ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2743, 11 April 1916, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

,HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre was packed to the'doors last evening, when tho management presented one 01 tho strongest bills boon hero for somo time. Several new urtistw first appearances, notably Dulco Jililuer and George Storey. This pair are comedy entertainers, ami last evening they presented an act lull of tho brightest vaudeville. They entertained with dancing, _ song, ami story. The lady Ims a pleasing voice, while her partner is one of tho best fun-makers seen in' Wellington. The duo kept the houso in roars' of laughter, and their jokes are new and clean. O'Connell and Austin, comedy .trick cyclists, presented a capital turn. They perform tricks on bicycles, which ono usually sees performed on horseback ,at a circus. Nothing seems a trouble to them,' and the malo member docs some excellent comedy ivork on a" single wheel. One of tho best turns of tho evening was siyjjplied by the Paul, aotos. They are described as "The Threo Live Waiters.". Dressed according to their title, they perform all manner of acrobatic tricks, and their foolery was much appreciated. . Charles and Anna Glocker gave a clever exhibition of jug--gling with buckets of vrator. They did tricks'which one is accustomed to soe done with Indian clubs, and they did them well. The De Bakers, in, a series of statue poses, gave 'of their best. Somo of tlia 'studies vwere beautiful. Grace and refinement''is the keynote of their act. Mr. Alf;,,Holt appeared'again last evening, and was well reccived-for his mimic entertainment. Tho Harrison-Stuart Duo sang and danced, while the Mullaney Twins kept the house amused with their patter. May and June, who appeared here last week, executed several dances of a graceful anil pleasing nature, and Eddie Burns, light' comedian: and wooden shoo dancer, appeared- to bo at the top of his form. The same programme will' bo submitted nightly throughout tho week, and a matinee will be held at 2.30 p.m. on Satur day. •..■,. ■> '

• THE ICING'S THEATRE; - A varied and excellent programme with muck in it that is refreshingly topical .vas • screened for the first time at the King's Theatre last evening. In tins turbulent time of war and wondrous happenings, little has come'to'w in inpvingpicturo form that really portrayed the war machine in motion. "Iriend and l ? oe on the High Seas"' is a. film t.mt i'ivcs ouo a better idea of the modem lighting ships'and their doings than any film yet seen here. What is claimed to bo the-German fleet skulking in the Kiel Canal is .pictured with a deal of detail, while there are genuine views of large squadrons' of the Allies', ships patrolling the seas, cleared and in fighting trim. A submarino is closely pictured' first steaming along the surface, .then submerging, and finally steaming with only the periscopo showing. "While submerged the underwater craft fires a torpedo, an actstimt' can bo easily detected by an extraordinary disturbance that takes place on the surface. There are various other views' and phases of the doings of the maritime war maoliine. Another feature film, ''The Bachelor's Eomance," is presented' by the Famous Players Company. The film features John Emerson, the renowned American artist, and is of a length sufficient to occupy the second liali of the programme. Mr. Emerson portrays the rolo of David Holmes, an eccentric bachelor, who is not comfortable in the presence of tho opposite sex. He falls however into a violent lovo affair with his young and pretty ward, who seems well pleased with- the turn 'of events. Bach believes that thoirlove.is in vain until an unexpected climax precipitates them into iho "happy-eveivafterwards" stage. "The Pathe Gazette" pictures, the enormous- damage caused by the recent flooding of Holland, and several other immensely interesting happenings. Tho "Colonel Heozahar's War Dog" Cartoon was most hilariously received. •' "BRITAIN PEEPARED." "Britain Prepared" is the title given to a remarkable series of pictures which will be screened at the King's Theatre next week.> The films were taken with the approval of the Admiralty, War Office, and the Minister for Munitions, and they are said to give a wonderful, insight "into the extraordinarily complete measures adopted by Groat Britain to build up an army vvith a plentiful supply of munitions and everything else necessary to smash the long-prepaicd powor of a nation desiring world dominion. : TheTe is a lesson in every foot of the sorios, and every foot should act as a recruiting agent, • speaking with the- voice of thunder of' the work ' that has to be done and the duty of everyone to. do his share. The, pictures deal not only with the Army and the Navy, but they tako tho audience' through munition plaifts, show them motor cycle corps at work, aviation work, Tav.recmits to the finished article, and a visit to the Grand Fleet il-lustrated-in o way which no woTds: could describe. The second part of tho programme is devoted to tho Navy, and the/ pictures present battleships, mine-sweep-' ers, destroyers, submarines, and battle, ships ■-. -under.' construction and - being launched. Several views show tho ships in ■■ rough weather, and tho effect is described as grand. One of the most instructive parts relates to tho submarines, for tho audience get a close view of them, and seo/this submarine, submerge also the view the commanding officer'obtains-'through-the periscope is shown. A' close' inspection, of the Queen Elizabeth'is made, and particularly striking is the firing, of her 15in. guns. Many more'scenes showing dozen'; of grunt-grey shapes at anchor and under weigh only confirms the confidence felt: •by every Britisher in the might of our Navy.

•' THS EMPRESS THEATRE. The Topical Gazette on the new programme at the Empress Theatre this week contains some' particularly interesting views of Groat Britain s military forces and Shows that the new armies are being filled up with a splendid class of men. The Gazette is an essential part of the entertainment, but the leading film is tho London Film Company s drama, "Whoso Diggeth. a Pit/' featuring Gerald Ames and Charles Eock. lhe plot is developed from an incident connected with the everyday occurrence of making a will. Roger ,Warde/ a successful financier, provided in his will for a substantial legacy to his junior partner, Edwards. .The • latter, it need scarcely be mentioned, lis the villain of the play, who had unknown to Warde been living a loose life. Financial embarrassment caused Edwards to regard the daughter of Ms principal as a desirable wife, but he had a strong rival in the person ot Dr. Gerald Hartly, Jim. family physician When Edwards planned the death of Warde and his wife to clear the way tomarriage and fortune, Dr. Hartly was the means of foiling him in the attempt, and the doctor gave liim the option of suicide or gaol, Edwards mute obligingly took poison, leaving the doctor to marry the financier's daughter without further opposition from an ■ unworthy rival. • On the comic side there is a laughable item entitled "Getting Kid of Aunt Kate." Two young damsels, with their father as sole guardian, arc leading a happy life, when their aunt arrives, and quite a different atmosphere pervades their' 'happy home. The subsequent plans to get rid of their aunt cause much merriment. There is also another good comedy entitled "Knock-out Dugans Find " and a delightful scenic, Britain in tho Grip of Winter." ■EVERY BODY'S THEATRE. English films of the typo sent out f by tho London Kim Company can more tnaii hold their own with anything in.-the line from: America. "A Garret in Bohemia," the star drama at Everybody s Theatre this week, is a London production of all-round excellence. 1 he leading characters are portrayed by Miss Mm Flu»arth, who made a decided hit 111 "Lif o' London" and other pieces, and Bon Webster, who previously played lead in "The House of Temperley, etc. In tho present picture at Everybody «, Mr. Webster's part is that of a blind fiddler, awl it is safe to say that better acting tlipn his in this particular instance m not often seen on the screen. The settin" of the story is a London lodginghouse, in which dwell tjbo-principal persons of the play, namely, the bedraggled "slavey," the hurd-laced landlady, the Youii" girl «ho teaches painting, the and unsuccessful composer, and the old fiddler who lives in the garret with his faithful dog. The composer and the artist are not acquainted at first, but both tako an interest in the old man, who himself falls fin tad daxfl aM .fa*UsJ

dies, leaving the composer an inspiration that starts him on tho road to success and unites him to the girl who lives across tho landing. Supporting subjects include "'Hire Bath Tub Mystery" (Lnbin comedy), "She Took a, Chance" (Vitagraph coinedv), "How Tiled Koufing is Made" (industrial), and tbe Gaumont Graphic, with tho latest war views. Crowded sessious greeted tho new programme yesterday, and big business should continus during the week. At the afternoon • sessions at this theatre, dress cirelo patrons arc- provided with a dainty cup of ten froo of charge. DARDANELLES EXPEDITION. Highly interesting moving pictures entitled "With tho Dardanelles Expedition," are being screened this-week at tho People's Picture Palace. It is claimed that the film is the only, moving picture record of the events connected with the historical landing on tho Gallipoli Peninsula. One of the first, views is of tho famous- transport Biver' Clyde, which was beached .to facilitate the landing of troops twelve' months ago. The picture then passes through such notable spots on Turkish soil as Lone Pine, Auzac Beaclr, Dead -Man's Gully, Walker's Itidge, Landing Beach, Suvla Bay, Cape Holies, etc. General Birdwoqd .and staff are shown snatching a meal in a dugout near Suvla Bay, and<thore arc numerous yiews of Australian and New- Zealand soldiers in the trenches, which were constnutly- under the fire of the Turkish guns. In one Instance, the Australians, New Zealauders, and Tommies bave been photographed while delivering rapid fire to repel an attack. The 29th Division, came under the camera fire, and special' pictures were also taken of the ■ Manchester Regiment, Lovat's Scouts, Bth Australian Light Horse, and 24th New Zealand Battalion. The difficult and dangerous conditions under -which the men lived on the peninsula are contrasted with the comparative ease-of life at the relief ennip on Imbros Island, and the picture is in many ways a remarkable one. There are capital supporting sub-' jects, including a powerful drama, "In the Shadows," by the Excelsior Company.

' MR. ASHMEAD BARTXETT. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, the war correspondent, whose task it was to describe tlio operations of the naval and military forces at the Dardanelles for the British Tress, will deliver' lectures in the Town Hull, bu Thursday and Saturday next. "With the Anzacs at the Dardanelles" is the title of Mr. BartlettV lectures, which will, he a story of the campaign, particularly as it applies to the Australian and New Zealand troops. His official position gained -for hiui many privileges which enabled him to view the 'various operations at'close quarters, and his military training and unique experience as a war correspondent make his observations both .valuable and interesting; A larg» number of views taken by Mr. Bartlett during the campaign will be shown to elucidate .various points in lis lecture. In addition to the Dardanelles operations, he will review the Situation on all fronts, and. discuss the present state of the war froih all standpoints. The season in Wellington will be unavoidably limited to two lectures. The box plans- bto at tlie Bristol. '■'■•■...