ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 164, 1 April 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. 'Die whole programme, with the exception of one "turn," at llis Majesty's Theatre on Saturday waß taken up with the staging of a revue by the Walter Johnson Company. There was standing room only at both the matinee and evening performances. The revue was entitled. "The Globe Trotters." The extension to a whole programme production of those musical' pieces seems a profitable move if the reception given the programme on Saturday is to be taken as a standard. "The Globe Trotters" is in two acts of three scenes. The second act bears no relation to the first, except that tho threo chief characters reappear to at onco turn from the original theme, ana leave it hanging in mid-air. It was all an orderly jumble of fun, occasional good jokes, singing, dancing, and elaborate dresses and Btage settings, the combination being very amusing and care-drown-ing. The first act concerncd two bogus detectives (Harry Burgess and Gus Franks) on the track of a stolen Indian goddess. The idoa gave the detectives ample scope for gagging. The musical numbers of the act. were very good, tho finale a setting for Miss Lola Hunt's 6ong, "Meet Me in Eose-time, Rosie," was beautiful. The second act was set in Ohina, in which the art of the scenepainter was worked to tho full. The action centred round a Ohiuese queen of a manless island, who was fond of husbands, but liked to change them often. Death by torture was her way of ridding herself of each husband as a more attractive one came along, and at times a little too much realism was introduced into tho scene. The thin thread of connection with Act I was the appearance of the former detectives, now seamen, who were stranded on the manless isle. Each in turn was forced to marry the ugly queen, and comicalities galore ensued to the entire satisfaction of the audience. Several tinkling songs of China were prettily sung, and songs of the sea by Harry Burgess brought forth rounds of laughter. The single act by tho Three Carrs, child siifgcrs and dancers of great charm, were encouragingly applauded. This afternoon at 2.30 a matinee will be held. KING'S THEATRE. At tho King's Theatre tliis week there is being screened a series of war pictures filmed on behalf of the British War Ollice. These pictures are being shown by arrangement with the Kow Zeuumt Government, which secured the film for exhibition throughout ibis country, a percentage of the proceeds being handed over to tho Sick and Wounded Soldiers' i'uud. Under ! tho general title of "The Hindenbiirg Ketreat," the film depicts that phase of ttio Somme battics known at the Battle of Arras. Tho spectator is taken by the camera man right through the country evacuated by tho Germans when tho enemy retreated in the spring of last year to,what was known as the Hindenburg Line. At tho moment these pictures have a twofold interest, for it is this very ground that has, during the last week or so, been tlie scene of fighting I that has been described as the most terrible in all history. After depicting the systematic yet wanton destruction wrought by tho onemy over a whole countryside, nnft the rapturous welcome accorded tho British troops by tho inhabitants of tho liberated French village', the camera man goes on to show the "real thing." In rapid succession aro shown the wonderful work of the engineers in building light railways, clearing rivers for the transportation of munitions' by toirgcs, clearing roada through heaps of debris that were once villages, and the hundred and one other tasks ooncerned with the smooth working of the lines of transport; of tho artillery— both light and heavy-in which are to be 6een one or two quite remarkable scenes, one in particular of several British batteries galloping into action under heap shellfiro; and finally of the fighting, in tho trenches. The soencß depicted in this section of the film \vill undoubtedly convey an idea of what the fighting man undergoes in the 'vay cf discomfort and 'hardship alone. Of particular interest was a scene depicting a daylight raid by tho South Africans and Gordons at tho famous Delville Wood, in which prisoners wcro secured. Again, tho now-famous tanks in action, and a concentration of 25.K10 cavalry in i'oadfne*a for the "push" were sccncß to "be remembered, as was the final scene of tho famous 29th Division, of GaJlipoli fame, coming out of tho lino for rest after doing their part nobly in the great fight. It is very evident that the camera man took great risks in order to. secure detail views. A descriptive lecture by a returned lieutenant accompanied the screoning, and was listened to with, much interest. In addition to tho war pictures t-horo aro tho seventh instalment of "The Neglected Wife," a -et of BairnEfathcr cartoons, and tho latest" Gazette. "THE PASSING SHOW." "Tho Passing Show," to bo introduced by Jaok Waller at the Town ilaH on Thursday, contains all tho elements of success of the previous ''Look Who's Here" attraction, plus many new ingredients. Mr. Waller liaß retained the services of all the old favourites, who, with Borne new faces, will be seen in completely new surroundings. During tho fivo weeks' season of tho "Look Who's Here" Company at tho Grand Opera House, the company sot a standard which 6hould to difficult to surpass. Notwithstanding this, tho management confidently maintain that "The Passing Show" completely overshadows an} thing previously presented here, the "Look Who's Here" presentation included. Special arrangoments have been made to enable the production to be i-taged in the same lavish manner as hitherto. The piano solos of Fred. Dennett, and the violin solos of Gregory Ivanoff, should havo added charm in a concert chamber. The company during its absence from Wellington has been diligently Tohearsing "The Passing Show" for its Wellington presentation, and a hearty welcome should await the members of Jack WaUer's popular combination. The prices of admission are popular, and the box plans of the reservations are at the Bris. tol, where seats may be booked from tomorrow morning. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Alimony," a National Exhibition drama, is the feature film showing at the Empress Theatre this week. It is a battle between lawyers, and is interesting throughout. A slight flirtation with Turner (George Fisher) leads Bernice Flint (Joscphiuo Whittell) to divorce her husband (Wallace Worsley), believing that Turner will marry her. burner, who is a millionaire, enjoys spending his money, and has not the slightest intention of marrying Bernice, who gets in league with Stone, an unscrupulous lawyer, and sets about to damage the happiness of the man who spurned her. When Turner meets Marjorie Lansing (Lois Wilson) her innocence and freshness appeal to him in a new way, and he asks lier to marry him and she accepts. Bernice and Stone then create a domestic upheaval between tho two, until their ultimate happiness seems a thing never to be attained. But tho the Turner's attorney proceeds to fathom the criminal actions of Bernice and Stone, and before long the clouds are away and the liappinoßS of the Turners is assured. "The History of the War," sixth chapter, and the "Topical Budget" complete an excellent programme. EYERYBODY'v? THEATRE. Holiday crowds attended all sessions at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday to seo the. new programme of pictures for this week. Tho star film is entitled "Chicken Oaoey," in which Dorothy Da.ltou appears as a, delightful ragamuffin. An extremely embarrassing moment for a rising young author (Charles Gunn) is depicted in "Chicken Casey."' He has written a book called "Waifs," which has proved extremely popular, and Mavis Marberry, an actress, wants him to dramatise the story and let her play the leading role, a character called Rags. The author admires Miss Marlerry's talents, but refuses to admit that she could fittingly portray Rags. Just to prove that he is wrong Mavis disguisjs herself as a real Rags of tho Blums, and contrives a meeting with the author. After she lias successfully deluded him through a series of amusing advcnt.ureß Bhe triumphantly reveals herself to him as Mavis srarb«rry. There is, of course, nothing for the young man to do but to capitulate, which be does with the best grace possible. There is a finely-woven love story in the picce. The other pictures include a Triangle comedy, entitled "Whose Baby " and the "Patho Gazette."