ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2897, 9 October 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"PEG 0' 51V HEART." ' After breaking' all records for spoken drama in Australia,'J. and N. Tatt's English company will open at the Grand Opera- House to-morrow evening, in J. Hartley Mauners's comedy of youth, "Peg o' My Heart." : The season will' last nino nights, with a special matinee'on tlio Saturday afternoon. "Peg" will be played by Miss Sara Allgoed, whose delicious brogue and the, charm of her acting, lias endeared her to playgoers wherever she has appeared. It is confidently ex.pected- "Wellington audiences will succumb to tlio charms of Peg.' Associated with Miss Allgood will be Mr. Gerald Heiison, in the part of Jerry, a character boloved by all readers of the book, while Alaric, the spoilt boy of the English household, is being played liy a distinguished English actor—Mr. Cecil Brooking. Miss Beatrice Yaldwyn will appear as Ethel, and Miss Doris Gilham an, Mrs. Chichester, while Herbert ,T. Bentley has been specially engaged to play the rolo of the rather attractive villain—Brent. The family lawyerMontgomery Hawkes—is in the hands of Mr. Ernest Ruston, while a veteran actor in the person of Mr. Thomas Sidnoy, will make his. first New Zealand appearance in the part of the pompous'butler. Miss Betty M'Millan will appear as Bonnet, the maid. The action of the entire play takes place in ono' scene—a tasteful draw-ing-room at Regal Villa, • the English hcrfno of the Chichesters. Here J?eg is planted, warm-hearted and impulsive, among a lot of social icebergs. How she thaws the frigid hearts of the members and earns the love of her hero, Jerry, is -told in a delightful story, The box plan for the entire season is at the Bristol, while day sale tickets are procurable at the Grand Sweet Store. HIS MAJESTIES THEATRE. Tho change of programme for this week at His Majesty's .Theatre is headed .by a triolet, called Ross, Wyse, and the "Big Surprise." The "Big Surprise" is evidently shrouded; in mystery, and 'as it would be unfair to dispel any illusions thus caused, it will suffice to add that the act is a novel and surprising one. Miss Elsie I Morris, a young lady who affects masculine garb, is announced, for., a _ firet appearance ,and brings an extensive repertoire of catchy chorus songs and a large helping of vivacity. Mr. Bollinger, of Bollinger and Reynolds, will again, endeavour to' illustrate how easy it is for one to turn forward and hack somesaults on a slack wire, and Athol Tier, the original comedian of the halt-witted Youth calibre, will present another changc, assisted by his sprightly' partner, Miss Peggy Ross. The Flqmmings, presenting "Artistic Creations.in Alabaster,*' aro] also on the programme, as also are Miss Jessie Barlee, Coster balladist, and Kingsly and Grahnm, harmonieers and dancers. Miss Dora Oberman .wi|l'"offeoes;.numbers, and Lenn'on, and.' Hill will present their scpoaming sketch, .entitled "Two of a Mind." The remainder.of tho.hill will lie completed by tho Farrows, Harry and Louie, who are ex-J. C. Williamson artists, Mr. Farrow > being the original dame in that firms last pantomime, "Mother Goose." 'J.his couple will be seen in a' hilarious fifteen-minute playlet, entitled "Tho Bargain Hunter." A matineo is announced for Wednesday afternoon at 2.3(1.

. \ • KING'S THEATRE. There was not a vacant seat at the lung's Theatre on Saturday evening, when a striking picture, "The Island of Regeneration" was produced for tile first tune in 'Wellington. The work is by C. iownsend Brady, author of "The Chalico' of Courage" and other fine studies. "The Isiand. of Regeneration" can adequately ho described as a novel and powerful play. • Storey as the modern girl, -Hanlsin Drew as tiio modern man, and Antonio Moreno, a 9 the primitive man. The story is a unique one. Katherjne Bronton : (Edith Storey), a . wealthy, V gh : s , pmte<l ®' r '' imbued with tire idea that perfect platonic friendship can exist between man and woman under all conditions. Valentino langford, a wealthy clubman, and ono of her converts, suggests that they put their , theories to thp ( test by taking a trip together 'on-his yacht. In the-Soutli Pnci-' ht'the man's- true, character asserts: itself' and the girl escapes in the yacht's-ten-' der, eventually-drifting a'sbol'fi• On"6;'smii! 1' |: island.,. There; she .is by.-John Cliarnock, the only inhabitant,- who, 20 years "before, when a mere child, had been castaway jipoii the island. He lacks the power of speech, and she realises , actually a'man with a child's

| mentality. Her wishes— convoyed by a sign—lie .'obeys with dog-like . devotion, bhe immediately proceeds iwith his education, imbuing him with her ideals, .but in thp process, extending over three years, I'ealises she is falling in love with him! An earthquake' upon the island and a daring rescue by iMiarnoclc, now au educated man, bring the pair to a realisation of their mutual love, and after a brief interruption, caused by the return °f 't" 6 -other . follow-," they sail for civilisation. Other excellent pictures were the Pa the Gazette and "Bath Tub lenls," a laughable- Triangle comedy, the> programmo will be.submitted nightly throughout the week and at a matinee on Wednesday. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Au exceptionally long and interesting programme is being submitted at Everybody s theatre this week. The new programme commenced on Saturday at noon, and seating. room was scarce throughout the day. On Saturday evening standing room, and. only a limited amount of that, was all that was "avail- 1 able. ■ .The principal attraction is . a J "angle Kay-Bee drama, entitled "Hate" i ?. r principal"part, that ot- fateve a successtul young ■ prospector, is taken by W.S: Hart, and that of Mary Jane, who brings about the , regeneration of - Steve Denton, is taken by the popular Bessie Love. The' picture deals with "out-back" lifo in America, and shows where Steve Benton comes into towii, after two years' mining, with a full money-belt. Tho owner of a saloon takes a liking'to the contents of tho belt, and instructs a girl in his establishment to get tho money from Steve. Sho draws him into tho gambling den, and finally, after a night there, ho wakes up tho next morning without a penny. Going through his pockets, ho finds a telegram statingtliat his mother is dying, and then gets another to say that sho is dead. Then 'ho descends to the depths, and becomes a "bad man," but his ultimate regeneration is brought about by a girl, and so the story ends. Tho supporting programme is a {jood one, and includes . "The Gaumont. Graphic," "Tho Great War," which shows some very fine snow scenes, "The Temple Grounds at Nam," a.'Japancso film, with some very fine colouring and somo splendid scenery, and "The Thirst Quenchers," a comic Mutt and Jeff cartoon. "MIDNIGHT AT MAJIM'S." The Km press Theatre v/s packed to overflowing at every session on Saturday, when the spectacular show play, "Midnight at Maxim's" was shown for . tho lirst time here. It is a play, crowded with gor&iMus scenes, with a strong corncdy plot that serves to introduce all tho characters at the famous night cabaret of New York, from which tho title is obtained. Tho 6toiry tells of a case of love at first sight by a student name Shye, foi 1 a pretty girl whom he sees lying licr shoelace. Ho discovers she is a dancer at Maxim's Restaurant Ho invites two of his friends to dinner nt Maxim's, wlier'o they are entertained delightfully, not only by 1 tho host, but also by the numerous variety turns that form part of the usual entertainment, somo of them arc clever, isomo dainty, and not a few are daring in the manner of presentation. Eventually the charming girl who won Shyo's heart appears; ami she immediately captures tho hearts of his friends. This leads to many complications of tho most humorous nature, which - aro brought to a climax by discovering tliat sho is in lovo with her husband, who is the janitor of tho place. It is a cleverly constructed play, that 1 will command crowded houses during tho Reason. A good supporting programme is added.

"CARMEN" AT THE CROWN. Tho lilm version of "Carmen" showing at the Crown Theatre to-night and throughout the week puts the final touch upon tho reputation of Mr. IJ. A. "Walsh as a photo-play producer, bringing him without Question, in the opinion of American critics, into tho select circlo or the half-dozen leading producers of the world. It was undoubtedly a great

undertaking to film so -wonderfully varied aud inteusoly dramatic an opera. The I''ox Pilm Corporation spent a largo sum on the necessary spectacular effects, which arc said to be wonderful in their detail and beauty. Tlieda Bara, who is a splendid Spanish actress, with tho gipsy typo of beauty so- well suited to the part, takes the titlo role, and is assisted by tho best histrionic talent. One of tho strong points about tho Fox films is bo tho even quality of the east. "Carmen" music by the Crown orchestra will enhance tho charm of tho production. The box plan is at tho Bristol, and seats may also be reserved at theatre, 'phontj 3170.

CHILDREN'S RECITAL. Miss Betty Purdom and Mr. J. Culford Bell aro evidently conscientious explorers for elocutionary talent in tho juvenile mind of Wellington. They must find their , prospecting interesting work, tor though there may not always bo good dividend-paying stuif amongst that put through tho mill, there arc occasional "pockets" that give Teally a handsome return. Two of these are tho children who act so cleverly 111 "Holly Tree Inn," that sweet old story, with its strong vein of homely domesticity and its irrosistiblo heart interest. Little Ngaire Lemmon's natural acting as Norah'is tho best thing the child has ever done. Another atom of poire gold was Leo Smyth, who was all aplomb and good humour as the dancing elf in "Fairy Silver Star." Each of the others in this sketch, with the exception of Molly H'Whannell (Rose) were awkward in motion and gesture, .and their diction was laden with false emphasis. Fred. Furkett recited thosß old "An Englishman," automatically, but in Doris Stevens was discovered one who lias the talent to sense the peculiar requirements of a musical monologue. This young lady has a nieo sympathetic) voice, a good appreciation of dramatic values,; and, wonder of wonders, she knows tho relationship between the words and the music, and establishes it instinctively Miss Stevens recited "The Foreign Legion," bv J. Hilton Hayes. Another clever child, who is verging on the precocious, perhaps, is' Hazel Hardwicke, who revived tho "competition" chestnut, "Domestic Asides," and was fairly amusing in it. Doris and Josie Bailey were good in "A Trying Pupil," but the young lady in the Grecian robes was not tho least bit convinving in her monologue. The action song, "Heave the Anchor," with a lot of little mites attired as sailor boys and gii'ls, was altogether delightful, and "Tho Shadow March" was repeated with even greater success than ,on the first evening. Reraa I.emmon prattled to her dolly with amusing grown-upness, and Lottie Harris in "A Lesson with a Fan," showed how very important a' factor it must be. to suit individual pupils with' pieces they are best suited to in temperament and elocutionary advancement. "A Lesson with a Fan",Vas never intended to be recited by a child in her early 'teeos.'

■ The pianists were Mrs. Percy Staples and Miss Stella Boon . The proceeds of both entertainments aro being given to the Lady Liverpool Fund for comforts for those in the trenches. '