ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2936, 23 November 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"MADAME X." . . To-night and. to-morrow night will see the last performances by the Royal Dramatic Company at the Grand Opera Ilouse of "Madamo X," a drama difficult for the players, but an absorbing one for the audience. The play goes smoothly right through. 1 On Saturday evening the farce comedy "Are You a Mason ?" will be staged. The. scheme of the story presents hugely. comical possibilities of which full advant-. ago is taken, sustaining the fun- of the farce throughout its three merry' acts. The main idea is of two men, entirely ignorant .of ..freemasonry, representing:' that they are members of the craft, and the basic comic interest which underlies all leads the audience through an astonishing maze of absurdly diverting incidents and smart, funny dialogue, until the. play almost becomes a riot of merriment. . HIS'MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Heading the bill at His . Majesty's Theatre this week are 'Mankin," the human frog, and Chris. Richards, the eccentric English comedian. Both put on capital iteme, and "Mankin," as an acrobat and contortionist, is a marvellous artist. Chris. Bichards, is ono of the best laughter-raisers t'hat has been seen in Wellington for some considerable time. Miss M. Jewell arid Mr.. H. Little are also on the programme, the former making a reappearance, and both, are very favourably receiyed.. -There are a number of other good items. THE KING'S THEATRE. The films of the Melbourne Cup have been added to the strong programme now being shown at this house. Mice and Men," the Famous Havers feature, with clever little Marguerite Clark .as Peggy, the foundling who sets the eminent professors schemes 'all agley," seems to be becoming a bigger attraction each evening. There is also a very laughable comedy showing the Vitagraph heavyweight comedian, Hughie Mack, in a boxing tournament, and Pathe's everpleasing Gazette. On Saturday 1 Miss Bessie Barriscale, Triangle's greatest emotional actress, will be seen with William Desmond, in "The Payment," . a powerful drama which tells of a woman's ambition and the bitter price 6he' paid for its attainment. THE EMPRESS. There is a Triangle play Tieing shown here which is exciting muefi comment, and is attracting big business. "Honour Thy Name" tells the story of a vampire woman who stakes all on the "chance of marrying into an old family. She entraps the son of tho house, and declining the father's terms for a. cash settlement,, makes, him take her home. Tho manner in which the proud, old father (rets rid of the womnn provides the most thrilling climax imaginable. The leading roles are played by Frank Keenan,(of "Phantom' Cro.ok" 'fame), Louise Glaiim, the Triangle "Siren," and Charles Bav. A splendid film showing the New Zealand-owned horse Sasanof, in his great win in the Melbourne Cup. is of timolv interest. There are several other suitable'films in support. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Crowded houses have been the rule, at Everybody's, during the week to witness the great Triangle success, "Hell to Pay Austin," which features Bessie Lovo and "Wilfred .Lucas.. . Tn. the. character of Nettles. Bessie Love has a role that suits her size, her personality, ami her tale'it, .but that is only a small.part of it. Sho has demonstrated beyond the possibility of doubt that she is an accomplished! actress. Snpnort* include "The Mellwirnp Cup of 1016," showing the New Zealand horse Snsanof winning n great victorv. It is one of the finest films of its kind seen in Wellington.