ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2995, 5 February 1917, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"DAMAGED GOODS." ■ Thoro will always bo a' divorsitj .of opinion us to tho dealing with Biich nroblnms on tho stago ns .iro discussc<l in "Damaged Goods." The lniHiagomnnt. of tho production to lio staged at tho Grand Opora .linuso on Ji'ebrimry ]2 put tho position thus: "That .our moral teaching should come from sucli a soiirco is moroly a revei-sion to tho earliest history of the theatre. Chivalry, rolifiioh, tho results of evil-doing from the carliost times have been tniiglit by means of tho stage, whicli lias cilways lwcn rpparded ;is a powerful influence bccniiso thousands of people aro directly reached who otherwise would liavo remained ■'in ignorance of these subjects." ".U is," they add, "(lie f=»mo to-day—there are so many unrollccting. imreading people, who almost form the. bulk of tho population, who can (inly bb reached by appealing through their senses by direct demonstration. They only becomo really interested in important, subjects and trends when snch are brought into their line of vieion in a tangible way, either by means of tho stago or by.a big jiublio outcry or campaign.". Dealing with tho greatest curso of the civilised world, "Damaged Goods" should, .its management urge, be given every 'available form of publicity far and wide. An evil which, according to leading medical anthorities, spares only ono in seven, w, the management'add,-surely _ appalling enough tt> make it imperative tli.it any and every means shall be used to warn tho populace and leach tliem to combat the evil—to bring, about an awakening to Hie too long concealed horror that is working for Hie destruction of the race. "Damaged Goods" is to be presented at the Grand Opera House on Monday, I , ebruary 12. Box plans will be opened at the Bristol on Thursday morning next.

■HIS MAJESTY'S THEA-TEE. The principal feature of the new vau-deville-bill to be presented at tho Mer house this evening will bo Miss Violet Trevenyon, who will make a. welcome reappearance • lievo after -a lengtliy absence. Miss Trovenyon lias a personality all her own, which, together with her entrancing, way of singing the,stylo of haunting melodies peculiar to lidr repertoire, and tho simple sweetness of her frocks, which are said to bo quitethe latest modes from Paris, no doubtis responsible for: the huge success the httlo English artist has been, 'all .ovor tho Fuller circuit. Everywhere this talented girl-'has played-she has proved a draw-card, and sho now ranks as one of the biggest imported vaudeville ■ sue-' cesses."- Music-lovers -will no doubt be pleased to learn that Madame Alverna, the operatic prima donna, and M. Jean laerte, the renowned violinist and oboist, will make thoir first appearance on the variety stage of Wellington to-night. Of .this couple, the-Brisbane "Daily Mail had the. following to Bay:-"The initial item, "La Sereuata" (Braga), was brilliantly rendered. Madame .sang with delightful sympathy, her fullness of tone and faithfulness of interpretation earnin" a thundrous outburst of , applause. Jean Laerto's violin obbligato intensified the enjoyment of tho delicious item. For the next number, Madame selected that ; superb composition of Verdi, Ah lore o Lui," in which her vocal powers and n, rich accompaniment combined to make a glorious rendition. Fuller patrons seemed to appreciate tho fact- that they were being entertained by-true artiste of. high standing in tho musical world. The-remainder'of a strong programme will oousist of Walter Emerson, English comedian; Gwennio Hasto, the vivacious soubrette; Tsuda, the amazing Japanese equilibrist; and Lα Blanc's Travesty Stair, in a new combination of melody, mirth, girls, and Jews, entitled In Watts." ' .. KING'S THEATRE. Tho comedy-drama "Peggy," in which Miss Billio Burke plays the name-part, was transferred to the King's.Theatre on Saturday, after - 'having been, shown at Everybody's Theatre for a week and drawing very big houses. The: audiences on Saturday were large, and upheld tho record of large atondances for the hrst ■week of tho picture. Mis 3 Burke is a charming littlo actress, and her comedy scenes are genuinely comical, and . are •unlike those of other- actresses who do not ijossess such "taking" mannerisms. Her entry into the .Scotch village where her uncle lives is most amusing. Thoro is not only one amusing incident in the picture, but many. Tho dramatic scenes are very good, and it is the charm of Miss Burke, tho splendid story, and tfce ■production of the picture which make it one of the /best that lias been shown here. The screening on. Friday evening next will be the last in Wellington..

THEATRE. The 'main feature-' of the bill presented at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday was "The Social -Secretary," a Triangle film featuring -Miss Noriuu Talmndgo. The picture is ono tbat should achieve a- dis- ' tinct 'success', as it relates a pleasant story iu -ivhich the doings of tho inovitable "yillaiu are not sufficiently serious to produce much gloom. .In • tho leading lole.-lliss-Talmadga'is superb. As all who have seen her upon the- screen will realise, no part could be better suited to this ' accomplished artist than'that of the girl who is too pretty to.earn her living as a'typiste. The spectator can almost pity -the iinfortu'nato employers from whose-attentions tho heroine takea iligkt, ' so 'excusable • is their suscoptibility to her charms. Playing opposite to Miss Talmadge is. Gladden James, who makes a big success of. his..part. His. little midnight escapades, in which angels and lilies are prominent, ■ appeals strongly to one'e sense of humour, wliilo his marriago with the most delightful of heroines , is sufficient to' convince the avorago man of his taste and discrimination. Of tho supporting numbers, 'tho best is • the comedy, . "Sho Loved a Sailor." In this production, a lot of genuine' fun is extracted from' an alleged invention by .Which tho dramatis porsonao are enabled to walk .with ease upon tho ocean. Some'of/tho incidents piotured are ludicrous in tho extreme, and include a rescue from drowning effected "by etrcteher-loearcrs who wear the' great I. Treadwoll's water boot. Patrons of Everybody's, during tho woek can rest assured of seeing a generally ..onjoyablc bill. EMPRESS -THEATRE-. Largo audiences worn' present at eacli session at the Empress Theatre on Saturday, where "Tho Velvet Paw," a World film, was produced for tho'first tiino in Wellington; Tho two principals aro Gail Kane and .House Peters. Both tako their parts well.' Gail Kane is specially winsome. The scenes aro laid principally in Washington, the capital, whoro Congress moots. Some actual pictures of Congress, . the first' shown in Wew Zealand, aro introduced, .and .there .is also ft picture taken of President- Wilson. Tho scenery, as may be expected for a picture taken amongst tho Govern-mental-buildings and.gardens, is or thn. best Gail Kane, "Tho Velvet Paw,, .is tho wifo of an inventor,: w'lin poisons himself .early in tho story. Oμ 1. accepts tho hospitality o fa scheming <™ Congressman, and rapidly gains the reputation of.lhcj cleverest lobbyist of the day.'' Using her enttlo c'.iarms to tho beet-advantage sho helps hor host in everything he requires,'incidentally ruin, ing one career- -after another in. gauiing her- ends. Hor last- attempt is on a young Congressman, newly, appointed, and she gets his .promise to bo inray when- a note, is taken oil a. certain Hill, thus practically milking Kiiro I lint tlio Bill will not go through. Finding hersoU in love, however, she .repents at the last moment, and sets out to get tho young politician In tlio .noiiso in time lo speak.for tho Bill, and ovnil.uall.v carry it She is successful in this, lint just nfter the Bill is nassod she is-.Jired at bv ;i politician who sho has previously ruined. •■ She is only slightly .hurt.however and gives herself up to the happy voung'maii wlieii ho comes to seo nor. Jtcamvliilo the crowd take charge ol the practically mad ox-polilicjaii. and ho is dropped over the side of tins gnllery. thus ending his worldly.wreer.. .T(.|>pH-h.r« is an interesting one, turn Ilie hnsi scones aro iiit'ensoly 'dramatic. Included in tho supporting ..bill is a- new bniml of picture of the "Gauraont Graphic kind: These nro ttio "English Oak Kims, ,, mid deal principally with wnr matters, especially with the hospitals and treatment.of wounded in England. "A VICTORY OF CONSCTENCB." _ Tlio management of tho Queen's Theatre is 'to' bo congratulated o'n the etorling character of that Ddo picture,

"A Victory of Conscience," which was screened in Wellington for tho first timo on Saturday. Not only is tho picture, a vital pagu out of Hfo and very beautifully acted, but it exposes in a very wonderful way that tho fruit of -wrongdoing is but ashes. "A Victory of Conscience" introduces that sterling actor Lou Tellegon (who last year married tho American prima donna Geraldiuo Farrar), and who wan leading man for Sarah Bernhardt during her 1911 tour of America. His classic features and cultured stylo cannot fail to raako an impression on all lovers of artistic acting. As to tlio picture—it hangs upon a trifle light as air. Returning from a pleasure trip one. day Count Tavannes and Karitza are templed to visit a country inn, whore, it is said, tho landlord's daughj tcr dances the head off- of half tho countryside. Tavannes and Rosette are. affinities, and' when a row occurs, through his attentions lo tho girl (who is sadly misused, by hor stingy parents), the- young roysterbrs tako her away with , them in their motor-car, and that night stay with Count Tavannes. Tho next morning tho girl learns that ho lifts no intention of marrying her, and slio leaves him. As soon a.s ho lias gone,..Kenny (Rosette's' country lover)' arrives in search of. the girl, and recognising Tavannes, springs at his throat, on the words: "Yon killed her eoul—l'U till your body!" But Tavamics does nor. die. . Ho is succoured by some kindly priests, and seeing tho error of his ways himself joins the Church- Then ns n priest lie meets Rosetto._once more as a. dancer in. a cafe, and realising that tho only peace for himself is tho salvation of her soul, ha struggles anion? the outcast habitues of the "Little Toads Lalo to redeem the woman ho. originally ruined. At length it is his own old fnend that ho has to fight to regain influence over Hosetle. That done, ho leads her to a convent, where sho takes tho •veil.. I War finally brings them together again. 1 Tho priest' becomes, a, soldier, and with his "Little -Toads" is placed to defend a convent Ion? enough to cover tho retreat ofaFreueVi unit. Thero-the loverpriest and his Rosette find peace eternal facing tho enemies of Franco. J- his brief outlino but dimly reflects the story, the screon tells, nor can. it detail tho various phases of lite that ai'O so realistically reflected. Another interesting edition of "Peg n' tho Bing. was .included in the programme, and the comic, liuetor, "Ho Died and Ho Didn't, caused ranch laughter. ' ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Pago, city organist, gave another organ recital at the J- own Hall on Saturday evening to tho dcliffit of a -very appreciative audience. _ we programme indicated tho Catholicism ot Mr. Pago's taste, which raises from the sweet old melodists-of mediaeval times, when tho organ was a primitive tlnng at best to tho excerpts from tho works of living composers, whoso place lias yet. to be fised by tho unerring.judgment of Time. As showing the forward thought in musical matters in Bmssia, Mr. I apso onco more played those two beautifully expressive pieces, "A Tear" andl lied - tation," by Moussorgsty, and tho elusive' Debussy was represented br tho haunting fountain' music awl duet trom tho French composer's opera, Tellcae and Molisande" (founded on Maeterlinck's queer romantic piny)- Other numbers were Karg-Elerfs "Sonatino in A Minor," two preludes by Scnatane, and Salome's "Piece Sympliomque.- •