ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3125, 2 July 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S TIIKATJtK. As.tho Waller Johnson revenue scafion extends at. JJis Majesty's Theatre, the subject matter of tuc variegated frivolity that is served up ae a review of-nothing in particular becomes increasingly irresponsible. A big revue producer in London, excusing the gorgeous mounting that was being given to some of the most recent rovues, recently snxl that i.t had to be done as compensation for the poor "books" that were offering. Jt would not bo surprising if Mr. Johnson were to ray the sainc thing, yet, being on adept in hiding such deficiencies, lie wisely clothes productions with rapid changes of bright and giddy apparel; never allows too much of anyone at a time, allows his chicks tlio freedom of the auditorium, anil whoops up tho speed. Mr. Johnson evidently has learned what tho mass of the public appreciate, and he gives it to them in good workmanlike style. "The Kissing Maid," presented on Saturday, lias as its protagonist Mdllc. Boulevard, an amorous French lady of ripened, charm, who has married litey TJmsky, a. Yiddish millionaire, but who -will not allow her husband, the indulgence of a kise, whilst sho supplies her train of lovers with plenty. It is lkey's pat-suit of the kiss that forms the slender clue to sanity in the plot. There are as lovers of the French bride, Fred Smith, a dash-about picture producer; Romeo Pom de Tcrre, a vociferous Frenchman; and Lord Lnwntenuis, an eyeglassed young man, all of whom regard Ikey ,asa joke. lkey's big win is when he locks the lovers !up in the icc-hou6c, which, how-, ever, docs not affect their temperature iu the least in the -gilded Parisian salon, where Ikey finally secures his reward. .Ono of the most ingenious sketches, and one that is genuinely entertaining, ivas. tho skit on the photo-play, with familiar screen artists acting a comedy under instruction from Smith, the producer, who shouts his instructions through a megaphono from the back of the stalls. Welter Johnson as Smith is Yankee through and through; Mr. Harry Burgess is excellent as the Frenchman; and Mr. B. Lashbrook, as the burlesquey Lord Lawntennis. ambles round amusingly. As the kiesinjr maid, Miss Lolo Hunt's charms met with due appreciation; Mr. Gus Franks was a roplioa of himself in othor revues as Ikey Umsky; Miss Vera Kearns, who is always charming, appeared as a- dashing soubrotto and was' all of that; > and Miss. Lydia Carue threaded her graceful way in and out of the revue, and was one of its most agreeable Of the vocal numbers that stood' out one would select "The Eocky Hoad to Dublin," "Tho English Language" (a clever song). "Tho Moving Picture Man," "The Yalloy of the Nile," and "Men, Men, Men."

In tho other part of the programme the Royal Togos made their usual deep impression; Miss .Violet Trevcnyon sang "Hullo, Miss London," and the delightfully flippant "Who Paid tke Rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle?" one of the best songß Miss Trevcnyon has introduced. The Tuttys, Hal. and Armitage and Hine, also figured in the bill.'

KING'S THEATRE. Earlo Williams appears at the King's Theatre this wccli in a. clever" Vitaijraph production, entitled "Apartment 29." The plot 'of the story is Quite intricate, and lieeps the spectator in .doubt right up to the hie. Anal surprise. Earlo Williams is a dramatic critic, 'who, on a paper assignV mont, finds at the door a woman who has just staggered ou t and dropped dead. Picking her up, he dashes into tho room, only to find tho husband also phot down and lying stark and cold. With this inexplicable murder mystery on his hands, ho quickly realises that he is in a terrible pre-dicamentr-that he, in fact, is certain "to be suspected of having committed the crime. He appeals to a neighbour for shelter, but the "protector" turns out to ho the worst kind of blackmailer. Everything that Williams does serves only to entangle him more hopelossly, and the spectator is led from one thrill to another. There are two great strugglos in tho piceo —ono being the fight put up by Williams when ho is attacked hy two rough characters in an old hut. The denouement is startlingly unexpected. The succces of the production is in a creat measure due to tho admirable work of Williams's chief supporters, Ethel Terry and Denton Vane. Miss Terry acts with great charm, and in the closing lovo scenes is full of delicacy aid roguishncss. v

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Tho chango of programme at Everybody's Theatre on. Saturday ushered in "Tho Little Brother," a delightful picturo in which pretty Enid Bennett plays tho leading part. The drama make 6 great demands upon her, and as will be readily understood from tho variety of roles she is called upon to take. Sho appears as n, slum girl, ae a newspaper "boy," as a boy student, as a pretty and tantalising undergraduate, and as a resplendent young woman of fashion. Her masquerade hi male attire gets hor into somo' awkward situations, but her appearance in tho guise 'of her own sex is her solvation.' Tho photographic effects achieved in this film call for special notice. "Jlcr Vow, Fulfilled" is tho title of the latest instalment of "Gloria's Romance," to be seen at the £amo theatre. Tho serial is undoubtedly a record-breaker, since no previous production of the kind has succeeded in attracting such a following hud keeping it so long. Miss Billio Burke is welcome every time she appears on the screen, and it 1b to hor acting and natural charms that "Gloria's Romance" owes its "phenomenal popularity. In the lateßt chapter, Trask confesses to tho murder of Frcncau, and thus one of Gloria's problems is solved. No doubt the nort instalment "will bo looked forward to with keen interest

EMPRESS TfIBATBE. "Tho Haunting Shadow," a powerful World Film drama, starring Kitty Gordon, heads the new hill at-the Empress Theatre >this wcok. The story tells how Stcfauic, a Oorsican girl, deserts her lover Gabriel for a titled. Frenchman named Mohrivart. Gabriel takes his own life, and his brother Benedetto vows to wreak vengeance upon the faithless girl. Stofanie sends her son Charles to England, where he grows 'up isnorant of tho fact thai hi? mother is thV proprietress of a gambling-hell. Charles marrios Rose Vcrney, a friend of Sir Horace Wclby. Meanwhile, Benedetto has found Stcfauic, and has been imprisoned for attempting her life. On Ohnrlefte death. sStcfanio joins Rose, who is living ■with Sir Horace and his wife. Alice Verney. Slcfanib insists upon being introduced into society, employing a- threat that she will refuse to rccogni<.s tho legality of her son's marriage, Rose, fearful of bearing a child that the world will call illegitimate, consents to help Stcfanie, but Sir Horace Wclby brings the information that. Benedetto has been freed from prison, and is more eager than ever for his I'c.'venge. Stefauic is terrified at the news, and, wishing to depart in hast*, gheagrees to sign a recognition of Charles's marriage. When ijhc leaves, Sir Horace summons tho man whom Ktefanic has believed to be Benedetto. "Your remarkable resemblance to a Oorsiran has proved of great, service to me," says Sir Horace. Tho play is splendidly mounted, and the acting is powerful throughout. "Behind tho Screen." a Ohaplin comedy, accompanies the big picture,

OIIOAN ItECITAL. The cil.y orgnuitil (Mr. Bernard Page) Ea.vc a- "special rcriucst" organ recital 1n the J own HalUou Saturday cveuins. The ottendancc was small. Jir. Pago openc<] his recital with Iho overture C'oriolan (Hccthoven), which was followed by (a) "A Tear" and (l>) "Meditation (Mouwsorgsky). The next, item wna uelinssy's foun'jiin music flnd' duet from Act 11, .Scene 1, "Pellpas and JloUsandc." •'Berceuse" (Ilyusky) and "Fantasia, and Fugue (Bach) completed the first portion of the programme. The first of tlio only two pici:o.s in t.ho second portion of. the, progi'amme was Cesar Franck's second movement, from his svmphony in 1) Minor. The final selection was "The Gate uf the Warriors, Bogartri at. Kiov." from pictures from an exhibition (Moussorgsky).