ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2656, 30 December 1915, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BOUGHT AND PAID FOE." Miss Muriel Starr should carry away pleasant memories of her farewell season in Wellington, for her initial success in the opening play, "Bought and Paid For," is iv happy augury for the remainder ol her visit. ."Bought and I'aid For" is a strong drama of varying- moods, and requires the treatment that only an actress ol tho front rank can give. The interesting play is capitally interpreted by tiio entire company, Miss Starr, Mr. Charles A. Mill ward (an English actor of distinction), together with lliss Dorothy Davies and Mr. llobart Cavanaugh, especially carrying conviction in fine manner to the author's intentions. "Bought and Paid For" will be played for two more nights only, and then on Saturday "Nobody's Widow," described as the most fascinating of all widows, will reveal Miss Starr in a comedy role, with which she has recently been entertaining the public in Australia. "Nobody's Widow" deals with s rather smart set. in New York society, but is one of the lighter, pieces that aims at a higher standard than tho plays that have recently been turned out of the American pl'aywriters' mill. "Nobody's Widow" will bo played for three nights only, the last four of the season being devoted to "Under Cover."

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A splendid holiday programme is offered by the Fuller management at His Majesty's Theatre. Vocally, the act submitted by Miss Amy Murphy and Miss Nellie Black is the best ,that has been heard at His Majesty's Theatre since it was built. Regular patrons at His Majesty's know only too well how rare really good voices with an artistic backing are; that is what makes the vocalism of Misses/ Murphy and Black, individually and in harmonv. such a-rich treat. A star turn in acrobatics is that performed .by the three Teodorwicz, whoso skill and daring are genuinely wonder-compelling. . ')ther good acts are submitted by Wykeham and Preston. De Fru, Con . Moreni. Ward Lear, Tozart, Armstrong and Howarth, Delavalc and Gilbert, and Bellona, Mr. Frank Crowther's orchestra helfis the ehow, along considerably.

THE KING'S. The story of "Rupert of Hentzau" and his attempt to overthrow the happiness and peace of a queen, and of his own defeat and death at the hands of Rudolf Rasscndyll,. is powerfully told in the picture by the London Film Company, now being shown at the King's Theatre/ Hearty, applause greets this picture nightly, the interest. being /intense, and holding the close attention to the last. The production and acting is of a very high order, the work' of Harry Ainley in the dual diameters of the King and Rudolf, and of Jane Gail, being especially worthy o? mention. The other pictures on the prt> gramma are also excellent, and the King's Orchestra provides a splendid musical accompaniment to the pictures. A matinee of "Rupert of Hentzau" will be given 011 Saturday (New Year's Bay), at '-.30.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The fifteenth episode in "The Million Dollar Mystory, entitled "The Borrowed Hydroplane," is now being screened at Everybody's Theatre, where large attendances anxiously follow' the fortunes of the girl whose adventures have been shown to thousands of picture patrons, all over the world. On tho present: occasion she is being speeded away from'her 'friends, in a racing motor-launch, from which she escapcs by diving into the sea, when she is picked up by a friend, who happens to be about, on a hydroplane Other good pictures at this theatre are: "Their First Quarrel," "In Spito of Him," "Eor Love of Mary Ellen, and eomc good snapshots of the departure of the Eighth Reinforcements.

EMPRESS THEATRE.

The star feature at the Empress Theatre Is "The Evil Eye," an excellent draiha, dealing with the power of hypnotio suggestion. It tells the story of a crime committed under mesmeric influence, and of the way in,which the truth was unravelled. Dr. - Sivani, a clever surgeon and powerful hypnotist, successfully operates upon the brain of a young girl. Later the doctor claims her as his wife, but is repulsed. It- is found that he is able to control her actions by hypnotism, even from a distance, and there ensues a battle of wills between the young lady's father and the doctoiM;he power of paternal love versus the power of evil. The story is powerfully acted; and there are many tense scones leading up to the end, which is pleasingly protnral. The supporting items include: "Spades are Trumps," a Vitagraph'farce; a charming trip through rural England; and An excellent "Tojiicnl Budget." BARTON'S CIRCUS. Barton's Circus, in which is incorporated Worley's Wild Australia, continues to attract good audiences, to the big cat vas house on : the Te Aro Reclamation. Those interested in skilful horsemanship, who find interest in the wickedness of incorrigible buckjumpers, will find that the circus satisfies all reasonable 'demands. There were some special riding displays last niglit, and to-night two local riders Jack Shirley and W. Webb, will meet iv a competition. There are also a team c clever acrobats, and a couple of good clowns to keep the fun going. A special matinee will be given this afternoon.