ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2977, 15 January 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE PAYBACKS." "Tho Waybacks," described as "tho jolliest play Australasia has .seen," will be presented for tho first time in Wellington at the Grand Opera House- tomorrow night (January 10). It is a comedy of tho Australian back country, and those who have read and laughed with Henry Flotchor's "bushics" will assuredly enjoy a visit to the Opera House to see them pract4eally in real lifo. "Dads" and his "family on their visit to Sydney produco by their originality and quaint sayings something never before introduced into stageland. Through tho wholo pieco laughter comes in natural currents; the audience laughs at and with those typical "Waybacks." Much of tho credit for this happy result is duo to Mr. William Stewart, who fills the all-important role of "Dads," and leavs nothing undono to make that gentleman live. Excellent support is afforded liini by Mr. Harry Hoason, Mr. Herbert Stallard, Miss Blanche Blair, and othor members of tho company. : HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The appearance of Reginald Newberry, the Auckland boy-soprano, at His Majesty's Theatre this evening shouTft arouse interest in Wellington, as Jiready this prodigy has been responsible for widespread discussion in Australia. 'He ha 3 just concluded the Fuller Australian tour, where he is said, to have met with great success. Mankin, the "human frog," commences a farewell season tonight, prior to his departure for U.S.A., where he has contracted to appear on the Orpheum Circuit, one of the most famous vaudeville combinations in the world. This will be Wellington's final opportunity of seeing this act. Edwardes and Parkes, who are already well and favourably known here, will make their reappearance in Wellington to-night, as • also will the Flemings, the duo of herculean poseurs. Brull and Hemsiey (the dude and tho girl), Leonard Nelson (the plain comedian), Dora Oberniau (the ever-popular lyric soprano), tho Caloys (Sco;oh couple), and the National Duo (Terpsichorean experts) will conclude an altogether entertaining programme. The same bill will be presented nightly this week, with tho usual Wednesday and Saturday matinees.

THE KING'S THEATRE. A new programme was screened at the King's Theatre on Saturday evening. It is a double-star bill, embracing "Manhattan Madness", and "Cinderella." Of the two big films, probably "Cinderella" appeals to a greater number of people than does "Manhattan Madness," but the latter is a good production of its kind for all that. The.idea of the Manhattan picture is that a young man back from the West considers that New York is too unexciting, and his friends wager to thrill him. They lure him into all sorts of turmoil and furious excitement, and, when they think they have won, he turns tho tables by a big hold-up, neatly executed with the assistance of a 6mall band of armed friends from the West. He then emulates "Young Lochinvar" with a girl. The girl agrees to enter the joke, and they quit together, and Wireless the news to the jesters, who are still the subjects of the Westerner's hold-up. ' The fun created is fast and well sustained. Tho "Cinderella" film is, of course, of quite a different character. The mounting is. gorgeous, and the whole screening and the -famous story is very pleasing. Needless to say-'charming Mary Pickford makes a dainty and winsome Cinderella. Also on the programme are pictures from the "Pathe Gazette."'

EVERYBODY'S THEA.TEE. "The Old Folks at Home," a dramatic masterpiece and without doubt one of the best of the "Triangle" films show.n in Wellington for some time, was screened for tho first time at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday, and throughout the day the seating accommodation in' the theatre was taxed to its utmost. Sir Herbert Tree, tho well-known English actor, appears in the role of an. old gentleman, who, with his sweetheart, shows the world at largo how to livo and to love. The old couple havo already had their portion of human experience, but havo not lost their abundant faith in human nature. The story shows how the old father is elected a Senator, and about the same time the son leaves home to livo in tho city. He immediately gets in with a fast set, and continually writes to his father for more money, which, due to entreaties of his mother, is always supplied. Tho story goes on until tho young man finally commits murder, but is holped "to escape by his mother, who, with his father, has paid him a surprise visit. The day after the murder the. 6on is arrested and brought to trial. Hero the scenes are intensely dramatic and humorous. There'is a girl in'the case, and she comes into court and takes a seat near the front. Just after coming in the mother is called. She concludes her evidence by crying, "I want my son," and falls on her knees in front of the jury regardless of cries'' of "Order!" At this stage the girl leaves the court in tears, and. shortly after the jury brings in a verdict of "Not guilty." From this a unique finale develops,, and seme beautiful. colouring is introduced into the production, which throughout bears evidence of excellent photography. The' supporting programme is also a strong one. This programme continues throughout this week. ■

"THE COMMON LAW."•The new programme for tha weef at the Empress Theatre, which was shown to very big crowds during the'whole of Saturday, consists of a single picture, an adaptation of Bobert W. Chambers's story "The Common Law." The production is by Albert Oapellani, and picture patrons may remember that he was the producer of one of the greatest film successes that have ever come to New Zealand, "Les Miserablcs." This is sufficient warranty for the quality of the production, which is in every way excellent, and as the leading lady is Clara Kimball Young, an actress of great physical beauty and equal artistic achievement, the picture play is one to which unstinted praise may be properly given. The story is after the Chambers' pattern. The people are all interesting, if not all likeable, and the general setting is elegant, even luxurious. The heroine is Valerie West, a charming young lady, who finds herself threatened by poverty while on the threshold of young womanhood. Although well'educated and gently nurtured, she is not equipped to earn a living, and in the end 6ho becomes a model for an artist. As it happens he is a good artist and a good man, Louis Neville by name, and the inevitable happens—they fall in love. They do not get married out of hand, however, and the picture tells of all the things which happen before that happy consummation is reached. There is another man who wants Valerie, but he is neither an amiable nor an honourable man, and another woman who wants Valerie's artist. There is a problem phase of the'story from which its name, "Tho Common Law," is dorivtd, and this also is developed with rare artistry and proner restraint in tho picture. The film occupies about two hours m showing, and for all of the timo affords a very excellent entertainment.