ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2954, 18 December 1916, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE, Despite the stressing times,, tho flow of high-class variety iiets does Jiofc seem to be affected as regards tho Puller circuit at least. Another excellent combination or acts is announced for tho change of programme at His Majesty's Theatro to--11711-" , 1110 who charmed \\ eUiugton a month or so ago with their artistic creations in alabaster/' aro announced for their return, and will offer an entirely different series of statuary poses, and those who remember the |/Bhting and colouring effects m tho ? , 0 ' romarkable oouplo, will doubt welcorao their return. The I nreo Ruddles, a unique trio of juvenile singing acrobats, present a. firsfc-claiis ?<? ao '' w ''ich a diminutivo mi ,® Chaplin plays ,no small part, i/i 4 i° ® oTtms > anftgior couple of talented youngsters .who have a big reputation to their credit, will mako their I s ', a PP ear!l ucc, iiiul tlio reappearance °l ™ popular baritone, Harry Little, should be _ very welcome news for his admii-ers. Tho remainder of tlio bill will be taken up by the Bert La Diane Company in anothor farcical absurdity, onhtled "Fuzzy-Wuzzy," in which the merry throng, composed of Bert La Blanc, Jake Mack, Maud Miles, Carlton Chase, and tho bevy of ballerinas, will again take part. A matineo 'will bo given on Wednesday afternoon. KING'S THEATRE. Two and a half hours' excellent entertainment aro provided at the lung's Iheatre this week, "wliero two star picturos are boing produced Tho first portion of the programme is filled with a picture entitled "The King's Visit to the Western Front," which is tlio second set of ofecial pictures taken by the War Office of the ■ great advance. More than special interest is exhibited in theso pictures, in Shat, as well as shotting a fresh series of views of the battle front, visits to. wounded soldiers and the graves of tlioso who have gono, and to Australian and New Zealand troops, bombardments of the enemy's tranches with 9.2'5, and many other remarkably interesting scenes, they also give soma splendid photographs of men of whom the public read ovory day, including His Majesty the King, Generals Joffre and Foch, M. Poincare, Mr. Lloyd George, and also tho Prince of Wales. The second half of tho programme is devoted to "Salvation Joan," featuring the one-time darling of the musical comedy stage, Edna May, the famous "Belle of Now York." ( The production is very well staged and acted, and the story is sure to be a popular one. Salvation Joan is a rich young woman, who, between Fifth Avenue receptions, does splendid work in the slums. The plot concerns some papers of national importance, which in the picture and the pnotography is all that could be desired. The bill should attract largo audiences throughout the week. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. One of tho biggest pictures of its kind Ecreened in Wellington was introduced to the city at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday. • This new star film is entitled "The Captive God." It is an unusual picture in a way, but in the main it is a story of things as they were in America in the days before the white man dominated the continent. It is a Triangle drama, produoed by Thomas Ince, and it is a credit in the highest degree to all concerned in its production, It shows tie American Indian in his primitive state, and that was a most interesting state. • In this drama, the Aztecs arc shown as the most powerful aation on 1 the continent. It is a part of the Aztec religion that every year the handsomest young man in the tribe must bo offered as a eacrifico. The part of the man to be sacrificed on the present occasion is played by Win. S. Halt, with great power and skill, and the' climax is made very striking. Throughout the play the atmosphere of the now extinct nation pervades all scenes. Tho Indians are seen on tho warpath and at home, in battle and in love. The battle scenes, in fact, are remarkably fine, and frequently are quite thrilling. The supporting portion of the bill includes a comedy, entitled. "Kernel Nutt in High Shoes. EMPRESS THEATRE. The large audiences which attended the Empress Theatre on Saturday when the new programnie was produced were treated to an unusually attractive set of pictures. The principal attraction on the list was a production entitled "Wicked New York. This picture makes an unusual and interesting study of the New York smart set, whose passion for pleasure lead them into all sorts of trouble. Tho story opens where the son of one of tho oldest New York houses is induced by his friends to go to a supper with some chorus girls. By the wiles of one of these girls he is successfully snared, and he fancies her a simple and lovcable girl. She is killed, however, by falling downstairs, having been let fall by a drunken man. Her mother, foreseeing good times and plenty of drink in the future, places a young baby in the room where the dead' girl lies, and on the son coming to see her she informs him that the child is his own. She then carries out a wstematic blackmail. About twenty years later the father marries a very pTotty woman (Florence Reed), who tries to make the worthless son do some good for himself. One night while she is visiting him he gets drunk, and she finally shoots him to save Herself. Evidence bears out that he lias killed himself. From this a unique and pleasing ending is brought about. The supporting programme includes an exceedingly funny "Mutt and Jeff" cartoon called "Uevenge is Sweet," and the latest Topical Gazette, with its interesting budget of war items.

MARY PICKFOKD" 'IT THE "QUEEN'S."

Winsome little Mary Pickford is the life and soul of tho big feature in the new bill at the Queen's Theatre, in Cuba Street, and she drew houses on Saturday that gladdened Hie managerial heart. Through all sessions the theatre was crowded, and there were always people waiting to immediately fill the places* of those who left. The day, m fact, constituted a record. "Poor Little Peppina" has an Italian setting in the opening stages, and concludes in the whirl of New York. With th* exception of one amusing comedy, "Peppina" occnpies the wholo of tho programme. Briefly tho story runs on the following lines:—An Italian butler is discharged by his rich American employer, who is residiiilg in Italy. The butler is subsequently imprisoned for life for murder of a fellow-servant, but with the assistance of tho Mafia ho breaks prison, and in a spirit of revenge kidnaps his late employer's only child, Lola, a little girl of two. The butler escapes to America, leaving the little girl to be brought up as the daughter of poor Italian peasants. Tho peasants namo the child Peppina, and in this role it is that sunny-natural Mary Pickford is given further opportunity of showing what a clever little actress she is. Peppina is seventeen when tlie story proper begins, and her life with the Italian peasants is full of interest, until, disguised as a boy, sho stows away on. a ship bound for Now York. Incidents of Clio voyage, of tho littlo strays buffetings in New York, and exciting experiences with a gang of counterfeiters, included in whom is the Italian who originally kidnapped little Lola, eventually lead, after many filteresting happeuings, to tho restoration of tho heroine to her parents and .'her betrothal. to a bright young attorney who figures largely in tho unravelling of tlie tangle. The acting all through is excellent, and tho picture is done full justice to 011 the screen. Crowded houses will doubtless rule during the rcig'u of "Little Peppina." ORGAN RECITAL, llr. Bernard I' 1 . Page (City Organist) gave au interesting organ recital 111 the Town Hall on Saturday evening, when ho submitted a.progiammo of high-class music that was greatly appreciated. The Russian school was well represented in Borowski's. "Second Sonata," Stojowski's charming "Lopant D'Amour," and the beautiful finalo from Tchaikowsky'6 "Pathetic Symphony" (No. G), which appears to grow in musical charm with every hearing. Wagner was represented in the prelude to tho third act of "Trustan and Isolde" (tho "Romeo and Juliet" of opera), a lovely excerpt from that highly inspired work. A Bach "Pastorale," and the fugue on t]jo, name Bach by Schumann were also included in the programme.

WILLIAMSON MUSICAL.COMEDY CO. "So Long, Letty," a new musical comedy composed l>y Earl Carroll, book by Oliver Morosco and Elmer Harris, will bo produced oa Boxing Night as the Christmas attraction at tho Grand Opera House,- The new piece, which is to be staged for five nights, will introduce the latest song-novelties, and many novel spectacular features, arid will be signalised by tho Now Zealand debut of Miss Connie Ediss, tho London Gaiety comedienne. Tho fun of "So Long, Letty," lunges on. two young couples living side by side. The wife of one dresses well and cooks badly, tho other manufactures excellent pastry, but wears atrocious costumes. Naturally tho husbands become bored of the attention on the part of one and tho exchange is suggested. Singularly enough, the .wives adopt the same method of bringing their husbands to their sensoa. Bright chor-, uses, rhythmical solos, striking scene effects, and clever artists, together with a wealth of gorgeous costuming, are among tho principal assets of this musical paly. Tho box plans for "So Long, I«tty," vrall open at the Bristol on Thursday at 9 a.m.

EUGENE OSSIPOFF. M. Eugena Ossipoff, tho ■ Russian singer, has returned to the Dominion for a second tour. On the present occasion ho will be supported by three young Australian artists, Miss Ethnea Clegg, Mies Bessie Rogers, elooutionist; and Miss Sylvia Roberts, pianiste. As for M. Ossipoff himself, those who had the pleasure of listening to him oil his last visit will recollect that he is tho possessor of a fine, flexible baritono voico of great range and power, which he knows how to use to the best advantage. He is a vigorous singer, and his interpretation of "'The Toreador's" song from "Carmen," and tlio prologue from "I Pagli-, ucci" are said to be a revelation. He' also makes a feature in all his programmes of introducing a number of Russian folk songs. M. Ossipoff has decided to give three recitals in the Town Hall, commencing Thursday evening next. .Tho company arrive by the Riverina to-day. The box plans are now. open at tho Bristol.

CODFORD CAMP CONCERT. . The Concept Chamber was filled on Saturday night, when the Codford Convalescent Camp Concert was held. The programme was a varied and interesting one, consisting of songs, recitations, dancing, violin solos, and an excellent orchestra as well. Mesdames Anderson and Kennedy sang, violin . solos were played by Corporal Rhinesmith' and Miss .M'Latighlin. Miss E. Churohill contributed ci musical monologiue, "The Coward," and tho Rev. A. Hunt recited "The Rod Thread of Honour." Miss Eila Liardet was very successful in hor dance, "Carnival," and Miss N. Morris and Master J. Morris also danced a measure entitled "Midnight." Lce.Corporals Exton and R. Simpson sang solos, and Corporal Shakes gave a cleversketch, entitled "The J.P." The students' orchestra played "William Tell Fantasia," by Rossini, with Mrs. Scoble Cornish at the piano. The 81st Company champion team, under'Lieut. Renkin, went through the bayonet fighting and rifle exercises, with great precision and smartness. A musicil monologue by Mr. L. W. Hanlon brought the con. cert to a close. Tho accompanist was Corporal George Holloway. AH the proceeds of this entertainment will be cabled imifiediafely to Miss Clara Rogers, N.Z. Volunteer Nursing Sisterhood,