ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2708, 1 March 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"OLD MOTHER HUBBARD." Another 1 big audience attended the Opera-House last evening to be amused by the Stanley M'Kay Company in its pantomime, "Old Mother Hubbard." Miss Es6ie Jennings, as principal boy, soon makes friends with the "house," while the other, members of the company seem to revel in the fun-making. Thu music is of the catchy order, and a feature are the turns of the Fredos (musical acrobats), Will Speedy (a trick cyclist), and Jlr. Tim 0 Carrol (a dancer). The last nights of the pantomime should continue to draw good crowds. HIS, MAJESTY'S THEATRE, - • Humour of the clean, bright order is abundant in the new: programme at His Majesty's Theatre this week. A "bumper house" was again present last night, ami it was' evident that the fare, provided was of the rijght kind. Mr. Fred M'Guire sang several good songs, including "Sergeant of the Line," "Follow Me IHome," and ".Eileen Alannah." Some clever mimicry is done by Miss Lydia Came. Other good turns are. supplied by Miss Hilda Felsted, Belle and Betty, the Neapolitans, Miss Alice Pierce, and ethers.' ; . THE KING'S THEATRE. . A charming love story, with scenes of wild adventure, daring risks, bloodshed, and villainy as a background, make "The Rose of the Rancho," the Belasco drama at the King's Theatre this week, a picture that will be remembered. , An excellent scenic study of one of the Italian beauty spots, "Rieti," is also shown, while in lighter vein is a clever comedy, "His Fairy .Godmother," and. the "Pathe'Gazette" complete the programme. Excellent music is provided by the King's Orchestra,. a fine cornet solo, "The Perfect Day," being heartily applauded. . *• EVERYBODY'S. ' "The Only San," a Famous Players' production, heads the bill at Everybody's s'heatre this. week. The picture depicts a series .of strong scenes, while' the acting is virile and well up to the standard of the Players' Company. A.'-feature also of the programme is a comedy enacted by the inimitable Charles Chaplin. He. dieplays in this picture some quite new gestures, and. judging by ' the hilarity ho arouses he still ..retains his popularity. The Gaumont Graphic is full of scenes of topical interest. THE EMPRESS. : . . The star attraction at the Empress Tboatre this week is the comedy-romance, "Gretna Green," a production of the Famous Players. Co. The picture features Miss Marguerite Clark, who seems to bo very well suited in the delightful old English play. Through the humour of it all there runs a strong vein of drama, which lends a real heart interest to the film. ■A good supporting item ia "The Heart of Jim Brice," which features Maurice and little Helen Costello. There are other good pictures also. WILLARD-JOHNSON FIGHT' FILM. A private view of the big fight film tfhiclJ is to be shown at the Town Hall on Saturday. night was given at the People's Picture Palace yesterday' morning, The contest which, the film depicts iwas fought by Jess 'Willard and Jack Johnson for ' the ' heavy-weight boxing championship of the world and a stake of JIO.OOO. 1 Johnson -was knocked out in the twenty-sixth ' round •by the white' giant; the fine boxing and heavy - punish- ' ment inflicted during the fight are clearly photographed., First, the audience was introduced to a number of sporting: Rotables of America, and shown tho scene of the contest, which was in Havana, Cuba. Then the two athletes were depicted in the courso of training, some amusing incidents being introduced, as when Johnson, after surreptitiously signalling to the driver of a road-roller,, apparently pushed tile monster machine along the road. In these scenes the black appeared to have put on flesh since the time; when he fought Corbett. Willard looked lean and hard.. But when they faced one another in the ring, both looked fit, though the white man overtopped.'the black by inches. At the beginning Willard didnot show to special advantage: Johnson fwnpexceedingly willing, . As ,tlie : ..fight proceeded, ''however, "Willar'cl made- tho fighting until ihe twentieth round. Then Johnson,, realising no doubt that he was bsing worn.down, indulged in furious onslaughts; -.-which, however, did-not-appear: to disturb Willard's composure.' The 'knock-cut blow in the twenty-sixth round .was conclusive, and Johnson was counted out. A_ little dramatic touch added When Willard v;as escorted by Cuban soldiers from tho ring and grounds. The picture is to be shpwn, for one night only, ■under the patronage of the: Wellington Boxing Association. ' .ORGAN. RECITAL TO-NIGHT. Owing to the Town Hall being engaged for 60 many Saturday evenings lately, the City Organist has decided to give a recital this (Wednesday) evening.. The programme is an attractive one, , composed of the following works: Overture, "Coriolan" (Beethoven)'; Prelude from "La D/imoieello Elue," Le Petit Berber (the Little Shepherd); Prelude from L'Enfant Prodigue (Debussy); Air, Gavotte (Wesley); Harmonies du Soir (Karg-Elert); Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Dorian) (Bach); and works by Couperin, Martini, and Cesar Franck.