ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 11, 28 January 1918, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Packed houses on Saturday afternoon and evening Fair the return of the tStanhope Revuo Company to His Majesty's Theatre. The production was entitled "Baizle Dazzle,'-' and the eccentrioities of the quaint little Irish comedian, Mr. Paul Stanhope, and his trite sayings _ zc.mmpanied by his curious pntics assisted in the passing of a particularly entertaining two and a half hours. Messrs. Paul Stanhope. Yal Newman, Will. Hay nor, and George M'Call sustained the principal male characters of the cast, while Misses Helen Is. Drain. Lottie Newman, and Edna Jl'Oall were seen to advantage amongst the ladies. The popular Grafters Quartet Eang "I'm a Lonesome Melody" and sundry other numbers very acceptably, and Mr. Raynor responded to an enooro for Siis pleasing rendition of "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes." The scenio effects were good, and tho background of pretty girls was perfectly in accordance with the excellence of the rest of the production. To-night a new contingent of vaudeville artists will support the revue. First appearances will, be made by Brown and Sewman,' an American dao, who specialise in ragtime and smart natter'; also Wallet <0. M'Kay, billed as "The Musical Knnt, who, with talk of a pithy nature, an econtric comedy make-up, a collection ci musical instruments, and a talent for using them, is stated to nossess an offering that is right away from the beaten track. Those popular dramatlo players, Mr. Ted Mac Lean and Miss Genevieve "trill present another of Mr. Mac Lean s playlets, intituled "Beyond Price, which Is said to bo of remarkable dramatic intensity, and to give' both, artists opportunities to illustrate their histriomo ability. Kelly and Drake, tho American comedy duo who raado such a marked success last week, <vnd ihe De Booviers living models, will complete the pro- • gramme. THB KING'S THEATRE. Alice Brady and '-Montagu featured in 'Bought and £ a "J_ ew World Film drama, which bill at the King s Theatre .. The story tells of the Blames, mother and two 'daughters, whose husband nnd fatte r ° d ee ; ■leaving them to live on very slender means. The elder of the sister marries nn "eighteen-dollar-nrweek ''lerk, but the ■younger, Virginia (Alice Brady) makes up Tier mind that her cliiof business m lifeJs ■ tn "marry money." She meets.a young millionaire named Stafford; young beauty ottraots ~ . ij,o Ereat wealth proves irresistible to tn® eirl Virginia and 6tafford are marTl-d, and some time afterwards the one-weakness-a fondness for cotol veals itself. Tho young wife further dis covers that drink tends to briitaLse tier husband. In disgust she leaves him, and USUI father cartoons. EMPRESS THEATRE. "An Alabaster Box" is 'tbeleadins drama very^el?"produceiL"as Manias sho™ fore° though tie "lot*'is jLoi genius, the picture may be relied, upon to entertain sufficiently the average film patvon? Lydi* Bolton story, is only a child v;hen lici iatner is overwhelmed by financial ruiiv eoes to gaol-as.an embezzler, curbed uy all his fellow-townsmen. Lydia is in charge by an uncle, the beautiful Bolton Mansion, the P|- op^L Hß °Vh fi n father, falls into neglcctful hands, when, hiding her- identity undor the name ot Orr, Lydia comes back to the little community. she finds that time has by. .no means . removed the smirch from ■ her father's name. She endeavours by every means to earn tho goodwill oMhepeoplo, but, by incurring the jealousy of tho minister's sweetheart, she brings' nothing but rebufls upon herself. Then she buys the old mansion back, arid oilers to purchase at an unreasonably high figure all the antique furniture in the town.- Suddenly and without the slightest warning, ■Bolton- comes" baok,' newly released from prison; and, foolishly*'boasts - in* the local store of who lie is. ' All the hatred that .tho people have for. years "cherished against him breaks out in a furious attack upon the old mansion.. In the midst of the -confusion, Bolton falls dead, and the tragedy has a. sobering effect upon the mob. Thus Lvdia. is given another chance to clear the Bolton name, and eventually she succeeds, EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. . The titlo "of "Broadway ; Arizona" graces tho principal Jim- billed, at ..EvcrybodyH Theatre this week. The titlo is odd, but means something to the American. Arizona is the land of deserts and wild open spaceß, and Broadway is tho 'New York street that never sleeps, but all night long blazes and gleams' with giant electric signs. The heroine i 6 a .midnight Follies star -ivho, for. advertising .purposes, plays ' a cruel joke - upon , a * love-stricken millionaire cowboy. She reckons without tho Arizona 1 man's nerve. and., resourcefulness, aud' when she lias a breakdown she receives another overture, from him. She laugh's at his love, and is promptly kidnapped.' The rest.of the story is a whirl of adventure that.keeps tho spectator in a delightful state of suspense right to the end. - Olive Thomas plays the part of the Midnight Follies: actress, and all tho other, roles are well sustained. "Broadway Arizona 7 , is supported by an wcentidnally interesting selection of pictures. There is the usual thrilling cnisftde of "The Secret Kingdom," but thcro is also a special treat in the New Zealand picturisation of "Kid From Timaru." The production is founded on Mr. Barrio Marschcl's pouular poem, and is accompanied by two delightful vocal items—a son? by Mr. Melvin and a recitation .of the ."Kid" by tho author himself. 'TWO MASTER FEATURES. For the first time in New. Zealand, J. 0. Williamson, Ltd., will present two super-features on the one programme at the Grand Opera House, storting on Monday nest. "The Spy System" is an exposure of German methods of essionago in the United States. It combines a mass of thrills with a lack of unnecessary melo

dra.ma—J war without superfluous battle-scenes. Dustin Farmim as Mark Quaintance, the spy, starta out as a young man of. wealth and social standing, and enlists on a dangerous mission to Germany in the cause of his country. After many hair-raising experiences, lie gains possession of a list of Teutonic spies in ihe United States. 1 n "Babes in the Woods." Mr. Fox offers the first of his famous Kiddie series, which are enacted by a cast of children, and headed hy the cleverest child artists in scre.endom, little Francis Carpenter nnd Virginia Lee Corbin. It is a practical illustration of Fairyland in all its glittering, gorgeous sumptousness, and makes an irresistible appeal to the snirit that lies dormant within us all—the eternal spirit of youth and childhood. A modern set-ting end epilogue turnish the setting in which this fairy jewel fairly sparkles and scintillates. Tho wick ed Bandit, tho Good Fairy, the old Witch and Raven. and the wonderful Gingerbread house with window-panes of crystal sugar make an eflcct that should send the kiddies and their srown-up relations Into an eqatacy of delight.