ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2930, 16 November 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre -was again crowded last evening, anil the audience

was provoked to shrieks of laughter by Chris Richards, the eccentric English comedian. He is a very smart acrobat and contortionist, and his tanglefoot dancing and juggling are highly amusing He is the owner of a wonderful ha°t, which appears to be possessed, and in tho middle of a song he suddenly breaks off to fool with the hat.. He then breaks into a brilliant dance, and then as, suddenly into the most grotesque acrobatics, all of which are tho essence of comedy. Mankin, the "human frog," a performer of amazing lithenefss, does some marvellous acts of contortion. He is dressed as a frog, and his item is generally pleasing. Miss Dorothy Harris makes a welcome reappearance, and brines a number of new songs. Miss Maitland and Mr. H, Little also won much applause. THE KING'S. Clara Kimball Young, in "The Feast of Life," continues to attraot the crowds to this house. The supporting subjects are as usual well selected, and include a special film depicting the arrival of the German submarine Deutscbland at Baltimore, U.S.A. Scheduled for Saturday's change of programme is the iam'ous Players' feature Mice and Men, starring the winsome little favourite, Marguerite Clark, in a i>hoto story of a philosopher who, dissatisfied with ttia matrimonial qualifications of the young ladies of his day, planned to educate a little foundling to his ideal of a perfect housewife.' But. "the best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley, and the experiment does not turn out just as the professor had expected. There is a pathetic denouement to a clever ana altogether charming comedy drama. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Comedy is the predominating feature at Everybody's Theatre this w.eek. Charlie Chaplin,'in his latest screaming absurdity "Police," provides,, without doubt, the most laughable production he has yet appeared in, and judging by the business at this popular house Chaplin still continues the 6ame favourite he was twelve months ago. In addition to this highly amusing comedy is a sensational modern drama of love and adventure "Maciste," a production of more than ordinary interest. It depicts a veritable giant, who in private life is said to be one of the mo6t powerful athletes in the world. The story on which this extraordinary gymnastic display is based is full of very melodramatic happenings, and after a thrilling climax ends in a highly satisfactory manner. Coming on Saturday is a favourite Triangle drama, "Hell to Pay Austin," featuring Bessie Love ana Wilfred Lucas. Bessie Love is a rising young movie queen, whose popularity Is on a par with, the best known film artists. EMPRESS THEATRE.

Charles Chaplin in "Police" is proving to be the biggest success of any comedy entertainment ever shown at the Empress, Theatre. Day and night sees. the place filled with delighted playgoers, and the irrepressible Chaplin keeps them In. screams of laughter. The dramatic portion of tfte entertainment is headed by the big human drama, "The Woman's Law." It is a rare picture, 'great in its simplicity,. and strong in its appeal. Tears and laughter mingle throughout the vrhole of the action. Miss Florence \Reed makes a great personal 'hit. as the mother ivho fought the greatest legal authorities, in order to save the good name of Iter sou. The Patlie Gazette is also shown.

"MADAME X." The booking of scats for the great emotional drama "Madame X " is imoving along merrily .at the Bristol, and is stated that a crowded house seems already assured for Saturday night. It is two years since "Madame X.," was first introduced to the colonies by J, C. Williamson, Ltd. The author, Alexandre Bisson, famous for many farcical comedies, exhibits, however, the fine French quality of stagecraft in the careful working out of the plot in "Madaime X." It is all so very consistent, and the hard realism of. the central character, us Miss Margaret Linden, will show oh Saturday night, can bo thoroughly emphasised in the repulsive details of the big scene of tho murder, without prejudice to refining touches of sincere repentance at the end, by which she illuminates the dying moments of a misspent life, and gives hop« for the ynseen future.- Much interest is being aroused over the presentation of the drama hero on Saturday, and as it will bo staged and mounted on the 6ame complete and elaborate/ scale, with all tho original scenery and effects as characterised its production in Australia, and interpreted bv a clever combination, of artists, "Madame X." should oaich on here as it did in Sydney and Melbourne.

DAtfCS RECITAL. The ; programme awanged for tho 16oital to be given by Miss Dorothy Saunpupils in the Concert Chamber next Saturday evening covers a wide range of dances, from a quaint little polka, performed by mere babies, to a Russian 'mazurka, danced by a bevy of clever children. The Russian school of dancing will be represented also in a series of exercises which Miss Sa.unders has been specially requested, to include in her programme, and which give a good insight into the methods adopted in training the children. "The Crushed Popify" and "Shadows" are two particularly pretty ballets, but the most popular item on the programme promises to be "Puck and the Scarecrows/ a quaint fantasy, in which the originality of the children themselves is given full play.

MARIST SCHOOL CONCERT. ' The boys of the Marist Brothers' School, Newtown, aro giving their annual concert in the Grand Opera House to-night, in aid of tho school funds. His Excellency the Governor has extended, his patronage, and a first-class programme of vocal, instrumental, and dramatic items will be submitted. Tho school fife and drum band will make Its first public appearance*, and the choral singing will, it is promised, "be up to the high standard for which the school is known. *