ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2867, 4 September 1916, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE BIRTH OP A NATION." Something particularly attractive and different from the ordinary moving picture ib showing nightly at the Town Hall in "The Birth of a Nation." The big picture is an entertainment and a history lesson combined, and worthy of all that has been claimed for it. TJio story is founded on "Tho Clansman," by Thomas Dixon, and was adapted for thu screen, by D. W. Griffith. Prom beginning to end, tho picture is one dramatic spectacle, and the views of the battlefields, Ku luux IClan raids, mob riots, and negro gatherings aro excellent. Tho cast is composed of strong players, who are headed by Henry Walthall and Miss Lillian Gish. The producer has endeavoured to givo fac-similes of important scenes in American history, and in the scene of tho assassination of Abraham 'Lincoln a fac-siimle of tho theatre U shown. Throughout the story runs alovo theme, but this in no way interferes with the reproduction of the time facts of Amoricau history, whether good or bad. A capable orchestra, under Mr, Horace' Keats, accompanies the picture. The season will close on Thursday evening next. ,

HORACE GOLDIN. Horace Goldin, tho Russian illusionist, and a company of high-clasa vaudeville artists, amazed and entertained another largo audience at the Grand Opera House on baturdny evening. Air. Goldin ontwitted the most observant with hlu mysteries. "The Tiger God," a Muorish story, is clever work. The speeds with which the characters appear and dfsai* pear is amazing, and a Bengal tiger adds a thrill to the story. Tho walking of 4 lady through a plate-glass window Is per formed without breaking the glass. The rapidity with which 111'. Goldin does hw tricks leaves tho audience no time to think of how they are done. The vaudeville half of the programme i 3 also particularly entertaining. Miss Mario Kin#Scott is a comedienne of ability, and her feigned country simplcness of speech and gesture bring forth many laughs. Mlw Barbara Babington has a pleasant voice, and her singing was appreciated to tho full. Mcnnetti and Sedelli are daring acrobats, and their turn contains humour in plenty. Misses Hay and Crawford are eccentric steppers, Bill Fruit sings manly songs well, and Gosward gives something new in comedy. The, season will close oil Thursday evening next.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The popular form of entertainment Renown as a "revue" which has heldi sway at His Majesty's Theatre for the past fourteen weeks will he discarded this week in favour.6f an all-vaudeville programme. Miss Madge Maitland will present new numbers this week—her last, by the way. Many would, no doubt, liko to see this artisfs season extended. Mr. Clement May's delightful impersonations ol' Diokens* characters will submit Micawber, Scrooge and Company for the approval of the great author's may lovers. Villiers Arnold and Pearl Ladd, the ever-popular Gilbert and Sullivan duo, have been specially re-engaged, and tonight will present one of their latest operettas, concerning the triumph of Mercia ("The Sign, of the Cross") over the demoniacal Storm Fiend, Mr. Arnold's portrynl of tho Fiend is said to be a masterpiece of vocalism and makeup. Les Warton, tho popular coon comedian, will make his reappearance, and Harry Howe and Ethel will present an act combining painting while you wait and music. .Tohnston and Jones, billed as "Ethiopian Eccentrics," make their initial bow, and Shipp -and (Jaffne.v, '''pattorologists," Bert Coleman, the Four Kings, and. the La Tours will complete a liberal evening's entertainment. Special matinees are announced for Wednesday and Saturday. THE KING'S THEATEE. A new programme was commenced at tho King's Theatre on Saturday. Tho leading film bears tho stamp of The Famous Players Company, whose seal has lons been regarded as usually a guarantee of high standard in dramatic Idnemato--graphy. Tho latest of the company's ■productions whic'h tho management' of the King's havo secured is no exception to the yule; it is a charming and entertaining love comedy. "Seven Sisters" is its title, and tho chief role is filled by Marguerite Clark. In Eastern Enrops there is an old marriage custom under which sisters in. a family married in their turn according to their age. That was, younger sisters did not marry till after the elder sisters had wedded. With this fact before him, the author has created an excellent ■ little comedy, in which all sorts of ludicrous situations, are introduced. A young nobleman becomes enamoured of the fourth sister, but custom stands between the lovers and marriage, because tho three elder sisters are still unmarried. The nobleman's only way out of 'his difficulty is to get tho three barriers removed by finding someone to marry them. This he sets out to accomplish, and that is when the fun begins. Miss Clark, as Mici, the fourth sister, is delightful,, and the whole pieco in every way is well worth seeing: Among the supporting pictures is, one which gives a vivid idea of the. work lyhich is being done at tho front by the Eoyal Army Medical Corps. The picture shows wounded men being 'brought from the trenches,.being treated at the hospitals, and so on. This programme will be continued till Friday.

-EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Throughout Saturday there were crowded attendances at Everybody's Theatre, when a complete change of programme \vas introduced, headed by a very stirring drama, "The Waif," featuring the wonderful boy actor, Matty Roubert. The story is woven-round a ragged little urchin of the New York slums whose home is an empty barrel, and whoso food is whatever lie can get. Tho picture shows how the boy proves his worth against adverse circumstances that would severely try the endurance of any tcrmined mail. It is a very pathetic subject, and has a very strong vein of tragedy running through it. The last portion of tho picture r'oveals some very fine acting by the boy, and shows how father, mother and son are brought together, also the old actor who has brought the boy io the height of his lame. The official war pictures give some idea of the terrible battles at the front, and the hardships our soldiers have to undergo. The programme is right up to Everybody's best standard. ■ EMPRESS THEATRE. . An exceptionally interesting picture has been secured by tho management of the Empress Theatre for presentation this week. It is entitled "The Fighting C!inv/:c," and was adapted from the novel by the well-known Amerioan author, Robert W. Chambers. The picture. was screened for the first time on \Saturdav. Tho story tells how a woman nvins against wine, but marries the man it vanquished. The principal role is played by E. K. Lincoln. Ho tho part of Stephen Seward, ' a victim of drink, who falls to the lowest depths, and becomes a social pariah, but is given a fighting chance of winning the girl he loves. .In support of "The Fighting Chance" is a Triangle Keystone, "His Bread anil Butter," featuring Frank Mann, while tlie Patlie War Special is a bright and up-to-date edition. The new programme drew big attendances on Saturday. SHAKESPEARE SEASON IN ' WELLINGTON. The coming Shakespearean season of tho Allan Wilkie Company in six plays, "Huuilef," "The Merchant of Veruco," "Twelfth Night," "Romeo and' Juliet," "As You Like It," and "Othollu," which are to be staged during the company's seventeen nights' season, will be looked forward to with keen interest by lovers of Shakespeare's delightful worKs. Tho season opens at the Grand Opera House next Saturday night with, "flamlot," tho best known of Shakespeare's plays. Few theatregoors have failed to see at least one "Hamlet," and those who avo well seasoned in their patronage or tl>« drama have probably witnessed a dozen or moro exponents of the melancholy Dane. Tho tendency is to compare one tragedian with another, and to contrast the different settings and readings of tho immortal tragedy. Mr. Wilkie is the possessor of a tall figure, and hiu portrayal of tho unhappy I'ruiee of Mciir mark is said to provide an intellectual fcnsl: of tho highest class. The support given liim by Miss Hunt.er-Watta ua Ophelia has been endorsed by critics as

one of tho finest seen in Australasia. The second production will be "Tlio Merchant oi' Vouice," which is to be etiiiici! for three nights and a.matinee. Tho afx productions will be interpreted hr an exceptionally Btronir company of Shakespearean artists, and scener.r, costumes, and other details will be in strict accordance with tho highest traditions. "Hamlet" will be staged on September V, 11, and 12. "Tho Merchant of Vemca" on September 13, 11, and 15, with a special matinee oil September 16. The box plans for tljese two productions will opon at the Bfisjol at 0 a.m. on Thursday. There are specially reduced rates for colleges, clubs, Shakespearean societies, and schools, also season tickets'for tha six plays.