ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2870, 7 September 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE BIRTH 01' A NATION.", "The Birth of a Nation," the big picture which has beeu running for a season at the Town Hall, will be shown in Wellington for the last time, this evening. The story, of course, concerns the American Civil War, and it is one of the iine.it' talcs told about that absorbing period. The film is looked upon as among the greatest ireations of the "movie" world. HORACE GOLDIN. To-night, Horaco Goltlin and his company conclude their Wellington season. As a magician and illusionist, Goldin is one of the most successful of his kind. He does all mauner of tricks with all sorts of things, and does them under tho very noses of people watching to trap him; but his work goes on undetected. His biggest illusion consists of making a. girl and a tiger disappear most mystiously. The other members of the company provide supporting items of first quality. HIS MAJESTY'S. An excellent programme is being submitted at His. Majesty's Theatre this week, and large audiences aro attending nightly. Miss Madge Muitland gets into favour from the 6tart, and raises many a laugh. A series of paintings, rapidly done, and the singing of appropriate songs as they are done, is the item produced by Harry Howo and Co. Mr. Clement . May, a clever impersonator of i Dickens' 6 characters, is on the pro- ' gramme, as are also "Tho Four Kings," tho clever girl acrobats. Items are also yintributed by Mr. V. Arnold and Miss I'caiT Ladil, who 6ing well and dress in tho weirdest of costumes; Mr. B. Coleman, who whistles and gives a variety of imitations; tho Two Johnsons, dancers; Shipp and Gaft'ney, singers; Los Wharton, who sings ragtime ditties, and those comical strong men, Laveen and Gross. THE KING'S THEATRE. Only two more screenings of the bright and attractive picture, "Seven Sisters," will bo given at the King's Theatre. The pictnire, with its wholesome fun, clover story, and excellent acting and production, has caught tho public taste, and large audiences .have attended cacli' screening. The fine war films show how tho wounded are cared'for by the wonderful organisation of the E.A.M.C. The Bathe Gazette and other films mako a strong bill.

•'THE NE'ER-DO-WELL." In presenting to patrons of the King's Theatre next Saturday, tho Solig production; "Tho No'er-do-Wcll," the management expresses the belief that it is the finest picture, of its kind ever shown in New Zealand. Of all Box Beach's books this is probably tho best-known and. most popular, and the story is one that lends itself admirably to adaptation for tho screen. The Selig company, it is stated, lias never been more successful in producing a picture than in this case. That the necessary atmosphere of realism should be imparted the Selig Company journeyed to Panama, where the greater part of the action'of the story takes place, and filmed tho scenes under ideal conditions. Thus, apart from' its dramatic interest, tho picture possesses added interest by reason of tlie many excellent views of the construction work in progress on tho canal. To know that such lr'iv..-,. popular artists 36 ICathlyn Williams, Prank Clary, and Wheeler Oakman appear in the leading parts, is to gain some conception as to the worth of the picture. Their acting throughout is said to display conspicuous ability, being clean, forceful, and convincing. Throughout its entire length the interest of tho story is maintained, and there is never a dull moment. ' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Tho strong dramatic programme, which is being submitted at Evervbody's Theatre this week includes as its star an Aurora five-reel drama, "Tho Waif," starring. Matty. Roubert, the. wonderful boy actor. ■- The picture has proved a very big- drawing -card all tho week. The story deals with the fortunes of a New York street urchin, who by tho kindness of an old actor is taken into his poor and foodless home. Tho actor has taught the boy tho rudiments of his art, and when they are almost on t'ho brink of. starvation the waif comes to the rescue. The supporting items are' all up to the standard. Commencing on Saturday another sensational drama, "The Good Bad Man," featuring the world-famed star, Douglas Fairbanks, will be the star item.

BMKBESS THEATRE. , "The Fighting Chance" will be withdrawn from the. Empress Theatre tomorrow night.- 'All the characters in the .story are happily drawn, and all the elements of pathos and humour which enter into it are handled with great skill. In addition to the star feature a most interesting and varied supporting programme is screened. On Saturday a new programmo will bo presented, the star feature of which will be a Triangle-Keystone comedy, "Tho Lion and the. Giri," a comic story, said to be filled with laughs and thrills. Two attractive dramas will also bo screened; the "Pat'he Gazette" and scenes around Trebizond. .' A SEASON OF SHAKESPEARE. . The box plans for the three productions of ''Hamlet" and "Tho Merchant of Venice" will open at the Bristol this morning at 9 o'clock. The opening performance on Saturday night will be "Hamlet," which is to be staged for the first three nights. The second production will be "The. Merchant of Venice." These plays will introduce to Wellington Mr. Allan. Wilkie. and Miss FredisWyde Hdnter-Watts, who are said to reveal in striking manner the beauties of language and brilliancy of the dialogue of the great author. Mr. WUkie scored a notable success on his first appearance in Auckland recently. His artistic impersonation of the Prince of Denmark won a big demonstration from the audience at the close of tho performance. Miss Hunter-Watts is stated to give a fine portrayal of Ophelia. The company includes Vivian Edwards, Walter Hunt, Edward Landor, David Bellbridge, Fred Francis, Walter Pringle, Ronald Henry, Fred Patey, William Forsythc, Henry Bedford, Fred Kohoe, P. V. Scully, John Cave, Ernest Cummins, Ruth Norreys, Jane Scott, Elwyn Harvey, and Valentine Sydney. Other productions to be presented during the season will be:—"Twelfth Night," "Romeo and Juliet," "As You Like It," and v 'Othello."

An advertisement in this issue announces that the Y.M.C.A. authorities Tcquire a good second-hand motor-cycle for the work at Featherston. If any kindly-disposed person vrould lliko to make such a contribution to the work they are asked to communicate with the national field secretary (Mr. King) at the Y.M.C.A., Wellington.