ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3193, 18 September 1917, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE Revues provide a strange but popular form of amusement. Their chief merit., from the producer's point of view, is that they Boem to defy classification and elude the peril of a, criterion. Paul Stanhope's new production at His Ma.iesty'6 Theatre laet evening was put on tho boards under the title of "Bazzle-Dazzlc," and nothing that followed the opening chorus availed to elucidate tho mystery of that name. The revue was staged in a seaside setting—with, deck-chairs, tables, a tent (striped), a cafe, a little jiromonade, the ocean, and room in the foreground for a fair-sized chorus of "singer" girls to disport itself occasionally. Tho programme notes—"Time: Any Time," end "Place: Any Place"—gave, tiuite correctly, tho impression that tho faro provided would be nny soi't of fare. The- plot, ae was proper in a. revue, was partly concerned with the adventures of one Spike Donovan in search, of a wifo, and partly concerned with things in general. Donovan was represented, by Stanhope, as being an auburn-haired person with a frozen lung, a peouliar costume, and a penchant for being gulled by the firstcomer, tho second-comer, the third-comer, characters in the piece wero Lady St. Olair, Birdie (an actress), Myrtle (a tourist), Louis Dilly (a clerk), Simon Jones (a patient), Hiram Butterfo.ee (a seeker after health), and Profe'ssor Keogan (proprietor of Seaside Inn). The "Original Grafters' Quartet," consisting of Messrs. Gerald Oashman, Teddy Lone, Cliff Toon, and George (i'Oall, was gi ren % uoad. opportunity in a musical way, and quite came up to expectations. Tho chorus was now charmingly, now daringly costumed, and very pleasantly filled up time whilo the plot took a slight rest preliminary to another move. There was much oatchy singing. The numbers included an old favourite, "Take a- Pair of Sparkling Eyes," -which was sung by Mi , .. Will Raynor. A muoh more modern note- was struck in "Kisses," "Hello, Wellinfrton,"

"Take a SaU in My Boat," and others. The "Soldiers' Ohorus" from , "Faust" was sung towards the end by an octet, and met with a fine reception. The rmrely vaudeville part of the evening's entertainment was supplied by the Devon (who llarformed Borne roma/rkojble uoniuring feats, tho Coleman Siesters (a pair dealing in contrasts), George D'Alma, (banjo player), M'Kay and Graham (singers), and Murfayne. The xylophone playing of the last-named artist is well worth hearing. KING'S THEATRE. "He stole lor her," and this was after numberless resolutions to go straight, yet his sin was committed because of the depth of his love. The result of this moral tangle in -worked out with dramatic skill in "Babotle," the leading feature of the programmo now being screened at the K-ins's Theatre, starrine Pesgy Hyland. Tho ecenes are laid in Normandy end the artist quarter of Paris, and aro full of touches of Bohemianism. Tho Vitagraph studio artlet has introduced some new and, clever interior lighting, effects, and the whole production is a credit to the company. The supporting items are well chosen. EVURYBODY'6 THEATRE. The "Dark Road," now screening at Everybody's Theatre, deals with; a.' dangerous and seductive siren, who is shown at her game of ruining men. The retribution that came upon her is so complete that for once evil seems to be satisfactorily avenged. The photography is a masterpiece. The interiors of tho great English homes, fheir delightful old gardens, and the luxury of the apartments of the siren are all marvols of studio craft. The supporting items include a, Keystone oomody, "Tho Bachelor's- Finish, also a very fine picture showing the Russian Army at Petrograd durine the revolution. ; EMPRESS THEATRE. : A heir-brained scheme is conceived by the young brido in "The Divorco Game." now screening at tho EmpTess Theatre. An original divorce plot having fallen through she deoides to run a pretended elopoment with an admirer. Their car breaks down, and they havo not long arrived at a lonely farmhouse when tho furioua young hueband arrives, and the (Situation becomes extremely involved. Alice Brady is tho star in this production. Tho sottinge. aro gorgeous and tho dressing is in the height of fashion. Supporting items include Chapter 10 of "Tho Iron Claw," entitled "A living Doath." THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. Tho English Pierrots continuo their «>ason in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. The ontertadnment ia bright and excellent from all points of- view. Tho concorted work is good, and so also is tho individual work. Miss Billio Wilson is as popular as over, and the mon nf tho company havo all established themselves with. Wellington audiences. .The programme will bo repeated to-nicht and tomorrow night. "LA MASCOTTB." To many playgoers "La, Mascoltc" will 1 bring back memories that are merely blurred by the mists of time, 'xho opera, was over a favourlto with tho Williamson Comic Opera , Company and tho Pollard Company, and of the wany works produced by Ihoso two organisations nono was as uniformly successful a3 "La Maseottc. On tho prosent occasion the Wellington amateurs aro to have tho of Miß3 Helen Gard'nor, of Duniidm, as tho Hcttlna. (tho luck brlnger), who has pven us such charming performances in "The Geisha," "Paul Jones," and' "San Toy. Mr. A. W. Newton will bo the comical King Laurent (who purloins' Rooco's mascot) to-change his infernally bad luok; Mr. Alva Shaw will be tho miserable farmer Eocco suddenly transferred to,court; Mr. lion Barnes should show to advantago in the sheepskin of the lovelorn Pippo; Prince Ititellinl will be impersonated by the silver tenor, Mr. Herbert F. Wood; and that petulent and wayward Prtiioess Fiamettft will be characterised by Miss Isabel Wilford. Miss Ellen Millar. Mrs. Alexander, Miss Doris M'Cormick, Ethel Smith, and Fanline Brown aro all ontrhatird with parts. A feature of the final .'tct will bo the grand raaich: of Fritelliul's "Death Battalion." whose parade in the woodland should be a- notably flive moving .picture. The box plals for the soason—which begins on Saturday nextr-will bo ipened at the Bristol this morning. Mr. Tom Pollard will direct the production, with Mr. Bernard Page as conductor^ "THE MAGIC CARPET." "The Magic Carpet" was again performed hy the puipils of Miss Gladys Campbell at the Grand Opera House, in the presence, of another large audience. The fragmentary story is used merely as the webbing on which to spin a succession of solo and ensemble dances, of graceful or grotesque order, and in theee the apt pupils, attired in very beautiful dresses disport themselves with more or less grace. Tho little spinners at' their koms formed a very pretty picture, with the Rpiritß weaving their fancies in the centre of tho stage. The ballet of the oysters and tho lobsters was a bold incursion into the quaint realm of burlesque, whilst the pink ronnd-eyed "kewpies caused tho female clement to gasp withi pleaewc. Tho final performance of The Magic Oarpet" will be given this evening.. His Excellency the Governor-General and tho Countess of Liverpool will be present again at th'ls evening's performance.