ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2942, 30 November 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"ARE YOU A MASON " The Royal Dramatic and Comedy Co. are still getting their share of laughs at the Grand Opera House with. the larce-comedy, "Are You a Mason?" The joke about the two humbugs who each i pretented to the other that they belonged to. this extremely occult secret society, makes a fine scheme for a comedy, and the playwright in this case has made much of it. The play will be presented to-night for the last time. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre has been largely attended this week, and. the programme is one of the most varied. A smart dancing performance is given by Dick and Dorothy Trio, which consists of two Eton-jacketed young men and Dorothy. This is the liveliest turn of its kind which has been put on at Fullers' for some time, and provokes great applause. Miss D. Harris sings a number of ragtime ditties, and makes herself generally popular. Mr. D. Cornwallis is a new performer on the programme, and he gives a number of recitations, among them being "Papa's Letter," and a recruiting poem, entitled "Fall In." Miss M. Jewell sings a number of songs pleasingly, as does also Miss E. Cowley. Other items are the "Big Surprise," who wins immediate favour, tho Dancing Johnstons, Miss Zadelles, and Starr and Starr.. ■ ' THE KING'S., For something special in moving pictures one has only to visit the King's Theatre and judge .tho present programme' for oneself. Tho selection of subjects is fine and so varied as"'to make the exhibition of interest to all. The problem drama, "The Payment," upholds its position as the featured film, the exactness in which Bessie Ban'iscalo and AVilliam Desmond essays the. leading roles, and the excellent photography materially assisting m making the subject a masterly production. ' It is a most pathetic drama, with a deep • moral. "Tho Payment" is supported by a good selection of film topics, tho chief of which is a highly-amusing comedy by Max Linder, "Max Joins the Colours," "The Pathe Gazette," and Motor Polo complete the programme. ,' EVERYBODY^'THEATRE. The last two days and nights are announced of the excellent programme nowbeing shown at Everybody's. Tho leading, feature is a picturisation. of Sir Arthur Pinero's famous play, "SSveet Lavender," which has proved such a success on the legitimate stage. "Sweet i Lavender" loses nothing of its charm in the capable hands of Henry Ainley, the favourite of the English stage today, and his expressive countenance gives the touch of eloquence to the unspoken lines. T\e story of "Sweet Lavender" is ono of exceptional and stirring incidents. Supporting this 6tar a very fine Pathe subject of interest, showing animals in the nursery stage, "Tho Judge," a Keystone comedy, and other items. On Saturday Chaplin will be seen in his latest Mutual success, "1 a.m." THE EMPRESS. Jimmy Dukane, "the incorrigible," still continues to attract appreciative audiences at the Empress. In this fine com--edy the Famous Players, per medium of John Barrymore, introduce just the class of film entertainment that so -.many are looking for. It is bright, clever, and snappy. -Jimmy is a delightful character. Another splendid subject is "The International Sorting of Mails," which gives a comprehensive depiction of the very thorough inspection that enemy and neutral mail is subjected ' to, thereby revealing the clever ruses adopted by the Germans to obtain the much-needed supply of certain articles. "The Love Riot,' a really good Keystone and Cadenablia scenic complete the selection. QUEEN'S THEATRE. ... The new Queen's Theatre, which iB situated right in the heart of- the city, will be opened on Monday next, at 8 p.m., with a high-class programme of tho very latest pictury, particulars of which will be duly announced. The new theatre, now that it is shedding the disorder,' incidental 'to all building operations, reveals itself a most modern and comfortably appointed place of entertainment.. Its seating scliemo, with alternate single and double tip-up seats, is a distinct and capital novelty designed to enhance tho comfort of family parties. The' lighting is delicate, and artistic, and the decoration of ■ the theatre is lavish in the extreme. A feature of the new building is the beautiful entrance corridor, which is most elaborate, whilst the interior is embellished and furnished in the very latest manner. Popular prices of admission will be charged, and there should be every prospect of the new venture becoming a popular piace of resort for picture-lovers. CLEMENT MAY AT THE TOWN HALL. . Commencing on Monday next, for a three-nights' season, Mr. Clement May, entertainer, humorist, and character artfist, witli his company, will present the entertainment which lim gained for him a very high reputation. 'Jjovers of highclass humour, tho delightfuil stories of O. Henry, the latest world-wide success, "The Sentimental Bloke," by C. J. Dennis, the story of an Australian larrikin regenerated by love, am. the immortal characters of the great English novelist, Charles Dickens, are promised a delightful evening's entertainment. Speaking of Mr. May's performances of the latter's works, the Melbourno "Herald" says:— "Mr. Clement May has gained the warmest thanks from' all lovers of Charles Dickens. His masterly conceptions of each character portrayed, his clever make-up and effects, ni3 facial expressions, and his sympathetic and telling delivery, make it hard to. believe that it is not the original of the famous drawings of Fred Barnand before one. As a fitting final, Mr; May appears as Little Nell's g-randfather (from "The Old Curiosity Shop"), inquiring, and looking for 'his' lost one.' The solemn tolling of the bell, the illuminated'cathedral, the distant singing of tho choir, brought tears to many an eye in the audience, and left an impression which stamped him as an artist of rare merit." In these entertainments Mr. May will be supported bv Miss Jessie Bartlett, contralto, who w'ill bo heard in several favourite numbers; also Mrs. Clement May,' a, sln K er of quaint and dainty songs, while Mr. Ernest Thomas will be at the piano. ROYAL CHORAL UNION. The'final concert for the present session takes place iu the Town Hall on. Thursday next, when, in keeping with the season, Handel's immortal oratorio "The' Messiah," will be presented. Special interest will be lent to this 'concert by the first appearance in New Zealand of a gifted English oratorio soprano, Miss Muriel Waugli, who is in the very prime of her musical talent. This will bo Miss Waugh's only appearance in New Zealand, as she has to return immediately to Australia to fulfil important engagements there. The contralto solos will be taken by Miss Mina (Jaldow, and Sergeant Edwin Dennis, who sang the tenor solos at the last choral concert, will undertake the tenor role, while -Mr. L. Barnes, of Christchurch, lias been engaged to sing the baritone part. Tho box plan will open at the Bristol at i) to-morrow morning. A rehearsal for orchestra and soloists will be held to-night at S o'clock, in St. Peter's Schoolroom. Suburban trains will bo delayed till after the concert.