ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2652, 24 December 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BOUGHT AND PAID FOR." On Monday night at tho Grand Opera House the theatre-going public will once again bo a/Horded tho opportunity of seeing Miss Muriel. Starr, whose fine performance as Mary Turner in "Within the Law"' a couple of years ago, will rot be forgotten. In "Bought and Pa .4 For," it is stated that there is even mii-a scope for her to display her talent. Australian critics were unanimous in proclaiming "Bought and Paid For" Miss Starr's greatest performance. In this piece the chief figure is Robert Staffo.'d, an American millionaire, who has strong characteristics, but these are greatly marred by his drinking propensities,"" which often result in inebriety. None of tho features are known to Virginia Blaino prior to their marriage, but when all too lato she discovers her husband is not the ideal sho expected. Sober, he is a perfect lovable man; drunk—and ho is often ' in that state—ho is inconsiderate, brutal, and even coarse. Miss Starr as Virginia Blaine, it is said, is throughout the exact portrait of the charming girl whom tho dramatist has imagined, and in the moments of her bitter tragedy rises .to the occasion in a wonderfully realistic manner. Mr. Millward, it is said, proves himself an actor of great natural force, with a handsome presence and intellectu.il qualities. As tho millionaire ho exhibits a, perfect mastery of the strength and wecknesa'of a splendid character. The second production on January 1 trill be the piquant Amerioan comedy. "Nobol/s Widow," which will be staged for £ou" nights. On January 6, 7, and 8, (he last threo nights of the season, ■K e seoU't service drama, "Under Cover" will bo presented. Tho box plans for the twelve nights' sei.son are now on view at iho Bristol, and the management announce that there are still good seats in centiiil positions in either the dress circle >,• reserved stalls available for the opetnig performance , HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. r A strong array of artists contribute, a' programme of high merit at His Majesty's Theatre, this week. The St. Leonard's, with their troupe of clever . French poodles, give a bright and original show, and laughter is the'order when Armstrong and .Howarth- occupy, the stage. Sterling and Loyp, Delavale and Gilbert, Cou Moreni, Decar, and Ford and Davis complete an entertaining programme. A promising bill- is to appear next week, including such artists as: Manuel Defra (equilibrist), Les Teoderw.ictz (Danish acrobats), Miss Amy Murphy (soprano),and a reappearance of Tozart, already well known. here. . T&E KING'S. Anthony Hope's thrilling 6tory of love and adventure, "The Prisoner of Zenda;" will be screened at the King's Theatre again to-night, and to-morrow (Christmas Day) there will be two screenings, in the afternoon at 2.30 and at night at 8 o'clock, permission having been granted to show "The Prisoner of Zenda" as well as- the Pathe Gazette, and the excellent scenic picture of Batli, England. Seats may be reserved during the holidays at the King's Theatre. RUPERT OF HENTZAU. Although Rudolf Rassendyll kept his promise and placed tho King of Ruritania back 011 the throne, the many ■ readers of Anthony Hope's romance, "Tlio Prisoner of. Zenda," hoped .that Rudolf and Flaira would meet again. How they did, .under trying and difficult circumstances, and how Rudolf saved the Queen's honour and ridded the world of a scoundrel, is told in the thrilling sequel. "Rupert of Hentzau," which the London Film Company have also adapted to the screen, retaining the same strong cast, including Harry Ainley and Jane Gail. This picture, which lays claim to being even better than "The Prisoner _ of Zenda," will be shown at the King's Theatre for the first' time on Monday night next, and should provo a popular holiday attraction. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Tracked.'by Secret Service," a thrilling, melodrama, and supporting subjects' will 1 hold the screen until Saturday night. On : Christmas. Day "The Million Dollar Mystery" will be retained on the prograipme, and in addition other special pictures. Monday (Boxing Day) at 10 a.m., will see the new which has. as its. star feature an exciting drama with an aero-: plane as its central. feature. , "The Borrowed Hydroplane" assists in the rescue ' of Florence Hargreayes from the hands of the "Black Hand" gang, who have taken her out to Sea while the scoundrels 'Overhaul her house in search of "some valuable securities." At a crucial moment assistance arrives, and the gang's endeavours are frustrated. This thrilling story is the 15th episode of "The Million Dollar I Mystery." The eminent film artists, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, it is said, are seen to great advantage in a charming comedy 1 of domesticity, "Their First Quarrel." A , well-known cinema actress, Ethel Clayton, ■ is the central character ' in the Lubin ! drama, "In Spite of .Him," a story of \ misunderstanding. "The Eighth Leave" gives glimpses of the last Reinforcements that left for the front. "For Love of I Mary Jane" is a comedy drama, and "The [ Gaumont. Graphic," with many good 1 scenes from the war zone, completes the 1 programme. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert.Bloy [ and Mr. F. Johnstone are associated in t the. orchestra, and special selections are s played to every picture screened. i THE EMPRESS. The current programme is headed by ■ the Vitngraph feature, "O'Garfy of the Mounted, and is meeting with excellent C patronage. Great laughter nightly greets ■ the antics of Syd. Chaplin in the Key- } stone two-reeler called "No One to Guide f Him." There will be a _ special ' pro- . gramme provided for screening on Christj mas Day. Tho head-liner is "The Cru- . saders," said to be a remarkably fine pro--1 duction dealing with the Holy Wars., The k film is in 3000 feet, and is from the Cines 1 studios. There are thousands of armour- , ed knights on their caparisoned chargers, " great temple scenes, Saracen armies, and 1 many huge and spectacular settings, re- • maricaVe for their realism and historical accuracy. There will be a suitable programme in a'jnport. The star feature for next Monday is "'The Evil Eye," described as a drama of love, hypnotism, and. mystery. The plot is said' to be .in many respects reminiscent of Du Mauriei-'s "Trilby." The film has .1 charming ro- : mance interwoven throughout many wellonacted scenes, leading to a satisfying - climax. The minor films will be suitably varied. WORLEY'S WILD AUSTRALIA. ; Worley's Wild Australia, in conjunction jj with Barton's New Circus was landed by 1 the Mokoia yesterday. Mr. Worley has i had many experiences in Australia catchl' ing or rounding up outlaw horses, and ho is reported to have gathered together some of the finest specimens of wild horses over seen in New Zealand, also a team of bucking ponies, mules, 1 and' donkeys, . to 6ay nothing of the wild, bullocks that aro ridden nightly in tlio arena. These J animals, it is stated, have never been . seen to better advautago than they will appear here on Boxing Day. Every one is stated to be in the' pink of condition, and quite capable of dfling all - that is advertised and expected of it. • A number of prizes are offered by the management for local riders to try their skill, and it is reported that several men have already handed in their names. Not only are tliore these outlaws, but a full and ' complete circus programme. The management havo decided to make thq -prices ; reasonable, so that everybody may havo I an opportunity of seeing the two big - shows in one. The first performance will 3 be given on Monday nfternopn at 2.30, and t continued every ovening. =====