ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 159, 25 March 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There appears io be no lestiuiiinj? of tho popularity of tho one-act musicai ruvues wiilcn. have been lately preecntoa ou the local vaudeville suige by various companies. At His ilajesty s Theatre on Saturday Walter Johnson presented his company in another revue to crowded audiences at the matinee and at the evening; performance. This week the piece is

"Tuo Kissing Maid." Tho characters play their pa.rtß in this lauffhabie comedy to get all the laughs there arc in the piece, aud genonUly they pvi'ceed. Hiss Lola Hunt is tho Kissing Maid, who forsweare flirting for the more serious business of marriage, and it, is the last kisses lor a number of old admirers tint cause the trouble, which, however, brings forth over mi hour's good entertainment. A feature of the revue iB the number ol novelties that are contained in it. Besides artistic dresses and harmonious stage settings, one of the beat hits is a burlesque on a moving picture man, end in this there appear several notable picture actrosees. Another U ti midnight cabaret scene, and this is really a beautiful piece of work. The musical number* contain one or two catchy songs. Mies I.ola Hunt scores particularly with. "Gome Alonsr AH You men" and "Orange Blossoms in Lovcland/' Harry Burges-j r. ade a hit with "On <ho Bnnlevard."

The vaudeville part o f the programme ■will be changed at to-night's performance. Foremost anions t'i» newcomers am The Three Carrs.. described a« clever children, ■who .appear in a dirnning and 'sin?ins: f-necinlty. Miss Tenia Bain will (rive five nw fantastical and national dane"?. 'J" , "; Hirlemp. °en a ntional .virobats Mid wiiiiij. h-icts. -«-iii jiif o TMVDnenr. "The Isisshi , * Faifl" will be presented until the end of the week. .

THE KING'S TftrATOE. The Rex Beach masterpiece, "The Auction Block," ran to the end of the terra that was originally intended for it on Friday night, but so well ha>. the feature film been received by the public that the managemeut of the theatre decided to extend the season a few nights. "The Auction Blocli" is a -.ociety drama which purports to Bhow up the temptations against which society girls have to guard. The ■acting, as is frequently the' case in big picture dramas, is first-class, and tho sot ting is luxurious.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A story ol the turf, "They ru Otf," by the Trian&lo Company, in which Enid Bennett is featured, is the main attraction on tho new bill at Everybody's Theatre. Tho action ib set in the Southern State of Kentucky, when), in tho openint! sceneo. Iβ depicted young Mannere iii the beautiful home of his fathers, "Southlands," from which lie manages his patrimony—a tobacco-growing estatu. One day a wealthy Northerner and his uroity young dauchtcr ltita (Enid Bennett), while on a motoring tour, puss the Manners estate. Tho lather and daughter aro charmed with the beautiful old place, and decide that they must own it. The father, on asking Manners to put a price on "Southlands," is politely informed that the estate ia not for sale—at any price. The calculatiiij; Northerner cann<jt -understand the sentimental att/ichmont young Manners hao for his home, but this attachment on the part, of tho owner only mal'Cß the Northerner tho keener to .possess it. This lie eventually succeeds in doing, but by means which, although within the law, can only be termed as plainly dishoneßt. When Kita discovers the truth shp resolves that "SoTitWands" shell, at whatever cost, revert to its rightful owner. How this Is bronchi about involves n, pretty love story, .in oxcltinE ?teeplcchni-e event (in which Hip heroine rides the winner lo victory), aid the,winning over of a hitherto In. tractable fatW H in nil briuhtly told, Hie rncinj wenes 1-c'mr psjicnwlly attractive, while, there is enough of the pl»F\ent. if rrmnnro to make the ivholo a T>letiiro full nf cb-irm froi" l.cgrnnincr (r> end. The HBiial fflnni-Hmr fllme make up a firstcliws entertainment.

EiIPBBSS THEATRE. Tho star film at the Empress Theatre this ivoak Is a World drame, entitled "The Volunteer," which features Midge Evans. The story briefly is that Mf.flse's fatner enlirttb tor unrvice in France, and her luolher joiuh the lied Grose. The child i'e. titlion from her etudio svork to go %o \'i?A mother's parents. The littlo Ftudio rtar finds life etrango in tho cold aUao phere of a Quaker home, and cannot accustom herself to the now conditions. Thon her last picture ie annoiw , -!-! »t the locil theatre. Her grandparents steal into tho tbratre. and Madje herself walks four miles to attend the performance. The nichir,.! softens the stern heart nf her grandtatlier. and in the end he not only countenances liL son's enlißtmont, but fclra frrglvcs Jlo'lire's mother for marrying outsulft the faith. It is a eitnplp, touching littlo story that will appeal to picturepatrons. Tl'.o cotnfdy picture is entitled "Brave Little Waldo," and 's nlvuidly funny T'.v fifth chapter of '.he 'History of tlio Wnr" and the Topical Budget provide excellent pictures of current events.

"THE BED WIDOW." The J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera season will open at Ulc Grand House on Saturday. The season is ior thirteen nights, during which will bo pro. sented three light ouoras, entirely new here. The opening attraction ie "Tlie Red Widow," a musical play in three acta. It is maintained that the authorß, Messrs. Channing Pollock aad Eennold Wolf, nave written an exceptionally clever book, while the music, which iE'froin the pen of Charles J. Gebest, is claimed to be a deal in advance of that usually met with in comic opera. The plot is said to be both racy and novel and rune oil highly interestinft lines, its' humour being heightened by a- series of intensely ludicrous eituatione. Of the beauty and variety or the music report speaks Jiighly. The composer has risen to the occasion, with the result that the piece ie replfto with bright and inspiriting numbers, many of which, it is anticipated, will prove of abundant pleaeuro to the public. Tho music lilta and trips in a moat alluring manner. To all appearance the play wIH be stromjly cast. With sSch names on tho programme as Mr. Phil Smith, Mr. Reginald Roberts, Mr. John Ralrtou, Mr, Oliver Peacoclt, and Hisnes Gladys Moncrieff. Florrie Allen, Grao.ie Lavers, and Florence Toun<!. the success of any musical play nhonld bn aspired:' Thf Inoalc of the corocdy ia Sussln. "The Hod Wi-iow" will bf played fr>r Mn first four nifriits of the seapon. nnd will he follow»fl bv n new muFioal farcical comedy. "Mr. Manhattnn." Tl'e box pl.ini for the first pjght niirhts ifiH be o.poned at. T.he Bristol to-morrow morninjr at 3 a'clook.

SCWG REOTTAL. Mr. Fred Collier, the Melbourne baritone, who is to give a song recital in the Concert Chamber on Wednesday eveaiu?, has a fine reputation as ballad and oratorio vocalist in Australia. Out of fourteen concerts arranged by Messrs. J. and N. Tait last season. Mr. Collier was engaged for twelve, fie also supported Madame Melba on ECTeral occasions, on one occasion playing Mcphistopheles to her Marguerite in the final act of "Fauet" in Melbourne, and he has appeared under J. 0. Williamson, Ltd.'s, management on several occasions. Hi? wife (Mise Elsy Treweek) ie well known to concert-goers in Wellington as a soprano of some distinction. At his reeital Mr. Collier will sing the Prologue from "I Pagliacci," "Eri Tu" (from "tJn Ballo in Ltaschera"), the ''Cowboy Ballads" of Liza Lchmann, and other songs new to Wellington ears. TTe will be assisted by Mr. Harold Whittle, Mr. Frank .Tohnstone, and Mlsb Teresa }.['Enroe, The box plan is at the Bristol.