ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2701, 22 February 1916, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

"LITTLE BOY BLUE." Another good audience was present at the Grand Opera House last evening to witness the performance of the pantomime, "Little Boy Blue," by the Stanley M'Kfiy Pantomime Company. 'I'fic bright catchy music, with its prodigality of ragtime, the fine singing, pretty dances, and delightful scenery, provided an enjoyable entertainment. As the Dame, Mr. Jame.i Gerard again had the house roaring With laughter. The fine tenor voice of Mr. Will Rayner was heard to advantage In several well-selected songs. The principal boy, Miss Essie Jennings, and the prin. cipul girl, Miss Rosie Coleman, dealt liberally with the audience. The Fredo Bro-

thers, the wonderful acrobats who play a variety of instruments in extraordinary positions, -earned considerable applause for their very clever turn, ns (lid tho trick cyclist, Will Speed. The company is small, but each member 1 as something jjood to give, and gives liberally. A mnt, mee performance of tho pantomime will lie given on Saturday for schools and families.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The Bletsoe Rovue Company entered aipun its fourth week at His Majesty's Theatre last evening iu a frivol entitled "Palmistry Up to Date." This is as ludicrously nonsensical as any revue ne'jd be to catch the laughter of the easily amused. The scene is the apartment of a pseudo palmist and spirit conjuror, which is visited by a motley lot of clients beni on knowing their future, a.ud who unite iu making things as merry as au unlicensed cabaret. Finally the police raid the place, only to find everyone singing a hymn in the manner fostered by the Salvation Army. The chief fun-raisers are Albert Bletsoe, who bccomes an employee of tho establishment, and Roy llene, as Solomon Sixpence. Tile two make good fun in "The Irish and the Jews," and R-ay Rene -was a success in the song "Sadie Salome," which is accom pariied by some graceful daucing by Jliss Freda Hellston, Miss Carrie Franks, as Fid, exhibited her irrepressible vitality in "What a Fool I'd Be," and JliM Mauu Bletsoe, a t'astelui dredser, crooned "Chinatown" pleasantly enough. A sprightly ballet contributed materially to many of th» numbers. In the second half the volatile llaisy Jerome sang "Walk, Walk','" "The Press, the Pulpit, and the Petticoat" (her best effort), "The Moving Picture Show," and "Pull for tho Shore." Thereafter she conducted a singing contest of her own tongs, in which six little girls competed, the audience judging them by means of the volume of applause. The winner turned up in Misa Irene Marsh, who was quite at home on tile stage aa far as gesture ajid pose were concerned. Another little girl exhibited a mezzo voice of remarkably good quaU ity, and was awarded Unrd place. Vocally she was easily first. The contest will be continued nightly until Friday, when ail the winners will compete against ona unotner. A newcomer, attired irum head to foot in brilliant green, who boasts Vhu cognomen of Paris Green, showed a nico, capacily for smart patter, sang "Tho Change Since Father's Bay," with illustrations, and recited "Dangerous Dau M'Cjrue," a tale- of the Yukon, by the Canadian Kipling. Laveen and Cross, u couple of wen-developed strong men, gave an exhibition ol' higher acrobatics and hind-balancing, with a vein of travesty running through the act which caused considerable merriment. Los Legarte, billed as French comedy acrobats, wade no pretence to bo funny, but were distinctly clean and graceful in their balancing feats. The lady performer also boasts amazing dental strength, ana sHowa it by doing a butterfly skirt dancu whilst suspended in mid-air by her teeth. Her wnsenl&r farmer is also strong jawed, and swung .the'lady round horizontally by means of a short strap, the ends of which were held in their, teeth. v

THE KING'S THEATRE. Viola Daaa, who created suoli a remarkably good impression in "The Stoning" at the king's Theatre some weeks buck, is the leading lady in the feature film at the same theatre this week. The production is an Edison star drama, under the title of "Children of Eve," and deals with the dreadful conditions -which arise in lar«e cities when the employment ■of chiTd labour is not restricted by stringent leal measures. The subject has always proved u difficult one for Governments, and it was certainly not without its difficulties tor the Edison Picture Company. Still it must bo said that the idea has been developed on interesting lines, and the ulm vividly portrays the different phases of modern slum life. Jliss Dana, us Alainie, was not allotted an easy task, but showed a keen appreciation of the nobler side of the character, and all who view lier work on the screen will surely learn to love the .notorious East-sido girl, who jumped at the chance to do good, and earned a crown of martyrdom in the burden of social work aha so willingly took upon her shoulders. The story has a decidedly dramatio ending, the former persecutor of hapless children resolving to spend the evening of life in an effort to right the wrongs of his victims and others of their kind. Three other films support the feature drama. The "Pathe Gazette" gives the latest topical views' in picture form, while "The Movements of Animals" is a Pathe picture of educational interest. "Cutey as Fortune Hunter" is a Vitagraph comedy with Walie Van as the chief purveyor of mirth.

EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. The star picture in the new bill at Everybody's Theatre, in. Manners Street 19 "J he Derby Winner." The film is a pietuicisation of the sporting and military drama of the same title, which had a very successful run at Drury Lam> and a great run in New Zealand many years ago, when the Bland Holt Com. pany played it here. It is, of course a most interesting play, and is of a type usually highly acceptable to New Zealand audiences. There are some realistic representations of Ascot, and the great raw the Derby, i s shown in progress. lhe hnish of the'.race is highly exciting, the more so because the fortune of Lord Desborough is at stake. Fortunately for Deaborough liis horse wins, and the fortunes of the house are restored. The leading part (that of Lady Muriel) i 3 taken by Mi&s Eva Balfour, well known in the Dominion. There are, also, supporting pictures from the "Gau'iTont Graphic" which strengthen the prolamine. Afternoon tea is served at the theatre free. The prices (patrons might note from the advertisement) have been revised. EMPRESS THEATBE. At the various sessions at tho Empress Theatre yesterday there were big crowds to witness tho screening of tho new series of films. The bill is headed by tile London Film Company's drama, "The King's Outcast," the story of a professional card-sharper, who played for big stakes and had to acknowledge defeat. It i 9 a rousing melodrama of the better kind, and there is a charming love illterost in th» plot. A capable cast adds to the quality of the production, which is a further capital advertisement for tho All-British film Ann, which has recently been sending such high-clasa photo-plays to this Dominion. The lighter sride of the piogramme is attended to by tho Vitagraph Company, whos<-, contribution is n two-reel comedy, "Pat Hoean, Deceased." In this number Miss Flora Finch Miss Kate Price, and Hughie Mack bring all tlielr forces to bear to create a riot of fun. Hogan is missing from a fishingboat, but he Tetnrns home unexpectedly and finds his wife about to marry the false friend, who had led her to believe that she was a widow. Many humorous situations occur during the telling of the story, and the finale is exceedingly laugh. aW». There is also a Gazette with "recent events of tonical interest, and. with the additional attraction of delightful orchestral music, the entertainment leaves little to bo desired. The system of serving afternoon tea to dress circle patron. l ) at tho day sessions is becoming increasingly popular.