ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 61, 5 December 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE CYRIL MAUDE SEASON. Geo. A. Birmingham's comedy. "General John Began," preceded by the screen sceno from "Tho School for Scandal," was once more the bill at,'the Grand Opera House last evening:, light /are that was appreciated by a large audience. This evening tho company wili be seen in what promises to be an interesting revival of Tom Robertson's evergreen play, "Caste," which ia to bo played in mid-Victorian costumes. "Caste" i' so well-known that it is scarcely neccsßary io recall its interesting story. It is based on the love of the Hon. Geo. D'Alroy, tho scion of tho noble house of fit. Maur, for Esther Ecclos, the refined and heautiful daughter of a father whose drinking habits have dragged the family down to tho depths of poverty. D'Alroy haß an arlstocratio friend in Captain Hawtrce, who sticks to his chum, though all the world condemns George's intended marriage as a chocking mesalliance—an outrage of tho laws of caste. The marriage takes place, but tho happiness of the young poople is short-lived, as D'Alroy's regiment is ordored abroad. Esther is consoled by her lively lister Polly, who boasts Sam Gerridge (a plumber) as her devotee. Then cosies news of D'Alroy's death, and the struggle /or an existence by the unfortunate family, who arc continually harraseed by the drunken perversities of old Eccleß. Finally happinesß returns in the unexpected advent of D'Alroy, whose death had been misreported. There 1b a reconciliation with his mother, the Marquise de fit. Maur, Sam marrieß Polly, and old Ecclos is sent to Jersey "to drink himself to death" on a pension projldei by the Inventive Captain Hawtree. Mr. Maude's impersonation of the old toper, Eccles, is said to be ono of his flneßt characterisations. The matinee, which was to have been held this afternoon, has been cancelled owing to the number of returned soldiers and nurses who were unable to attend on a Wednesday afternoon. Those members who were unable to accept the invitation last Saturday will be welcomed to cither to-night's or to-morrow night's performance of "Caste." HIS- MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The Waiter Johnson Eevue Company is still entortaining big attendances at His Majesty's TEeatre. It presents a bright production entitled "The Monte Carlo Girl," in which ono Captain Bunting finds rather irksome tho presence of a variety actress whose company he once sought. The audience is led to understand that while Oaptain Bunting (retired with honour from the Navy) found tho lady very attractive where flr6t he met her, he is not altogether delighted by her unexpected apJearanoo at his home, Just when a garen party Is about due. Tho captain lias a titled sister, and hiß anxiety to conceal from her the story of hie indiscretions is a source of no little trouble to him. There are several ludicrous character sketches in the piece, there is the usual "love-interest," and there are catchy musical numbors in abundance. The chorus is daintily deoked out in many varieties of costumo. Harris and Gold (comic singers), and tho Alerts (jugglers with bayonet and battle-axe) are contributors to the vaudeville programme. KING'S THEATRE. "An Even Break" is the star feature now soreeniug at the King's Theatre. In this drama the beauty of the new Triangle star, Olive Thomas, is outstanding, and sho rompß her way into everyone's heart. The play has. its serious moments, too, and Miss Thomas's emotional acting ib very flno in tho Bcene in which she realises that the man she has learned to love is engaged to an old playmate of his own town. The scenes are excellent examples of film photography, particularly the great ballet scene, where the dancers arc shown with fantastical light effects upon their transparent floating draperies. Specially selected films support this star feature. . EMPRESS THEATRE. A shark swimming swiftly around a drifting boat is Bhown in "Souls Adrift," the star feature now screening at the Empress Thoatre, Tho castaways are seen in tho Taragona Sea, where there are no winds and very littlo current. This boat scene is a wonderful pieoe of work, notably the dramatio struggle for the last drop of water. Ethel Clayton iB the star, and she reaches the supreme height of her art in this play, which is orowded with powerful situations. The events on the island are full of adventure. The island is a place of rare tropical beauty. The Items supporting the feature are all well chosen. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "A Mormon Maid," featuring Mae Murray, which proved such a success when shown at, the King's Theatre last week, is now soreenlng at Everybody's Theatre, where it is keeping up its renfitation as a drawing card. Tho play ia full of dramatio situations, from tho reaouo of the heroine and her parents by the Mormons I from a murderous band of Redskins to tho treacherous attempt to force the girj to marry an already much-married Mormon elder. In tho final scene the unscrupulous elder is outwitted. In addition to the feature is Chapter 6 of "The Secret Kingdom," "Oarriago Call No. 101." An unusually interesting series of topical films add to tho interest in the bill.

"THE NEW HENRIETTA." Messrs. J. and N. Tait's New Comedy Company will commence a season of five nights at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening next with "The New Henrietta," a comedy-drama, written by Winchell Smith, tho author of "Turn to tho Right."' "Henrietta" is the name of a copper mine, and the owner, Nicholas Van Alstyno, Is one of those self-made men who have little regard for social conventionalities, but under the influence of a fnshionablo widow he is induced to conform to all' the 6ocial obligations his wealth dcmandß. Leaving his New l'ork home on a yachting cruise he leaves his son-in-law in charge of his affairs, and tho result Is disaster. The son-in-law floods the market with Henrietta shares with the intention of buying them in himself at a low figure, thereby ruining his fathor-ln-law and enriching h mself. Summoned by wireless, Van Alstyno returns to New York to find a panic,on the Stock Exchange caiißed by the unloading of the shares, and endeavours to buy in, but finds that his securities have been stolen and he. is faced with rnin. At the last moment his son Bertie, whom ho had ordered from his home, comes to the rescue, advances the money and regains for his father the ownership of the mine. Thero are said to be many exciting and dramatio incidents during the play, which ia brimful of comedy and unusual episodes. As Nloholas Van Alstyne, Mr. Walter P. Riohardson has received greatest praise from critics, and all the other members of tho company have repeated the succcbs earned in "Turn to the Right;' The box plans open at tho Bristol thiß morning. "A DAUGHTER OP THE GODS." The vehiclo chosen by William Pox. in which boat to exploit the talents < of Annette Kellerman, is his 1.000,000 dol ; lar picture, "A Daughter of the Gods which comes to the Grand Opera Honae \ for e, seven nights' season, starting Saturday, Docember 15. In this Bcreen fantasy, every opportunity is.given Jiss Kellerman to demonstrate her skillin swimming, as well as in character portraval. She carries the spectator tlvrougn a story that appeals to tho imagination as strongly as anything in «"•>"«•»" attempted. From the fairy grottoes .of Gnomeland into the submarine: region ai of Nentnne, Miss Kel crman is said to lead hrt wdlence of pure delight. "OH! SUSANNAH!" ■ To-night, for tho first time in Welling; ton! the farcical comedy, "Oh! 6>»w wili be presented iu the Concert Chamber by Mr. Culford Bells Company. The Thespians." The tickets arc said to be selling very rapidly, and patrons are requested to book their seats at tho Bristol to nrevont disappointment. The- enterainment i» under Vice-Rogal patronage, anSThi aid of the Clara Eogrrs Comfort's Fund for convalescent solders at the I Y.M.O.A. Hut, Walton-on-Thames.