ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2860, 26 August 1916, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"SAN TOY'." | 'I'liero was another large audience to witness t]io Wellington Amateur Operatic Society's capital performance of "Han Toy" uC tlio Li rand Opera House last evening. This bright ami tuneful work has proved to bo one of the- saciety'a best performances all round. T'lie cast is in every way adequate, the scenery is characteristic and picturesque, the dress, ing an ecstacy in moving colour, and tho grouping, marching, and dancing a credit lo (ho producer, Mr. Tom Pollard. An. iithor feature that strikes every careful listener is tho very even performance of tho orchestra, which has given entire satisfaction right through tho season, and which rellecls credit on Mr. Bernard Page. Positively the final performance of "San Toy" will he given this evening, when a gala night is assured. Tho hooking is heavy, and a bumper house •will farewell the amateurs. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Lovers of up-1.0-ilato vaudeville will no doubt make a point nf seeing this week's programme at His Majesty's Theatre, cither this afternoon or this evening. Mr, Bert La Blanc and company appear in n farcical piece, "In Walls," ono of the best revues by Uiis company. Admirers of Scotch comedy by genuine Hcots' actors will find a breath of the lieather in "MacPhersoii'B Wooing," by tho Bunty Comedy Company. Other good turns are tho La Tours, Campbell and Walker, and Connor and Wilt, Irish singers.

MADGE MAITLAND AT HIS • MAJESTY'S. Messrs. Fuller will present on Monday evening next at this popular house Miss Madge Maitland, who" is billed as "the Irish Girl from-America." Miss Maitland was personally engaged by Mr. Ben. J. Fuller on his tour of the States, and is said to be one of the 'highest salaried actresses ever to appear in {lie Antipodes. Exquisitely gowned and appearing in a gorgeous stage setting, she is said lo hypnotiso the audience with the magnetism of her presence from tho time she comes on the stage till the time she loaves it.. Despite the 'iruge cost of this attraction, which is supported by a powerful Taudovillo programme, tho prices will remain as usual. • THE KING'S THEATRE. Ti'ere will bis two screenings at the King's Theatre to-day, in the afternoon at' 2.30, and at night "commencing at 8 o'clock, and the new programme will bo 6bown at both screenings. A strong bill will be headed, by what' is claimed to bo the best Ince-Trian'gle drama to date, "Jealousy," or "The Green .Swamp,". in which Miss Bessie Bnrriscalo is said to give a remarkably'.'good performance. u6 the jealous Wife, "whoso heart is as SB evil green swamp," anilvy'ho is susploi> ons of every look and word her husband (n, doctor) gives another woman. Tho foolish jealousy almost leads to grim tiagedy, when, not believing that her liusband Is ill, but that ho has pretended illness to get away from her, the jealous wife is about to break into the room where' hor husband is undergoing a deli, cato operation for tetanus contracted while attending'u patient. Tho scene la desorbed as full ol human interest, and intense suspense, and gives Miss Barrlscalo an opportunity to display her emotional talents. Tho supporting bill includes a clever comedy; scenes with tho Koyal. Flying Corps, and u further serieß of "Physical Education," .as taken by the slow process. Seats may be booked at The Bristol till noon, then at tho King's i Theatre.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The programme to bo screened coin, mencing noon to-day v at Everybody's is iheaded. by n Vitagfaph Bine Ribbon drama, "The Sins of tho Mothers," which features Anita Stewart and Earlo Williams, two of the most popular artists seen in motion pictures to-day. Associated with them is Julia Swayno Gordon, the famous exponent of vampire parts. The picture tefl» a story of high Society life in. New York,, and a rather lurid light is thrown on tho gambling.proclivities, arid ."gehwnl fast. living ,'of .the spoilt ;f»vourites.of fortune. The items supporting''tho star film are well chosen, and include'one of the famous Triangle Key.' stone comedies, "'The Bathhouse B<un. der," . .. EMPRESS THEATRE. Laughter should be the keynote.of. the programme that will be presented at the Empress Theatre this inortiing, when the Triangle Company will introduce the first of its "polite comedies," a liame given in America to farces that contain a good story with 'lat)gh-creatiu<r situations. ' "My Valet," which is the title of the star subject, is said to contain a funny story, and the laughing naturally follows. Miss Mabel Ncrmand, the popular comedienne, is the featured fungetter, aud she will be assisted by Raymond Hitohoock, Mack Seniiett, and a host of clever Triangle players, A big dramatic programme supports tho star subject,

"THE BIRTH OF A NATION." Tho demand for seats on the opening of tho box plans at the Bristol to witness the production of "The Birth of a Nation" has, it is stated, been very heavy, and promises well for the success of the season, which will be for nine nights and a matineo on Saturday, September 2. The season will commence at the main Town Hall on Tuesday evening next, at 8 p.m. sharp, and will be under tho direction of.T. C. Williamson, Ltd. There are 5000 different scones in tho production, and'.'thoso- include amongst others Lincoln singing his famous call for - ." volunteers, Sjherntftn's rictorioiiS march through Georgia 'to the sea, the meeting of Generals Grant and Lee on April 9, 18G5, of the latter's surrender, and the fatal scene but five days later at Ford Theatre, when the beloved Lincold was assassinated, shown with a wealth of detail and a realism described as almost startling in its. vividness. With Lincoln's death came a temporary cessation of the policy .of olemency to the South. Political tools were, made of the negroes, who assumed the ascendancy, and terrorised the whites, arid pillage, sabotage, and orgies ruled. This, the plot of the fitory states, forced the formation of the Ku Klux Klan, The doings of this strangoly-garbed society were responsible for many exciting anil picturesque incidents that ended in overawing tho ter« wrists, and the final aud complete "Birth of a Nation." Tho picture holds auniquo record. In New York it had the longpsfc run of any attraction ever staged in that city, and tho pricey of admission were those charged for the regular theatrical attractions. Not only does the picture present a series of gigantic spectacles, in which figure over 18,000 men und 3000 horses, but there ia a story running throughout of love and romance In tender and stirring mood. All the most vivid phases of the American Civil War are depicted, including enthralling spectacles of war, and the swing of battle tliat ebbed and flowed throughout the States when'the red denion of war was let loose, and the frenzy of hatred between'the North and South awept over the land. The world's greatest picture producer, the famous D, W, Griffiths, who is said to bo modorately paid at ,£20,000 por year, took over a year to make "The Birth of a Nation," which cost over .£IOO,OOO to produce. It makes a. complete evening's performance. As ihe picture takes-close on three hours to present, patrons would do well to lio present punctually so as not to miss auy portion of the picture. -The operatio orchestra will be under the baton of Mr, Horace Mills, London, and tho screening of the picture will be supervised by MiGeorge Mills, who cama to Australia witii the picture. The.box plans for the season are now on view at tho Bristol, where seats may be booked without extra charge.

■ "SUNSET LAND." Great interest was created by the recent flno ijcrfnrninnco of the pantomimic musical comedy, "Sunset Land," by Miss Gladys Campbell and her pupils. U was so successful from both the artistic and financial viewpoints that Miss Campbell has licon Specially requested to repeat the performance, and on Tuesday evening next the doors of the Opera House open to a revival season of one night. It is many years since the public have seen a plav of this nature. Ii appeals to all that is dear to us inchildhnod's days. It brings back memories ol many of'the happiest tunes of our live.--; stirs the imagination, makes us smile with happy -remembrances, and leaves us at

the end of the perforates artistically satisfied. The box plan is now open at the Bristol, and is said to be filling rapidly. The good cause that the performance is given for, namely, the Countess of Liverpool Patriotic Eund, miisl* bo appreciated by all, and a house iillrf from floor to ceiling is confidently anticipated.

MAGIC AND MYSTERY. Horace Goldin, who claims to be the greatest illusionist at present before the public, will open at the Grand Opera Jlonso ou Wednesday next, for eight nights, under the banner of Mr. Hugh 1). M'lntosh, and will present a programme of new illusions, including a sen. national Moorish mystery, entitled "Tito Tiger God," in which a live tiger is used. His plate-glass window illusion 13 another mysterious ti'iclt, which has completely battled Australian audiences, and though done in front of a committee specially invited to step up from'the auditorium, Mr. Goldin passes a lady clenn through a plate-glass window without in any way injuring the glass or the lady. A mysterious disappearance, is whan Goldin. horrified at a young lady's (lis. cordaut playing, causes both lady and piano to vanish completely oft the stage. Mr. Goldin will be• supported, by Miss Barbara Babington and over 35 assistants. In addition to the magical part of the programme, Mr. M'lntosh will present many new acts in a miscellaneous first part. These will be the pick of his acts lately appearing at the 'i'ivoli Theatres of Australia, and when iii New Zealand .Mr. M'lntosh said he was out to outdo with Goldin the reputa, fion gained by his fine Tivoli Tollies Company. The hox plan for the Horace Goldin-season is to open at the-Bristol on Monday morning.

MIHOVITCH-PIiSTEO CONCERTS. The two-ni'lit season of the Russian musicians, Alfred Mirovitch (pianist) and Michael Piastre (violinist) at the Town Hall Concert Chamber, on' Wednesday and Thursday next will introduce to a New Zealand audience two brilliant Russian musicians, who have just coneluded a most successful Australian sc-uv boh. It is stated that in Mons. Mirovitch lovers of music will hear a pianist of 'i\\n highest excellence, and Mons. Piastre a violinist virtuoso of excep. tional ability. Commenting on the appearance of these artiste at the Town Hall, the "Sydney Morning Herald' says:—"Without any wide-world refutation' from Europe, relying indeed en. vitch* and Michael ■ Piastre achieved formanees in Siberia, China, and . the Cast, news of which had reached this city by responsible hearsay. Alfred Miro. vitch anil Michael Piastre achieved the almost impossible feat of attracting ft great assemblage to their concert oil Saturday afternoon. Their talents revealed 'hroiigh. the medium of ..highlyaccomplished art, amply justified this re. 6tilt. Mons. Mirovitch. plays with pur, poseful power, combined with artistic reetrrdnt. Mous. Piastre produces a won, derfiil sweetness of tone—. a quality he ishares ».ith Elman, but it is larger in volume, and his ' executive ability is great. These two visitors from-Russia— our great Ally—completely won the audi, ence, «nd the Town Hall ram; with their praises in the»form of enthusiastic recalls." Tho hox plan for both concerts la no'V open at the Bristol.