ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 2, 27 September 1917, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"LA MASOOTTB." "La. Mascollc" is now swinging along easily ond gaily at the Uraml Opera House. Principals and chorus have rubbed off the rough eds*s inseparable from all first nights-amateur or professional-;! ud now combine in giving a really delightful performance of this charming old French opera, the music of which has all the aroma.of romantic youth. As for the production, the writer very much doubts if thero has ever been quite the brains cr money lavished on an amateur production in Wellington that is so ovidontjn "I-a Mascotte." It is imperative tna-t the dressing should be sumptuous, thai courtiers and court pages should look the part, and that soldiers should be trimly attired, otherwise the verities are abused, mid in this department the display is extremely interesting and pleasing. In the second act there is not, perhaps, the happy relation between the ctiour schemes of the designer oi the dresses and the Ecenic artist, who should always work together in order to gain .'heir effects, but i--epa.T----atclv tho scenery and dressing are dike admirable. It is satisfactory to rote that Miss Helen Gard'ner as the Bettina, is now singing the whole of tho music in a most entrancing fashion. To hear Bettina- and Pippo sing the sweet 'filou, Glou" duct is alone worth going to the theatre, and the clever little lady i- also feelingly effective iu the "Give Me Back Jfv Humble Cottage," in the court scene, the yearning of the forlorn little turkeylicrd for the simple life among her friends in the poultry yard boing .-very enchanting]}- conveyed. The grand march of the fifty girls, under the changing lights beneath tho greenwood tree in the final act. remains tho outstanding ensemble feature of the onera, and is a tine plume in Mr. Tom Pollard's hat. Mr. Page's orchestra it now doing excellent work. The Governor-General is to be present- on Saturday evening.

ADA KEEVF, BOX PLAN?. This raorjiing at 9 o'clock the box plans j will be opened at the Bristol for the six appearances hjre of Jliss Ada Eeeve, who will raaike her debut' in Wellington at the Grand Opera House on Monday night next. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, the Countess of Liverpool, the E-t. Hon. W. F. Massey and Mrs. Maasey. and Sir Joseph and Lady Ward will be present on Monday evening. Mjss Eeeve quickly wins her way to the- hearts of theatregoers. Her numbers range from the broadly comic "Order, Please," to the tragedy of a lonely soul, - "Nobody Knows, Nobody Cares." Miss .Reeve invests her songs with tho necessary atmosphere by means of her wonderful art. This is strikingly illustrated,'it is said, in "My Oriental Girl," where the sensuous Kast is brought home to the audience, and in the tender "Ain't Yer, Jim?" in wnion one can almost see the Oockney mother's little ohild and home. Included amongst Miss Eeevc's ropertoire are "Knickerbockers," "Foolish Question," "Girls, Take Care," "A Perfect Lady," "Experience," "The Picture Girl's Eyes," "The Bailor and the Cockatoo." "Women's," "I Know My Love," "Seaside," "Tennessee," and "The Long, Long Trail." Tho company supporting Miss Eeeve is said, to be a particularly strong one. Mr. Louis Nikola is said to be remarkably clever in depicting, on a kinematograph sheet, many of our most prominent statesmen. Mr. Kennedy Allen is said to be one'of the funniest comedians-seen in the Dominion, and others who como with big reputations are Miss Lucie Linda, Alvin , and . Williams, Frank Markley, the English Comedy 'Company, and Harry Jacobs, the singing conductor.

HIS MAJESTrB THEATRE. The singing of Malcolm M'Earehcrn last evening delighted another large attendance at His -Majesty's Theatre. The artist is a former member of tho Madame MelbaI'onccxt party, and is easily one of the most attractive artists seen at His Majesty's. Some of his numbers are "Beware When : Bright Eyes Ulance," ,"Tho Yeoman's Wedding," and "The Cornish Floral.Dance.'' Mr. M'Earchern has a splendid stage presence, and from his entrance to his exit he holds his audience 3pell-bound. Among tho other artists whose names appear on the bill are the Itoylen, who provide a clever comedy entertainment. The lady membor of the trio is o. dancer.of far more than ordinary ability, arid she is the happy possessor of a smilo that radiates pleasantness. The two men score most effectively in their, travesty of "Excelsior."! Paul,, Stanhope and his revue company appoir in a iroduction called "Twirly-Whirly." The members of tho crew of he s.s. Port Kembla, which was sunk off Oape Faieivoll by an explosion, wero the guests at His Majesty's last evening.

KING'S THEATRE. IS "The Manxman," Hall Oaine's great novel, | forms the star feature of the programme j liow being screened at the King's Theatre. I Henry Ainloy is east the leading role. I The story is a powerful one, dealing with I the life of a woman who has not made a IE happy marriage. Her, lover is reported II ■killed in a mining accident in . South II Africa: Some years afterwards he returns Si to find his sweetheart unfaithful to him. A II sensational situation follows, and the con- IE elusion of the picture shows the husband IE returning alone to South Africa. The ac- jl tion' takes, place on tho Isle of Man, tho. II rugged scenery providing a. charming || background to the story. "Tho Manxman" ffi will ho shown twico daily until Friday «j evening. ■''.-•■. *

THF, EMPRESS THEATRE. . "The Maelstrom," the latest Vit'agraph mosterpieco, featuring Earlo Williams and Dorothy .Kelly, is the stm- picture of tho programme now screening at the Empress Theatre. . Sensations abound in the picture, and the aotion is rapid. In addition to this feature. Chapter 11 of "Tho Iron Claw." entitled "The Saving of Dan O'Mara," is also shown. The present programme will bo screened to-night and to-morrow night.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Belgium at the opening of the German iuvasiou is the scene of tho opening of •The Paws of the Bear," the Triangle drama- now ' screening at Everybody s Theatre. The story is a thrilling one, and thero aro a number of exciting scenes. The most sensational incident of all in the picture is the dropping of an Allied aeroplaiw bomb, which wipes out the wholo of the German firing party who havo their! rifles trained to fire on the luckless pair in this production. The struggle between the great spy systems of Russia and Austria is vividly shown, and the photography is convincing and beautiful.' A four-reel comedy, "Tho.fiub:marinc Pirate," featuring Sid nhaplin, is also shown. ■ .