ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 153, 18 March 1918, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A change of bill was submitted by the Walter Johnson Kovuo Company at Hin Majesty's Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening, when thai, frolicsome, frivoioub, but -withal funny absurdity, "The liirting Widow," was revived, with Jliss Lola Hunt as the Jady with a large heart. In this piece itise Hunt playe up with Uic KUEceptibilities of the Knßetibloms, lather aiid son (Mcssr-. ttiie I'raniis- nhd Walter Johnson), a wild Irishman (Jlr. Lee Warton), and a tame actor (Mr Ernest Lashbroolte), and has no er.d of a time doing it. . Tho comedy is starred with Biuarfc songs and comedy. Some oC the be3t of tho songs are: "My Hose of Honolulu," sung by Mi'bb Starr; 'Tho College Widow," by Miss Hunt; "I'm in Love with all too Girls" (Mr. Johnson). "Back to Georgia" (Mr. Lashbrooke and the Starrs), and the "Yiddish Wedding Jubilee." by Mr. Frank*. Ttiorc is plenty of life and movement, and all work with conscientious zeal.

The vaudeville half of tho entertainment will !«n changed this evening, when tho Harlems, clever equilibrists, -will make their Brut nppearauce in Wellington. Miss Vcrn.-i Bain, who iit now F.uch a favourite, -will appear In her "Coppolia" too dance, n characteristic Russian dance, and -will repeat her clover creation, "The Dying .Swan." "The flirting Widow" will l ro repeated against this ovening and throughout thft wcok.

J THE KING'S THEATRE. J The management of tho. King's Theatre, I when announcing that they had secured i rights ovor the productionn of the new • picture firm of Ooldwyn, claimed that the I nr.w firm's productions were "different." This claifn was made good an Saturday, when the first Goldwyn picture to bo shown he.re-a version of Bex Beach's "The Auction Block"—was screened to "capacity" businees at all sessions. Like the rest of Hex Beach's very popnlar stories, "The Auction Block" is no doubt, familiar to most readers of this class of literature—and these ; readers are very numerous. The film story (directed, by the way. by "Rex Beach himself) adheres very closely to that of the boot but. of course, in handling a story of such a length it is only possible to deoiet the chief inoidents, and, after all. these are the only ones that matter. In going to Stageland for the materials of his story tho author is compelled to depict much tlmt savours of sordidnesa in hie pictures of life behind the scenes (and it. is' behind the Ecenos that the major portion of tho action takes place); on the other hand, tho scenes he presents on the reverse side of tho pioturo—the gay theatre parties, the gayer supper parties, and all that is heat, and brightest—moro thtin compensate for the naety taeto left after a succession of pictures, of tho methods of the "grafters" of Htageland. • The story of the Knightsfather ' and mother, nnd their daughter Lorcli, -who became a theatrical star, and heV thoroughly bad brother J'im; of the Whartons ("the Pittsburg Whartons"), father and son, millionaire nnd man of affairn, and his spendthrift eon; of Lily Lcvinsky, daughter of a Pittsburg iron■worker, seeking revenge from tho millionaire ironmaster Hammon; and of Melchor's gang, and tho numeroue other characters in the book, makes an ideal picture, the merits of which will undoubtedly be appreciated by .picture patrons. The theatre and cabaret Bcenea are the finest yet eeon here. "Tho Auction Block" comprises a film of oight parts. In addition, the fortunes of "Tho Neglected Wife" are advanced another stage, and tho latest "Graphic" is also 6u the procramme.

Thft screening of tho picture will com. mence to-day at noon.

•''EMPRESS THEATItE. Alice Brady is featured in the World drama, "The Maid of Belgium," -which is tho principal attraction at the Empress Theatro this week'. Tho picture tells the story of a Belgian refugee brought to the TJnitcd States by a- wealthy American couple, who find her half-crazed by tho .destruction of her home. sweet winsomeness arouses a desire in the heart of the man* for a, child of his. oyn. His wife promisee that this great desire of Wβ would bo realised -when he roturned from a trip to Cuba. In the meanwhile a child is born to Adoree, the Belgian girl, and ,sho is induced to part with it to tho American woman, who 'undertakes. to care for it. When tho man returns from Cuba Adorec'e child is presented to him as his own. The shock of losing !;ct child restores to Adoree the memory of her marriapo and tho sudden deparjur; of her husband for tho front. Adorcc's child is finally restored io her. and she is reunited' to her husband, who visits America, to secure funds for the relief of the Belgian people. "Girl in the liinu," a Triangle comedy, the "History of tho War," and" the "Topical Budget" complete a very interesting programme.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A now programme was commenced at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday. The etar film ie a double love story, entitled "Because of a Woman." Noel Olavcring, the manager of a. mining company, learning of leakages in tltfs firm, disappears to draw BUBpicion from tho father of the girl he loves. Subsequently another member of the staff informs Noel that he is the guilty party. Before Noel's return to tho company the guilty one and Noel's girl are married. Tho husband soon tires of his wife, and flirts with a famous New York beauty. To put an end to this affair Noel seta out to -win the heart of the bcßnty, He succeeds, and finds that he really loves her—that she is the one girl for hid. Among the other filme are "PatheVJazefcte," "Red Triangle. Procession," and "The Floorwalkor." * The lastnamed features Charlie Ohaplin, who is still highly popular. ■ CROWN THEATRE. Hex Beach's great work, "The Auction Block," was shown lo a very bie attendance at the Orown Theatre on Saturday evening, while largo numbers hod to be refused admission. The picture is one of the first of'the Goldwyn productions, and is a masterpiece in every, sense of tho word. The picture was made under the direction of Jiex Beach himself, who also wrote the sub-titles.

"LOOK WHO'S HERE." A highly-eucceesful season of five weeks, during ivuieli time they played to large houses, was concluded on Saturday night by Jack' Waller's "Look Who'c Here" Co. Sir Joeeyli Wai-d took charge of the stage during one part <i the evening, an<l told the whole company what he aad the Wellington public generally thought of them. Jlc quickly assured them, however, that his busineee thers was purely to compliment them lay tho keen interest they had dieplayed in connection with the Red Triangle ca-inpaign, also to heartily thank them for tho oroditablo results they had achioved in collecting nearly' £W lor bo -worthy a,' cause. Hβ then presented the whole of the company with BuiUble proconts, •which thoughtful a«t brought forth loud applaußo from tho interested audience. Mr. Jack Waller, the performor-in-chief ot tho "Look Who's Here" Company, thanked Sir Joseph Ward, the Bed Trianglo Committee for their kind consideration, and assured, them that the sifts -would be greatly appreciated. He had, he said, (luring his career, received many kindnes6ee, but this pleasing function had easily eclipsed all previoue receptions. He stated that hie efforte would always bo to help our boys in distant lands, .and when he and his company returned to Wellington early in April, he promised to give a fvee performance to tho boys at Trentham Camp. From the commencement t'.ho ceremony had greatly intorestefl all .present, a-nd tho packed 'audience heartily showed their approval by cheering and singing, "For They are Jolly Good Fellows."

The company will present the "PaMing Show," a/xecond edition of "Look Who's Here," in the main provincial towns, oponing- at Wansranui to-night, and will return to Wellington on Wednesday. April 3, when a further ?l:ort season of twelve nißht» will lin nlayed in tho Concert Chamber, Town Hall.