ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2653, 27 December 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. MURIEL STARR'S FAREWELL. This evening, under the J. C. Williameon management, Hiss Muriel Starr will begin a brief farewell season, prior to her departure for America, and will appear in "Bought and Paid For." There will also bo the same supporting company as participated in the successful Sydney and Melbourne productions, ilia Starr will bo best -remembered locally for her performance as Mary Turner in "Within the Lair." mid it is claimed that lier impersonation of Virginia Blaine, tho "bought and paid for" wife, excels this former triumph. Mr. Charles A. l Millward and Dorothy Davies will bo two newcomers of note, having Appeared in tho original New York production, in parts in which they likewise sustained Australia .with conspicuous success. The former portrays a drunken husband, and the latter tho sister to Virginia Blaiue, Miss Starr's celebrated impersonation. In addition to Miss Starr's appearance in drama, there will be an opportunity to see this accomplished actress in comedys for 01) the following Saturday - nigut "Nobody's Widow"''is to be staged, with Miss Starr and Mr. Millwanl in the leading roles. The play is from tho pen of Avery Hopwood, and was first staged at tho Hudson Theatre, New York, in November 1910, siuce when it has been running throughout America continuously. .It lias been described as one of tho most amusing comedies staged in America for years. For tile last three nights of the season "Under ' Cover" will ,1)8 presented. Other notable artists to appear during (lie season are:—Clarence Blakiston, H-obart Cavanaugli, Gertrude Boswell, Florence Heston, Frank H. Ha'rcourt, Borlha Gordon, David Bellbridgo, Shep Camp, Eardley Turner, G. K. Souper, George Bryant, and Sydney Stirling. Tho box plans for to-night and to-morrow night's performance will lie oh' view in the theatre vestibule from 9 a.m. to G p.m. to-day. Day sale tickets may be scoured at The-Grande Confectionery. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The holiday programme to be submitted at His Majesty's Theatre at the matinee to-day by the' Fuller Vaudeville Company is stated to contain many, features calculated to interest theatregoers. _ An acrobatic turn, said to 1)6 of a sensational character, ivill be submitted by Les Teoderwictz, a. trio of Danish gymnasts, in which the lady partner is reported to perform some astonishing feats. Another newcomer of some prominence is Manuel Defra, an equilibrist described as the "fearless wonder," ivho is said to perform extraordinary feats whilst elevated at a great height. A distinctly artistic turn will bo introduced by Miss Amy Murphy and Miss Nellie Black, soprano and violinist respectively, Who will contribute a number of vocal and instrumental numbers. T'ozart, a lightning speed impressionist painter and actor, will reappear as also will AVykehara and' Preston, farcical comedians. The programme will be completed with new items froAi Armstrong, and Howarth, Delavule and Gilbert, Con Morini, and Bellora, an Australian bird mimic, and will be given nightly during the week and at a matinee on New Year's Day. . '. THE KING'S. There will, bo a special holiday matinee at the King's Theatre this afternoon, when a ■ selected programme of good drauuis, coinpdies, and topical pictures will be shown. Children will bo admitted halfprice to all parts. RUPERT OF HEiNTZATJ. To-night's programme at tho King's Theatre should prove a strong holiday attraction. Tho star picture is the london Film Company's 5500 ft. feature, "Rupert of Hentzau," ivith Harry Ainley and jane Sail in the principal characters. The story follows the further adventures of Rudolf Rassondyll in Ruritania, some throe years after the events chronicled in "The Prisoner of Zenda," and leads through many, stirring,-incidents, in which the Queen's honour'"is" saved, but only by Rudolf again playing- the King, to a startling "and ih tensely dramatic filial. The picture is described by those who have seou it as a better picture than "The Prisoner of Zenda," and as being absolutely complete aDd distinct in itself. A •cleverly-arranged' Vitagraph ' comedy, entitled the "Story of a Glove," gives Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Frew, the eminent American comedians, a splendid opportunity, and tho latest Pathe Gazette, as well as a beautiful coloured scenic of an old Dutch town, complete the programme, which "will bo shown throughout tho week. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Tracked by the Secret Service," a sensational melodrama that forms the J Ith episode of "The Million "Dollar Mystery,"' attracted largo attendances at Everybody's Theatre during the week-end. To-day, from 10 a.m., the theatre will bo in holiday form, and a selection oi pictures suitable for the occasion will be screened. The star subject will bo a dramatic production in 2000 ft., "The Bon-ow-ed Hydroplane." It shows in scene upon scene of intense interest how defeat in tlicir various schemes only served to cpui the Black Hand Gang on to greater villainies. In this picture a hydroplane is made use of to adbuct Florence' Morton from her home, so that the gang can obtain possession of the securities. By a lucky accident the scoundrels aro checkmated, and Florence escapes the fate arranged. This the loth episode of "Tht Million Dollar' Mystery." A charming comedy, "Their First Quarrel," serves tc introduce the ivell-knoivn artists. Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew in laugahble characters. " Other good pictures are "Ir Spite of Him,'-' a study of misunderstandings; "The Eighths Leave," introducing scenes at the departure of the lasl Reinforcements; and tho Gaumont Graphic, with views from the war zone. Tin n-.nsio is capably conducted by Mr., Her bert Bloy, who has associated with hiir Mrs. Bloy and Mr. F. Johnstone. . THE EMPRESS. The new programme commencing at 10.3 1 a.m. to-day is headed by a four-par drama by the Ideal Co., entitled "Th< Evil Eye," described as a story of love hypnotism, and mystery. The picture i . in many respects somewhat similar to Di jfourier's Trilby, and critics have com pared tho work of Robert Hall in 'hi production with that of Sir Herbert Tre - us Svengali in "Trilby." Briefly told, tli story describes bow a clover doctor, wh was'at the same time a powerful hypnot ist, succeeds in saving a young girl's lif by an operation on the brain. Upon lie recovery it was noticed that though usu ally of 'a- sunny, happy nature, there vrer times when she seemed possessed of quee fancies, aiul she would behave in a .mys tiii-iotis manner. Later the hypnotis claims the girl as his wife, and- her fatlie objects. The father is found nnirderec and a knife is discovered in tho girV dressing case. It is found that tho dpcto is able" to direct, the young woman's ni Hons from a distance. Tho picture i en id to be unusually well enacted, an the finale is in pleasing circumstance.' There' is a wide selection of supportiu films.WORTHY'S WILD. AUSTRALIA jiNl BARTON'S CIRCUS. This afternoon Worley's WiTTI- Australi and Barton's Complete New Circus wil lie introduced tor the first time in We liuston. Mr. Worley, it is stated, h.n hail considerable experience in catchin ami handling outlaw horses, and is sai to have brought wilii him-a team of soni of the liveliest buckjumping horses eve been seen in New Zealand, including Liv Wire, an outlaw reported to have defie. all riders. A special feature ol' th huekjumping portion of the 'prograinm \\;ill be the competitions open to all rii ers, and trophies will be presented to 11: winners. Some of Australia's ehanvpio Imekjninping riders will also give exhib lions.of rough riding and rope manipula .ing. A. full circus programme will ah bo given, including the following acls:Tlic three Dentines, aerialisls; Slkiikl an Shand, comedy acrobats; Captain Tc M'Cloud, iMexiean cowboy ami cliampio sharpshooter; Miss Katie Monlgomer; equestrienne; "Alicia," lady juggler; M' Roy Barton, barcbauk rider; M< Aarons and Alyina, clowns; and II ) Tommy .lames, champion buckjumpii rider. Thoro will also bo Silver Kin the beautiful Hungarian pony, and i highly-trained horses, ponies, mules, ai donkeys. The company will appear ovei evening until further notice. JPopuli prices 'will b« charged, U., ;'s,, utut r served seats. 3s.