ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2915, 30 October 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE BOOMERANG." "The Boomerang," which was presented for the second time by the Williamson Comedy Company in the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening, is a comedy of rare quality, and its reception by any aormal audience could not bo in doubt. The story of how l)r. Sumner, a self-confident young physician, set out to arrange the pangs of jealousy that were racking Bud Woodbridge, and involved himself in a sharp attack of the same complaint, ia more than merely funny; it lias a savour of true romance. Saturday night's audience was loud in its appreciation of one of the prettiest comedies Wellington has seen. "The Boomerang" will bo presented again this evening:. "TWIN BEDS." "Twin Bods," described as one of the liveliest successes in farce which. America, has recently been enjoying, will be staged to-morrow and two following evenings. "Twin Beds" created quit© a stir in Australia, where the censor mado some objections to the display of the printing exhibited to advertise the piece. The story of "Twin Beds" relates to tho disagreement between tho Hawkins couple on the question of visi : tors. The young wife has a mania-.ifor visiting and being visited. When the husband seeks a little peace, after a hard day's work, he finds that the quest is hopeless, for his comfortable flat is overrun by a host of callers—chiefly tho other dwellers in expensive flats of ttie neighbourhood. In order' to escape from the most objectionable visitor—an Italian tenor named Monti—Hawkins persuades his wife to take a flat in another building', and she in tnrn insists upon having twin beds. By chance, however, Signor and Signora Monti have hit on the same location. Signora's reason for tho change is that she wishes to remove her susceptible husband from tho attraction of Mrs. Hawkins, who, on her ' part, angers her husband through the way in. which she is allured by Monti's opcratio fame. In the new building thero are several mistakes in regard to tho flats, which aro similarly fitted up. The worst blunder is that Monti' 'comes homo intoxicated, ajid goes to bed in the twin bed usually occupied by Hawkins. This mistake leads to general family complications, the unravelling of which is said to give rise to some excruciatingly funny comedy scones. Tho season will close on Thursday night.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho star attraction of the local variety etago for the. coming week will bo Del Baity and his bulldog Jap. .Tap. ranks as one of tho most remarkable canines over seen out here, as ho is said to be the only dog musician in the world. As proof of tho animal's phenomenal musical abilities it need only be Baid that he is an accredited member of a musioiana' union, surely the greatest distinction ever given to a number of the canine world. Tho Cowpunchcr and his Musical Do? is said to be all in all one of the most unique vaudovillo offerings of tho year. Billy Brown, an English comedian, whose comedy is leavened by the introduction of a violin into his turn, -will appear for tho first time, and < tho remainder of a largo batch of newcomors will comprise > "The Tomboy Girls, England's Dainty Artistic Double," Harry Little, a baritone and descriptive singer, Kitty Clinton, comedienne, Eileen Barnsley, dramatic soprano, ani] Waito and Weight, described aB purveyors of crisp and clever comedy. A powerful programme will he completed by tho Robert Domont Trio, tho whirlwind acrobats; Chedwick and Campbell, concortaina exports, and Fred Coyno and Pearl Livingstone, musical comedy duo. Tho programme is to bo repeated throughout tho week, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday aftornoons. KING'S THEATRE.. Ono of tho finest pictures of its kind seen in Wellington was produced at tho King's Theatre for tho firet timo on Saturday evening. It is a "Triangle" drama entitled '"Going Straight." In addition to Miss Norma Talmadgo and Ralph Lewis, tho Trianglo Co.'s clever children aro in the cast. ( Tho. story pictures a fight for homo, wife, children and happiness. In reality it is a 6tpry of a fight against a past which it-was thought was buried. Tho mountings and'stage settings of the drama aro abovo tho ordinary, and tho' photography of the play is all that could bo desired. At times the dramatic scenes aro intense, and interest in tho doings of the principals is sustained thoroughout. Briofly told tho story is as follows:—John Remington, a respectable real 1 estato man, goes down into tho 6lums to negotiate tho purchaso of a warehouse for a cliont and meets Jimmie Briggs, a gangster. The latter recognises Remington as his former partner in crime who took tho nanio of Higgins. Remington (Ralph Lowis) and his wife /Norman Talmadgo) used to work with Briggs in many houso robberies, and for tho last tho two men served sentences. When they were released Remington found that Grace had borne him a baby, and for the baby's sake ho detenu inert to livo straight. Briggs blackmails Remington, however, till ho has no more inonoy to give him. Then Briggs demands that Remington should aid him in ono more big deal or ho will expose Grace for 'her complicity in by-gono crimes. Tho wife has gone to spend tho week-end at the home of a wealthy friend --the very place Briggs has selected to burgle. In due course Remington and Briggs enter tho house, and the former tackles tho safe in his old dexterjous manner. Meanwhile Briggs goes upstairs to see after the jewellery, and happens g> 6n ter the rooms where Grace is asleep. She hears him and a desperate struggle takes place, but her wit saves the situation. Unfortunately Briggs escapes in the excitement, and his desire to be revenged on the man who has doublo crossed him eads to a smashing finish. In addition 1° ™e ' star" attraction, "The Pathe Ga--6J s weU wortll seeil ig tffc. week i while there is an interesting Pathe colour scenic-of an excursion to tho Chateau of i Sianibord. Comedy is well represented in His Dukeship Mr. Jack," featuring hrank Daniels. Matinees will be given on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. EVERYBODY'S .THEATRE. Miss Blanche .Sweet, ono of the popular leading ladies of the Lasky-Belasco hlms, is tho attraction at Everybody's • a,m 6 tWs week - Mii3S Sweet appears in The Warrens of Virginia," a fourreel picture of the American Civil War period. Tho 6tory is worked round tho climax of tho war, the expected arrival of a Southern food train, and its failure to do so, which facts cause tho surrender of the' Southern -forces. Tho fiction part of the story concerns the visit of a Northern lieutenant: to the daugh- 6 ter (Blauce Sweet) of a Southern general. 5 Tho lieutenant and tho daughter are sweethearts, and he carries fatso dispatches, concerning tho food train, which coma into the hands of the enemy who divert the train near to the Northern lines, and it is destroyed. The picture contains many exciting and pathetic scenes, and shows with great vividness the 'hardships endured by the starved Southerners. An official picture of the firing of a British monster gun is presented. These guns aro larger than any yet soon in the pictures, and fire shells each weighing 8501b. The direction of tho German trenches aro sent to tho gunners by wireless from an aeroplane. The "Gaumont" Graphic" is interesting, and there are moving cartoons of Mutt ajid Joff. The programme was witnessed by largo audiences at all sessions on Saturday. 'r EMPRESS THEATRE. "Tho Phantom Crook" was screened for tho first time in Wellington at the Empress Theatre on Saturday. It is a powerful drama in which the expert society swindler is shown in a new light. The plot hinges on the theft of a very valuable pearl necklace. "Tho Phantom'' is a socioty man nnraer Parrel. He is suspected by tho polico of being a swindler, and is warned to leave America. Ho promises to do so, but before daparting determines to .obtain tho celebrated necklace which is to bo worn at a society m function. Ho introduces himself to tho host as a detective sent to guard the jewels, fie falls in lovo with the daughter of the houso, and 6ho returns his lovo. While the girl is showing tho guesia her necklace tho lights go out, and when they aro' turned on tae jewel caso is empty. From this on tiio'action is tonso and highly dramatic, and the audience is kept guessing who it waß that stolo tho jewels right up to tho last minuto. The love elemon.t in tho play

is particularly well handled, and gives Mr. Prank Keenan opportunity for a remarkably clever performance. "The Phantom Crook" is ono of tho best plays of its kind produced by tho Triangle Fino Arts Company. Tho supporting programme includes a very brisk and laughable comedy "Mr. Jack Goes into Business," and tho latest Patho Gazette. '.TEE TWO ORPHANS" AT CKOWN THEATBE. The William Pox version of D'Ennory's famous drama, "The Two Orphans," which differs radical? from tho stage version in power, life, and colour, will bo presented for tho first time at the Crown Theatre to-night. It calls for the services of an altogether exceptional cast, headed by Theda Bara and Jean Sothern, as Henrietta and Louise, the "two orphans." The part of Henrietto is a Tadicaf departure from the Vampire parts with which Miss Bara's name has become associated. f}- cr splendid artistry, however, renders tho French actress capable of giving an unusually powerful rendition of the character. Jean Sothern, ono of the most winsome oftho younger American actresses, is said to givo an appealing poTformnnce of power and pathos as Louise, the blind i>™ S orbert Brenon, tho director of the two Orphans," himself portrays •fwi ,° cri PP Io > who loves Loui'so with Hie blind worship of an inferior being. E. L. Fernandez, a noted Broadway star, is seen as Jacques. Pierre's brutal brother, who abuses Louise, and pays i-t ? e ?, alt }" for ,lis misdeeds with his life at the hands of Pierre. The box plan is at Beggs Manners Street. There will be special matinees on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 2.30. PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.' The Wellington Professional Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. Herbert a concert in His Majesty's lleatre last evening. The popularity of cne orchestras concerts was shown by tho very large attendance, tho building being filled in all parts. Tho instrumentalists had the assistance of Mr. Hamilton Hodges, who. took the solo in the prologue from "I Pagliacci" (Leoncayalo) Mr. Hodges' robust baritone suited the number admirably, and tho whole eflect was delightful. The audience mad;, an earnest but unsuccessful effort to secure an encore. The orchestra presented five other numbers, and' each, of them was thoroughly enjoyable, lho andante from Tschaiiowsky's Fifth Symphony, full of melody and Jyric beauty, gavo conductor and players good opportunity to display their skill, and the result was almost entirely pleasing. A composition for the strings only, Von Blon's "Troumbild," was excellently presented, and the overture to "Masaniello" (Auber) was a delightful item. Tho other items ware "Threo African Dances" (Montagu King) and tho fantasia "Mefistofelo' (Boito), each tuneful and interesting.