ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2932, 18 November 1916, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

"MADAME X" TO-NIGHT. At tho Grand Opera House to-night tho Royal Dramatic and Comedy Compauy, iittl., will present for tno first time in the Dominion the great French drama' "Madame X." its success in Australia lias placed it upon a pedestal of popular approval thero from which it ii> likely to be a long time before it is displaced. To-night Wellington playgoers will have an opportunity of seeing this remarkable emotional drama for themselves, and accounting for its drawing powers elsewhere. Tlio artists cast Lo interpret "Madame X" to-night were specially selected for ,their respective parts. They include:—Miss Margaret Linden (Jacqueline, alius Madame X), ill-., Ronald Riley (Louis Floriot), Mr. Ucorge Hewlett (Raymond i'ioriot), Mr. Gerald Harcourt (Laroque), Mr. Fred. Coape (Perissard), Mr. Golville Dunn (Noel;, Miss Beatrice Esmond (Rose), Miss Madge •Surtees (Marie), Miss Mildred Carlton (Helcne), Mr. C. \V. Throsby Mcrivnl), Mr. Harcourt Hare (Dr. Chesncl), and Mr. Reginald Collins (Victor). The management state that it. will be staged and mounted on the same elaborate and complete scale as characterised its production in Australia. The box plan will be at the Bristol until 12.30 only to-day; afterwards at the Grand Opera House Confectionery, where day salo tickets can, be obtained. HIS MAJESTY'S- THEATEE. Large audiences have been attending His Majesty's Theatre nightly, and the programme this week is a particularly good one. Chris Richards, _an English comedian, and a very eccontric one, heads the bill, and is a very popular acrobat and contortionist. His queer tricks provoke shrieks of laughter and his audience hardly see enough of him. Mankin "The Human Frog," is also very well received, and is one of the cleverest acrobats sceu on the Fuller stage for somo time. Miss M. Maitland also takas a leading place and gives a highly amusing item. This afternoon's matinee will be held at 2.30 o'clock as usual. THE KING'S. Tho new programme commencing today is headed by the Famous Players*, comedy-drama, "Mice and Men." This picture tells the story of Peggy (Marguerite'Clark), a foundling who is adopted by a philosopher in tho hope that she will one day develop into an,ideal wife for him. Mark Embury is the name of tho scientist and dreamer, who, after a survey of the'young girls in his own town, has come to tho inevitable conclusion that they are all too frivolous for housewifery, -fie conceives the idea of applying to'the local Foundling Home for permission to adopt the most promising of tho little inmates. The. Foundling Society' sends him a number of "samples" from which he chooses Peggy. Under his carefully and well-thought-out plan of education and culture, Peggy gradually develops into a beautiful girl with keen intellect and a noble heart. But the eminent professor has forgotten to reckon, with youth in laying his very unique plan. Peggy meets and loves Captain Lord]; the nephew of the philosopher, but she finds him in a compromising situation with another woman and is broken-hearted. The picture has a unique finis l !! which recalls Burns's popular line from which, the title is taken. There will be the usual splendid supports. ', EVERYBODY'S THEATEE. The new programmo at Everybody's, commencing at noon to-day, has. for its star a five-reel drama entitled "Hell to Pay Austen," produced by the famous Trianglo Company, who it is claimed, have excelled their past efforts with this their latest achievement. The picturo features Wilfred Lucas and Bessie Love. The central figure of the production, Wilfred Lucas, is the boss of a big lumber camp in the north-west. Ho is known as "Hell to Pay" because when his orders are not carried out that is exactly what happens. The part of Briar Rose is taken by that charming little actress, Bessie Love. She is the idol, of tho camp and her influence softens Austen in many .ways. He has a soft corner in his heart for Briar Rose and that feature, results in ' a very fine love story. Many of the scenes of this production, are laid in the lumber country, and vibrate witli highly dramatic situations. Tho ..supporting items include a fine Rathe 'Popicn.l subject showing -Amp after the last, bombardment, tho Gnumont Graphic, and other items. The public are requested to notice the alteration in prices, commencing to-day. EMPRESS THEATEE. "Honour Thy Name" will be the feature attraction at tho Empress Theatre to-day. It i 9 a five-reel star drama, and is described as a big story, impressively told and sumptuously produced. The lending characters, are portrayed by tho popular Frank Keenan and Louise Glaun.. Tho plot, which allows for _ big dramatic effects, turns on the happenings of Colonel Castleton, who, when he was much younger, became enamoured of a well-known opera singer. Finding she was false to him, he promptly dropped her. Years later,, his son falls in love with a cabaret dancer. In order to show him how unworthy she is, the father makes love to her, she knows that he is rich, and tlio son is ihrpwn over. Suddenly the girl discovers that the father is the man who "jilted" her mother. She marries the son. She will not accept cash terms for a final settlement, and tho old man determines on a wny to bft rid of lier that is said to be one of the most terrible, and ono of the must thrill' ing series of scenes ever shown upon a screen.. A big programme supports the star subject.' DANCE RECITAL. Dance recitals are a form of entertainment always popular in Wellington, and ono given by young children is certain of a warm Teception from the people of the Empire City. Miss Dorothy Saunders has some clever little dancers among her pupils, and nearly all the items at her recital in the. Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall this evening will be given by children between tho ages of throe and twelve. Judging by their happy faces at rehearsals, the little people take a keen delight in their work, and they arc most anxious to secure to-night a sufficient sum to give a holiday in the country to a large number of Britain's slum children. The recital is, indeed, "children's help to children." It is being given under the patronage of Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool and thn Mayor ami Mayoress of Wellington, who know of the good work that is being done by tho Fresh Air Fund at Home, and warmly approve of this effort of Now Zealand children to assist in it. The box plan for the recital is at Begg's Music Warehouse, Manners Street. OPEN AIR CONCERT. At Oriental Bay this evening an open air concert is beiug held, the funds collected to go towards the Soldiers' Memorial Building Fund. It is intended that a start shall bo made from the Government Buildings at 7 p.m. A march through the city main streets will be made, and the procession expects to arrive at Oriental Bay at 8 p.m. A special feature will bo the wild animals act. ' A troupe of animals, trained by Prof. Do Little, and who should create plenty of fun. An excellent and entertaining programme is promised, and for the pur- ; poso tho Bristol Piano Company have lent six pianos. The N.Z. Natives' Association Band and Tinker's Maiidolino i Orchestra. (20 strong) will also be in ! attendance. , <