ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2657, 31 December 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BOUGHT AND PAID FOE." To-night "Bought and Paid For" will bo played for the last time, in Wellington, and Miss Muriel Starr's greatest dramatic effort up to date will be left merely as a satisfying memory. "Bought and l'aid For," intonsely dramatic as it is, lias also tlio distinction, of being full of some most excellent comedy. Last night llobart Cavanaugh, who makes so much of the part of "Jimmy," was joiapd in the comedy scones by Jliss Gertrudo Boswell, who gave an excellent performance as Mrs. Jimmy, in place of Miss Dorothy Davies, indisposed. To-morrow evening "Nobody's Widow" will mark the second period of M.iss Starr's season. It is described as an.up-to-datq comedy, more nearly on tho lines of writers like Pinero than anything clso that has recently emanated from NewYork, and has recently been most successfully received in Melbourne and Sydney. ' Though tho situation in which the husband returns to his wife by stealing to her room like a thief in the night has been questioned in quarters where the jnero mention of a bedToom is deemed an impropriety, Miss Starr will appear as Koxana Clayton, a bright and independent American girl, Mr. Charles A. Mill-, ward as the Duke of Moreland, alias Mr. Clayton; Miss Nellie .Brantley will play Koxain's greatest friend, Betty Jackson, while the remainder of this excellent company will swell tho attractiveness of "Nobody's Widow". for the-three nights for which the piece is set down.

, His'MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ( Another crowded house at His Majesty's Theatre last-night furnished further i>roof of tho popularity of the new artists on the vaudeville circuit. This week's programme is undoubtedly one of the best ever presented by the management, and every turn last evening was enthusiastically received by the audience. Three of the items call for special mention, namely, those contributed by Les Teodorwicz, tho three Danish gymnasts; De Era, the wonderful equilibrist; and Misses Amy Jfurpby and Nellie Black, who are talented .musicians. There- will be the usual performance to-night, and to-morrow (A'er. - Year's Day)ithe company will perform at 2.30 p.m." and again at 8 p.m. ' THE KING'S. ."Rupert of Hentzau," the splendid nictiire by the London Film Company that is drawing crowded houses nightly at the King's TheatTe, will be shown to-night and to-morrow night, and also at the matinee to-morrow afternoon. The picture is one of the most interesting that has been presented for some > time, and .succeeds in holding the close attention of the audience to tlio last. , 'On Monday night next, a "Selig picture, ill five reels, entitled "The Carpet from Bagdad," is promised. This picture, which is ailapted from Harold Jt'Grath's strong novel of-the same name, is tbe. first of the big features by the new and powerful organisation known as the '"V.L.S. and E>.," the combination cf the Vilagraph',' Lubin, Selig, and Essanay companies. "The Carpet from Bagdad is described as a powerful and dramatic modern story in the ancient setting of the historical City of Bagdad, , presenting the splendour of tho Orient, great camel caravans, a'terrifio sand storm in the desert, as well ns a beautiful love story. Magnificent production, and striking realism are said to bo, important factors in its success. : EVERYBODY'S. The final screenings of Everybody's superior programme,'. which includes such star items as "The Borrowed Hydroplane," a.thrilling melodrama, being the fifteenth episode of that grand serial story, "The Million Dollar Mystery/' and also "Their First Quarrel," a comedy subject which features Mr, and Mrs. Sidney Drew, and "The Departure of the Eighth a local war topical, is f announced for Saturday (New lear's Night). On Monday a splendid week of-fun will bo commenced, when the gay and debonnair Max Linder will appear iii ono of his inimitable comedy roles.'-Max Linder was one of the first to.-,l>e called on to'fight for his beloved France', and .for a lone time patrons nere deprived of 'his exhilarating comedy work. During" his' furlough in Paris he acted for the Pathe Company in a laughable piece of fooling, "Max Was Lovesick." The picture is stated to bo excruciatingly. humorous. A splendid melodrama is Drawn Into Quicksands," the sixteenth episode of "The: Million Dollar Mystery."' Other gowl pictures are "Volendans," a town in Holland, and "The Gaumont Graphic," with eyeryTitng new in war news.; The music is still under the control of Mr. Herbert Bloy. ' ■ 'THE EMPRESS. , -.Hypnotic influence has often been used in film drama as a means to an evil end, but in none has it been so forcefully presented as in "Tho Evil Eye," the picture which has been attracting crowds to tho Empress all this week. It is a story, that presents many of tho elements of Du Maurier's famous creation "Trilby." The star parts are played by Robert Leonard and Jiiia Hall, and English critics have compared the acting of the former as Dr. Sevani with that of Sir Beerbohni Tree as Svcngali. Most telling use has been made of the camera man's skill throughout, and tho photographic quality is unusu- j ally good. . There is a pleasing list of supporting films, which include the latest Topical Budget, a farce-comedy by V'itagraph entitled "Spades aro Trumps," starring Billy Quirke. . A charming film trip through. Tural England is entitled

the "Dales of Derbyshire." 'J'hereis also the amusing tricTc comedy 'Peters iicuic." BARTON'S CIKCUS. Hie crowds still collect nightly Hie huge tent erected near Te Aro oration. Barton's Circus lias a reputation tor showing the public the best talent procurable, and this season Has collected a strong company of performers. I.ast night the tent was crowded. No doubt the contest between the two local horsemen who were to ride some of the notorious outlaws iuid n good (leal to do the exceptional rush at the gates. Jlr. Shirley, a local roughrider, gave a magnihcent display, ridiiig Rocky Ned, «nd he ™ proclaimed the winner of the contest. Mr. Shirley announced Hint bo would cnallonge .any local rider under any conditions. A very Rood display was made by Jfr. Walter Kickolly, who rode Belgium, another desperate outlaw, several attempts were made by others, who failed to stay in the saddle for more _ than a few seconds. There' are three challenge matches for to-night besides the full circus programme, so that a good show vs assured. There is also a matinee to-day, with special attractions for the little ones. The last few nights of the season tvre announced.