ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3036, 24 March 1917, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

| OPERA HOUSE. "The House of Glass," which has Twen played to good attendances du.iug the week, was staged for ths last time at the Grand Opera Housn last night. This evening, for tho first time in New Zealand, "The Land of Promise," by Somerset Maughan, the author of "Lady Frederick" and other splendid comedies, Tv-ill be staged. An Australian contemporary says: "Contrasted ivitli the American 'crook' melodrama, the English dramatist's superiority stands, out like a lighthouse. Tho direct evidence is seen in the, word picturo of wellknit and intensely human production, "The Land of Promise," and Somerset ifaughan has made a wonderful success with a clean story without the aid of the artificial sensationalism which is the stock-in-trade of 60 many modern playwrights." . In this tense play the acting of Miss Eockwell and Mr. Harvey is said to be at its best. "The Land of Promise" can only be staged for two nights, as on Tuesday next "Tho law of the Land" is to be staged' for the three farewell nights of the season; HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The bright and varied programme' which has been attracting appreciative audiences throughout this week at His Majesty's Theatre will be produced for 4 the last times at this afternoon's matinee and this evening's entertainment. Prinoiral items on the bill are supplied by Billy Brown, Fred Arthur, Brnll and Helmsley, and Mark Erickson. all comedians) Alsace, instrumentalist; Miss Livingstone vn a number of son^s; and the Rosio Rifle Olub in a sharp-shooting exhibition. ■:- THE KING'S. .': _German -treachery waß in evidence..s6 > long ago as tho first century. 8.C.. lyiiett the armies.of the .revolting jrladiator Snartaous.. had... Roma at. their, mercy. Twieojn tho course of this great ment .the German section in the 'insurigent forces left fjpartneus.in the lurch, fQrmed. separate forces, and were, -out to pieces.for their nains. * Crixus, tho Gerr rian lieutennntjif .Spartacus, in the.early gays of the revolt.. formed a separate Dlari,..and lie andjrs army, after" their defection, were anu destroyed, and SDartaouSj with tlie> remainder of the njeu. ■son two brilliant battles. The story of .Spartaciis hasjipen iniorpnrated in_n_ picture aiay opening at the King's matinee to-day. EVERYBODY'S. The_ rascality, of unacrnpiilouß atfacjs who. have .long been .tbe-.bane.oLJlie medioaLjirofession, is 6howii up.in_"The Uiorgipoae. Ilystwy," .screenins to.-dax at iiver>Dody. , l :...' TJie 6tfljs are WilfreS Lucae. and' Constance,Talmadgejjthe latter kakins lier. first appearance as a leadinii lady, The sjory.Js described js a partioularlv fine one, tlvs first portion beiUEt. satiric;!, cjipofl-". whlcli. 5s iotirrnptcil by S. trasid murder! .Thi; mic.roseppo .enters prpminently into 'the. plot, and; Were are shovju jsorae extraordinary .JS. C 2? *i-.?iiiiut*-.UTing_ cerms_ jindL in-. sects: a 'here is n happy jomantia_eM; iSS.—JsiTlie -BurJss vdll. .be also ejiawn in "The .Gathering. StoTP," tb.o latest .instalment of Gloria's xtomanco. .

'. THE EMPRESS. "The Madness of Helen" is the title of a new World Film play, commencing at' the Empress to-day. The plot is said to be a most unusual one, and as the play unfolds the problem seems almost insoluble. A girl who seems innocent and pure by day is found fleeing through the village on an evil, nocturnal errand. The climax is stated to be a real surprise. Ethel Clayton and Carlym Blackwoll are the stars. ''

TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL'..' At the Town Hall this evening, the City Organist (Mr. Bernard Page) will give an organ recital of special interest. The great Symphony iu D Minor ("lento-AJ-legro," "Allegretto" Allegro non Troppo"'. opmposed by Cesar Franck, will again be performed. Mr. Page has received a large number of requests to repeat this work. Although this great composer left a treasury of over one hundred and sixty works, there still remains a regrettably large number of the musical public who know very little of Cesar Franck's work. The second half of tho programme is given over to original organ works by Leniare, "Summer Sketches" (Dawn—The Bee—Cuckoo—'.Twilight—Evening), and Wolstenholme's "Finale in B Flat." ■•