ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2699, 19 February 1916, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

•''BOY BLUE" PANTOMIME. The pantomime "Boy Blue" is to occupy tiio boards of tho Grand Opera House to-night. The Melbourne "Argus," speaking of the performance, says:—"The production was a distinct success. ... The principals did exceedingly well—sufficiently well, in fact, to challenge comparison with those who have filled similar roles in other productions of Ihc kind. . . . The libretto is interesting, the topical allusions are above the average, and the musical contributions are . most acceptable. The success of the evening vas achieved by Mr. James Gerald as the iaiiie. All the time ho was on the stage e had the audience laughing, and he in- . identally contributed so.ue very clever jrobatic feats." The "Age," of March • i, 1915, says: "Marked success attended I'.e production. . . . Appreciation was S ;own by the large audience; and there is s. ery indication that the piece will have a successful Tun. The numbers arc tuaeftl and catchy, topical jokes are abundantly east round, and the quips and jests have the virtue of freshness. As "Boy Blue," Miss Essie Jennings looked and acted well, and made love in a charming manner to Little Red Riding Hood; daintily played by Miss Rosie Coleman. Mr. Will Rayner (Old King Cole) made a decided hit in his singing of tho variouis national anthems, while Mr. James Gerald jested merrily and* often." Important features aro tho speciality turns by Rubee Raymond, toe and serpentine dancer; Will Speed, tramp cyclist; and the ,]?redp Bros., musical comcdy acrobats. As 'announced in our advertising '■ columns, the prices are well withiu t'he reach of all, and those who desire a good seat aro advised to book at the Bristol at once as the plan is rapidly filling. After midday seats may bo reserved and early-door tickets procured at the Opera House. HIS MAJESTY'S. • Mies Daisy Jerome, the talented and merry English artist, is still a booming attraction at His Majesty's Theatre. Her bright personality and catchy soiigs never fail to please, and judging by tho applause 6he receives her popularity is ..assured. Mr. Lawrence Johnstone (ventriloquist), Mandel and Nagel (musicians), and Armitage and Hine (musical comedy purveyors) contribute excellent turns to the first half of the programme, whilo the Bletsoe Revue Company liberally provide mirth during the second half. There will be a matinee this afternoon.

.. DAISY JEROME COMPETITIONS. At His Majesty's Theatre 011 Monday evening next Miss Daisy Jerome will inaugurate a series oi competitions, in which she hopes to discover some good local talent. Competitors are invited to x sing one verse and two choruses of Miss Jerome's songs, the items to be rendered in their own style, it not being necessary to iinpersonate'jliss Jerome. Three prizes will be awarded: First, £i 35.; second, £2 25.; third, £1 Is'. The competition will be taken in heats, the winners of tho nightly competitions to take part in the final on Friday, February 25. THE KING'S THEATRE. Mary Pickford as "Rags," the big picture at.the King's Theatre, which has been one of the most successful~iilu!s ever 6hown in Wellington, will be screened at tho matinee this afternoon, at .2.30, and for the last time to-nighf at 8. Many who have been unable to gain admission at night will no doubt take advantage of the matinee this afternoon. Attention is drawn to the booking arrangements for tb-day. The plan of reserved seats will bo on view at the Bristol. Piano Co. till

noon, and then at the King's Theatre till seven o'clock, after which hour <no 6eats srill be booked.

"CHILDREN OF EYE." < i A star picture of unusual treatment and subject will be' screened at the King's Theatre for the first time on Monday night.' This- is an "Edison" photo-play, entitled "Children of Eve," and is described as a powerful and,intense drama, ' with a strong plot and a beautiful love story. At the same time it champions ; the cause of the thousands of children ■whose labour is exploited in 6hops and factories, with a gripping truthfulness. A remarkable j)iece"of realism is introduced when the big canning factory is burned to the ground. It is claimed to be'tlie biggest effort of this kind that has been screened. Viola Dana, who will be remembered as the heroine in "The Stoning," is featured in this film. A good supporting programme has been selected. EVERYBODY'S. "The Governor's Lady," a fine filmic production of the Famous Players' Company, keeps the interest high at Everyoody's Theatre this week. Adapted from Belasco's play, it is a particularly wellproduoed drama, and with its elaborate setting and fine acting it is decidedly well worth seeing., "War in the Air" is a specially interesting film, while special 'interest abounds in the Gaumont Graphic. Comedy is well represented in "Cartoon on a Yacht."

"THE DERBY WINNER." Monday heralds the screening of the London Film Company's picturisation of the famous military and sporting drama, Drury Lane's" big sucoess, "The Derby Winner," 'which was such a boom, when Bland Holt's Dramatic Co. played it through "the Dominion twenty years ago. The play has a military strain running right through its various scenes; the Dlot hinges on tho fortunes of Lord and Lady Desborough. The production has a spe-

cial interest to the Dominion as Miss Eva Balfour, who is well known in this country, has the principal part in "The Derby Winner." Jiiss Eva Balfour went Homo to try her fortuno''- on the legitimate stage, and after various ups and downs in the provincial towns, slio achieved success and beoaino a star in leading London theatres. The London Film Co., recognising her "worth, engaged hor for this production, and critics pronounce her as equal to the best actress that has, ever essayed the difficult part of Lady Muriel. 'Tho play is brimful of incidents which rivet tho close attention of the audience, and the culminating sensation is a realistic representation of historic Ascot, which shows Lord Desborough's horse Clifstone, winning tho English Derby, and restores the fortunes of the Desborough family. An innovation at this popular houso is a free afternoon tea, from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is free to all dret=s circle patrons. The prices of admission have undergone au alteration, the stalls during the day session 'is now 3d., dress circle 6d., and usual prices reign during the night session.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The attraction at the Empress Theatre this week is a five-reel drama by tho Selig Company entitled "Tho Millionaire Baby." The picture, besides being of special heart interest, displays excellent photography, and is most elaborately produced. An' excellent comedy, featuring Lilian Walker and Billy Quirk, also is a feature of the programme, while tho Topical Gazette is of especial interest. The free cup of. tea sehome lately inaugurated by tho management appears to bo meeting with high favour. The main featureoh tho bill for the coming week is a London Film Company's production, in three reels, entitled, "The King's Outcast." It tells the story of a oaptain in the array, who is a professional card-sharper. His attempts to rob two brothers of their fortune lead up to many thrilling and well-acted incidents, which form an excellent melodrama of a not too sensational nature. There is a charming love interest in the plot, and tho picturo is of high quality throughout._ As a second star, there will .be a Vitagraph comedy, in two reels, entitled "Pat Hof;an, Deoeased." Hughio Mack, as the Irishman who comes back'to lifo and finds his "widow" (Flora Finch) about to marry the false friend who had reported him dead, is said to be as humorous as could be wished for. Thero will also be a new Gazette.

BRITANNIA AND PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A programme of liberal length and high quality is now showing at the Britannia and at the .People's Picture Palace, in Manners Street. "After Dark,' produced by the World Corporation Film Company, and adapted from Dion Boucicault's works, heads the bill, while "The Black Box," a fine drama from Phillip Oppenheim's pen, "Gold is Not All" (drama), "Vendetta in a Hospital," and "Nipper's Busy Day" (comedies), and the "World's Gazette" are all well worth seeing.