ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE ROYAL STROLLERS. This talented little combination which, ha? given so much pleasure at the Grand Opera House for the past two -weeks is now in its last nights, which is to be regretted. Tho present, programme is every bit as good as the last, and Jlr. .Sydney James, both in his vocal funnyisms ami with "Billy," is vastly entertaining. Miss Madeline Kossi tor's diversa talent singles her out for special 'attention. Both, as a singer and dancer she pleases Jtifs Gwen Lewis is very amusing with, ber songs at the piano, and her pleasant contralto is of much assistance in the music. The lust three nights of the season are announced.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ' "Bailey's Posing Dogs" is one of tlio most unique anil artistic-ally effective acts thai; the Fuller Management lias secured for Xc-tv Zealand, and all those who admire perfect studies in "stijl life" should see tliem. Marvellous Ed., tljo one-legged acrobat and hand-balancer, is an astonishing performer,' whoso okar-cut appearance and graceful style serve to. enhance the wonders .lie performs on his hand?, liitrnes and Bamos submit another daring and attractive balancing act with Ui element ot danger well emphasised. The Estcllo Wordelte Co., Te/1. fitagnonle, Miss Arinitacb, Carlton Jinx, and others ateo contiibute.

THE ICING'S THEATRE. "Niobe," tho. brilliant film adaptation of Paultons clever play, is attracting largo audiences to the King's Theatre this week. The story of the "Goddess of Tears," who comes to Ijfo again, much to the embarrassment oi Peter Amos Dunn, lends itself admirably to motion picture form, and all who have seen the picture have been delighted with the "PanMvis Players" fine production, and with tjie charming personality and acting of the beautiful star actress, Miss Hazel Dawn. Not only is tbe feature film good, but the other pictures shown are, of excellent merit. They include a fine dramatio story, "Good in the Worst'of Us," an original and clover comedy; "Deserted at the Auto," "The Pathe Gazette," and a picturesque scenic of Matlock, England. The programme wilt \>o presented each afternoon and evening this week.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A Tarn in which a(i eccentric and auK bitiftus waiter steals a real submarine and starts out on a pijratical cruise in the deep -waters has great possibilities in pictures, and in the star comic, "A Submarine Pirate," 'the venturesome Syd. Lliupliu makes the most of them. - 'i'hb exploits are laughably .ludicrous and madly extravagant, but tliero; is a laugh in every foot'of the film, aiid that is wnut the public require.' In addition to the comic picture there is an EdiSon drama, entitled "The Butler," very well acted indeed, and an interesting Gauihont Graphic.

THE EMPRESS. The last thre,e nights of the delightful comodj, "Helen's Babies" at the Empress Theatre are announced. Seldom has any popular bopk made such a charming picture play, not only are the' .brightest items of the Ixiok recorded, but the gaiety and fun which permeates the work is intensified. A contrast to the infections laughter of "Helen's Babies" is provided in die exciting drama, "The Third Commandment.". J t is-ft stirring play, dealing with tlia adventures of a man "who bora false testimony against his friend, so that he might win the woman he loved. The tjcenu where th£ perjurer discovers that his crimc has been in vain because the woruan hates him. is very impressive, while the climax is rich in dramatio power. '

Un Mondijy next, the LOndpn Film Company, producers of all I,ho great Londnn successes, as "Mv Old- Dutch 1 ' *nd "Rupert of Hmitzau," n ill . present a stirrijig-and virile drama. "Mr. Lyndon nt Liberty." -Advices from England stale that this play enthralled the pbcfco-play-proicg public in London and the provinces more than any previous production. The plot deals with a live and ( fihicinhting topic, the espipnaga system,: which gavu the British Government to much trou.bU. in suppressing. Edna Plugarth and Cljarles JJock, two of England'? greatest picture favourites, are featured in the play, and'eacli artist is said to achieve a triumph iu characterisation.

THE -IVAR rL4T "UNDER FffiE." ■Whatever the merits' • may be of Hie' war play which Julius Knight and ttys other members of J. (J. Uilli unison's dramatic company intend presenting for the lirut timo ul WtCijngion at the Grand Opera House on Tuesday night next, there can lie no quest ion, According to tjle Australian and Auckland Press, of its distinct originality of conception i>s far aa its adaption to dramatic purposes is concerned. Hoi Cooper Megrue, the author of "Under Pire," has woven together mt!> dramatic' form striking iileiaonts associated with th,e first clash of arms* during the invasion of Belgium, and it gives the nudicufa a strikingly true-picture of war conditions, mid of "tile i iithtessne-ss of Ilia (j'orinan methods. Mr. (is.orge Barnuia, the producer of. "Under' Tiro,"-is said to show careful consideration of. detail in the management of the groups of peasants seen through t|ie Belgian inn "door, passing and repassing in the village street, ana altenvards' flying from Germans; in the arrival first of a solitary .and silent soldier cyclist, then of another, and gradually of a large force of German sohUers ; in. the sound of a band ol unseen soldiers humming "Watch on the filiine," amiother marching melodies,' and in many other points, "under Fire" will be staged •on an elaborate' ssajp,. with forty nunicd characters, and with many others assisting as. Belgian villagers,'.'liulKnglisli and Clermiin ,sold.iers. The c.ompany is headed by Mr. Julius Kniglit, and' Jliss Lissctto I'arkes, and has been strongly reinforced by several neiv artists. Tile scenic and mechanical elfcct. of the play are spoken of as baing remarkable for their ingenious clfoints. The management state that tli» play , will be presented nrec.iselv the s;jme as it was in Sydney anil Melbourne. Tlie box plans open at the Bristol. t-J-niorroiv morning, at 0 o'clocj;.