ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3192, 17 September 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. That popular company of merrymakers headed by Paul Stanhope will present a now jevuo at His Majesty's Theatre this evening. Tiic production is said to be full of the-4'uunio&t comicalities, and tho many absurd experiences that beset Mr. .Stanhope as Spike Donovan iu starch of a spouse arc said to ho particularly ludicrous. Tho personnel will contain a number of old rovue favourites, amongst them being Mr. Val Newman, tho elongated mirth-raiser, Hiss Helen Le Cain, Miss Edna M'Oall. Mr. ticprgo M'Call, and Jlr. Will Raynor, whose good tenor *-oico will bo heard iu now numbers. The "Ginger Girls" will form tho customary attractive background of dancing girls, tho popular Grafters Quartet will render further selcctious from an ox-tensive repertoire. A feature of the show will bo the rendition of "The Soldiers'' Chorus" from "Faust" by an octet of vocalists. Three row acts are announced to appear in tho variety half of the bill, notably the Coleman Sisters, who are stated to bo comediennes of a type seldom seen in local vaudeville, Murfayne, the monarch, of the xylophone, and the Dovons, two illusionists, whose principal exploits aro stated to constitute some marvellous escapes from a locked and bolted milk can and a tightly-laced strait jacket. 'George D'Alma, the banjcnisl, and M'Kay and Graham will complets what has tho appearance of an entertaining programme. The tstial matinee will bo given next Saturday afternoon. THE' KIijG'S~TIIEATRE. "Babotto," a Greater Vita-graph picture story in six reels, is the chief attraction of tho new programme at the King's Theatre this week. Peggy Hyland portrays the leading character-that of Babette—and it is a role that suits her particular talents admirably; associated with her i 3 Marc MacDermott. "Babetto" is a story that is wholly French, and a'feature of the production is the degree of success obtained by the producer in fchieving the necessary "atmosphere." Babette is a provincial official's daughter, very beautiful, and whoUy charming. Chance throws across her path one Eaveau. nominally an artist, but actually a "gentleman" cracksman. Eaveau, completely captivated by the girl's beauty and innocouce, falls in love with her and marries her. On the wedding night a Paris detective recognises Eavean, who narrowly escapes Arrest. However, the young couple succeed in reaching Paris safely, where Eaveau Eettlcs down to work, and steadily refuses to tread the old paths. It is tho great strnggl/, to get a living ty honest means, and at the same time hide from his wife his past life, that are tho chief ol.jnnts of Eaveau's ambition, and how he finally accomplishes both objects is worked out in a way that strips from first to last. In addition to "Babette" there aro on tho programme the latest. Gazette. "BniTOs" fan unusually beautiful Patherolonr study of the famous old Belgian town), and a two-reel The bill wil' be screened nightly throughout the week. "LA MASCOTTE." On Saturday evening next the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society will revive Audran's melodious and picturesque comio opera, "La Mascotte," which has one of the finest records of any comic opera ever written. Being of French origin, it has that delightful light touch in its comedy and that sparke in its music for whichtho French composers of fifty years ago were noted. Audran takes rank w.th Von Suppe, Offenliach, Lecocq, and Planquette, all of whom enriched the world cf ccmic opera most wonderfully. "La Mascotte 1 ' is laden with beautiful numbers, such as the "Glou Glon" duet, "The Legend," "Give Me Back My Humble Cottage," "Love is Blind," "The Tap of the Drum," "Wiso Folk Have Arrays Noted," "Off Then we Go," "Oh, She's Charming," and "The Attractive Girl." Not one of these is devoid of musical quality, and all have that delightful lilt and melody that tho ear retains. The cast is capable, and Mr. Tom Pollard is at the helm. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The feature film at Everybody's .Theatre this week will arouse the interest of the most blase picture theatre'patron. The picture is entitled 'The Dark Bond," and abounds in situations of great intensity. Dorothy Dalton is the star, and in the role of the modern siren who believes herself a reincarnation of Cleopatra, gives a vivid delineation to the screen. As Oleo Murison she docs superb work. Devoid of ideals and all sense of honour, when her'husbaua goes to France to take part in the great war she mates insolent love to h;s yuniger brother Cedric. later on this lad also responds to his country a call, and the siren then turns to a mnn who, in the guise of a Bpanish art collector, is acting as a spy tor Germany. Cleo is infatuated with him, and through her indiscretion he obtains information regarding the movements of-British troops in France. Captain Murison learns of his wife's duplicity, and returns to talio revenge upon her and her Jover. The emotional scenes are very powerful, and Miss Dalton is particularly ! -mpressivo in the last scene, in which, with its barbaric Oriental settings, she is relentlessly hunted bv her husband. Her wonton conduct mets with the retribution that it ucsen-es. "The Bachelor's Finish,' a Kevston- comedy, is an excellent antidote to'a "Dark Eoad," and the Vitagraph nomrdv, "A Journey to Nowaere," is also laughter provoking. The Pathe Gazetio gives a fine selection of topical pictures. EMPRESS THEATRE. . | "Tlie Divorce Game," starring Alico Brady, is the great attraction at the Em- ; press Theatre this week. The film is based on the famous stage success, "Mile. Fili,"a French play and characteristically daring. Miss Brady has a thoroughly charming role, and she gives a clever exposition of it. She appears as the extravagant American wife of an extrava- ; gant French nobleman. The young couple | are much in love with each other, but \ they are always in a state of impecuniosity because of the lavish way in which < they spend money, and aiso because of ■ tho fact that the girl's marriage settle- J inent confines her to the use of the in- \ come only. An appeal is made to the girl's mother to relieve them cf the incubus of debt, but the mother-in-law dedines, having on two previous occasions come to the rescue. The situation de- , velops. and the young couple venture on ; tho hazardous undertaking of playing with fire Under' the marriage settlement' the • money comes under the control of the . girl in case of her divorce, and tins leads the young couple into trying for a divorce. The subterfuge is discovered by the mother, and then something happens which makes the girl really desire a divorce, but now she cannot enlist the sympathy of the mother. Eventually the rcatrcnaonial ' troubles are straightened out-. The supoorting pictures aro all good, and include 'Chapter 10 of "The Iron Claw. entitlcdV'The Living Death," and a very interesting Topioal Budget. THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. There was a good "house" at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday evening; when the English Pierrots produced a new programme. The company is very strong all round, and the popularity it has enjoyed during its Wellington season haß been thoroughly earned. In addition to the individual performers being highly capable artists, the concerted work of the party is excellent. One of the most appreciated of Saturday's numbers was a catchy chorus song. "Bounce Me." attractively sung by Miss Billie Wilson. Miss Etsa Langley sang "Mary of Tippcrary" excellently. The comedy work of Messrs. Leslie Austin and W. I'. Turner was %cry good. Both have a fine sense of humour, and their work sent the audience into roars of laughter. Also in lighter vein waß a clever burlesque, "An Impromptu Drama," by tho company. Misses Lau?ley and Wilson and Messrs. Austin and Eoy Cooke were excellent as a quartet, and tho duet "The Path of the Faithful" was well sung by Messrs. Lyle and Mitchell. Mr. Lyle also sang "Wish of My Heart." In addition to their concerted vocal numbers, the company performed a plantation scene entitled "Oklahoma's Rose." The duct, "A Little Corner in Your Heart," was nicely rendered by Misses Langley and Wilson, and Messrs. Lawrence, Mitchell, and Turner did the trio, ''Rival Singers." Mr. Roy Cooke was heard in a vocal solo. The performance was brought to a close with an amusing turn entitled "The Village School." "NEW ZEALANDERS AT WAR." Mr. -Gerald Anderson's profusely illustrated lecture, "New Zcalanders at War on Seven Fronts," will be given at the Town Hull Concert Chamber on September 25. The story is said to have provoked great enthusiasm wherever' it haa been told iu Now Zealand. The description of some of the heroic deeds, supported by a vivid description of the many countries where New Heaianders have made tho great sacrifice, will no doubt be heard by all who love their country. Mr. Anderson is said to be a gifted lecturer, and to possess a personality which has won.him a high place in tho regard of those who have heard him. As a returned soldier and as a father of three sons fighting, he skilfully avoids harrowing the feeliugs of parents or others whose loved ones' arc across the seas fulfilling the greatest of all duties which falls lo humanity. Tho box plan onens to-day. One-fourth of the proceeds of the entertainment will be devoted to 'be Mayor's Patriotic Fund. This week lectures will be given in Feilding. Sentumour 19, and Carterton, September 20.