ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3156, 7 August 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"VERY GOOD EDDIE." At the Grand Opera House to-morrow evening: Messrs. J. and K. Tail will present their New Musical Comedy Company m the latest American success, "very Good Eddie," This is J. and N. Tait's first venture in musical comedy, and judging from the reports of the production they have -spared neither expense nor trouble in plaeing before tho public a show which, should appeal to most theatregoers. A glance at tho cast will* show that every effort lias been made to secure the very best artists. The principal comedy part is in the capable .hands of Mr. Barry I upmo, who should be sure of a hearty reception to-morrow night. Miss Fayette Perry and Miss Lilian Tucker, two Ameripan musical comedy stars, will make their initial bow here, and Mr. John Beck, who also hails from the United States, has earned most eulogistic Press notices since his arrival in Aiistral&*?a. Other wellknown names include Miss Nan Taylor, Miss Emily Fitzroy, Mr. Andrew Tfigginson, Mr. Frank Greene, Mr. Lionel Walsh, Mr. Alfred Bristowe, and Mr. Charles Pope. I The chorus and ballet arc said to be something quite out of the ordinary, and the comedy is said to be full of catching and haunting melodies. "Very Go<>d Eddie" will run for six nights, and "The White Chrysanthemum" for the remaining four of the season. Tho box .plans are now on view at the Bristol. THE NEW DANDIES. The Dandies' current bill last evening delighted another good attendarce. Tho entertainment, is characterised by great variety, combined witji consistent excellence. The -numbers range from songs like 'The Pipes of Pan" and "Down in iho Forest < to such epliemereal jingles as in "Walking." The concerted work is very fine indeed, and includes a breezy ensenmble, entitled "Nautical Airs." Messrs. Andrew Pace, Courtney Ford, and Harry Graham are the comedians. Mr. Pace's performance last evening was highly rfined, noatural, and graceful. His confreres, who arc very successful also, deal in quite a different fpecies of humour, and the contrast provides quite m? subject for observation. The lady members of the company are fine vocalists.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There is no lack of variety in the present bill at Hia Majesty's Theatre. The range extends from trained dogs to Italian opera, and from negro minstrelsy to high flights by an artistic and graceful lady trapezist, and all that lies between. Italian operatic music was supplied by Signor Antonio Molinari, a light vibrant tenor, who sings very well in the style I of the Italian school, but is in- : chned to sacrifice what he may possess in musical quality to power. He forces the tone emission to sucli an extent that he loses the most potent quality in tho voice—sympathy. He sang with fair effect the famous tenor aria from Lconcouallo's dramatic operetta "I Paglio," and tho "bis" of approval was accorded; him. "With his wife ho sang in duet form tho ballad "Dusk and the Shadows Tailing," and a pleasing excerpt from Italian opera. Signora Molinari (who is better known here under her maiden name) was in excellent voice, and sang "Scenes That Are Brightest" very sweetly. As a finale they dang in unison "The Marseillaise," and "Rule. Britannia." Madame Lorenz revived the daring and graceful art of the aerial trapezist, and showed skill and power in her plucky postures. The "breath-catcher" of the aot is where she sits on a chair perilously balanced on the trapeze, and then falls catching herself by her feet. Madame certainly made a hit. Laurant repeated his adroit seance in ambidexterous ealigraphy, and the Musical Ibsons. repeated last week's tootlings on saxaphones of varying calibre. Those gay darkies, Tim and Gertie/ Moore reappeared after a brief absence, and threw off a few jokes and songs that appealed to the risible element. Tim Moore hanked back fifty years in the business by singing "Old Black Joe," as an . aired negro. Wm. Liddle sang a "Yo-ho" sailor song from one,of the early musical coincdies, and supplemented it with two very tastefully delivered ballads. Taylor arid M'Quoin are bright and agreeable in their song-sketch act. Both sing better than passably, and their skill in character work always tells, as it did last evening in the coster duct. M'Lean and Drury danced with acrobatic vigour, and Miss Drur.v recited that welUworn monologue anent the Italian who sobs for "one redda rosa." ClivelU and his cleverly-trained dots, Tilton and West, and Baron, the ventriloquist, also figured on the bill. "TEE BIRTH OP A NATIOX!" . "The Birth of a Nation," which commenced a second season in" ■Wellington at, the King's Theatre on Saturday, attracted a- large house to last night's screening. The story depicts the war of the North and the South, showing its horrors -with the realism of -which the producer Griffith is a past master. Notoworthy among the great spectacles of the drama rae a representation of hand-to-hand fighting, nnd tho picture of an army in defeat. Ono part of tho story deals with the Reconstruction period that 'followed the singing of peace; and here the activities of the "Klu-Klux Klan" are treated. A particularly impressive scene is afforded by tho charge of all the clansmen through a town held and defended by negroes. The producer has spared neither expense nor pains to malic "The Birth of a Nation" what it is—one of the greatest films ever released. The picture is screened to the accompaniment of striking musical efTeets, yhidi alone are a big attraction. It mil be presented twice daily until further notice. EMPRESS THEATRE. Roses and lilie-s—roses for love and lilies for children, the beautiful flowers of mar-riage-«re used as symbols throughout "Maternity" with great efiect. This powerful picture play has caught on in a remarkable manner and conspicuous among the reasons for its success must be reckoned the work of Alice Brady, who. as the childless wife of a man who yearns for domestic happiness, acts with rare restraint and power. David Powell makes a handsomo husband. The present instalment of "The Iron Claw" is called "The Name of the Game." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

"Tlie prideful daughter of aristocracy's bluest blood" is how Enid Bennett, as heroine of "Happiness," is billed by a newspaper anxious for a scoop. That her renutation is undeserved becomes plain wfieu she makes her runaway match with a student who is working his. way through college by washing clothes. In addition to the programme is a novelty sons picture "He Was Only a Private, That's All." artistically rendered by llr. 0. Melviu.

THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE. This new and comfortable theatre was well filled last evening, -when "Less Than the Dust" was screened again. The picturo features Mary Pickford, and is a powerfully-constructed tale of East and West. It opens in India, ivhere Radlia (Mary Pickford) is shown in her daily lifo as the adopted daughter of an Indian sword-maker. Radlia's lifo begins .afresh from her meeting with Captain Townsend, an officer whom she saves Xrom death at the hands of Hindoo rebels, 'i'he ensuing romanco is very prettily treated, and the picture as a whole, with its faithful presentment of Eastern ways and manners, is highly fascinating. Some excellent scenic pictures are also shown. The programme will bo screened every afternoon and evening. '

Brisk demand continues for "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help in Is. packets, also for "Thinker" Brand ■Writing Tablota.—Advt.

The executive of the Wellington Savage Club will bo the guests of tho Charley's Aunt Club to-morrow evening.