ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3089, 21 May 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TITS MAJESTY'S T.HEATRK. Some aUrnctivo novelties are proioised in Ihe c)uui"U of programine iit Ilio Jlajesty's Theatre to-niKht. The majority of habitues of vaiidovillo need no introduction lo the successful soprano. Miss Dora Oberimm, ami it should thcrdoro 1,0 welcoiiio HOW.S to her admirers to hear that she has been Been red lor a short farowell season here, aud will oiler further selections from- her well-chosen repertoire of songs. Another welcome reappearance will bo made by Hilly \ ; Hrown, coon comedian. "Billy Brown ranks as one of tho greatest successes that tho Fuller firm ever handled. Murfayne's act ensures a brilliant musical interlude, Vandinoff and Louie will preeont a variation of their painting novelty, Jeunetto Spellmau will.be heard in somo more of her serio-comic.nl numbers, Carlton and Sutton will offer another change of business, and the remainder of what promises an excellent night's entertainment will consist .ot Skipper Francis, tho cripple champion athlete, tho Gadabout Musical Comedy Girls, and Cusko's marvellous monkeys.

ENGLISH PIEiIKOTS. The English Pierrots, who provide a highly delectablo form of entertainment drew another crowded house to the Concert Chamber on Saturday evening. These clover people are a shining example of rare ability and combination, and the result is tho creation of a cosy atmosphere, which is always so highly conducive to real enjoyment. In Miss Elsa Langley the Pierrots possess a soubrotte who is the acme of refinement and oharm in the delicate point and finish, distinguishing her work. Her "Goblin bereceuse, with its human appeal and exquisite tenderness, is a delightful number, and tho gentle irony of tho recitation, "She "Was My Friend," was an enchanting bit of artistry.. Miss Bilhe Barlow's "kiddy" songs and recitations are jtems of character, (showing the nicest perception. Miss Shirley Cook, at tie piano and in her songs (a la Margaret Cooper) is another pleasing performer, and Miss Edith, Harrold's cultured soprano is a vocal'strength to the company. All the male members are capable performers, vocally, and m tne comedy with which the programme abounds.

KING'S THEATEB. The attraction at the- King's Theatre this week is an adaptation, of 'Robert Chamber's novel, "The Girl Philippa. The play is certainly a great success. Pounded upon a powerful story ana committed to the film by clever craftsmen, it is fit to be reckoned among the best productions that have recently .appeared. In the leading role is tho gentle and seductive Anita Stewart, and supporting her are players who, on the whole make up an excellent company. The action is quick, and in the long succession of scenes there are few indeed that could be termed commonplace. Ike opening is particularly cftectiye. J-"**™ the stage manager has. made the best or splendid opportunities, with the result that the duel between the two ottcers (for instance) is startling in its realism. The same deft touch is in evidence in the portrayal of the incidents that tollow. The plot 'is probably familiar to the average picture-goer, and need not be refesred to at any length. It tells how Philippa comes to figure in an aftair oi international importance; how she gains a lover, defeats a German plot, and learns the s&retof her birth. A fair indication of the popularity of the film will probably aohieve is afforded by, the fact that Saturday's screening attracted a full house.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "On Dangerous Ground/ , a pictorial dramatisation of R. W. Chambors's novel, "Little Comrade," is tho feature of the Empress Theatre bill for tho week. The story is one of Chamber's post-war productions, wherefore it is a war story. It is also a spy story, but it is so wildly improbable or perhaps so intensely thrilling as some of tho spy adventures enacted for the kinema. The characters are ornamental and, fascinating, tho action is exciting, and the film does not record the very brilliant and soulful conversation to which Chambers's characters are addicted. The man is a young American doctor, unfortunate enough to be in Germany at the time of the outbreak of war. Hi? only desire was to get out of the country as quickly as possible, but he was destined to experience" much before accomplishing this very natural desiro. It was in stricken Alsace that his interesting time began. He took a rooni at an inn, and left his bag in his room before going for a walk, abroad. On his return he is amazed to discover that the bag i\i his room was full of woman's apparel, and his confusion is complete when a young and boautiful female rushes into the room, informs him that he is her husband, and embraces him with enthusiasm. The explanation of it all follows soon, but the doctor finds himself unable or unwilling to get out of the game, and thereafter he is to all intents and purposes a spy. His special duty is to be tho makebelieve husband of the real spy—tho pretty womii.n-a.nd this risky adventure leads' to very natural complications. The man and tho woman fall in love in real parnest-the girl of Alsaco and the American. They do not reach the "lived lia-IBVT ever afterwards stage without maiiv adventures, the rocital ot wnicn by the kinema is highly diverting. As a picco of war photography the film is worthy of special commendation. Ihe destruction of tho country and buildings behind the lines in Alsace is real, and tho picture of the brutality of the Ger,r£ns' treatment of tho Alsatians when the war broke out is very forcefully and no doubt truthfully drawn. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Tbo usual change of programme at Everybody's Theatre was made on baturda'v. The leading feature is a lnangle drama entitled "A Gamble in Souls, and- the principal roles are handled l>y Dorothy Dalton and William Desmond. The story tells of the fortunes of a dance-hall girl and an evangelist. This strangely-assorted pair find themselves.

eoln survivors of a shipwreck, and are cast away on a lonely island. Soon there commoners a strugglo within tiio man—a Ktnijrfjlo to overcome liis rapidly growing love for a woman whn.se piist profession and associations are abhorrent to him. However, Hie arrival of a second man in Hip shape of another shipwrecked victim hurries the story to an exciting conclusion—in which the evangelist discovers lie is but- human, after nil. Another instalment of Iho Billie Bnrko serial and some excellent minor pictures complete a good all-round bill.