ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2669, 14 January 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

HTS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The excellence o£ the programme ntllis Majesty's Theatre this week is being rewarded by large attendances. New .possibilities in the way of slack and tiglit-vire walking are Tevealcd in the performance of Bollinger and Reynolds. The, singiiig of Miss Violet Trevenyon continues to 'be warmly applauded, and Miss Betty Bruce also contributes a number of vocal items in lighter vein. George Wheeler, described as n "tramp musician," extracts music from a variety of odds and puds. Miss Amy Murpliv and Miss Nellie Blaclc again make welcome contribution# to the musical portion of this week's programme, and Con Moroni's songs are heartily applauded. Tom Armstrong and Mails Hownrth appear in an enjoyable sketch. Hiss Alice Pierce continues her clever impersonations of slago celebrities, and Ward Lear and the Astelles complete a strong programme. THE KING'S. Tho last two nights of tlie London Film Company's masterpiece, "The Shulamite," aro announced. The picture bos been one of the most successful shown locally, but as the bookings in other centres must be adhered to, the film will be withdrawn after Saturday night. There will be a matinee on Saturday afternoon at 2.30 o'clock. Tho story, from' the opening in the Eastern palace amid scenes of barbaric splendour, showing the love of the aged King for the fair Shulamite, down to tlie final, scene iu the stricken home on a South African farm, is one of intense and striking realism, that holds the close attention throughout. The acting is "art that conceals art," and convinces with its strength and reality, whilst the production is truly aTtistic in every detail. Picture-lovers should not miss this fine film. The supporting films are also very good and varied in nature. A programme of an interesting nature, headed by Anita Stewart and Earle Williams, in 'The Awakening," is promised for next week, commencing Monday night. EVERYBODY'S. Seven superb studies are featured on this week's programme, embracing dramas, comedies, and topical pictures. Among the number may be mentioned "A Battie of AVits," a real startling melodrama wherein the villain receives his deserts, and the heroine emerges triumphantly from the ordeal of torture. Thi-j is the 17th episode .of "The Million Dollar Mystery," a serial drama that is attracting great interest wherever shown. "Salonika," the Grecian town, is featured in a number of interesting views, and a splendid comedy, "The Jink on. Jenks," is responsible. for much laughter. This interesting bill finishes on Saturday night. Monday at noon will see the commencement of a week of adventure when Thanhouser's star drama will be the special attraction. Most thrilling in its action, "Trapped' by the names," has every scene packed with exciting' incidents. A masked ball' is one of the spectacular scenes, and during its progress the abduction of the heroine is attempted. The schemers aro foiled, and in their rage they blow up the dancing hall and the hero has to fight for his life in rescuing the girl ho loves. Thus the IStli episode of "The Million Dollar Mystery" is introduced. "In the Heart of Egypt" shows views around where the New Zealnndera are stationed. "The Honeymoon Pact" is a screaming comedy of a newly wed misunderstanding. "Tho Gaumont Graphic" with the latest views, "Love's Way," a Yitagraph, -and "Never Again," comedy, complete a magnificent programme. ,

THE EMPRESS. The leading attraction at the Empress this week is "The Strange Case of Sylvia Gray," a Vitagraph drama, excellently staged and actcd. It pictures a woman's infatuation, a.man's villainy, ijnd retribution in a. powerfully dramatic climax. The programme is especially strong in the comedy element and the latest "Gaumout Graphic" illustrates interesting incidents recorded in the newspapers and scenes on the French front.

MAX WIRTH IN AMERICA. Writing in the Los Angeles "Record" of September 17, 1912, Estello Lawtori Lindsay, authoress, says: "May Wirth is the latest woman to do things that the world had solemnly declared no womah could do. May is the star equestrienne in the Barnum and Bailey Circus. She is IS and pretty. She is built like a brick wall, and she draws a salary that must give the opponents of woman's independence a pain when they think of it." The writer describes how she interviewed Miss May in the dressing tent of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, when she was getting ready for her act, and says: "Turning suddenly to avoid a tornado of dogs I lost my balance and caught at her to steady myself. Her flesh was like iron under silk. My face must have betrayed my astonishment, for the girl said carelessly: 'That is what my profession does, gives health and strength. I began riding when I was seven. Now I can do things no woman ever did beforo in the history of the circus business, and some things that only three or Kyii'men can do. For instance, I do somersault on the back of a running' horse. No woman ever did that before, and vesy' few men. Since I camo to America from Australia I have learned «. more difficult feat still. In circus parlance it is called the "back across." Now and again one likes to improve, you see. This act consists of turning a somersault from tlie front of one running horse to the hindquarters of another in the rear. Don't tell me women cannot do anything they wish, and that they will work to do.'" Wirth's Circus opens in Wellington on' Monday, January 17.