ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3155, 6 August 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

LORENZ AT HIS MAJESTY'S. Mr. Ben J. Fuller recently concluded negotiations with Madame Lorenz, the renowned Continental aerinl performer, to conic out to Australasia, and the success which attended the presentation of the Lorenz act in Australia is said to have iully justified the enterprise of the Fuller firm in allowing their natrons to witness this wonderful woman's performance. which the New York "Globe" describes in these wor.ds: "Colcrity and abandon heretotore unknown, combined with grace skill, strength, and remarkable beauty, are the principal ingredients which go to comijuso the aerial exploits of Mad.iine Lorenz." This artist will make her first appearance in Wellington at ilis Majesty's Theatre to-night. Another headline attraction on the new programme will bo 4'c .distinguished Italian tenor, Signor Antonio Molinari. This will be the first occasion upon which an operatic star of any magnitude has sung from a Fuller stage in Now Zealand. Jlolinari is said to have a voice of very much the same quality aj Cauelli's, with whom he has been compared in point of artistry and sonorous lyric endowment. The tenor will appear in association with Signora Molinari. A recently imported novelty artist named Olivelli, Tim and Gertie Moore, coloured comedy duo, Bnron, the Musical Jbsons. M'Quoin and Taylor, Tilton and West, Win. Liddle, M'Lcan and Drury and Laurant. the caligraphist, will complete what appears to be an exceptionally entertaining programme. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Happiness" is the title of the headliner at Everybody's Theatre this week. The picture is a very fine comedy featuring £11111 Bennett, who adds to her long list of successes a performance that the most blase spectator would consider delightful. Few comedies so Quaintly fascinating, so full of delicate fun aud little touches of real pathos have ever been screened for the American kineina. Enid Bennett is sunported by a stroUß cast, and eveu : the minor roles are in the hands of unmistakably capable players. Little Tbelraa Salter iB the secretary for the Soapsuds Trust, of which Enid Bennett becomes vice-president. This little actress, it will be remembered, was- recently presented in a beautiful study of childish affection.' Her suocess on that occasion, though phenomenal, could not oyer-shadow that which she aohieves in "Happiness." The plot of the comedy is ingenious, and pokes delightful fun at those who see the hand of the white slaver in every evening that a girl is out after 7.30. Quite pathetic are'the soenes in which Enid, just a lonely little girl, anxious for companionßhin, is determinedly out-snobbed by the student* who have read with anger the newspaper reports of her* exelusiveness. Charles Gunn makes a manly hero, and contrives to look quite digniflod even as the college youth who earns his fees by washinc clothes.

THE EMPRESS THEATBE. An interesting and somewhat daring story is unfolded in "Maternity," the now picture at the Empress Theatre this week. A woman, fearful of becoming a mother, is the central figure. Alice Brady is exquisite as the heroine, and her portrayal of the young wife with a problem to solve is very convincing. The matter is delicately haudlod, and is not calculated to give offence. The photography calls for special notice. It is cxpcctionally good, par-, tidularly in the scene in which the hospital is burnt at dead of . night. Little Madge Evans, as the child who is rescued, is charmingly nutural, and givespromise of fine performances to fellow in niaturer years. Tho "Dick Preucau," of "Gloria's Roiuanec.i' is tho hero, and his work is excellent. Another ; picture hilled is Chapter IV of "The Iron Claw." In the last instalment it will be remembered, Margery gave herself up to l'cr father's inveterate enemy in order to stop the uiystorious fires that were ruining old Golden. She is again rescued by "The Laughing Mask," who, disguised as one of the criminal's henchmen recovers the loot and informs Golden that he will return it only after tho millionaire lias improved tho conditions in his tenements. So far, nothing is known of "Tho Laughing Mask" except that he is always an agent for good. Affairs in "Tho Iron Claw" have taken a very interesting turn, and its next instalment, which will he screened a week hence, should be looked forward to. : THE NEW DANDIES. In spite of the threatening aspect of the weather, the New Dandies were well patronised at the Concert Chamber on Saturday evening. Mr. John Wclby, in his«hest form, was heartily applauded for his "Nuts in May," wnilo Miss Linda Bradford, in "Sink, Bed Sun." was quite delightful. Miss Dorothy Manning gave , a. charming rendition of "Pipes and Pan." Diverting Miss Ivy Davis was highly emusing in her "Honeymoon Trip." In ensemble' effects, "Nautical l Aire" by tho company nvas a. successful hit. Tho comedy s:dc cf the programme was well sustained 'by Mossrs." Andrew Pace, Courtenay Ford, and Harry Graham. The programme will bo repeated this evening. "VERY GOOD EDDIE." Messrs. J. and N. Taits' New Musical Comedy Company will commence a ten nights' season at the Grand Opera Bouse on Wednesday evening, and will present "Very Good Eddie," a successful American musical comedy which ran for ton weeks in the Palace Theatre, Sydney. Tho plot of "Very Good Eddie" is founded on tho farce "Ov£i Night," by Phillip Bartholomae and Guy' Bolton. Mr. Barry Lupine plays tho part' of Eddie Kettle, and is credited with presenting a very clover character study as the diminutivo husband of an Amazonian wife, and the part allords him' ample scope in song and danco. Miss Fayette Perry, leading lady from the Harris Theatre, New York. Miss Lilian Tucker, one of the Shubert Theatres stars* and Mr. John Bock, from the Gaiety Theatre, New York, arc amongst the newcomers, whilst favourites of New Zealand theatre-goers to reappear are Mr. Andrew Higginsou, Mr. Frank Greene, Mr. Alfred Bristowc, Miss Nan Taylor, and Miss Emily FiUroy. Oven sixty people tune part in the production, and the stage settings, costuming, and scenic effects are said to bo very fine. A full orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Robert Keers ,is a feature of tho production. "Very Good Eddie" will be staged for six nights only, and the remaining four nights of the season will be devoted to "The White Chrysanthemum," a musical tale of Japan. The box plans are now open at the Bristol. ' ,

THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The Paramount Theatre, the twelfth addition to the picture theatres of Wellington, was opened on Saturday night under the most favourable conditions. The theatre itself * may be described as up to date. Seating accommodation iB provided for about twelve hundred, and the lvuso was filled 'to overflowing on Saturday evening. The S"ats are comfortable, and the rows are wide enough apart to permit njitrons to ua69 with comfort. The scr.Mii can be seen from every part of the houße without any straining or twisting about. The decorations arc simple but effective, and in every respect the theatre is comfortable, convenient, and hygienic. Thero was no hitch or delay in the opening, showing olearly that the management had givon attention to every detail. The screen is quite the latest, and its special merit lies in the fact that it brings out the contrasts of light and shade. It is claimed that this screen is the only one of its kind in New Zealand up to the present time. The hiograph is known as Baird's, and is a very powerful machine, projecting the piotures with remarkable clearness and free from flicker. Prom the smoothuess with which everything went along from the start few people could bo led to believe that it was the opening night, for usually there are delays and drawbacks at the initial performance through little details being overlooked. For about twenty minutes or more before the first picture was shown a very capable orchestra entertained the early patrons with a fino. selection of music, and appropriate music was rendered throughout the evening. The star picture chosen for the opening, entitled "Less Than the Dust," and featuring Mary Piekford. the popular artiste of the films, proved highly attractive. The story is an endeavour to blend East and West. It opens in India, where Radha (the role assumed by Mary Piekford), the little English castaway daughter of a sccial derelict, is shown in her daily life as the adopted daughter of a Hindoo swordmaker, and some typical Indian scenes and customs arc .depicted; The natives of the district are called upon to sub/hit to vaccination, vAiiola ihej resent, and botoo o! the hot-headed natives foster a rebellion, the Hindoo sword-maker being a leader among the rebels. Radha meets Captain Richard Townsend, of* the local garrison,' in the course, of her wanderings through tho bazaars, and her efforts to study English are helped by the gift of a book from Captain Townsend. During a fight with tho rebels. Ralida saves Townsand's life, and the latter goes ou furlough to England to recuperate. The sword-maker findß himself in prison, and Radha's identity is discovered. She is sent to a boardingschool in England, where Bhe again meets Townsend, and thoy eventually marry. Tho young couple return to India, and a Mrs. Bradshaw, a widow who had marked out Townsend for her second husband, persuades Radha that she is unworthy to be the wifo of Townsend, and tho heartbroken giul flees to the desert with the intention of ending her life, but is saved by her husband. The picture is very fascinating, and the Eastern life and customs are very faithfully reproduced. Some very fine sccnio pictures of the West India Islands, including St. Thomas and Martinquo, were also shown. Tho Paramount should have a prosperous future.

SUNDAY CONCERT.

The Wellincton' I'rofePßionnl Orchestra Bavc its fifth Uundiiy concert of tho 1917 season in Hi* Majesty's Theatres last ovonina bnforA a la,rcß and annwvtia-tfve and.i*

once. The programme, as usual, was injtorosting aud pleasantly diversified. It included the first local performance of a Hungarian Serenade by Victoriu Joiucierieß. a characteristic and ittractive composition that it will be pleasant to Irear again. The beautiful overture to "Rosamunde" (Schubert) was rendered with fine cfloct. the passages for flute, oboe and, clarionet being particularly well played. This tuneful number, with its light airs aud bright colourings, was in marked contrast with the next item on the programme, the Introduction to the Third Act of "Tohengrin" (Wagner). The conductor, Mr. Herbert Hloy, guided the orchestra through this magnificent composition with skill and knowledge. The Overture to "The Barbor of Seville" (Rossini), the Suite "Miniature de Ballet" (Ansell). and a fautasia on "Carmen" (Bizel) were the other numbers given during the evening. The "Miniature Suite" was played daintily and with a nice regard for time and measure. The audience showed Us appreciation of the nrogr&imc by insisting; on several encores. • ,