ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2911, 25 October 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

'IT PAYS TO ADVERTISJj." "It Pays to Advertise" is so crvplic a truism that it is a wonder that such a title was Jiot seized on long before Mr. Koi Cooper Jfagrue hit upon tlio idea. Tho comedy, so admirably presented l.y Williamson's Comedy Company at tlie Grand Opera House, is ono that is racy o£ tho soil—American soil. The manners of its people, the schemes concocted, and situations created have little or no counterpart in New Zealand life, but such methods and bunco games have been made almost too familiar bv the unceasing bo-mbatdment wo get "from publishers of American books and magazines. Tho mission of tho class of play under notice is to mako one laugh, and nervy Kodncy Martin's attempt to sail into the soap trust, headed by his stern but human father, with only a gift for spending money on advertising something that does not exist, is coolly calculated to produce a laugh a minute—and! does bo. There are some pretty surprises to brace one up, and Peale's vocal velocity when he gets on to the subject of advertising is nearly as exhilarating as Miss Naueye Stewart's French as the spurious Cojutcsse. One cannot say more of Miss Stewart's vivacious performance than that it is mp'to the best traditions of her family. Mr. Halo Hamilton as Peale is a whirlwind of inviting geniality and good health, and is an ideal foil to Mr. Donald Bowles's timid, nervous., yet plucky little bluff at tie bunco gatne. Mr. Edwin Lester gives a ftellstudied sketch of one of America's big buines? men, and Miss Tanehill, a the bright, cool, alert, yet every mercenary typist, is equal to every demand. • "It Pays to Advertise" will hold the stage until 'Friday evening, when Winchell fjmith's delightful comedy, "The Boomerang," will be performed. Mr. Wm. Brady is alleged to have said that "The Boomerang" is the finest comedy written for ten years.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATER. It is a singularly attractive programme which the Messrs. Tuller are presenting at His Majesty's Theatre this week. Easily first among the attractions is Miss Wish -Wynne) an actress of rare talent, who specialises in character studies of girls in humble life in England. Her sketches are amusing even for those to Vrhom the types are unfamiliar, they are also true pictures. Coyne aftd Livingstono do a turn which is billed as a rovuette, a sparkling ten minutes or more of burlesque and fund. The Bobert de Mont Co. aire a team of daring balancers and acrobats, who mix effectivo foolery with risky work, all performed frith confidence and certainty. Other new artists are Chadwick and Campbell, who play concertinas, and there are staying over some of the best of last week's performers.

THE KING'S THEATRE. The remarkable wot picture, "The Battle Cry of Peace," continues to astonish the crowds at the Ktig's liieatre &t two sessions daily. Tie picture gives the most vividly realistio pori ?! wllat an invasion of America by the Germans would in all probability mean, and it is not surprising- that this production caused the sensation, throughout America that is said to have made it a bigger draw than the "Birth of a Nation. There are some excellent suppornng features. The clover comedian, I 1 rank Daniels, who is fast making a ■name for himself for a brand of comed.v work peculiarly his own, gets loud laughs at everr screening of "Mr. Jack Inspects Paris.' There :s the always interesting "Pathe Gazetto," and a particularly instructive coloured scientific subject. "THE HALF-BREED." drama by the Triangle Company, n•? palf-Breed," starring Douglas iairbanke, the eocond highest paid artist in the world, is the feature of Everybody's programme this week. It is a realistic dramatisation cC one of Bret Harte's telling stories of the great goldrush days in California, The story is set in, the little. town of Exoelsior, on the edge of the Carquinez Woods in California, and depicts the struggle of a boy .-with a white father .and a. Cherokee mother. Life is made very hard for him by the bitterness of the white people, but in the end he finds happiness. Tho setting of this picture is magnificent. The items supporting this star are tho official war film, "With the Kut Relief Force in Mesopotamia." Such a demonstration of tenacity and perseverance has never been moro convincingly illustrated than by thi3 film._ The "Gaumont Graphio" and an amusing cartoon are also excellent items. EMPRESS THEATRE. The last three nights at the Empress Theatre of the delightful photo-play 'Aodra/ a play that sparkles with fun, are announced. The action of the story takes place in New York and on a pretty island in the South Pacific, lisually when a young couple elope with the intention of being married, they accomplish what they set out for. Iu "Nedra" it is different; the young couple elope with the intention of being, united, but Fate steps in and not only separates thenv for a period, but causes them to marry other persons, who were quite unknown to them. The play bristles with dramatic surprises, and the end has a charm quite its own. A strong programme supports the star feature. SUNDAY CONCERT. The last concert of tho season by the Wellington Professional Orchestra will be given at His Majesty's Theatre on Sunday evening next, under the conductorahip of Mr. Herbert Bloy. Additional interest will be taken in this concert from the fact that Mr. Hamilton Hodges will bo heard with tho orchestra in the famous prologuo to "I Pagliacci" (Leoncavallo). Tho principal items by the orchestra will be a movement from Tschaikowsky's "Fifth Symphony," "Masaniello" overture, and a fantasia on "Mefistofele" (Boito). A silver coin collection will be taken up.