ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2654, 28 December 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's 'i'heatro was packed last evening by a holiday nudionco bent on finishing off tin; day in true holiday fashion. An oxcellent vaudeville bill was provided, and the big audience appreciated U immensely. Among tho most striking of tho turns 011 the programme was that uf Les Tcodorwicz, trio of wonderful Danish acrcvats, skill, strength, and daring is certainly astonishing. The trio consists of a woman and two men. The woman's endurance Is very remarkable. She is a capable performer all round, hut for tho most part she takes up a position aloft, and, hanging by tho knees, head downward, holds tho things oil which the man gymnast docs his tricks. The gymnast has an extensive repertoire, and his strength i s us impressive as his skill. The third parly is the inevitable clown, whose chief eifort is 111 the- tail of the turn, when lie balances himself head downward 011 a pole while tile other nian holds it on his chin. A high-class performance is given by Misses Amy Murphy and Nellie Black, well known to concert-goers as talented Tocalists and musicians. Miss Murphy's singing jjf Gounod's "Are Maria" is a rare treat.' Ward Lear, a fine entertainer, gives an excellent turn; Wykeham and Preston (very acceptable artists) reappear; Bellora, a master mimic, brings the aviary of the world 011 to the stage; Armstrong and Howarth render now "songs; Tozart excels himself' with his painting of his "Little Grey Home in the West"; Con Morcuv entertains brightly; and Dclcvale and Gilbert provide laughable absurdities. Also 011 the bill is Manuel de Era, equilibrist of note, wh6 comes with a wide reputation.

THE KING'S THEATRE. A "bumper" house was the order at tlie King's /Theatre last evening, when heralding in tho new week's programme there was screened "Eup.erfc of Hentzau," .a sequel to-that fine picture "The Prisoner of Zcnda," shown last week. Those who saw last week's film should make an eifort to witness the sequel, a film equally as good, if not better. "Rupert of llentzau" carries 011 the story at the point where the weak King Rudolf is restored from the prison to his throne by tlie help of an English soldier of fortune, one Rasscndyll. The King grows jealous at his wife's friendliness with his deliverer. A copy of a letter from her to him comes into the .King's hands, and Rassemlyll's efforts to rescue the stolen' letter lead to most thrilling episodes. The original letter is in the hands of Rupert of Hentzau, a party to the Black Michael conspiracy, and he seeks to "make good" 'with the King by delivering unto him the letter at a quiet place in the woods, l'as- ■ sendyll interferes, however, and in a general altercation the King is shot by Rupert. Rupert, however, meets his death at tho hands of liassoiuiyll, and the letter is rescued. Just when tilings are comin;] •his way, however, Rasiendjil is killed by one of Rupert of Hentzau's spies, and the Queen I'lavia i,s left to mourn the loss of her lover and rule her people alone. The photography of the picture is unquestionably excellent, and the interest is very well maintained. Other good pictures are the "Pathe Gazette." "The Story of a Glove" (an original comic) ( and a scenic, "A Pretty Dutch Town." Excellent music is supplied by the King's Orchestra. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The new programme of pictures at Everybody's Theatre inaugurated yesterday proved to bo very successful, and for the forthcoming week should be a good drawing medium. Another episode in "The Million Dollar Mystery" is shown, and with it is given a further Insight into the machinations of the "Black Rand Gang." In this instalment tho heroino is once more in the clutches of the villains, only to be dramatically rescued, motor cars, racing 'motor boats, and a hydroplane being requisitioned and used in a manner that provides the audience with an unstinted fare of .enjoyment. and excitement. A film that will provo very attractive shows the march of the Eighth Reinforcements through the streets of Wellington and their embarkation 011 tho troopships at the King's Wharf, and their subsequent march through tho streets of Christchurch and the review in Cranmer Square. There is a great deal of local interest in this fine film by Teason of the fact that so many of tho officers and men can bo recognised as the picture is reeled off. The main features in the programme are ably supported by other pictures of a more or less humorous nature, and during this, week the patrons of "Everybody's" can be assured of an entertainment at once profitable and enjoyable. The domestic comedies, "Their First Quarrel," and "In Spite of Him," are features in themselves, whilst the quaintly humorous "For the Love of Mary Elio])'' must be regarded as an essentiallv typical Christmas story of the "Tom Cratchit" order. EMPRESS THEATRE. Holiday crowds filled the Empress Theatre, Willis Street, all day yesterday, and at times during the evening sessions many had to be turned away. 'The change of programme is one of the best presented by the management for some weeks. Tliero are pictures to satisfy all tastes. The star attraction is entitled "Tho Evil Eye," and it is a fine dramatic study dealing with love, hypnotism, and mystery. In many respects the picture resembles Du Manner's "Trilby," and the work of Robert Hall in "The Evil Eye" can be compared very favourably with that of Sir Herbert Tree as Svengali' in "Trilby"' The, story concerns a c-lever doctor, who at the same time was a powerful hypnotist, and he succeeded in saving a young girl's life by a skilful operation on the brain. 011 recovery the patient at . times seemed possessed of queer fancies, and she would behave in a mysterious manner, although prior to tho operation she was usually of a sunny, happy nature. Subsequently the doctor claimed the girl as his wife, to which her father objected. The latter was murdered, and a knife was discovered in the girl's dressing-case. Subsequent inquiries showed that the doctor had the power of directing the girl's actions from a distance, and many thrilling incidents follow, during the course of which the aoting of the principals is exceptionally good. The play has a happy ending, and the closing scenes arc of great beauty, and have to bo seen to bo appreciated. This week's supporting programme is also strong, containing'pictures of great variety.