ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3180, 3 September 1917, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTrS THEATRE. One woman and t*vo men constitute the act of Cha.rlenc and Charlenc. who headlino the Puller programme this week. This act is said to rank as one of tho most expensive and important engagements Messrs. Fuller have yet entered ■upon. Twenty thousand miles is an extensive journey for a vaudeville act to undertake for the purpoao of fulfilling its bookings. Ohariene and Charlene were engaged for the Fullers in Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic, three months ago, and have since been travelling day and night to reach Australasia. The last theatres played by them, were the Florida and Collsoc Palcrna, Buenos Aires, the two leading music-halls of South America. Juggling with everything imaginable, these nrtists are pniil to blend a line of extraordinary coracdy with xylophone melody of a. most alluring nature. It is a recognised "feature act" of tho Continental variety -world. A strong supporting bill is announced. Tho Bunty Comedy Co. will present a. new sketch, entitled "Their Bon's Wife," Milncr and Storey will be seen in a screoming burlcsciuc lovo episode, and Laurence Johnston, fiignor and Signora. Molinari. Violet Trevenyon. Billy Brown. "Ford and Perrin, Billy and Doris, and Carlton and ■ Sutton will complete what appears to bo a powerful programme.-

. THE KING'S THEATRE. In- "Hiutou's Double," a Pathc "Gold Booster" production, wnich heads the new programme at the King's Theatre, the management have, secured a film tnat is worth an eflort. on the part of picturegocrß to go and see. "ilinton's Double' is one of the moßt skilfully constructed and best-worked-out photo-plays 6ecu for quite a time. The whole fabric, of tho story rests on the fact_that Hinton/ a "get-rich-quick" spccnituor, has in one Stevens a humble clerk, an almost exact "double." When the story opens Stevens, after thirty-b'vo years' service in a commercial house, is discharged "to make room for a younger man." His subsequent long and weary quest for employment is fruitless, and eventually he becomes desnerate—for ho is the, breadwinner for hie daughter and her little girl. Meantime Hinton has fallen into the clutohes of the law on account of his "get-rioh-quick" frauds, and while out on bail (but certain to term of Imprisonment) he discovers t.no existence of Stevens, his "double." Hinton makes a tempting cash oiler to Stevens if he will take, his place and chances in the dock— Hinton to pay to Stevens's daughter 500 dollars for every month he serves. Unable any longer to Eeo his daughter and grandchild in want, Stevenß consents. The supposed Hinton receives a sentence of ten years. Aftor serving about a year he is released for saving the chief detective, at the risk of bis own life, from a Bavajo attack by a dangerous criminal. On his release 'Kovens discovers that. Hinton has broken his promise, and his daughter had received no_moncy. From this point right to the very end tho story is of absorbing interest. Final happiness—and retribution—come to those who merit it, mainly through the exertions of the young detective whose life Stevens had saved. Tho acting of Frederick Warde in the double part of Hinton and Stevens is a striking piece of work, and a really clever and original love, story adds charm to th'c main theme. ' The fir6t half of the programme comprises the latest Gazette, a scenic, and a brace of comedies, one of which has the quality of genuine humour.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Hiss Anita Stewart and, Charles Chaplin, who are at the top or tbeir respective spheres of photo-play acting, ware features in a "double .star" . Dili at JiJverybody's Theatre oil Saturday. Tho attendances were ot' the largest that the theatre has had. Anita Stewart plays the part of Clover-in "Glover's Rebellion" with a fascinating sweetness, and it in tio wonder that she is so sought after by suitors for herseli and for her njoney. Her society leading aunt trys hard lo marry. Clover Lo a penniless royal duke, while her uncle has the boh of a business friend in view, but both arc foiled in their desires by the rebellion of the dainty heroine, who marries a doctor, with whom sho has had a romantic day's fishing. There arc several strong dramatic incidents in tho story, one of which is, attempted v murder of tho duke and the arrest of the hero heroine for being implicated in the matter. In "Tho Kink" Charles Chaplin in an old role introduces many new and laughable situations in his work at a cafe and in a' skating rink. As a roller Hkater he proves himself to have few eiiuals. The conclusion of Chaplin's mischief is sensational and in keeping with tJie laughter-making qualities' of the picture. lie is pursued by a number or angry men, and as a last resource to escape he skates on to the street and a break-neck race on skates follows. A topical picture of war events in ' England was shown also.

EMPJIESS THEATItE. There were big crowds at tho Empress Theatre on Saturday, when a fi'csli programme was screened. The chief film is entitled "The Stolen Paradise." The story toi* in this drama is somewhat unique. Tlie daughter of a quaint, old bookseller I'aiTsrln love with a young patron of the shop, and at about, the same time the young man falls in love with a rich relative of the girl. Misfortune befalls the young man; lie loses his sight. Tho bookshop girl goes to him and comforts him, and he thinks she is the other girl. Still deluded, lie marries her. Later his sight is restored, and he finds that his wife is not the woman lie thought he married. . Periods of pain and sorrow follow, but before the picturc quits the screen there are signs of the dark clouds lightening. In addition to this star film, another instalment of "The Iron Claw" is shown. This is entitled "At the Stroke of Twelve," and is an important episode in tho mystery. Also, an interesting "Topical Gazette" is screened.

SUNDAY CONCERT. The .Wellington Professional Orchestra, under lUe conductorsnip of Mr. Herbert liioy, gavo an enjoyable concert in ilia iiajesty.a Theatre last evening. The programme was a particularly, good one. The chief item was Verdi s wonderful fantasia,

"Otello," tlie music-drama that represented the last great won; of the j.amous composer. The composition is extraordinarily rich in musical imprest and wide in range. It has Jugos drinking song, a love scone Is interpreted, and strings and reeds, the .•vboe's narration of Otello's sorrowful soliloquy, and the final dramatic movement by the full orchestra. The performance of ihiß famous composition waß thoroughly good. The pverture to "William Tell" (Rossini,) was another item of high quality. Produced first nearly a century ago, tais opera holds its place still at the liead, or tery uear the head, of Hie list of operatic works. The overture is oeamiful as well us brilliant, and it is "as certain to please an audieuce as it is to attract an earnest orchestra. The other numbers on the programme were the overture to "King Stephen" (Beethoven). "SlavolTic llhapsody" Wiedemann), the' Enti'actc "Pizssicati" Oiathe|, and "The Triumphal Entry of the ToyaruV (Halvorsen/.

COMBINED SCHOOLS' CONCERT. The line patriotic concert by the combined schools of Wellington, given under the auspice*? of the Wellington Headmasters' Association, was repeated at tlie Town Hall iu the presence of a very large audience oh Saturday evening. The singing of the children, who numbered nearly 600, is so conspicuously good that it is a pity toat more than two performances could not be giveu. To Mi\ Jlobert Parl<er is~uile the greatest credit for the way ite Has trained the children, and to him is due tluTgreatcst measure of praise for the success of the coucert. Tlie children looked delightful (the girls in white, with sashes of rod, wfiite. and blue, aud the boys in grey flannel tunics), and made one of the happiest sights seen in the Town Hall for a long time past.

TRAMWAY ENTHKTAINERS. A largely-attended benefit concert, took place in St. Thomas's Hull on Saturday evening. The programme provided entirely by Die* original 'ivumwa.y Untertniuers. who claim that no taleut outside of the tramway scrvieo i-s employed. Two concerts to assist the relatives of Hie late Conductor Burborough have already been given, and others are scheduled in aid of the Newtown Ked Cross Branch, Wellington 'South School Hoys' Scouts, Victoria Military Hospital, and. the new branch 'of the Wellington Kindergarten Association. Apart from their readiness to assist, these deserviug . causes, tho entertainers arc worthy of patronage because of the merit of their performance. Saturday night's coucert. was in aid of the widow and family of Iho lato Julius Neuonbcrg. who was accidentally killed iu Adelaide Ifoad. Items were contributed by Mosarfi. .Houston, flamway, Vernon, A. Smith. A. and J. Carruthcrs, Fee, Memory. Liurdel. Willcott, Hester. Blight, and Beck, and also n chorus and concertr ed.song by the company. Nearly all tho items were encored. The conjuring feats by Mr. Liardol mid the fancy club-swing-ing displayed by Mr. Blight -\vero of a high order, and were warmly rccei-vcd. The scenery -was prepared by Mr. i). Tonkin. and piano accompaniments ivero provided by Mr. A. Bull, both of the tramway staff. Mr. 11. Dunn was slnec manager. Thanks were returned to the performers and patrons on behalf of M>b. Neuenberg by Mr. K. (iartrcli.

THE ANDKKSONS. The Andersons will appear, for one night at FeaOieratoii, ana natrons are promised a. hearty laugh. Professor Anderson is assisted by Miss Auderson, a dcumnstrator of mental telepathy, jici- powers are said to be weird and mysterious.