ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3159, 10 August 1917, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

: "VERY GOOD EDDIE." [ It ni&y not be generally known that the laughter-raising musical comedy or farce, "Very Good Eddie," is the farcical coml edy, "Over Night." in a. musical setting. Tho basic, farce had quito a successful run in America, and then somo ingenious soul thought of trimming it up with songs, choruses, dances, etc., arid -with. Jerome Kern's valued assistance tho work was done, and, 10, a musical comedy and the most genuinely funny one seen in Wellington for years. At least it is so as played by J. and K. Tail's admirable players. Mr. Barry Lupiuo. as Eddie, is on the stage lire-sixths of the time, and yet so exactly is he iitted to the part and so finished is his art, that one can never have enough of him. Not only does the shy, innocent, petulant little man lisp in his speech, but the lisp lives in his face, and whether he is dancing, singing, or arguing with the hotel clerk, he iB always Eddie, the spiritless little worm, who gains a visfti b'f another world through the medium of a couple of cocktails. Another capital performance is the "fresh" hotel clerk of Mr. John Beck, whoso gift of mimicry is not the least of tho comedian's qualifications. Miss Fayette Perry and Miss Lillian Tucker are excellent in their parts, and Miss Emily Fitzroy as the gorgonesquo wife of Eddie was made for the part. Messrs. Andrew Higginson, Frank Greene, and tho little man who loscb Tiis old brown hat arc alike admirable in their entertaining qualities. "Very Good Eddie" is superbly dressed, and the chorus of girls in the very latest New York summer frocks is one of the most charming scenes in the play. They all sing as well as they dance, as tho unaccompanied singing of the chorus "On tho Shores of Li Lei Wi" at the opening of tho second act proved. Thorc will be a special matinee performance of "Very Good Eddie" to-morrow, commencing at 2 p.m. sharp. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho vaudeville programme presented at Hjs Majesty's Theatre this week is a very attractive one. and it has been drawing well-filled houses. The • singing of Signor Antonio, Molinari and Signora Mollnan, who specialise in operatic airs, is one of tho best items on the bill. Somo daring work ou the trapeze is done by Madam Lorcnz. and Clirelli's clever dogs, tho Musical Ibions. Baron, the ventriloquist, Tiltou aud West, and Tim and Gertie llooro all contribute to (lie enjoyment of tho eveninc "THE BIRTH OF A NATION." Mr. D. W. Griith's great film, "The Birth of a Nation," attracted another largo gathering to the King's Thcatro last night. The pictur.o vividly describes the genesis of the modern TJnitcd States of America, and contains many fine scenes of the Civil War and the terrible days of the reconstruction. The film will be showu every afternoon and every this week. THE NEW DANDIES. The New Dandies arc uot now now, but their programmes arc no less acceptable to tho public of Wellington for all thai. At. tho chango o£ programmo last evening everything went well from start to finish. There was tho usual chorus to begin with, and in the following number the sad notes of "What's tho Use?" were sounded. Thou a trio explained how "They Tartcd at the Corner." Mr. John Wellby (bass) sang some old favour itcs. and comical Courtney Ford followed with a. "Song of tho Boiling Sea." Mr. Andrew Pace, as usual, sang naive litUo ditties that sounded like nursery rhymes, but' meant much more. Pace is a clever comedian, with a very pleasant voice and manner. To sing his numbers with success .required just tho art of whioh ho is a. ma-stcr. Mr. Ha.rry Graham took the audience into his confidence and related some of hia domestio miseries. In addition, ho rendered a few parodies of classical pieces, which tho audience duly appro; eiated. "Casabianca, 1 ' and "Eicelsor were brought up to date by the simple process of "boiling down." Mr. Graham also celebrated various trpc3 of girlsFour male Dandies sot out id searon of tho elusive "Kelly," and in the pursuit trod ruthlessly upon th« beauties of the alrcadv murdered "EiceWor" and "Tho Lost Chord." Tho staging; of this number was clover and amnung. In the second part of the programme a quartet invited all and sundry to "strike tho lyre, o.nd Courtney Ford, John Wellby, and Dorothy Manning entertained tho audience again. Three Dandies sang a glee, and Dorothy Manning and Lmda Bradford a duet. The hill concluded with. a. burlesque, entitled "Shakespeare's House." "Ivy Davis is bright, as usual," 3aid tho programme, Vith reference to the dainty soubrottc. In view of the fact that she was last evening suffering from influenza and unable to appear, Miss Dane is to bo congratulated on her fortitude and cheerfulness. The Dandies will repeal, their performance this evening. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Lord Islington, ex-Governor, of tho Dominion, is an interesting figure in the Topical Gazette at Everybody s Theatre this week. Ho is seen specch-makmg at Leeds. England, on tho occasion cf the presentation of a special aeroplane, the Triangle play, "Happiness, shows the Australian beauty girl, tuld Bennett, in a bright and unique story of a youth who works his way through collego by taking in washing. Miss Bennett, is a milliouairo's daughter, hut is ostracised, by tho other students until Oupid, in tho person of dear little Thelma Salter leads her lo the youug "washerman ond happiness" Dorothy Dalton wears weeds tomorrow in "Wild Wmship'n Widow, another Triangle success. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Alice Brady, in "Maternity," contimes to attract record business to -tho Empresß Theatre. The picture deals with a powerful sociological problem in a most delicate yet effective manner, and the role of a woman filled, with fantastic fear *rf motherhood gives this clever artist, what is probably her greatest opportunity hefore the camera. David Powell, the hero of "Gloria's Romance" (Dick Frencau) comes to life again as the husband m this ulav. To-morrow, Antonio Moreno and Edith Storey will be featured m a Pno Vitagraph drama. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. I "Lees Than the Du3t," with Mary Pickford in the leading part of Hadha a little English castaway, will be presented at the Paramount Theatre for the last time tonight. It is a play of infinite charm, and Miss Pickford gives one of her sweetest performances. Apart from the dramatic value of the play, some of the most beautiful of Oriental scenes are shown, tomorrow, commencing at 2'P.ni.. a complete change of programme will bo presented, when the star feature will be the five-part drama, "The Bottle Imp, adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson s popular story It is a photo-play filled with unusual' incidents, and features the wonderful Japanese ' artist, Sessue Hayakawa. The prices of admission will be. Is. and 6d., children half-price to the day performances. "WITHIN THE LAW." The American drama, "Within the Law," which had a successful season here under the J C. Williamson management several years ago, will he reintroduced to Wellington audiences in picture form at Hhortt's Theatre on Saturday. Miss Muriel Starr, who was here playing the part of Mary Turner with the original, company, lakes the leading role in* the picture. Sho will be supported by a strong cast of nlaycrs The picture is one of several to be released by tho J. 0. Williamson management.