ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2938, 25 November 1916, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"ABE YOU A MASON?" "Aie You a Mason?" should commence a very merry line nights' season at the Grand Opera House to-night. It is a, story of the most extravagant humour clothed in witty dialogue, and remarkably cleverly drawn characters, which all combine to keep tlio laughter rip. pling throughout the ovening, starting with the deception of father-in-law and son-in-law, who pretend to be masons in order to account to their wives for constant absences from home. Circumstances arise which make it '.almost impossible to keep up the deception'; seeing that each of them is equally ignorant of the very rudiments of* masonry. When Teal masons appear upon the scene, the complications become thicker and thicker, and the cotnic distress <sf the two deceivers leads to the most excruciatingly funny situations, resulting in roars of laughter and ondless amusement to the audience, and when a gentleman friend of the younger culprit introduces himself in the guise of a shopgirl, deliberately coquetting with the elder pian in order to help his friend out of the difficulty, the fim becomes fast and furious. To realise the full merits of tho farce it is necessary to see the play. ■ HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. . To-day will seo tho last two performances of the programme which has been submitted throughout the week at His Majesty's Theatre. Some really good artists are entertaining, foremost amongst them being. Chris, an English comedian of eccentric ways, who is a capital laughter raiser; "Mankin," a most marvellous acrobat and contortion-* ist, who is greatly favoured by the public; Mr. H. Little, 11 powerful baritone; Miss M. Jewell, a pleasing singer; and also Miss Harris, a bright and amusing serio. The programme contains a number of other good items. Tho usual matinee at 2.30 p.m. is announced for to-day. : KING'S THEATRE. Inevitably folly, tho sins which find us out, must b® paid for. That is the note which is struck' in the Triangle Company's powerful dramatic 'success, "The Payment," in which the favourite emotional star,. Bessie Barriscale, with Mr. Win. Desmond, take tho leading roles with a characterisation that lift the production into tho front rank of the Triangle plays. The leading character of the story, Phyllis Page, is the daughter of a plodding railhvorker, but in her breast are secret promptings for a life of higher things. It is the call of art. She desires to become a painter of miniatures, but the path of art is blpeked by poverty. Into her life conies the inevitable temptation. She finds a patron, who provides the means for her tuition and studies abroad, at a price, which is shown as the picture develops. "The Payment" commences at Tho King's matinee to-day, anil is supported by a good selection of film topics, tho chief of which is a highly amusing study by Max Lindcr, in the comedy, entitled 'Max Linder Joins the Colours." "Motor Polo" and the "Pathe Gazette" complete tho bill. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A notable picture will head the new programme to' be submitted at Everybody's Theatre to-day in "Sweet lavender," a picturisation of Sir Arthur Pinero's famous drama. This film is described as a splendid production, ■ and two popular favorites of the screen in Henry. Ainley . and Alma" Taylor are starred in the leading roles. "Sweet Lavender." is a magnificent, drama of London life, that Jias found an indisputable place among the greatest stage literature of every nation. . The story has reference to a banker who forbids his udojited sou's marriago to a girl beneath his station,, but later he finds to his bewilderment that she is his own illegitimate daughter. , Somo of the scones are most stirring and pathetic. Supportiiig. items include a scrcaining Keystone comedy, "The Judge," featuring Charles Murray in tho rolo of a. indtor-cycio policeman, which is said to be. as funny as any Keystone comedy previously seen. There are other fine pictures on the bill. THE EMPRESS. "Incorrigible Dukanc," to be presented by the Famous Players at the Empress Theatre to-day, gives' that exuberant comcdian, Barryraore, in his happiest vein. Barryuiore. plays the part of the luxuriating spendthrift son, who,, in the stress of adversity, finds himself—and also finds the woman of his life. Young Dukano is first introduced in a highlytimusing scene in which his valet and lie present an inimitable study of luxurious bachelordom. But there is an end to tho patience and financial endurance of "the old man,", and the young rascal is peremptorily ordered to sliift for his living. This lie does, at his father's constructive works, but . a tramp steals his clothes on the evening of hi? arrival at Ins destination, and .voting Dnkane, in the absence of his father, is unable to. convince the "boss" that ho is the man he claims to be. Ho throws in his lot ..with the men, and in' the subse-

qnont train of highly-exciting events, finally comes to his own. The big sensation of the piece is the fight between, young Dukaue, backed by his supporters, and the fraudulent superintendent and his gang, which resolves itsgJi- into a thrilling siege battle at tho works. The supporting items include "The Booster's Nightmare," "The Melbourne Cup,'" and some interesting glimpses o.t the British and Indian troops, also a picture of I'light-Lieutenant Bobinson, V.C., the hero of the Heppelin fight in England not long ago-' GONSALEZ GRAND OPERA COMPANY. The Gonsalez Italian Grand Opera Company, which will open at the Grand o|iera Houso on Tuesday week, under the direction of Mr. B. J. and John Fuller, is a combination of artists, who, on tiie otubreak of the war, found it difficult to obtain theatres in theirjioinelaud, mid so ventured further afield, in Melbourne 88 performances wero given, and in Sydney no fewer than 10(1. During both seasons enormous business prevailed. The principals includeSignoriiia Emestina, Gonsalez and Teresina Visoni (sopranos), Signorine liuss, Piccolo, and Francai (mezzo soprano), and Signorina Do Revers (contralto), Signori Bettino Cappeli, Vittorio Lois, Balboni, and Degradi (tenors), Kignori Vicliffo _ Seanuiz/.i, Belloni, Barontini, Ceasaroni, and Count Hercules Filippini (baritones), and Signori Gtiido Cacialli, Pasqualo Pet; rucci, and Mosca (basso), and Signori Padaveni and Borgliesi. The repertoire during the season will include those operas which have proved most popular in the Australian cities, namely—"l] Trovatore," "Cavalleria Rusticana," "I Pagliacei," "Carmen," "Faust," "Lucia ' tie Lanimcrmoor," "Uu Ballo in Maschera," "La Traviata," "Madam Butterfly," "La Bohemo," "Puigoletto," "Mignoii," and "La Favonrita." The company, which numbers 150 people, travels with a full grand opera orchestra, and chorus. The opening attraction will be "11 Trovatore," with Signor Bettino Capelli as "Maurico," and Signorina De Rovers and "Leonora." During the first week will lie presented "II Trovatore," "La Traviata, "Cavalleria 'Rusticana," and "I Pagliacei," and "Lucia do Lammoi'moor." The box plans'for the first five nights will be opened at the Bristol on Friday next. BRITANNIA, THEATRE. To-day's new programme at the Britannia Theatre includes for a feature attraction tl» first of the "Ivan" films, a new. make of photoplay that is rapidly coming 'to the front in America and Australia. The drama, which is in five acts, is entitled "Her Surrender." The plot is a unique one, and the question' asked from the commencement is "Can love be transfused?" A transfusion of blood has often saved a life, It does so in this picture story, but it is possible for it' lover to transfuse his passion as the result of blood' transftN sion, and win his beloved away, to which she was engaged, and thought she loved. This novel and big question is the theme in which "Her Surrender" is "written. Anna Nilsson, «i new star in the picture world, plays the leading role. The programme also includes esipode two of "The }ly sterios of Myra," a'serial story that is being shown in fifteen weekly parts. This wierd and original series advances with even greater strength, mystery, and thrill with the second episode. Other films to be shown 'are the latest English Topical Budget, and a comedy, "Gussio the Graceful Lifeguard." The full programme takes two hours to screen. THE ■ QUEEN'S. The new Queen's Theatre in the populous centre of Cuba Street is rapidly approaching completion, and will be officially opened on December 4. No expense has been spared in making this latest addition to picture enterprises thoroughly up to date, and tho appointments all round represent the last word in theatre construction. Nothing has been left undone to make tho theatre as compact and comfortable as it is humanly possible to do. Tho management promises tho best pictures, tho best music, and tho best appointments, and if this three-part promise is fulfilled there should be n prosperous career in front of this latest arrival in the field of public entertainmentKELBURN READERS. . The Concert Chambor was filled last evening with a. large and appreciative audience that had assembled to hear the Ivelburn Readers in Arnold Bennett's clever play, "What the Public Wants." This was one of the most successful readings that have been given jet. The interest was well sustainod throughout tho evening. Tho audience showed a keen appreciation of the subtleties and epigrams which abound in every scene, 'the renders must lie congratulated on their realistic interpretation of the various characters. Mr. Nicholls was very fine and convincing in the prominont part of Sir C. AVorgan, and Mr. Baldwin, as Francis, gave a capital • rendering of his lines. A special word of praise' is due to Miss Erica. Fell for her very sympathetic treatment of the part of the heroine, Mrs. Emily Vernon, a widow. Mr. Benglehole made an excellent Saul Kendrick. Mr. Simm, as Holt St. John, was also good. Mr. Von Haast made the most of his opportunity m tho part of James Brindley. Tho following also contributed to the success of the evening!—Mesdatnes Baldwin, Beaglehole, the Misses M." Kennedy, M. Nicholl, Vickerman, and the Misses Page. Lawson, Toombs, Burbidge. Miss Francis was the honorary secretary, and flowers and sweets wero sold during the performance. HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT. An • announcement appears in another column, that in connection with the next concert of the Harmonic Society, on December 2. ■ The plan of seats will bo available at the Bristol from 0 o'clock on Monday morning, In view of the fact that a large number of people were unable to gain admission to the society's last concert, the public are advised to reserve seats withou delay.