ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2903, 16 October 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"PEG 0' MY HEART." A crowded house .greeted the rennpearane of Miss Sara Allgood at .the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening in her charirling and inimitable presentation of tho character of Peg o.' My Heart. Peg's adventures, her drollery, pafhos, and simple directness of speech. aCd action, ciarinod all who. 6aw her unconventional entry into tho chilly, aristocratic abode of the Chichesters, her trials, hor joys and sorrows, and her ultimate triumph. "Peg o' My Heart" is a great comedy, and its chief claim to greatness is the simple humanity of tho motif. The comedy will be repeated to-night. WISH WYNNE AT HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ■ Widespread Interest is being evideiicod in the season, commencingto-night, of the' celebrated actress, Miss Wish Wynne, at Hisjilajesty's Theatre. Wherever Miss Wynne has appoared the audiences, it is stated, Btraiglltway demonstrate their appreciation of .her performance, and endorse the verdict of those who at once accepted the "discovery" of Mr. Arnold Bennett, when she appeared .as Janet Cannot in his much-tatked-of play, "Tho Great Adventure." Since hor success at tho Kingsway Theatre, London, Miss Wynne's fame as an actress has spread throughout the world. The Sydney "Daily Telegraph" thus enthused over her debut in Australia.: "Wish Wynne, on of thoso 'occasional' artists who can best be summed up in George H. Wood's phrase of 'somewhat different,' had a rousing reception at the Adelphi Theatre, and in return jave a twenty-minutes'' exhilarating performance which was punctuated at intervals by singularly sincere and sustained applause.. The performance was midway through before tho newcomer stepped unostentatiously to the footlights, and began her first number, 'A Littlo Thing Like That.' The 'Jfeuse metaphorically Hook her to its heart, and made her at once feel at home. A hurricane, of applause was an ovidence that they liked her originality, her buoyancy, and her broezineas, and the deftness_with whioh she portrayed her various characterisations As her turn progressed her popularity speedily gave rise to applause resembling a cyclonic uproar." Ihe big 6tar is supported by a new programme of vaudeville. Thero is no advance In prices.

/'THE BATTLE OP THE SOMME." Tho film of "The Big Push," officially known as "Tho Battlo of tho Samnic," proved a great draw at tho King's Theatre, when the now bill was shown on Saturday, crowds being unablo to gain admittance "At one theatre—tho Scala" a writer in the London "Weekly Dispatch," describing this picture, "I sat near a young officer who saw himself on tho screen marching to tho attack. Hero the military element, Anzao and British, was strong, and' gave vent to loud cxpiesaiqns of appreciation of tho picture. Tho management wore impressed by the reverent silence with which the scone of the arrival of tho wounded at the dressing-station was received. . . . I found a largo number of wounded sol-, diers present to seo tho film at tho. Royalty Kinoma in Richmond, when I" looked in last week. Seated in front of mo, with some of tho nurses, woro two men who lived over again their adventures in Mamblz. . . . 'Not qmto so bad as Delvillo Wood was,' said one soldier, • as tho picturo of the blasted ruins of Mametz como beforo thoir vision. His companion did not agree." There is no doubt whatever that tho picture is very interesting as illustrating conditions at the front As to tho remainder of tho programme, Rotorua scenes are worth seeing by all—by thoso who would hko to renew acquaintance with Wonderland, as -well as those who will be glad to make the trip without the exponso of going there. "The Making of a Motorcar" shows the way cars aro poured out of the Willys-Overland factory, at Toledo, Ohio. "Tho Patho Gazette.' supplies topical pictures from Europe. There vail be a matinoo daily at ordinary prices. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

Tho now programnio at Everybody's Theatre is a specially interesting one. "The Market of Vain Desire," or "The Bartered Bride," is the principal attraction and features H. B. Warner as Mr. Armstrong, the new minister. Mr. Warner was a great success in. "The Raiders," and takes an exceptionally fine leading part in this picture. Tho story opens with- John Armstrong, a country minister, and his work, and goes on to where he is offered a much better position inj a church in New York. This he accepts, and among the first he meets in his new place are the millionaire member of the Vestry Board and his daughter. He also meets a Count, whose name has been associated with that of the millionaire's daughter, and takes a dislike to him from the start. Later, he is asked to announce the engagement of tho two, but after an extremely forceful sermon on the subject of the social evils of a loveless marriage, he tears up the slip in connection with the announcement, without making it. The millionaire oventually sees the folly of the engagement, and tells the Count of his decision. The Count, in due course, visits the*' minister, who he blames for causing the loss- of his fiancee, and after a short argument is shown the door. This causes the Count to go mad for the moment, and he hits the minister over tho head with a heavy stick he is carrying. Seeing what he has done, he rushes home, packs' his clothing, and leaves before he can be caught. Shortly afterwards the millionaire and his daughter arrive, and later a happy union takes place between the daughter and the minister. A large amount of comedy is worked into the picture, and the photography is excellent. Tho supporting items include "The Great War," showing a number of views' of Salonika, including an excellent panorama of the city, and a number of different parts of the harbour. There is a tremendous amount of shipping apparently lying idle, and the picture also deals with the unloading of guns and munitions. "The Official Pictures of tho British Army in Prance," and Gaumont Graphic, the latter including a number of Paris fashions,. most beautifully colcured, are also shown.

■EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Pawn of Sate" has registered a big success at the Empress Theatre. At every session, on Saturday tlio theatro was crowded. The first two acts aro in a genuine high icoincdy spirit, that sparkles continuously with that spirit of vivacious entertainment.and these lead up gradually to the more dramatic scones dealing with - the tragedy of two lives, which, by a ( peculiar dramatic twist, turns out happily in the finish. Pierre Dufrene and his pretty wHe are living in a state of perfect happiness in a littlo Normandy village; Pierre amuses himself with drawing sketches of his wife and her friends, and the different anistnls on tho farm.' Bo is not by any .means an artist, but ho finds enjoyment in these crude pictures. To the farm comes a celebrated Parisian artist Lassalle, who at once wishes Pierre's beautiful wife for his own selfish desires, but her innocence prevent? her from seeing what is suggested by the artist. The drawings of Pierre/are shown to him. Ho proclaims Pierre to bo a genius, and persuades hiru to come to Paris with his 1 wife. Pierre is feted as. a gonius, and has no idea that Lassalle is having a huge joke at his cxpenso, but at length ho realises that ho has' hecn a dupe, and the concluding scenes show Pierre having his revenge. The story has 'a happy ending.

DA.RCY-SMITH BOXING CONTEST. Eapid, thrilling, and highly sciontific exposition of tho art of self-dcfenco was given when Dave Smith tested tho might of Les Darcy, Australia's great young middle-weight boxer, and went down to defeat, Smith being knocked out in tho twelfth round. Lovers of this class of spoli can witness this great contest in every detail at the Now (Macinahon's) Theatre, in Manners Street. Tho picture was shown for tho first time on Saturday, and every session was crowded. It is a picture to which exception could not be taken. There is nothing brutal in it, and the boxing is of a very high order. Ono thing; is outstanding—tho match was fought in tho best of spirit, and in an exceptionally clean manner. It was the teacher fighting his pupil before 12,000 people at tho Eushcuttcr'3 Bay Stadium, and tho enthusiasm displayed by that huge crowd demonstrated how the two champion heavy-woighta played tho game right through. For tho ' first Sto or 6ix rounds (here appears .to

have been much clinching, but subsequently tho going was of a nioro open character. The style of the teacher and pupil was similar up to a point. When they got in close they had the same 'chippy upporcuts, and what are known as shamrocks—blows sent flying into tho air searching for the opponents face. Smith shone at long range work, and made tha most of the ample space tho ring gave himl The two men showed that they meant business from tho very first, anil both showed raro pace. The twelfth round found Darcy much the stronger of the two, but Smith got to work as one determined not to be beaten. Smith was sent down, but rose again to meet greater trouble, a couple of Carey's uppercuts finding tho mark and putting Smith out towards the end of the round. Darcy, with a spirit that was much admired, assisted his old tutor _ to his corner. Together with tlfe boxing picture to-dav will be shown the melodrama "The Fatal Card," featuring John Mason" and Hazel Dawn.

"IT PAYS TO ADYERTISE." Next Monday, at the Grand Opera House, J. 'C. Williamson, Ltd., will inau gurato a.ten nights' season of American farce-comedy, during which term three great laughter-makers wilLbe seen for the first time here. Probably no attraction has e\;er incited greater interest than "It Pays to Advertise," which will, serve to introduce two of Amorioa's most celebrated comedy performers in Halo Hamilton and Myrtle Tannohill. The former happens to be the originator of the part of Eufus Wallingford, in both Now York and London, while his partner was tho leading comedienne with George M. Cohan ut tho Astor Theatre, New York, for several years. Tho two principals aro supported by an array of comedy talent, includng a host of tho best comedians, all of whom wero specially selected for tho first Australian production, which rccently_ took place in Melbourne. -AH the artists are said to work together with the accuracy of a beautiful piece of machinery, and the briskjfss and animation entirely capture tuo audience, the piny running its coiirso to an obligate of laughter. The story chiefly centres round the movement of rivals in the soap industry in New Ywrk, whero a famous soapmakcr's son, who is not a lover of work, is induced to launch out in business 'by a clever trap set for him by his father and his typisto, but, unlike his dad, ho is a sound believer in advertising. He eventually induces "hi 3 storn' parent" to come to his way of thinking, with 1 tha result that father and son come-together as ono trust, in their famous article, No 13 soap. Halo Hamilton portrays tho part of a publicly agent, while Miss Tannohill appears as his typisfc. "It Pays to Advertiso" will bo staged for four nights, then will be presented each for threo night "Tho Boomerang" and "Twin Beds." The box plans for tho season will onen at tho Bristol next Friday moraing, at 9 o'clock.

"THE CELEBRATED SCANDAL." The Croivn Theatre management announco the first screening to-night of "Tho Colebrated Scandal," a For Film Co.'s picture, starring Betty Hansen, tho celebrated Danish tragedienne, and Europe's royal actress. Miss Nansen is tho star of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. She has boon decorated by Kings. She \vas tho friend and inspiration of Henrik Ibsen, and tho creator of his hectic heroines. Of her this mastor dramatist said: "She does not act; she is." Betty Nansen makes her first pcaranco beforo a Now Zealand public in ''The Colebrated Scandal," by Jaso Echogaray, the famous Spanish playwright. Miss Nanseu's rolo in this production is said to give full scopo to her powers of emotional expression. Director James Durkm, it is stated, made tho moat of the thrilling situations with which tho production abounds, and tho care with which the details aro worked out denotes tho hand of a master craftsman. Miss Nansen ie supported by Edward .Tose, former leading man with Sarah Bernhardt, Wilmuth Merkyl. Walter Hitchcock, Stuart Holmes, and it full cast of playora of sterling ability. Tho management state that tlie play is founded on a well-knowh London eocioty scandal. Tho picture will bo screened all this week, with special matineea on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

, . "PETER PAN" BALLET. Miss Estello Beere is producing; Sir James Barrie's lovablo child story, "Poter Pan" (by kind permission of J. C. Wil-, liamson, Ltd.), at the Grand Opera House, on Friday and Saturday, October 20 and 21, and a special matinee on the Saturday afternoon. Their, Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpool, havo given their patronage, and signified their intention of being present. The whole of the proceeds aro to bo given to the Countess of Liverpool's Fund and the Blue Cross Fund. "Peter Pan" promises to excel any of the many dance recitals Miss Beere las given in Wellington, the play lending itself for dances of all descriptions to be introduced. Outstanding features will be songs and choruses, "Wendy Wants a Tiny House," sung while the lost boys build the house, and "A Little Fairy named Tinker-Bell," sung while the wee fairy is in mid-air. In this divertissement the spirited mazurka, the "Fox Tno6" from "Watch Your Step Revue," 'Dance Sylvan," Ragtime Sextette, and "Little Dutch Girls" aro among the many beautiful dances to be presented. "Wild Flowers," a charming fantasy invented and aranged for J;he occasion .by Miss Beere. will also bo. produced. The principal parts in this will be taken by the Dragon-Fly, the BlueBell, Poppy and Marguerite, and the ballots and ensembles include the fßunch of Forget-me-nots," a "Daisy Chain," and "Poppies and Corn." The scenery and mounting of both pieces will bo quite a feature of the production.. Special scenery which Miss Beere brought with her from Sydney, is being used for the first time in Wellington. ■■ '£ he box plan ojjens at.the Bristol this morning at 9 a.m., and a very heavy booking is anticipated.

ORGAN RECITAL. There was a. rather larger audience than usual at the Town Hall on Saturday evening, when Mr. Bernard F. Page gave an enjoyable organ recital. The programme consisted mostly of pieces that Mr. Page has made familiar by frequent repetition during the past year. Among these were Cesar : Franck's "Finale in B Flat," Eebikoff's "Psychological 1 Poem," a Bach "Toccata and Fugue," Debussy's "En Bateau," and the bracket of old-time music, "Pavano" (Byrd), "Cappricio Pastorale" (Frescobaidi), and "Musette" (Dandrieu). A Btisisvski Sonata (No. 1), and a "Pastorale" by Claussmar/wero also acceptable items.