ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2750, 19 April 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

lIIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Vaudeville of exeellont merit and variety is the order at His Majesty's Theatre this week. The bill is crammed with good turns, and the "houso" is kept amused and interested all the time. A popular reappearance is that of Mable and Mall'e. The lady artist dances daintily and in finished style, while her partner performs acrobatic absurdities of the most humorous typo. Other good turns aro supplied by'Sharratt and Lang (comedians and dancers), Miss Agnes Halves (soprano), The Hnrrison .Stuart Duo, The Paulastos, O'Connell and Austin, and some others. "BRITAIN'PREPARED." The King's Theatre was crowded in all Darts last night to witness the screening ef the umgnilieeiit Army and Navy films, "Britain Prepared," and were stirred to enthusiasm by the pictorial representation of the might of the. Empire on land and sea and in the air. Every phase of the grent national preparedness for war is shown from the training of the raw recruit to the "well-fed" Army being received by His Majesty the King, before it leaves for "somewhere in France." Special interest is shown in the making of munitions, iu which the women of England are taking bo prominent a part, several« fine views of Vickers's works bringing borne the magnitude of the work involved. The portion of the picturo given over to the Navy provoked frequent and hearty applause. Never before has such a comprehensive picture been shown of our first-line battleships, cruisers, submarines, destroyers. The hornets of the Fleet are seen in many and various phases, not the least interesting being the intimate views on board "Big Lizzie"—tho historical Queen Elizabeth. The films are indeed "a deep and vital lesson," and bring home to the onlooker as perhaps nothing else could tie assurance that Britain is not only prepared, but fully awake for her great task. The pictures will bo shown each afternoon and evening this week. The bos plans are at the Bristol Piano Company, The Hon. Mr Massey, the Prime Minister, spoke during the interval last'night, in terms of the highest praise, as bringing New Zealand nearer to tho Homeland.. The Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Finance, will speak for a few minutes at tho screening to-night, EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. An excellent film beads the bill at Everybody's Theatre tins week.'' Entitled "John Glayde's Honour," the picture is a drama of the more reasonable type, and withal full of interest. An unusually good supporting film is a scenic, entitled "Ancient Monuments of British Glory." In it are shown pictures of famous strongholds of kings and of.feudal' barons of early times In England. The "Gaurnont Graphic" is as usual full of events or topical interest.-' EMPRESS THEATRE.' . The Empress Theatre is doing boom business with "The Goose Girl," in which Miss Marguerite Clark is the star attraction. Last night there.was a record attendance, and it was a delighted audience that applauded the many stirring scenes in the play. The supporting programme is in every way worthy of tfis star feature, Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew showing to great advantage in a most laughable comedy, "Back to the Primitive." The "Pathe Gazette" is abovo the average iri news items and fashion shows. "The Goose Girl" can only bo shown for a few days more. On Monday next the favourite emotional drama, "My Old Dutch," will be screened, with Albert Chevalier in the lea'dirig role, supported by Miss Edna Flugarth, and a complete London cast. . THE BRITISH NAVY. The .British Navy is the first line of defenco of tho British Empire, and it is to the silent policing of the seas that our Navy has undertaken in the present great war that we'in this far off outpost of the Empfre owe our safety and our freedom. "The Fleet in being" is an interesting subject, and it is to bo shown in its most intimate detail at the Town Hall, in a. season commencing on Saturday next, under the direction of Mr. Charles MncMahon, when "Our "British Navy" will be produced in its entirety. The picture shows every feature in the life, and action of the Navy, its genesis, its-Evolution, and it grand ultimate actuality,, from the superb Dreadnought to the submarine. This star feature will be supported by a programme of specially-selected dramatic comedies and scenic pictures, full particulars of which will be announced later. A special feature of the production is that the whole of the big hall will be thrown open unreservedly at one shilling a seat to all parts of the house. THE ROYAL STROLLERS. Messrs. J. and N. Tait will present the Royal Strollers at the Grand Opera House on Saturday next. The company is new to this country, having just completed a most successful tour of Australia. Mr. Sydney James is said to have secured an excellent combination of talented and versatile artists, whose bright, refined, and amusing entertainment should be appreciated by play-goers. Although the Strollers are essentially comedians, it is claimed that they reach a high musical and'dramatic level. Miss Rossiter, Miss Lewis, Miss Connie Milne, and Messrs. Graystone and Frost are artists capable of presenting vocal, instrumental, and dramatic items far removed from comedy. Mr. Sydney James, the leading Stroller, is credited with possessing a fine tenor voice, and a wonderful power of mimicry, and is an excellent ventriloquist. The Strollers are said to be especially good in their finales, and the burlesque which is included in the opening programme, entitled "Our Picture Palace" is said to contain many fine characterisations of photo-play favourites presented in a most original manner. A special feature of the entertainment is the full orchestral band, including "Zimmy," the comedy drummer, who, by his touches of comedy, raises many laughs. . The box plans for the first six nights and for the special matinee on Easter Monday are now on view at thVßristol. _ i PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. The Wellington Professional Orchestra will give a grand classical and sacred concert at His Majesty's Theatre on Good Friday night. The programme has been carefully selected, and will include the noble "Euryantho" overture of Weber, Percy Grainger's "Shepherd's Hey/ and Friedeniann's "Slavonic Rhapsody. Mr. John Prouse will be the vocalist, and he will have the assistance of orchestral accompaniments. Handel's well-known "Largo" has been specially, arranged for the orchestra by Mr. Chas. Norman, and the solo violin part will be played by Mr. Haydn Beck. Mr. Herbert Blor wi 1 conduct. The box plan is at tho Bristol.