ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2996, 6 February 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

* "DAMAGED GOODS.". To bo staged at tho Grand Opera House, for six nights, commencing .February 12, is a propagandist play, described as of the deepest and v nio3t serious purpose. The subject treated is necessarily one of an unpleasant nature. Tho management of "Diinioged Goods" are aware tliat. there are doubtless thoso who will claim that tho theatre is a place of amusement, and that the entertainment of tho audience should be the supreme purpose of tfto management. Many, again, maintain that tbo theatre should ■ have a higher aim than inero amusement, and that it 6hould cater for serious thought in tho public interest, as well as for laughter and tears. Tho management urge that if tlio theatre can i»e used to educate tlio public mind and reform the public morals,, there ie' every reason why so powerful un agency should be enlisted in the crusade at present waging war against tlio vilest and most cruel enemy of mankind. The Melbourne "Leader" saye-.—"We aro inclined to think that the sincerity of 'Damaged Goods' will 'provo its salvation. It enforces tho magnitude of a very present ,- evil in a straightforward manner, and inveighs against the dangers of ignorance and. indilferenco with an emphasis that cannot fail to arrest'the attention. Apart from the subject itself, there-is nothing in the method or treatment to which exception could~T>e taken. There is a sense of tragic intensity created in the development of tlie theme, and in the consequences wliich invariably follow on_t'he neglect of warniug, involving both tuose who sin and those who aro entirely innocent in the penalty. It is the truth .of She presentation which gives it it's.convincing power." Box plans are announced to bo opened at the Bristol' on Thursday morning. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Some quality was lent to the programme at His Majesty's Theatre • last ■ evening by the inclusion in the bill of Madame Alverna and M. Jean Laerte' (formerly well known in musical circles . in 'Auckland), who present a. most attractive musical melange in a manner that .would gain them plaudits on any vaudeville stage in the world. With, a, shrewd knowiedgo of what their audiences want' the act ie cleverly arranged, and it goes with a. swing from start to finish. Madame Alverna ie a facile soprano, with a bright, lively style, and atemperament entirely suited to the new. form'of 6tage w.ork sho has undertaken. The act is initiated by the singing of the Barcarole from Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffman," sung in liquid tones, that 'blend charmingly with the violin obbligato, • expressively played by M. Laerte. From that she bre.iks into die "All. j.'oi's j e Lui" ana (from "La Traviata"), and other operatic airs, taken at vaudeville speed, but- without any sacrifice of lythym. ' She also sings a. verse of "Where My Caravan Has Rested, , ' which is given a sympathetic oboe obbligato, as Is also Gounods "Serenade" of precious memory. M. Laerte produces a nice tone on the oboe, -and plays' that difficult reed , instrument with a suavity of style that was distinctly ingratiating. He is al6o an able violinist juid accompanist. Tsuda, a wonderfully clever Japanese hand-bal-ancer, who was here last week, did some 1 marvellous body balancing on a table, and his work with a couple of chairs poieed -upon a globe that reeted on a table.was high,art. Lengthy Walter Emerson, a red-nosed comedian from an ! almost-forgotten past, found it easy to i make tho big audience giggle with hie I comic songs, and doubling- with Miss ! Hasto, a singer and dancer, created a i i Rood deal of mirth with his gagging.The second part was provided by -La I Blanc's Travesty Stars, returned favourites, who appear once more in the Anieri- ' can absurdity, entitled "In Watts," a musical farce in which everyone attempts .to palm themselves off as the lost heir to' the town of .'Watts. Bert La Blano I and Jake Mack appear as two Yiddisher tramps, with Carlton Chase as . their ■ confederate in crime. During the evening Mr. Walter /Fuller' apologised for the non-appearance of Miss Violet Trcvenyon, the popular and graceful soubrette, who could not up., pear , because of the late-arrival .of tho Sydney boat. This clever girl will make amends this evening, and for the next three weeks or more with a. repertoire of new smart songs: . THE KING'S. The number of people who will go' to eee anything really good in picture plays is surprisingly great. Billie Burke, 'in "Peg"y," attracts just. as big audiences to the King's in this, the- second week's run, as she -did. to Everybody's last week A number of Triangle favourites support the radiant "Billie" among whom are Wm. Desmond, Charles Ray, and Win. H. Thompson. By special request .the pictures of the recent howling tournament are being repeated this week. .'.. •.•'.- EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Two Norma Talmadge3 may he eaid to appear in "The Social Secretary," now showing at Everybody's Theatre. Sho at first is a fascinating 'typiete, -whoso charms make all her employers pester her with attentions.. ' She is tked of male attention, and adopts an "antimen" disguise which is positively Jmrrifying. However, she i* discovered m all her pretty .things by her employer's j son, and the plot immediately begins to thicken.- The story, is ingeniously con- '. etructed, and full of surprising twists. Gladden James, who is ono of tho newest Trianglo stars, supports Misa Talmadge. There is also a farcical Keystone picture which marks a distinct advance in these productions. This comedy is very novel, and most laughable. EMPRESS THEATRE. • j •, American politics at their stormiest ' form. -Che leading motive of "The Velvet Paw," now showing at the Empress Theatre. The heroine is a yoimg woman • who is skilfully converted by a • scheming old politician into a dangerous feminine lobbyist.' She. ruins one career, but real love comes to her at last, and she realises the infamy of the game she is playing. The film contains several splendid pictures of Washington, awl other mngniftcent. Assembly and Governmental buildings. There is also n genuine peep at President Wilson, and the whole investiture of the play is most convincing. A most interesting film is that which fihows the manner in which the wounded heroes of theSomme are being looked after. '.