ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3019, 5 March 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. An excellent new bill of varieties is promised for tho change of prograinmo at His Majesty's Theatre to-night. Mr. Victor Prince, whoso talent and versatility as a comedian and refuo producer is recognised, will present a new musical comedy absurdity entitled "The Beauty Shop." Ho will, of course, be assisted by the happy band of people now associated with his name. They includo Charles Zoli, Dorothy Hastings, Lillian Colenso, Yorke Gray, Annette Lang, andG.Sharratt. Mr. Billy Mann, an American comedian'.of prestige, will make his initial bow in Wellington to-night, and, with the reputation he possesses as a black-face farceur, it is anticipated that he is sure of a big recefition. Larly and Lnight will present a new sketch entitled "Some Baby," in which they will bo assisted by Miss Glon Echo. Marjone Alwyne, contralto balladist, the favourite Phil Percival, the intoxicated comedian, and Leonard's dogs, the team of mar-vellously-trained poodles, will complete a bright and entertaining programme. The management also announco that Miss Annette Lang and Mr. Yorke Gray will be in attendance at the theatre at 6.80 to-night, for the purpose of instructing intending competitors in the new dance, the "Fox Trot," which will bo the subject of a competition to be held shortly. Handsome prizes will be given to winning couples. KING'S THEATRE.

A charming 6tory of mountain life is unfolded in "The Stronger Love," which heads tho current bill at the King's Theatre. The heroine is a beautiful child of nature, blooming like a wild flower upon the hills. Reared with the Servisses, a race of mountain men, she kindles their lovo by her_ charms, and finally becomes tho promised bride of ono of them. Between tho little circlo in which she lives and tho Rutherfords across tho valley, there is a blood-fond that the lapse of years has failed to satisfy. The smouldering hatred is always on the point of breaking out, and tho crisis comes when a Rutherford, home from tho great cities, incurs suspicion of having set tho excisemen on tho Servisses' trail. Tho Servisses, headed by tho heroine's fiancee, go to the Rutherford home to demand the lifo of their supposed betrayer. Tho mountain girl, who has been attracted by the object of their hatred, intervenes, and saves his life by boldly asserting that sho is promised to him. Her mountain lover, with heroic solf-sacrifice, gives "her back her first promise of love, willing to surrender hor to his enemy rather than see her Buffer; and she, touched with his nobility of heart, no longer hesitates, but bestows on him the reward of her youth and beauty. The setting of the picture is very fino, and the photography excellent. Vivian Martin, in the principal role, charms the 'spectator, and makes tho picture what it is—a decided success. Interesting topical matter _is included in an attractive supporting bill.

EVERYBODY'S THEATEE. An excellent double star bill—an entire chango of programme—was presented at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday. The chief pictures arc "Eeggio Mixes In," and tho second part" of "Gloria's Romance." The former features Douglas Fairbanks, and is brimful ,of American excitement. It includes the best fight anyone could wish to see. Kcggio. fresh from college and tho pampered pet of tho family, is engaged to a society girl. Out for a run in his car. he iinds a lost child and takes it to its homo in tho Bowery. Thero he meets a girl who is working as a dancer in Gallagher's saloon, but who is n*>t the usual type, and whose people have come down in the world. Ho rescues hor from ono of a gang, and is offered the position of "chucker out" in the saloon. Tony, leader of tho gas-pipe gang, sends some of his men to do for Reggie, and finally challenges him to.fight him for the girl. Locking themselves in tho room they fight to a finish. Beegio wins out and staggers through tho door, only to be met by ono of tho gang armed with a revolver. Tho 6aloon-keeper turns out tho lights and assists Eeggio and tho .girl to escape. Then comes the task of getting Eeggie's people to accept the dancing girl. This he does by faking a legacy from her brother in Australia. The second part of "Gloria's Bomance" is nioro engaging cvon than tho first part. One inevitably becomes interested in this story. Gloria, who is the daughter of Pierpont Stafford, a millionaire banker, after losing herself in the Florida Everglades, is hold a captive by Indians, and is proposed to by tho Chief Katcalani. Gloria faints and Dr. Eovco arrives on the scene and he and the Indian at once engage in a hand-to-hand encounter, tho young physician disarming the Indian who had attacked him with a knife. Richard Froneau, who is also seeking Gloria, in hope of receiving tho reward offered for her rehrrn, arrives, and seeing that Eoyce is too busy to notice his. presence, takes the unconscious Gloria in his arms and bears her away. The gjrl recovers as she is restored to her father and brother, and proclaims Freneau a hero, since sho believes it was he who saved her, and Eoyce, on his return, learns' that Freneau. has accepted credit for a rescue performed by another. The bill also includes tho "Pathe Gazette" and "The Ctaumont Graphic."'

EMPRESS THEATRE.

Miss Gail Kano, whose position as leading woman of the World Films, is a guarantee of her capabilities as an actress, was again introduced to audiences ol the Empress Theatre oh Saturday, when she inado her appearance in a dual character in "The Scarlet Oath." ■In* locale of the picture is set in Warsaw, Poland, and in New York. The; %F J? E " 8?lan . and concerns Nihilists and the Russian secret police. "The House of a Thousand Sins" is the title Riven by the Nihilists to the house of l&varoff, the chief of the secret police, around whom centres the main incidents ■in the story. The dual role is that of a Russian woman w.ho fulfils the scarlet oath," and an American girl, Nina, who is touring in Russia. Lavarjt lmirt,eri?(i V the Russian woman, and her escape endangers the life of Nina and her sweetheart. After Nina returns to New York, the Russian woman is found in hiding l>ut eventually tho twisted strands of the story are straightened out, Nina and her sweethoart are reunited, and the perpetrator of the scarlet oath" pays the penalty of her crime. ( Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew appear in a mirthful comedy,- and thero is the Topical Budget.