ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2928, 14 November 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE,

A very attractive bill is being presented at His 'Majesty's Theatre this week. Tho programme was a good one last night, and to-night it will be reinforced by contributions from Chris. Kiehards, an

English comedian, who could not appear last night, having arrived by the Manuka late in the evening. Without him. there were threo performers entitled to big type on the bills—Maiikm, Miss Dorothy Harris, and Miss Madge Maitland. Mankin, otherwise "the human frog," is a contortionist with marvellous powers. The positions into which this man can twist his limbs would be unbelievable but for the obvious fact thero 6n the 6tage. He is a jperfonner .of amazing lithc-ness and strength. The dressing of the act is very striking.- In a water scene, under green light, a huge lily opens, and a giant frog hops out. The frog disports itself in curious ways, hop 9 on to a pedestal, and twists itself into knots, hops down, and twists into other shapes, jumps to a .horizontal bar, and does other tricks. Mankin is the frog. Tho dress adds to the effect of the performance, perhaps, by making it more ornamental,'more mysterious, and more generally pleasing, but nothing could make the feats seem more wonderful than they in fact are. Miss Dorothy Harris has come back with new songs, new frocks, and the same merry smile. Last night she was given quite a cordial welcome, and the people did not want to her to go, even after her fourth song. Miss Madge Maitland and Mr. Henry Little both scored noteworthy successes. Two other teams appearing in leturn seasons are The Dancing Johnstons, two seriocomic song and dance girls, and Harry Howe and Ethel, who offer a curious mixture of rapid sketching and music. Other artists reappearing are Clark and Wallace, the Wee M 7 Colls, and the SteelePayne Bellringers,

"THE FEAST OF LIFE." Clara Kimball Young gains further laurels in her characterisation of the Cuban girl in "Tho Feast of Life," an attraction which is the means of crowding the King's Theatre eacli evening. Though the acting of this)eminent photoplay artist does so much to mako the picture the splendid production it undoubtedly is, the director, "the man behind tho gun," should not be forgotten. Albert Cappelani, who has recently joined the staff of the World Film Corporation, first became famous for his photo-dramatisation of Victor Hugo's "Les Miserablcs." He has creatod photoplays from the works of Daudet and Zola, as well as Hugo,'and is said by many to be the greatest of European, scenic craftsmen. In the "Feast of Life" he kept the entire cast busy for some months in and near the old Spanish town of Havana, Cuba, securing the quaint old picturesque exteriors which give such charm and realism to the picture. The interior scenes, too, are most artistically arranged, and with that remarkable attention to detail for which Cappolnin is noted.' "The Feast of Life" ranks high among the many excellent pictures seen, at the King's in the past. The supporting features include "Out Again and in Again" (comedy), "Pathc'a Gazette," and a special film showing the arrival of the Deut6chland in Baltimore harbour.

• CHAPLIN AT EVERYBODY'S. The big comedy programine at Everybody's Theatre again attracted large crowds at all sessions yesterday. "Police," Charlie Chaplin's latest achievement, is a side-splitting farce, Chaplin, performs some of tho most daring and laughable feats of his career in this production, and it is without'doubt one of tho funniest films the inimitable comedian has > yet appeared in. In addition to this great comedy, there is a stirring and sensational drama 'of love and "Maciste," featuring the,mighty man of "C'abiria." The story deals with a young girl who is persecuted by an unscrupulous uncle, who wants her put out of the •way in order that he may annex the family fortune. She appeals'to Maciste for help, and ho proves himself a very capable .guardian, and in saving the girl, he accomplishes feats of a well-nigh impossible character.

EMPRESS THEATRE. Charles Chaplin, in "Police," at tho Empress Theatre, is crowding tho place with delighted playgoers, whose laughter is loud and infectious. Charles Chaplin, as the convict who made up his mind to go straight in the future, but who is drawn intc; a vortex of Burglaries and other criminal offences, is irresistible in his comic efforts to show society that he is not doing these criminal things becauso he likes it, but simply that he is a poor voung man being led away. "Police'Ms one of the briskest and the brightest of all the .Chaplin features. In addition to the laughing success, a melodrama, "The Woman's Law," is presented. It is highly emotional, and pioduced in a most sumptuous manner. Only four more nights remain of the present programme.

"MADAME X." \ The opening attraction by the Royal Dramatic and Comedy Co., Ltd.. will be tli/ famous emotional drama, 'Mauame "X" which will be produced at the (jrand Opera House on Saturday evening next, by a specially-selected company of clever artists. Many of the names are new to New Zealand, but they have, nearly nil done good work on the other side. Miss Margaret Linden has won the praise of Australian critics in such parts as Camille," Mercia, in "The Sign of the Cross, and Princess Astria in "The Midnight Wedding." With the Fred. Niblo Co Miss Lindon played an engagement of JO weeks, playing in "The Fortuno Hunter and "Never Say Die." She recently played Nccia in "The Barrier," and has just concluded her engagement with tno Julius Knight Co.. In tho present production she will appear as Madame A. The cast also includes Miss Beatrice Esmond, Miss Mable Suite, lately from London, where she was with Beerbohm Treo and other West-End managementsMiss Madge Carlton; Mr. Ronald Riley have done much responsible and successfulwork in Australia; Mr. Dolville Dunn, Mr. Geo. Hewlett, Mr. Gerald Harliourt, Mr. Fred. Coape,, Mr. C. W. Throsby. Mr. Harcoui't Hare and Mr. K. Collins alsoi have important parts. Box plans will be opened at tho Bristol to-morrow morning.