ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 94, 14 January 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEW BILL AT HIS MAJESTY'S. The advent in New Ze-iland of! such a well-known* American actor-piaywright as iilr. Ted M'Lean, who, in ..conjunction with Jlisb Genevieve Lee (stated rob« a dramatic actress of high standing in the U.S.A.), has been engaged to tour the extensive Fuller, circuit, is a lwpuuuins oi no small importance in looal vaudeville. The two stars will present a series of one-act playlets of the sensational variety, with which their names are assooiiU'Jd on the big vaudeville circuits of the united States. The light and shade reflected in the productions of Mr. M'Lean are said by many American and Australian critics to constitute an embodiment of dramatic power with a colouring of light comedy.' thus elevating the customary vaudeville "sketch" to intellectual drama. In fact, so much has the woik of this talented couple impressed the Fuller management that, at the conclusion of their New Zealand tour, the firm has decided to augment the combination to permit the actor-author to produce some of the bigger plays for which he has previously been responsible. Other acts, new to Wellington, who will appear tonight, will comprise Hickey and Hose, a pair of juveniles whose exhibitions of "Btory-danccs" are stated to be in the Btyle of the great Geneo in miniature; Eeo and Helmaj, in an offering of artistic and athletic posing, and tho Kennedys, eccentric musicians. The Klentos. T-rnost Pitcher, Dlake and Granby, the Lilian Teecc. M'Kay and Graham, nnd Jones and Eaines will complete a large and entertaining programme. The. same company will appear nightly throughout the week.

KING'S THEATRE. "Sweetheart of the Doomed," the Ltar film screened at the Kind's Theatre lor the lirst time on ■Saturday, and to be shown all this week, features Louise Glaum. The picture tells a weird story, and there is a glorious dramatic climax. Honorc Zonlay (Louise Glaum), a notorious adventuress, lives to make all men ,pay lor tht treachery of ono man. She * ensnares General Durand (Thomas Guise) by posing as the protege of another general. When Durand learns her true identity he casts her off.' Honoru at last meets her ideal in the iperson of Paul Montaigne (CharlCß Gumi), a dispatch bearer, who is willing to overlook tier past. Whon the war breaks out Montaigne is reported to have died on active "crvioe and the deluded General Durand nnets her in the storm-wrecked no-Viern fleldß of France, and in a spirit bordering on revenge, he commands her to "make lovo t'-<: dying sons of France, .lie their Bister-swcetheart-wifo as they die." One day Montaigne is brought to the hospital severely wounded, and is given up for dead, but the oare and nursing of Honoro restores him' to health. Thus the siren charms 0 f an enchantress become a power for good. There are some extremely powerfiil dramatic scenes, especially the one where Honore realises that Montaigne has beci restored to her. The supporting picture? include a very in-ercsting in-lustna' film, dealing with '.he vheat indvslry of Canada. "Along the. Rio Gi'triac-" is a delightful Pathc >cemc. end the Gaumont Graphic is full of incident.

EMPRESS THEATHE. . "The Corner Grocer" is, briefly, a story of a young man who, after receiving every possible kindness from an impossible old father, ruins the said father by forging a large cheuuo, then marries the heroine, and (presumably) lives happily every afterwards This description should make it blm" that, the play is not ourdensd with a "moral." Particulars of the young man's crime and undeserved good fortune follow Charles Weudel, the corner grocer, adopts, an orphan child (Mary,, who grows up with his boy* Kalph. By the time that Mary and Kalph. are of a marriageable age, the old man has built up a large and prosperous business. Ealph, now the finished product of a college education, falls in with an adventuress named Stella, for whom he reelects Mary and commits the forgery before mentioned. True, he has Stc la's promise that the money he. criminalll* ob'a «ed for her will be repaid, but the non-fulfil-ment of the promise works the old man s run. Wondel, senior, is at one stroke reduced to ipoverty, and a hawkers pushcart; but he smiles beneficently upon a match between Mary and anJ spectator is left to hm reflections upon a young man's luck.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. -For France," a war story of; uuite a, good class, is being wrcßi'cd at .Lu yhodv's Theatre this week. It relates that ffld Ackl,nd (lidward. ?arle) an amtion student in Pans, i°™Jv of Zv Plvinc Corps ou the outbreak ol wai. His ilanccc, Mnrthc, and her father, move to a Hm ou "the Marne. Germans «tmrter themselves ou the P ace ano their leader attempts to lay violent nanus on Marthc. Gerald, however, swoops do it from the skies and effects a timely rescue. Hetachment of English soldier,, arrives in the neighbourhood, and u >*<»«>»£ lacked by reinforced Germans. Again Gerald performs a bold feat and 19 so fortunate as to save the. MBUsn irom dEers that at first seem .nevitoMe. Ue ra ans a machine-gun till aw>™"»* revives. Then his valour s su tably re w 'ar M. aimed to date Im 9 of <f, WWie A" vi" no doubt commend it )V lnvors of sensational incident. On May the picture wan screened to a crowded house.

J. O. WILLIAMSON'S NEW. MUSICAL COMEDY CO Commencing on Saturday evening next in thi' (jraud Opera House, J. 0. Williamson, Ltd., will prcßeut their New English Musical Comedy Co., in the latest musical offering, "You're in Love," an attraction that has held the stage in .Sydney and Melbourne lor six months, and has just concluded a successful season in Auckland. "You're in Love," it, is said, marks an advance on moßt other musical attractions of its kind. The cast is the same as was seen in Sydney and Melbourne, while the scenery and mountinn, and special lighting effects, wil' bo on a very lavish scale.' It is interesting to recall what the Sydney "Sunday Times" printed of "You're in Love." The "Times" Baid: "'You're in Love' is replete with catchy music; it has a coherent and an understandable plot, and is well.cast and beautifully staged. Its principal vocal number i 6 'You're in Love,' sung by Mr. William Greene, with a rofraiu rendered piecemeal' by the lady ohoristerß, it pervades the play throughout. As fur comic .numbers, the chief iB rendered by Alfred Frith, a South African missionary in a soup-plate hat, a black tie, while spats, red socks—and other things Connie Ediss plays the baby snatchcr. She has not been unlucky with her three husbande— merely unsuccessful—tl cy either died to escape her or ran away. Therefore, is she a man-hater, and as a grass widow wears this sign—'keep off the grass.' Field Fisher is Bo'sun Pink Love, a nautical misanthrope, who states that a man without money is like trousers without buttons—you can't keep up a position. Cecil Bradley (looking strangely like Dorothy Brunton, who is now in America) has a couple of fine songs and a good acting part. William Greene plays and sings brilliantly, the husband whose marriage contract does not permit hi); to kiss or cuddle durin? the first year. Madge Llliott, who opens with a Haiwaiian costume dance, aided by a full ballet, has two other clever dances. Jack Hooker, Tom Preston, and Eita Nugent do some clever clog and eccentric dancing.. The costumes of the male choristers in the first act are very picturesque. Mis? Maude Fane wore some charming frocks thai suited her dainty doll-like figure. The scenery, lighting, and general mounting of the opera is all that can be desired" The eeoriid production here will be "Canary Cottage." described'as a saucy and piquant musical play. The box niati for the six nights of "You're in Love" will br. opened at the Bristol Piano Co. on Wednesday morning at eight) o'clock.

MARIE TEMPEST SEASON. Few of the artists who have performed at the Grand Opera- House have been so warmly farewelled at the close of their eeaßon as was Miss Marie Tempest at the close of her's on Saturday night. When the flnoj representation of "A Pair of Silk Stockings" had bcej given, the house applauded Miss Terapsst with, an enthusiasm such as Wellington people rarely exhibit \