ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

q "THE GIRL IN THE TAXI"'TO-NIGHT Tho J. C. Williamson new English .Musical Comedy Company will present at tlie Grand Opera House this evening the bright and sparkling musical play. "The Girl in the Taxi." Tho story is divided into three acts, tho libretto bavins keen founded by Frederick Fenn and Arthur Wimperis, on the French of M. George Obonowski, and the sparkling music, is by Jean Gilbert. Tho ilrst act introduces the reception room of Baron Duuvray's mansion in Paris, an apartment with polished marble walls, looking out through French windows on a garden rich in fountains and ilowers. Tho second act is in a gorgeous and luxurious restaurant, in which there occurs a jumbling of wives, 'husbands, and bachetors, with an ensuing plenitude of complications, and tho action or tho piny is carried on to an amusing final scene. The material of the piece, it is said, has been moulded into a rapidly moving action, graced with a cleverness of dialogue and

a wealth of tuneful music, which prevents even one dull moment from creeping into the "three hours' tTafiic on tho stage." Tho cast includes: C l . H. Workman, who created the part of Pomeral in London; W. H. Rawlins, as Baron Dauvray; Hugh Huntley, as Hubert; Paul Plunkct, as Rene; Field Fisher, as Alexis; Jack Hooker, as Felix; Alfred Frith, as Professor Charcot; Chris Wren, as Emile; Cecil Bradley, ns Jacqueline; Florence Vie, as Baroness Dauvray; Given Hughes, as Rose Charcot; and Dorothy Bruuton, as Suzanne. "Tho Girl in the Taxi" can only be staged for five nights. The second production of the season, which takes place on Friday niglit next, will be the. musical jollity,. "Hteh jinks," and on October 27 ana 28. "The Girl on tho Film" will be presented for tho last two nights of the season. Tho box plan for to-night's performance will be on view at the. Bristol until 12.30 today, after at the Grando Confectionery, where day sales may also be obtained, HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The present bill at His Majesty s Theatre continues to attract big houses. Leonard Nelson, a comedian ef many parts, passes time away merrily, while the otiier artists, Pollard and Jackson, operatic duettists; M'Connell and Austin, trick cyclists; Nat Harney, silfleur; and Low Hoffman, comedy juggler, make lip an entertainment quite worth seeing. THE TRONIC MYSTERY. Herbert Brooke, an English entertainer or some note, has be«n engaged by Messrs. Puller to appear at Hw Majesty 6 Theatre on Monday evening next. This performer, who 6tyles' himself "The King of Entertainers,"-will carry out a series of what are said to be startling demonstrations which. wind up with his mysterious 3isappcaiance in a box and, reappearance in a very brief interval. Brooks is also reported to be a master of card manipulation, and bis whole performance is said to be enlivened by a breezy undercurrent of genuine wit. .J-Uis artist's season will extend for six nights only, and lso will be supported by a galaxy oT vaudevillo talent. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Tho last night of that successful picture, "Whom the Gods Would Destroy, and supporting subjects is announced tor to-day. Commencing Monday, a eplondid selection of what are desenbed as the world's best picutres will be screened. Tho fifth episode of "The Million Dollar jitvstory" is exceedingly exciting, and is called "AC tho Bottom of the Sea. Jones tho butler is tracked with tho parcel ot securities and the gang pursue him in « motor boat, and after an exciting ■ctasa th 6 motor boat explodes with disastrous results to the conspirators. A railroad drama of quite a thrilling nature will bo seen in "Midnight Limited." Two thieves set out in this picture 011 desperate ad- • ventures, Which lead to destruction. "Flashlight Flivver" is a Kalenrcomedy ■ of, a. v'jrv humorous type, which features Ham' and' Bud,' two original laughter comedians. The Gaumont Graphic, '•Homecoming of Henry" (comedy), and Teneran. capital of Persia, are also included in the programme; THE KING'S To-night will be the last opportunity of seeing the present excellent programme *eiii§ screened at the King's Theatre; Tho star feature, "Shattered Idol." is a picture well worth seeing, with its broad humour and tense dramatic situations cleverly blended. The supporting programme is of a particularly interesting naturo, there being not a dull moment in tho whole programme. A matinee will be given this afternoon. Commencing on Monday night will be screened a sensational 5000 ft. "feature" by the London Film, Co., entitled ''Sons of Satan," which was written by that clever and popular author William Le Queux, wJio ]ia3 ■ presented an original and daring story of London society life, and its many undercurrents. The "Sons of Satan" is (lie name of a gang of rogues and blackmailora, whose head is Harry Normand, but who is also known as Paul de Villereaii, a famous detective. As detective, lie ascertains many 6ecrets, upon whioh as a "Son of Satan" ho levies blackmail. His infatuation for a beautiful actress, his vengeance on her and her lover, his diabolical ingenuity and insidious schemes, and his final overthrow make a sensational and powerful story. This great picture is claimed to be the best yet sent out by the London Film Company, and with such names as Charles Rock, Gerald Ames, and Jano Gail in the cast, tho quality of the acting is assured. Four other fine pictures complete the bill. Seats may be booked at the Bristol. THE EMPRESS. The powerfully-executed story by Vitagraph, entitled "Tho Enemies,"- finishes to-night, after a busy week. On. Monday the new programme is headed by a drama in three parts by the celebrated Clarendon Film Co. The story is called "In the Blood," and is described as a remarkable study in hereditary influence. The inheritance by the son of his father's less worthy nature, but gifted nevertheless with somo of the better traits of his mother; his courtship and marriage to a worthy girl, and his struggles and failures make a story crowded with true lifo incidents. Scenes of dramatic intensity, points of pathetic emotion, and incidents of a sensational nature all Ic-ad up to a remarkable ending, in; whioh tho wife conquers temptation held out to her by a false friond, and shows tho husband a. noble example, he oan no longer neglect. On the programme, also, are: —"The Topical Budget," a channing Welsh scenic, "Tho Banks of tho Llobregat"; and farcecomedy by L.K.O. Co., starring Chaplin s double, Billio Ritchie. CONCERT AT Y.M.C.A. An enjoyable evening's entertainment was • arranged by Mr. R. Re* at the Y.M.C.A. last evening, there being attendance. Mr. Alfred Boothman, the woll-known Australian actor, gave a fine display of dramatic acting, while among other good items were a gun spinstal act by Miss Violet and Mr. Percy Chase, and a display of step-dancing by Mr. Norman Dunfist. Musical items were rendered by the Gas Company Orchestra, while Miss Weston was accompanist. SUNDAY CONCERT. Tho Natives' Association (late Garrison) Band has prepared an ciccllent pro"rammo for its concert to bo given at' fi;, Maiestv's Theatro to-morrow ovening. Messrs. B. S. Allwright and S. L. Exton will contribute songs and duets. Mr J. G. Turner's Ladies' Mandolin Orchestra will also assist, Mr. Minifie,' piccolo soloist, will give a solo. -Tho band's items will includo a tuneful selection, "Donizetti." A silvor coin collection will be made for the uniform fund. Under the auspiccs of tile Natives' 'Association, Mr. Culford Bell and Miss liotty Purdoui took a concert party to tho Victoria. Hospital 011 Thursday night. Songs were given by Mr. Courtcnay Mohr, Miss i\gncs Segrief, and Miss Rose Segriof, violin solos by Miss Freda Walter, musical monologues by Miss Flo. Gow, and recitations and sketches by Mr. Culford 801 l and Miss Betty Purdom. Miss Henderson accompanied the singers. Tho utmost enUmsiaAU! prevailed, and t.ho wounded soldiers expressed their appreciation. of- the .various items by hearty _»pjjlauuo>

"NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER" FARE. ' WELL. Tho two final performances of "Nci* tune's Daughter" will be given at the People's Picture I'alacp this afternoon and evening. These performances mark tho cioso of a record season. Coming to New Zealand, heralded by extraordinary, 6ucces3 everywhere it has appeared, "Neptime's Daughter" instantly struck the note of popular favour and acliieved tremendous popularity at its first performance. Originally scheduled for one week tho season was extended to two weeks, and finally to three weeks, and tho interest lias continued unabated. Tho box r plan for the closing performance is ftt ' the Bristol.

"DAMON AND PYTHIAS." The first production of this ,story of ; the greatest friendship in tho history of mankind will be given at the People's Picture Palaco next Monday afternoon< , "Damon, and Pythias" was givon its initial presentation at the New York Theatre last November and scored a treineu- . dcus success for its strong and gripping • dramatic story, tender sentiment, and spectacular scenes, won immediate favour. This picture drama is in five parts, full '• of dramatic firo and spirit, and the story of tbo friendship existing bptweon tho noble Senator, Damon, and ' Pythias, is said to be vividly told, while the Grecian atmosphere is faithfully depicted. Of great beauty are the scenes i„„ +1,- r-;u-

in Damon s garden, the villa and home of Calanthe, the betrothed of Pythias, who is Known in one delightful scene dancing in tho garden among her maidens. Tho destruction of a Greek city by the Carthaginians, terrific battles on land and sea, the great chariot race and Stadium games aro all said to be wonderfully portrayed, while, like a thread o£ gold throughout tho whole play runs the attachment of the two friends. Tho boi plans are at the Bristol. TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. The City Organist will resume his series of , Saturday organ recitals at, the Hall to-night. Since the last recital, Mr. Page has had a number of requests to ropeat works played at previous recitals. One has been the Tchaikovsky Sixth Symphony, and it has beoa agreed to place this number on the programme for the recital on October • 30. Included in to-night's programme . are many items asked for Dy visitors to Wellington. Many items, would be repeated by Mr. Pago but for the fact that the requests are unfortunately anonymous. The items to be played to-night include tho following:—Handel's Concerto, Rebuff's Psychological Poem, Dvorak's Htunereskes, Cesar Franck'a Finale Op. 21, Byrd's Pavane, Frescobaldi's Capriccio Pastorale, Dandrieu's Musetto, and Beethoven's First Move, ment from the sixth Symphony "Pa& torale."