea. Jones speeds away to safety urith tho box, and the jnvstery is still unsolved. Supporting this subject is a laughable Ralem comedy with the Ham and Bub comedian featured, "Flashlight Flowers." Great jokes are perpetrated when t&e two comical comedians start out as photographers. "The Midnight Limited" is a highly exciting railroad drama; "The Homecoming of Henry" (comedy); "Teheran, Capital of Persia," scenic. The Gaumont Graphic constitute a programme which is equal to the best yet screened at Everybody's. EMPRESS THEATRE. That remarkably powerful drama by Morgan Robertson and pliotograplied by the vitagraplv Company called "The Enemies" has had a very successful run at tlie Empress Continuous Picture Theatre in Willis Street this week. It is a vivid sea tale of t'lio Jack London type. It deals with the story of a woman's wrong and a brother's vengeance. In addition to tho above there are some splendid supporting pictures. "How Mary Fixed It" is a laughable comedy, with. Mary Pickford in the title role. ,