ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2754, 25 April 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. It is an axiom in the theatrical profession that a show that does not draw on liaster Monday night is not a show at all. That could not apply to the Fuller Vaudeville Company which appeared last evening, for there was not sumcient room by jiujr for those wlio wished to pay for Tho bill was as briglit and varied as ono could wish, and was thoroughly appreciated by tlio vast audience. Neekelson, the French conjurer, gave a finished performance of tiio ancient art of deceiving the eye by quickness of the hand. He is so clean and clever in his palming of coins, cards, etc., that it is a real' pleasure to see this artist at work. His "Flags of the Allies" trick was picturesque, if simple, and. his production! of live pigeons and rabbits from a stoiv-pot caused screams of laughter. Mr. Sydney Jones, the little AVelsnman at the piano, who was hero some time ago, returns with practically'the same stock-in-trade as formerly, and some jokes that are decrepit with age and hard work. He scored in the comic spasin, "The Little Gray Hair on My Chest," and in a ditty that deals saucily ititli a foreign personage whom he named "Bill, the Xaiser." Dulcie Milner and George Story ate clever enough to appreciate the value of a change in their act, but such was not' forthcoming last evening. Miss Agnes, ltawes, a new soprano ol some range and power, but lacking in expression, sang "Land of Hope and Glory," and the waltz refrain, "Sweeter than the Roses." Perona, a deft performed' on tho piano-accordeon, played several rythmical selections that tickled the ear, and then, connecting his instrument electrically with a stand of bells, played "The Hosary" very effectively. A clever and amusing ventriloquial act was provided by Carlton Max, who has foresworn the evening dress for'khaki, and lias made 'liis talkative dummy "Trooper Jerry Smith," which is a popularly topical move. ' Mable and Malfe, sketch artists and dancers, disclose in the lady an extremely dainty little dancer, embodying youth and grace, in figure and style, whilst her hcnchman lias gleams of originality as a' jokist, besides being a good knock-about performer. Ted Stngpoole attitudinises as wonderfully as ever, whilst his head-spins and shoulder falls compel the- applause of "the audience. Siierratt and Lang show a paucity of new ideas, and-tlio turn is..not one of outstanding refinement;

THE KING'S, -THEATRE. The "Britain Prepared" army and navy films, which achieved sucli a remarkable success at the Theatre last week, were presented to two very largo audiences yesterday, who. were stirred to the greatest enthusiasm by tlio pictures shown. The piotures provide a wonderful insight into the extraordinary and complete measures adopted by Great Britain to build up an army with a plertiful supply of munitions and all the equipment necessary to. smash the long-prepared power of a nation desiring'world dominion. There is a lesson in every foot of the series, and ono cannot witness them without a thrill and without pride in the Empire to which we belong, livery phase of military and naval activity, .as well as the great advances iriado in the aerial department, are clearly shown, special facilities having been granted by the Home Government for the taking of the" pictures. Owing to the great success, tho pictures will bo screened all this week, each afternoon at 2.30, and each evening ait 8, and visitors to the City are well advised-to take the opportunity of witnessing .them. The plan of reserved seats for. to-night is at the lung's Theatre, and no extra charge is made for booking. ■ There will lie no matinee this afternoon, owing to the commemoration of Anzac Day.

■ HENRJT AINLEY IJJ TELES." Mr. Henry lAinlcj', after establishing his reputation as London's' foreirost Shakespearean actor, proved no less skilful in character delineation, and now, when all the great actors of tho day are playing for the moving pictures, he has adapted himself witli equal "skill to this side of tho business. For those who aro too far removed from London to see Mr, Ainley in his groat successes at tlie Haymarket, his appearances in the pictures are very welcome. This week the management of Everybody's Theatre present him in the London Mm Company's delightful production, "Jelfs." As is tho rule with this company, the filin has been staged on a big : scale, the scenes .including street views near the banking centre of tho world, an important race meeting, and a rusli on a bank presumed to be in difficulty. The story is full of interest. The last of the family of'Jelfs, the owners of Jelf's Bank in, London, is a vigoroufi young Canadian, cowboy, flick Jelfs, who is unexpectedly called home to take charge of the bank on the' death of his uncle, liis ignorance of London ways and of tho socioty into which he is thrown leads to many very amusing- 'situations. Mr. Ainley as Dick Jelfs has elaborated his share of the comedy,\and the many, little bits ho scores aro much appreciated by the on-, lookers. He is ably supported by 'a talented band of picture performersj including Mr. Gerald Ames, Air. Charles Rock, Miss Story Diblcy, and Miss Owynne Herbert. There was a big demand for seats at all screenings of "Jelfs" yesterday, and many bad to bo refused admittance at-both afternoon and evening sessions. The Gaumont Graphic is billed along with tlie feature film, and this programme will run to the end of the week. , EMPRESS THEATRE. • Charles Dickens was reputed once to have said that God must have loved the poor people—there were so many of them. "My Old Dutch," which was screened at the Empress Theatre-yesterday, will appeal to every one of this great host, and likewise to. the richer people, for it is a plain tale of two of God's humblest creatures, and, too, Of His noblest. The story is an adaptation of Albert Chevalier's great song, the one' that has moved to laughter and to .tears its thousands all over tho world. Albert Chevalier and Miss Florence Turner are Joe and Sal, whose great ambition is to make' their son a gentleman. They spend on him the small fortune that falls to Sal. Tho boy is sent to school in his infancy, and the parents do not see Mm till he is .mangrown. There are in this picture many scenes of London life, theS-eal life of those who toil wearily on without hope of reward in this world and the life of those who revel in luxury. One of tho great momonts in the picture is that of the instant when the son, after greeting his parents'rather coolly, suddenly turns and embraces his mother. One of the bright sides of this many-sided .story is the transformation of tho youngster from a cad to a man. "My Old Dutch" is crowded with situations tint compol hearty laughter, and many that bring tears to tho eyes of the most hardened playgoer. It is a good story well told and magnificently produced. "OUR BRITISH NAVY." >v , There was again a large attendance at the Town Hall last night, when tlie illuminative story of the "Elect in Being," embodied in the history of "Our Jiritish Navy," was shown for the- second time. The picture is a peculiarly practical one, And it goes into an .intimate detail of naval doings, and of tho methods ami operations of cTui' first line of defence. It is both absorbingly interesting 'and absorbingly educative. The strong supporting feature, of this admirable star picture is the big Klaw and Erlanger feature, "The Wife," a domestic tragedy of jnnnito pathos and infinite interest. An excellent comedy adds to the attractiveness of an admirable programme, whjch Will be repeated for the last time to-morroW night. . ,