ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2649, 21 December 1915, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A bright, racy programme was submitted'to a large and well-satisfied audi-, onco at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. The Leonards introduced a very pretty and extraordinarily clever team of fluffy .French poodles, each of which was well drilled in his part, and appeared tobe just bursting to get into the limelight. Some of the poodles jumped with astonishing agility, considering the breed; they play at see-saw, slide down a chute, strut about on their hind legs, and pose in tho prettiest way. The act is one that cannot tail to please. Mr. Con. Moreni succeeded in establishing himself as a comedian .of some capacity in the bibulous song, "One of the Best," and was very amusing iu the dago sketch, "Juliano." Joe Charles and Diana were associated in some smart comedy patter, and the latter sang an "Ave Maria based on the intermezzo from "Cavalleria Rusticana," in which she was inclined to stray from true pitch. One of the brightest acts seen . for some time at His Majesty's is the hunting sketch by Sterling and Love. The former is a brilliant exponent of tho coach horn and the cornet, and ig a' bright, snappy comedian, who is always good for a laugh, whilst his partner sings well, and is happy in the support she gives in the dialogue. Ford and Davies appeared in a Bacchanalian sketch, en- • titled "A Night Out," in-which Mr. Ford figures as an eccentric "drunk," and Miss Ivv Davis as his wife. Tho latter artist sings charmingly, and is an artistic frocker, but Mr. Ford muffles hp his voice as if it had a, cold, and was nd. allowed out at night. ' Anothor popular oomedy duo are Armstrong and Howarth. They appeared Inst evening in a sketch entitled "P.C. Casey." In the course of the sketch Mr. Armstrong gave a dolorous rendering of his own rather lugubrious song, entitled "Mother of Men." - De Car, tho agile acrobat, must be a rubber man. His succession of somersaults across the stage is wonderfully clever. Delavale and Gilbert continue to amuse with their , flippant patter about nothing in particular. Owing to the kte arrival of the Sydney boat Geo, Fredo, the American nionologuist and entertainer, and Miss Anita PrimroM, comedienne, were unable to appear. They will figure oh this evening's programme. THE KING'S THEATRE. "The Prisoner of Zenda" was screened before a full house at the King's Theatre last evening. Anthony Hope's story is gripping and composing, and, it loses.nothing in the screening. The mounting is lavish, the staging elaborate, and the photography remarkably good. The artists include those two ftne performer, Henry Ainley and Jane Gale. . An idea of the story may he gathered from fie following brief resume.—Rudolph, the weak King of Ruritania, finds himself a prisoner on the eve of his coronation, at Zenda, in fho power of Black Michael, an unpriucipalled member of the reigning house, who is plotting to secure the throne for himself. In this dilemma the King's friends find Rudolph Rassondyll, a soldier of fortune, who bears ■ a startling resemblance to the King. They urge him to impersonate the King and submit to 6c crowned. Rasscndyll does so, and falls in love will the Princess Flavia, and after a desperate.struggle with himself decides to sacrifice his love and remain faithful to liis oath to .restore the King to his rightful throne.' After a series of stirring adventures that duty is accomplished, and Rassendyll reveals his true identity to the Princess, who in heroic renunciation sacrifices her own love, because the welfare of her people demands her {b'ruio in Ruritania. , Among other pictures oil the bill are Bath, a Famous British Spa," "The Pathc Gazette," and "Charlie Throws tho Bull."' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. That absorbingly interesting serial, "Tho Million Dollar Mystery" continues to hold sway on the programmes at Everybody's Theatre. This week's ; progranime is headed by the 14th episode, which depicts in thrilling vein another attempt by. tho ''Black ■ Hundred" to relieve Florenoe of

her dollars.' A meeting of the "Black Hundred" is . shown, in - which ■' there are, in most earnest conclave, a little bunch of masted people, striving hard to appear the most desperate villains ever. A plot to hide counterfeit money in Florence's house is hatched, and with the hope that the house will be cleared out by the police the scheme is carried out. Jim Norton, however, stumbles across the plot, and afler replacing the .counterfeit money with the real, invokes the aid of the police. A pretence of arresting Florence and her household is made 'by the police, and the' house is thought by the scheming gang to be empty. They are, i however, rudely disturbed in their search for the dollars, and the conclusion of the picture shows the "Black Hundred" being •nost unceremoniously scattered by the police. The photography of the fourteenth episode is quite a feature,"and, as the mystery advances the interest becomes the more real. There is another excellent drama on the bill, entitled "The Guiding.Liglit."r■•■'■The humorous portion of the programme is headed by a fine and original comedy by the Kalem Company, entitled "Foiled." The comedy runs along more original lines, and must be 6een to-be appreciated. Other good films Switzerland in Ten Minutes" (a good- scenic), "Charlie Chaplin's Busted Romance" (carto.ons), and the "Gaumont Graphic." . ' ...—!■/ EMPRESS THEATRE. ' 1 A Vitngnaph special Broadway feature in three acta, starring/the clever and versatile Edith Story in "O'Garry of the Mounted," is tho chief attraction at the Empress Theatre this week. _ It tells the story of 'hvo'minors,, one of whom is given to ill-treating his wife. Situated far from civilisation tho woman (Marie) turns for sympathy to her husband's. partner, and jealousy between tho men brings about a quarrel. Tho partner (O'Garry) decides to go away and join the Mounted Police. Subsequently he finds' it his duty to arrest his old partner for murder, There lis a terrific struggle, and the constable 1 .is thrown over a precipice into a river. Marie endeavours to save him, but her husband cuts the rope. An Indian whom O'Garry had befriended comos to the rcscue and avenges the foul deed. The drama is staged amidst some very beautiful scenery in wild country. The supporting programme is a strong one, and it includes a two-reel Keystone, in which Sid. Chaplin takes the' leading part. "Through, Darkest Africa" - and "The Topical Gazette" complete the programme. GOOD-BYE TO -MURIEL STARR. ' The farewell season of Miss Muriel Starr will begin at the ? Grand Opera House on Monday next, and there is every indication that the season will bo a highly successful one. The opening piece will be "Bought and Paid For," a play dealing with problems of married life, which is said to give Miss Starr full opportunity of showing her ability. Miss Muriel Starr's strength as an emotional- actress finds much scope in tho part of Virginia Stafford, the'"bought and pnid for" wife. Her repellant feeling against'the drunken husband, her realisation of the power' of his taunt, her efforts to keep her selfrespect are all exceedingly well shown. Mr. Charles Millward as Stafford, the millionaire husband, is said to present a brilliant impersonation, being particularly strong in the drunken scenes. "Bought and Paid For" will be staged for five nights. On January 1 a deliglitful American comedy, "Nobody's Widow," will be 6taged. This will present Muriel Starr in a role different to any in which she has previously appeared. The part, too, is the longest 6he has handled. Nobody's Widow is regarded as one of the cleverest comedies ever written. Its characters are interesting, skilfully-drawn types; the dialogue witty and brilliant, and the situations of the most ingenious order. Added to this attractive featuro is the novelty of seeing . Muriel Starr in pure, unadulterated comedy. On the last three nights of the season will' bo presented on exciting drama of tlie. sccrct service, entitled "Under Cover.'.' 1 The box plans for tho twelve nights' season will be opened' at the Bristol'next Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. ; For Children's Hacking Cough at Night , Woodi' Great P'iDDermint Cure. Ib. 6d*.