ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3038, 27 March 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

The Williamson Company, led by Miss Florence Rockwell, which la now showing at tho Grand Opera House; appeared again last night in the play, '"Ilia Land oi Promise." Having seen her now in two very dissimilar .roles, Wellington people who go to the' J theatre can appraise her at her true worth as an actress. Her performance in this latter as in her first appearance was full of merit.

"The Law of the Land" is announced to fill the three farewell nights of the season, and will "be produced to-night. It is described as a battle and oaoh succeeding development intensifies the uncertainty as to the ultimate issue. Miss Rockwell .impersonates Mrs. Harding, the long-suffering wife of a tempered, cruel lawjer, whoso studied neglect and brutal treatment contributes to her liasion -with a young engineer. The scenes are said to make very exacting demands upon Hiss Rockwell's capacity as' an emotional actress, but she is reported as rising above all difficulties withi marked success. Mr. Frank Harvey will appear ae Geoffrey Moreton, the lover. /'The Law of tho Land" can only be presented for three nights, which will also conclude the present season.

: HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The public was evidently aware of tho excellence of the programme to be submitted at • His Majesty's Theatre last evening as all the available seating accommodation was occupied. The bill is one of the best submitted for some considerable time, both as Tegitods the high standard of the performers and the wide range of entertainment .they covered. Au outstanding act, the wonder of which must be 6een to be appreciated, is contortionistic performance of the IxT Grohs—a man and a woman. There 'have been amazing body-hvistors here on many' occasions, but the malo Le j Groli baffles all. description. He appaiently defies all the laws of ossification by •substituting rubber where bones should be. He commences by standing on his hands, and allowing' his legs to slowly j droop down over his head until his feet | play a rataplan on the stage, and with i them he lifts his hat from the stage and | places it upon his head, and then to the ; mystification of the audience he walks ! on all fours, with his feet thrown over his head as the front pair of legs. This man of rubber performs' other wonderraising feats, in a manner as pleasing as it is amazing. • The lady is equally refined in her work, and is altogether (prepossessing. ' Another excellent turn is the comedy Bketch of Brull and Hemsley, "The Knut, the Girl; and the Egg," which is a clever frivol full.of innoouous fun. Brull is certainly a, talented comedian and dancer, and his partner is. very helpful. 'From a musical point of> view the / performance submitted by Jfndame Alverna and M. Laerte is, distinctly high-class. Madame, who'' was 'heard here a few weeks back, sang the "La Serenata" of Braga, with, ease and vocal facility, and gTace was added the number by the violin obbligato of M. Laerte. The soprano also sang a verse of Alfred Hill's "Waiata Poi," whilst ehe whisked the poi balls like one of the native-bora, and also added' a Serenade by Tittl and Ardifa familiar "II Basio." M. Laerte a talented pianist, h as'sympathetic qualities Vas a violinist, and plays the.oboe with' marked suavity. His imitation of the bagpipes in the violin solo.with a basis of Scotch airs was very , good indeed. Armitage and Hine xeappeared after a long absence, and repeated one of their, old. jnusio and patter acts to the delight of the audience; Billy Brown, ISe popular coloured comedian; Fred. Arthur, the "shabby genteel" comedian; Ray,and Gray, George Crotty (with"Ma scarecrow dance), Scot Gibson, a kilted singing comedian, and the Do Baker Living Models were also included in the bill. ' '' ' . THE KING'S. . i

' The brave days of old Homo are thrillingly portrayed in "Spartaens," a big historical film pageant now pleasing the King's Theatre patrons. All the wonderful devices of the camera-man have been employed to' present the stirring happenings of the time, true to actual fact. Gladiatorial combats, chariot races, and the clash of great V armies resound throughout the picturing, and there is a love interest that nicely rounds off the story. There is a'good "Gazette" "and a highly humorous comedy as well. EVERYBODY'S. . : The ending ip, of course, a happy one, and the love story is sweet and .delightful, in "The Microscope Mystery," now the 'headline attraction at Everybody's Theatre. The consumption bacillus, alive and in movement, is one of many scientific wonders which are sandwiched into the .humour and romance of this novel Triangle play, in which pretty Constance Talmadge is the star. Billie Burke, in "The Gathering Storm," - is prettier, and even more fascinating than in any of: the "Gloria's Romance" series. THE EMPRESS. ( In i"The Madness of Helen," now ecreeniDg at'the "Empress Theatre, Miss Ethel. Clayton, who made many new admirers last week in,her depiction of the' minister's wife, in "The Hidden' Scar,"; plays dual-.'roles. There are many queer happenings in a small village, where a young and beautiful woman M;ho has become insane,.wajiders forth at night on evil errands. The World Co. have produced the picture in their best style.