ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2927, 13 November 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. An ambitious programme, consisting of n dozen acts—four of them star, attractions—will prevail at His Majesty's 'i'heatro during tho coining week. The four principal attractions are Mr. Chris Richards, Mankin the Human Frog, Miss Dorothy Harris, and Miss Madge Maitland. Mr. Richards, who comes diroct from tho London Palace of Varieties, where he was a co-star with Ada Reeve, Harry Lauder, and George Robey, is an cccentric English comedian with a magnetic name in British and American vaudeville houses. What is said to be an absouto fact about tho newcomer is that the inimitable Charles Chaplin is at present using many of the affected peculiarities taugut him by Richards, when the pair were associated somo yoar6 ago in the same productions. The older generations of theatre-goers will remember with interest tho popularity enjoyed out here by the famous "Ferry tho Frog. Based on somewhat the. same unique lines, but far from slavishly imitating his predecessor, Mankin the Human is said to even outrival Ferry in the latter's more grotesque and difficult business. Miss Dorothy Harries needs no introduction to Wellington. Suffice to say that since her last appearance hero "The Cashmero Bouquet of Ragtime' has been back to America for another. stock of the latest gowns, not to mention songs of the moment. Madge Maitland will be seen this week in an entirely new routine of work, and those who have not yet heard and seen the great artist are reminded that this is her farewell appearance here. The quartet of stars will be supported by Harry Howe and Ethel, the Dancing Johnstons, Wee M Colls, Harry Little, and the Steele Payne Bellringers. A special matinee at reduced prices will be given next Wednesday afternoon.

THE KING'S. Clara Kimball Young, who ranks WrK among the beet-known actressy in the silent drama, is the leading lady in the present headline attraction at the iung s Theatre. This production, which is one of the recently reorganised World Co. s features, is entitled "The Feast of XAig. It portrays in excellent photography a strong and artistically presented drama of Spanish life in Havana. Aurora Fernandez, a Cuban girl, is condemned to a loveless marriage with a "wealthy Spaniard named Don Armada, who is in t&turn to restore the fallen, fortunes of the Fernandez family. The girl revolts against the "bargain. "Madre de -Dioff she says, I am condemned to die without ever having lived. In disguise she visits a dancing tavern, where she falls in love with the handsome fisherman Pedro. Pedro has previously in love with Aurora, when she visited the church with lilies for the altar. He fails to recognise in this alluring 4 dancing girl, his "Lady of the Lily," and it is only reluctantly does he banish his former ideal from his heart. Armada is found to have betrayed sister, and in a fight is struck blind. He regains his sight by an operation, but in order to spy upon his wife pretends ho ,is still blind. Ho intercepts a note from Pedro and stabs him, but-is still so weak j that the excitement kills him, and the i lovers are reunited. The. picture is a most worthy achievement ana should cor--1 tninly meet with considerable success, i Albert Cappelani, th* director, has euci ceeded in adding to the list-of many successes siflce. his world's success, Hugo's | "Les Misevables." The supports include | an amusing comedy, a very < fine film ! showing the Deutchland entering BaltiI more Harbour, and Patho's Topical.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There are two special attractions ~ori the new programme at this house of continuous pictures, and judging by tit© crowds on Saturday, they are going to prove extremely popular. The five-reel production, starring "Maciste," the giant whoso feats of strength, in. Cabiria mado him famous, tells the story of a giant's fight for fair play for a young lady who is being deprived of the fortune which is to come to her. There are some really wonderful exhibitions of athletic strength performed in the production which is qui to free from any suspicion of faking, and moreover is not without its comedy aspect. Maciste proves himself not only a veritable Samson of the kineiua, but a clever actor as well. The producer has chosen men on the small side to impersonate the villains; nevertheless the manner in whioh.the giant ties _ them up in bundles together and carries them about like children, is nuite remarkable, as also is the act in which he runs after a motonnan going at fair rate, and lifts the chauffeur out of his seat and takes his place.. Where he becomes the butler in tho household of the chief villain ho gives a clever impersonation. His soubrequet of "Marvellous Maciste" is well earned in this picture, which seemed to please Saturday's big audience immensely. The 6econd attraction is "Police," in which Charlie Chaplin is seen in some more of the antics which have made him tho clown of this oentury. It has been sai<l that Chaplin's popularity is on the wane, but if every comedy in which he appears causes as much laughter as . this one, the funny little man is due for many big salary offers for some _ time yert. To describe the_ plot of "Police" would be futile, but it is full of novelty (that Tare thing in farce films), and is certainly funnier than anything Bince, perhaps, 'The Shopwalker." That it will cause much laughter this week seems certain. The Gaumont Graphic is shown in addition to the tiro, big stars.

CHAPLIN AT THE EMPRESS. The_ tremendous popularity of Charlie Chaplin accounted for a record attendance at the Empress Theatre on Saturday, i?feen he appeared in the big farcical comedy, "Police." At tho first performance of the day the Empress played to capacity business, and at every performance afterwards the lobby was filled by* those awaiting admittance. Those who gained admission will no doubt agree .that the picture is the most wildly amusing production yet screened for the purpose of enhancing the name of the inimitale Chaplin. Chaplin is a great mirthmnker, and lie had the audience rocking in their seats from, start to finish. Another great feature of the programme was the powerfully dramatic play, "The Woman's Law." This star drama gave Miss Florence Roed| of the Pathe Company, the opportunity of moving the house by her marvellous portrayal of, a wife who pitted' her wits against the greatest legal authorities of America, in order to have the name of her child, and to obtain her release from a dissolute husband. It is a big 6tory with a fine moral. The Topical Budget, which forms parts of the bill, is an unusually interesting news budget. "MADAME X." A powerful emotional drama, which was something like a record successln Australia, will be produced for the first time in New Zealand on Saturday evening nert, at the Grand Opera House, bj; the Eoynl Dramatic andf'Comedy Company, Ltd., by special arrangement with J. 0. Williamson, Ltd. The company is due to arrive by the Manuka this morning, as the management deemed it advisable to allow a few days for tho final perfecting of the production, which is a very heavy one. Tho scnery, properties, costumes, ote.., will be the same 'as those used for the 'presentation of this play by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in Australia, so the initial attraction of tho Royal Dramatic and Comedy Co. should o of a perfectly satisfactory standard as regards mounting. "Madame X" has been described as "a play for all women, which all men should see," for it tenches a strong lesson of charity towards tho frailties of others, vividly showing how the woman always pays, even though hor faults may be less vital and fewer than those of moil. It also shows how many are pushed down into tho abyss when a littlo kmdly charity would eo easily have lifted them right back into tho sifnshinc of life, never to falter again. It illustrates many sad facts and many wrongs, for which our one-sided social laws aro in some part responsible, and has been acclaimed by clergy and Press as- a play with a. noble lesson and high' motive.

tho season. Tho combination was in excellent form, and its ablo conductor (Mr. Herbort Bloy) once again proved himself a. capablo director. Tho -rrogrammo was an interesting; one, containing "heavy" and "light" pieces. Good tasto was reflected in its choice by patrons, and all could well feel proud of tho success attained. Ono of the most favoured pieces was the opening: one, Berloiz's "Mareho Hongroise," and then followed Liszt's "Second Rhapsodio." This work was well handled, nbd created a very favourable impression. In fact, tho audience clamoured for more, and got it in Schubert's "Serenade," in which .the solo trumpet part was played by Mr. W. H. Bowman. Mendelssohn's overture, "Buy Bias," was one of the best pieces of tho entertainment, and. two lighter studies —Sullivan's "Graceful Dance" and Gillet's "Loin du Bal"—were also pleasingly executed. . Finally Sibeliu's tone poem, "Findlandia," was given. The work is very concise. The opening theme, which is of religions solemnity, was excellently played by the trombones. A spirited dance tune follows, well played by all instruments, and then comes a bold militant theme by drums, trombones, and other brass instruments. Presently a sad folke tune, played on the wood-winds, interrupts. This is repeated by the strings, and it eventually leads to a fino clash of all instruments, based on a theme from the introductory section. The effort was a great one all through, and merited tho applause given it.