ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2613, 8 November 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KING'S THEATRE. "Uncle Tom's Cabin," first in book form, then us a piny, has delighted many thousands since Harriet Beeclier Stowe first wrote her powerful indictment against slavery in America. Saintly old Uncle Tom, the irrepressible Topsy, and little Eva, have become household favourites throughout many lands. Rim versions liavo been made in tho past, but it has remained for the World Film Corporation lo release a picture worthy of tho great boot. This version, which is to be shown at tho King's Theatre all this -week, is full of action, tho story being developed along most interesting "lines, and there is a close attention to detail and atmosphere. many of the scenes being taken on historic spots. The picture is one that should appeal to all classes and all ages, and should be extremely popular. The supporting programme includes a study in tho manufacture and uses of "Asphxyiating Gases," a clever Edison cartoon comedy, an interesting scenic, and the latest Gazette.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ' A new revue entitled "Snro Thing" will j be one of the principal features in the new programme to be presented by the Fuller Co. at His Majesty's Theatre tonight. The scene of the new production is set on a racecourse, and the plot centres round a scheme to "dope" the favourite. Hr. Black will appear as a racecourse "crook," and with ill'. Rru'ry Quealy as Jay Bird will, provide most of the humour. There are some good comedy scenes, . notably a restaurant burlesque, in which Miss Howard figures prominently. Miss Livingstone, Mr. Peter Brooks, Mr. 1 "Billy" Moloney, the Keystone Quartette, 1 and the "Flapper Brigade" will provide '■ attractive items. In the purely vaudeville ] section are Alsace and Lorraine, two i American musicians; Miss Rose Lee Ivy, j the California!! soprano, in a film speci- i alty; Vernon and Sinclair, in a new mil- , sical sketch, and the Duckworths, aero- ' bats, will complete the bill, which will run for a six-night soason with the usual ' weekly matinee. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Starting to-day at noon, a new programme will be screened, the "star" feature being a 2000 ft. Keystone comedy, "Lovers Lost Control," featuring Syd. Chaplin in some of his original laughter specialities. "The Wiles of a Woman" is the eighth episode of the sensational 1 drama "The Million Dollar Mystery." In ' this powerful number the conspirators try. ■to prevent Norton from interfering with (heir nefarious schemes, but Norton with great ingenuity checkmates their plans. There are also "Billy's Heiress," a farcical comedy, and "The Gaumont Graphic" with tho latest pictorial news. THE EMPRESS. A photo melodrama of exceptional power, from the World Film Corporation, entitled "Money," is to be the outstanding attraction at the Empress Theatre to-day. The story deals with the question of Capital v. Labour, and the scenes are said to be striking and dramatic. They show society revels while thfe workers starve— Society taking champagne baths while tho workers cannot get enough for bread. Some of the scenes are entitled "The Kings of Finance and the Queens of Society," the "Oyster Dance at the Feast of Bacchus," "Sensational Riots and Strikes Among the Toilers," etc. The film" is said to outrival "Women and Wine." The supporting films are instructive and interesting. ORGAN RECITAL. . Mr. Bernard Page, the City Organist, submitted 'an interesting and dignified programme at his recital given in the Town Hall, on Saturday evening. jt opened with tho rarely heard overture to "Cnriolan" (a tragedy by Caiiin), wnich Beethoven sold to Clementi, together with his Fourth Symphony, two concertos for piano and violin, and three string quartets for tho sum of ,£2OO. The overture has the master's innate nobility of structure, sombre in colour, and masterful in-char-acter. Claussmann's "Elegie" has a rare beauty of its own, and tho "Soeur Monique," a rondo by Couperin, is a quaint little piping lay, composed originally for the harpsichord. An old-world "Gfivotta" by Martini lost a good deal of its\charm through the speed at which it was \ taken, but the "Intermezzo" by Guilmant was nicely played. The organist's comprehensive technique _wns very well displayed in tho playing of the "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" of Bach, and in the iivst movement of Symphony Pathetiquc of Tschaikovsky, the- organist reflected with some fidelity* tho orchestral glories of that notable work. VIOLIN RECITAL. The fact that Mr. Herbert Blov has a host of admirers, in Wellington was evidenced last evening when His Majesty's Theatre was packed to the doors with an audience keen to listen aud wholehearted in their appreciation of his violinplaying. Many will be pleased to learn that Mr. Bloy, whose departure from Wellington was recently announced, has changed his plans, and is now to remain here. His departure would have been a genuine loss to music in the Empire City, for we can ill-afford to lose the services of so talented a soloist aud conductor. The programme presented by llv. Bloy last evening was a delightful one. Possessed of abundant temperament he gave full value to tho poetic charm of Vieuxtemps's "Fantasia' Appassionata," a composition of elevated melodic grace and beauty. Mr. Bloy's finished performance was rapturously received, and, as an encore, he played tho tender "sorenata" of Moskowski on muted strings with admirable delicacy and polish. Squire's melodious "Chant sans Paroles" and the vivacious "Butterfly," of Bohm, proved a delightful' bracket of compositions in lighter mood. The indolent lure in Sarasate's "Romanza Andalousa," with its soft guitar-like accojnpaniiuoiit, was capitally realised, and proved one of the gems of the evening. Following somewhat in the steps of Vieuitemps, Mr. Bloy has composed a "Humoreske," taking for his theme "Yankee Doodle," which lively lilt was admirably developed, and worked out with all manner of ingenious variations, including a clever diversion into tho.minor. The number, which well deserves publication, was brilliantly played. Finally Mr. Bloy played the familiar "Savvenir de Moscow," ©f AYisniawski, a number which makes a heavy demand on a player's technic, particularly towards the end where rapid harmonic-playing is called for. In that phase of his art Mr. Bloy has a tine facility, his harmonies being crystal clear and always in exact pitch. The accompaniments of Mrs. Bloy were a distinct aid to the soloist.

Mr. Bloy was assisted by Miss Betty Purdom and Mr. J. Culford Bell,, who together j»ave the scene from Shake- ; speare's ''Richard III," lvhere the hunchback monarch woos and wins Queon Anne over the body of her slain husband. Miss Purdom is always intelligent 1 in her work, but vocally she is light in calibre for the role. JTr. Bell was quite admirable as "Crookback," emphasising more the' comic than the fiendish side of that strange character. He also recited Kipling's "Boots" and "Ketrospection."-