ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3043, 2 April 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Despite the difficulties of transportation md other irremediable circumstances relative to travel brought about by the ivar, there seems to be little interruption in the constant flow of talent into the Fullers' New Zealand theatres. The weekly change o£ programme at His Majesty's' Theatre contains a number of newcomers. Many theatregoers t will ioubtless have no difficulty in oalling to mind Miss Maud Fannin", "the Queen >f the Coons," who oame here under the Fuller banner five or. sis years ago> .Miss Panning'a reappearanoe in Wellington tonight should be the subject of 6ome Interest. She will present a scena consisting of song, oomedy, and impersonal Liona in her emphatic and original way, ind in which, she will be assisted by the Elliott Sisters, a trio of juvenile" performers, who are said to be of more than srdinaiy ability. • Other first appearances will inolude Miss Lily Vockler, _ a ierio-oomio vooalist, who specialises in :atchy refrains, the Delevale Brothers, :omedians, at the piano, and Miss Jennie M'Eae, a Scottish contralto. The mai < - ,-ollou>i 1/3 Grohs, "who were the eensar tion of "last wed:, will present a change jf . routine, lpßicli will introduce a j;hird member of the family, who is a trifle more corpulent than the much-discussed 'Spider Man," but is said to be, nevertheless,'quite as wonderful." Madame Alverna and M. Jean Laerte, tho operatic rluo, will "offer new numbers, which will include "The Crown of Love" (Home), "Angels Guard Thee" (Godard), "Sabut I'amour" (ElgarJ/ftnd "Je suis Titania," Erom "Jlignon." Misses Thompson and. Hontez wili make their initial bows in comedy, song,' and character impersonations, Armitage and Hine will present i sketch never previously seen here," entitled "The Sailor and the Lass," and the remainder of an' entertaining bill will be composed of George Crotty, London revue comedian, and Bay and Gray, patter duo. The same company will appear nightly for the week (excepting Good Friday night). KING'S "THEATBJ3." "Prudence' the Pirate," a' comedy featuring Atlw Gladys Hulette, . aB a charming hsiciiie, is the principal attraction at the King's Theatre tiuj'tfeek. "Prudence the Pirate," in. iiitUtion to being a delightful comedy, ksa a.'-plot, and the production" sear the end"turns to drfuua, and very , nearly to tragedy.' Prudence", a high-spirited girl direct from boarding schools, finds life' with a freakishly ugly aunt wjth social ambitions, unbearable. She gets up to ail imaginable tricks, and very muoh prefers the company of a number .of .young urchins to that of a suitor named bilt, chosen by her aunt. For one of her many deeds of derring-do Prudence is sentenced' to go-back to tho nursery to learn to behave herself,' and 'she thus, misses a trip in her aunt's -'houseboat. At the suggestion of the, ohief of the young urohins she commandeers a. hulk and a tosc ally-looking crew, and goes to sea as a .pirate. They almost immedi-, ately attack her aunt's houseboat, cany off Astorbtlt as a ;deck washer, and uunty as a chaperon. Affairs on tlie pirate, ship are then extremely humorous until the ship catches fire; _ and tho crew leave. In the meanwhile _ Astorbilt has gained charge of the ship, and looked up Prudence. A butler who had become a, pirate under compulsion drapes himself out in Prudenoe's cape, and her absenoe is not noticed until' tho boats have drawn well away from the burning ship. At last Astorbilt shows some grit, and immediately dives in and syrims to the ship, where, he rescues Prudence. The picture is a most interesting one, and is. excellently staged. Tho Gauruoiit Graphio and a comedy, entitled "Bombs' complete the bill. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The chief attraction at Everybody's Theatre this, week. is .an exhilarating Triangle Fine Arts production, entitled "The Matrimaniac," in which Douglas Fairbanks," the popular "movie" artist, is featured. The . story deals with L tho adventures of Jimmy Vouroy, a happy-go-lucky youth, who plans to marry Marna, tho daughter of a wealthy man, who heartily disapproves of the marriage. Jimmy and Marna decide to elope, and 'from. then tho fun begins, and Douglas Fairbanks as Jimmy performs some-daring feats. Tho picture abounds in sensation, and there is a vein _of humour running right through it whioh keeps ' the spectators simmering with laughter. Jimmy and ilarna eventually get married, and tho wedding ceremony is performed in a. very uniquo-manner. "Tho Matrimaniac" is sure to attract big crowds all this week. Another star picture is entitled "Hidden Fires," and forms tho sixth chapter of "Gloria's Romance," in which Billie Burke takes tho leading rolo'. 1 The story deals with Gloria's convalescence after an attack of pneumonia, and her fiance's intrigues with Lois Stafford, Gloria's sister-in-law. The other pictures very beautiful rurfcl scenic dealing with the West of England, and the topical news is as' usual full of interest.- Tho programme as a whole is a very strong one. EMPRESS THEATRE. It is ahnojt a truism with PictureTel's that' any drama in which Clara Kimball Young appears is worth seeing. The assertion is well borne out by "The" Dark Silence," which delighted a large attendance at the Empress on Saturday, and should continue to draw good houses throughout its . currency here.' The story is original, the' setting picturesque,' and the acting just what admirers of the attractive Clara, expect. Brief!v, the story runs as follows:—Mildred White, an American art student in Paris,, becomes engaged to-. a wealthy young English' scmptoi', Darned Ainsworth. Ainsworth is suddenly summoned to England, and Dr. Martinez, an eye [specialist, convinoes Mildred that' hen lover has deserted her. :The Englishman 011 his returr. to Paris is informed that Mildred has become the mistress of Martinez. Driven to desnair, he enas a Red Cross uurse, later find.-: Ainsworth lying blinded ,in ai field hospital, and, without disclosing i-.cr identity, she accompanies him to England, and there marries him v The l>i(T uin.n'eiit' of the story comes when Anisworth's sister learns of. a celebrated surgeon who may be able to euro her brother. -The man is Martinez. When he 'hears tho name, of his patient ho hesitates, but his : better nature triumphs, and • lie responds to the appeal.' The operation is successfully performed, and Ainsworth recognises in his j wife the women he v balieved had desert- | ed him. ' The Spaniard completes his Kood work by telling v 4.:nsworth the truth about his wife, and changes a difficult situation into the happy reunion of tue lovers. Supporting the. big .picture is a good selection of films. J C. WILLIAMSON'S COMEDY SEASON. "Seven ! Keys to Baldpate," the opening. production of J. C. Williamsons Farce Comedy Company, at the brand Opera Houso on Saturday evening next, is a story-dramatised by George 11. Cohan, from tho novel of tne saiuo name, written, by Earl Deix Biggcrs. ' It Is said to be full of original ideas, and to hold its audience throughout. The characters'aro actually drawn, from real life, and- the incidents are of everyday occurrence in different parts of tho world. Mr. Robert Greig, who made sucli a favourable impression vjhon he was last in New Zealand with Mr. Hugh J.. Wardl's Company,' and Miss Beatrice Holloway, who 'last visited the Dominion as leading lady with Mr. Fred Niblo, are cast .in the principal parts, and the general ensemble promises to equal any comedy attratttipn yet presented by the J. C. Williamson firm. In' this production there is said to be a constant flow of movement, a kaleidoscopic interchange of ludicrous surprises and provocative alarms, and it is always the unexpected that happens. Each' character.is by way of being a joke, and there are' fifteen names in the cast. The whole thing, actors, actresses, scenery, and lights, is

said to "bo one huge and slowly evolving conundrum of rollicking humour and burlesque. The Ikjx plans will open at the Bristol next Wednesday, at 0 a.m. OBCHESI'RAL CONCERT. The Wellington Professional Orehcs. tra trill, give an orchestral concert on Good Friday evening at His Majesty's Theatre, and the programme selected IB calculated to appeal to the popular taste, The assisting vocalists' will be Madame Wielaert, of Auckland, and .Mr. Hamilton Hodges. Among the orchestra's items will be Tschaikovski's famous "Slavonic March," two of Brahm's "Hungarian Dances," and a "Flower Suite" by Benyon. An acceptable item should be Taubert's oharmuig "Love Song" for oboe and strings, while other pieces will be' Massenet's "Angelus" and the "Raymond Overture" by Thomas. Popular price 3 will b» charged.