ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2916, 31 October 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. "Tho Boomerang" was played in Wellington for the last time last evening, and again it had a, good reception. "TWIN BEDS." To-night "Twin. Beds" will bo 6taged. This play ran for eighteen months in Now York, and in Australia it achieved a great triumph. It is credited by tho critics with possessing new comedy idoas and plenty of invention in tho way of clever situations. The author, too, has the gift of leading up unexpectedly to a development and adroitly depriving it or its logical conclusion. "Twin ■Bods," it is stated, earned for the authoress over a million dollars. Mr. Hale Hamilton as Harry Hawkins, a young married man, who desires more of the company of bis wife and less of that of the other flat dwellers, it is 6aid» portrays tho part of the jealous husband to tho very life. Miss Myrtle Tannehill, as the ever weeping wife, has an extremely heavy part, but, it is said, she rises to every occasion, either when tho part calls for the highest in comedy art, or in the love scenes with her husband. Mr. Donald Bowles presents a new and quaint 6tudy in the character of Andrew Lai-kin, a stammering freak, who swallows his words and gulps them up on the instalment plan. His chase after the supposed burglar in the 6econd act is said to be ludicrous in the extreme, and keeps the house in a simmer of merriment .whilo it lasts. As the eccentric Signer Monti, the individual responsible for most of the domestio unrest in several families at one time, Mr..Maurice Dudley, it ia said, is capital. Miss Celia Ghiloni is 6aid .to be extremely in the role of Signora Monti. Others in the cast are Miss Nancye Stewart and Miss Marion Marcus Clarke. The Trentbam train will be delayed tonight to enable soldiers fr/om Camp to , attend tho comedy. ' . HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. It is not very-often that a complete change of artists as well as programme is given at His Majesty's Theatre on a Monday evening, but, with the exception of one turn only, this was accomplished last evening to the evident satisfaction of the regular first-nighters, who are, as a rule, keener critics than thoso of other nights. The new bill, which was nicely diversified, included some excellent turns that are sure to be popular with vaudeville patrons. Trained dog turns always find hearty appreciation, and a warm welcome was given Del Baity and his trained bull terrier Jap, a really remarkably intelligent animal, which goes through his. performance with all the calm repose and 6angr froid of en experienced performer, and nevor exhibits any' of that norvous fidgetty, yapping and over-anxiety so common to doggy beginners. Jap, at tho behest of hia master, shows perfect understanding of-all that is said to him, sitting up, lying down, rolling over, stretching, and even raising oho paw or the other to signify his perfect understanding of the differenco in sound betweon two words. The dog can dress and undress himself, and dq a variety of things, ordinary perhaps in'themselves, but astonishing when dono at command/ Ho concluded his performance by vamping on'a little organ to Del Baity's fiddling. It is a long time since vaudeville patrons have heard so good a baritone vocalist as Harry Little, whose voice is full-bodied and musical in quality, and, used in ooujunctiori with dramatic action, is very effective Mr. Little sang "To-night is tho End of fhe World." "MBnualay," and "Till the Sands of the Desert Gtow Cold" in ringing style. Tho Robert do Mont Company, a trio consisting of Bustor Brown, his sweetheart, and Buttons, give a rapid-fire acrobatic turn in a unique hotel lobby setting, smart comedy being interspersed with whirl-, wind tumbling of a very exhilarating character. The new sketch, "Bits and Pieces," revealed Mr. FTcd .Coyne and Mi6s Pearl Livingstone as bright and amusing frivollers, with a distinct gift for charactes comedy work. Thoy were particularly good in tho shopping scene, in which the foibles of lady shoppers were cleverly travested. Waito and Weight introduced two amusing patter comedians and singers, who occasionally slipped in a new joke as a guaranteo of originality. Billy Brown proved to bo an amiable comedian, with a prcdclictioh for Irish song and story. Though ho carried a violin during his turn, it . proved to be a phantom as far as music was concorned. Miss Kitty Clinton, a smart frockor of prepossessing appearance, sang thrco comedy songs nicely. Tho Tom Boy Girls combined in song and dance, and one of thom showed a nico facility in step-dancing. Clmdwick and Campbell make a good show with 'their sweet-toned concertinas, and Miss Eileen Barnsley ploughed her way through "II Bacib" and "Killarney."

THE KING'S THEATRE. Can a man and a woman livo down tho past they havo buried for a clean futuro? This is tho problem dealt with "in "Going Straight," a Griffith-directed Fine Arts Trianglo play, which is showing to crowded houses at tho King's 'Theatre. A couple of clever "crooks," who havo married and forsaken their evil ways, aro faced with an old associate, who threatens to seud tho woman to gaol unless her husband joins him in one last big coup. In desperation for his wife's sake, but against her will, tho man agrees, and it is planned to onter a well-to-do houso in the suburbs. Unknown to tho "crooks," the woman herself has been invited to stay tho night at this particular house, and it is this fact that gives to the picture th 6 most powerful and novel climax imaginable. The picture is remarkable for the realism of its portrayal of tho life of tho underworld, and further for the acting of tho clover Triangle children. Their part in tho homo life of the married "crooks" makes a happy and pleasing contrast, and gives a big heart-interest that Griffiths knows so well how. to introduce. The part of tho wifo and mother is taken by Miss Norma ' Taimadgc, whose sympathetic beauty adds much to the success of the feature. Iho supporting films include "His Dukeship Mr. Jack,'' featuring .Frank Daniels, « new Vitagraph comedian, who is becomin" a big favourite; a beautiful scenic subject, and tho popular gazette by Patho Frercs. .

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A' Lasky masterpiece, "The Warrens of Virginia," is the principal featuro m this week's programme at Everybody s, starring Blanche Sweet, the popular 'kinema actress. The story deals with the great Civil War of the sixties in the United States, and abounds with the thrill and romance of the stirring days of the struggle between North and South. Most of the action of the drama takes placo during the closing days of the war, when tho soldiers aro sullering from a lack of supplies. The supporting items include a fine war series, describing the operation of our monster guns in France. The film shows the whole of the opeiattons incidental to bringing the giant weapons into action, from the reception of lie wireless message, from, an aeroplane observer to the firing of the 8501b s P S and their effect on the German lines Other pictures include the "Gaunont Graphic,'' with all the latest news of tW world, and an amusing cartoon, "Mutt and Jeff in the Gay White Way.

EMPRESS THEATRE. "Tho Phantom Crook" is mystifylng and entertaining.largo audiences: • the Emm-ess Theatre. It is a fascinating and at times an amusing story of a genff,,„ swindler who, when, warned by iTpolic Cities that he must leave the town, decides to take away-with him the Bereton necklaco, which w vXed at a fabulous sum He, with a confederate, whom ho introduces to the Wtler of the .Bereton household as his iffness The great Bereton necklace is Zml 7 I wry Ptetty love romance is S'into.thTstory. The exporting programme is an excellent one.

FWh DUFAULT. l a nu no onthuSm than Paul Dufault, Sd the announcement that ho will give fehort farewell season here, en route

to America, will bo most welcome Silce leaving Now Zoaland, Paul Default las mot with tho samo enthusiastic roeeptisn as greeted him lore. Commenting en tho enthusiastic wolcomo given to tte Canadian tenor, tho Melbourne "Ago: says: "The enthusiasm of tho largo audi onoo on Saturday night was no greater and no less than at any other performance—it has never varied sinco Paul Dufault's first appearance here. A tenor with such a glorious voieo ami such distinct personality need never fear for his reception, oven in 'unmusical Melbourno.' " The Dufault season, hore, which is limited to three concerts, will take placo at thoGrand Opera Houso on November, 8. 3, and 11. Tho bos plan will open at tho Bristol on Fridav morning.

, THE CROWN THEATER Tho biggest of the Pox films jet presented in Now Zealand is showing! this week in tho Crown Theatre. The Pox Corporation havo.ideas in film production winch, are peculiar to their work, and they add in ,no small degree to its effect. They insist on detail always, and on all tho realism possible. Printed explanations are reduced to a minimum. So it happens that they can "by the kinema tell such a very complex story as "The Two Orphans," and make an amazing success of tho tellirig. ,'l'he events related' happen in the days which were good—and bad. Knights wore bold and women wero fair, but vice was uncontrolled and poverty squalid. Tho central figures aro two orphans, Henrwttc and Louise. Hcnriette is beautiful, but Louise, also beautiful, lis blind. Left alono in the world, they are sent to Paris to be cared for by an uncle, but ill fortune overtakes thom. Honj'iette' is abducted, and Louise falls into, tho clutches of a , vilo' old crono, Mother Fiochard, who is a- professional beggar and a debauched old- reprobate. With her Louiso endures untold horrors. Prochaid has two sons, a swaggering wastrel and a good lad of poor spirit called Pierre. -Pierre does his best to make the lot of the girl waif less unhappy, but he is foiled at every turn by his wretched brother, who forces unwelcome attentions on tho poor blind 'girl. Honrietto fares almost as badly.. She is rescued from her enemy •by a. young knight, who wishes to marry her,, but Tub relatives object, and unhappy Henriotto is sent to prison on some pretext. In the end everything straightens out. and there is happiness for ill nave Mother Prochard and the other bad people This is the mero skeleton of one or two parts of a 6tory which has many roots and branches, a most complete and thrilling romance. It is an ambitions production, and a conspicuous success as such. The play features Theda Bara (Honrietto) and Jean Sotherin (Louise). A most remarkable characterisation also is that of Mother Frocnard, a wonderful make-up and a fearless portrayal of a most unpleasant role. ineatro for tho remainder of the week.

™ ITA KT CONCERT AND REVUE. „ill ,r vvom^ se f > '*> one of the most 'attiactivo entertainments of the roar is to bo given in tho largo Town Hall on Saturday next, in aid of tho Red Cross Our Day appeal. Tho first half of the programnio is by kind pel-mission of Colonel Potter,, being supplied by tho

n.c.o s of tho Twenty-fourth Reinforcements, now in camp at Trentham, among whom there is soiuo exceptional talent. Iho second half of tho progi-ammo is boing supplied by tho Wellington Savage unr>, who, in response to numerous remiests, aro repeating their Trench Revue winch was the outstanding featuro of their recent ladies' evening entertainment. Iho sceno of tho revue is laid in a rest trench on tho Western front, aU the performers boing in uniform. It abounds in clover humour, fine choruses and solos, and is in every way a creditto its author, a member of tho club Tho box. plan opons to-morrow at tho Bristol. "ISRAEL IN EGYPT." Tho Town Hall should bo'well filled tonight, when Handel's oratorio, "Israel m Egypt," will bo given bv tho Royal Choral Union, under tho direction of Mr. Robert Parker, with a band and chorus of 250, assisted by tho grand which will bo presided over by Mr. F. W. Rowley. A very successful final rohearsal was leld last evoning in the Town Hall, and tho performance tonight promises to rival some of the best concerts the union havo given. Sergeant Edwin Dennis, of tho Twentieth Reinforcements, is to sing tho tenor solos, whilo Miss Eileen Driscoll is to undertake the contralto work. The box plan can be inspected at tho Bristol Piano Co. till 5 o'clock to-night, where 3sv and 2s. seats can bo reserved, and Is. tickets obtained. Tho doors will open at 7.15, and the oratorio conclude about 9.55 p.m. )h