ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 170, 8 April 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"MR. MANHATTAN." The American musical comedy success, "iU'. JUuihattau," drew another verv large audience to . the Grand Opera, House on Saturday night. The GovernorUeueral and a Uovermnent House party were among those prc-e'eni. The breezy production, interpreted excellently by the members of the Itoyul Comic Opera Company, was cujoyad lieartiiy. The manligament has decided, as a result of tiio Buccoss of the piece, to produco it again 10-itonw ovening. On Wednesday tnc company will appear in the new musical comedy, •'Katinka," which has not yet been soeu in Außtralasia. This-play, which has a record ol brilliant success on tho other side of t.!i« world, has been in active rehearsal m Wellington under the direction of :.bo well-known producer, ill-, George A. Highland. "Katinlia" waß originally to bo staged last Hunter Saturday at His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, but Ihc remarkable success enjoyed by "The Bing Boys" made this impossible. It is, however, to be presented in both Sydney and Melbourne at the termination of the present tour by exactly the ianie cast which will be seen in it here on Wednesday. Evtwy artist has been specially engaged acooiding to his or her special ability to interpret and sing each character, and no expense has been spared in obtaining everything that will help the atmosphere of the numerous picturesque settings. The music of "Katinka" is, it is 6aid, above the average, tho story is very interesting, there aro numerous excellent opportunities for the comedians, and the dancing will be a feature of the productionj Another feature will be the dressing, on which, a large sum has been expended. It waß at first intended to begin the present season with "Katinka," but the management afterwards decided to more thoroughly rehearse it, but it will bo the opening piece in the other centres of the Dominion The plani arc now open at the Brißtol. "THE PASSING SHOW." The Jack Waller Company of musicians and comedians appearing in tho light revue entertainment, "Tho Passing Show," in the Concert Chamber at the Town Hall -presented their attractive programme again on Saturday evening to an appreciative andience. The new entertainment is not unlike the others in which this versatile combination have appeared, but it is different in detail, and those who enjoyed "Look Who's Here" will like, this show just as ,woll. There is much fun and good mnsfc in the programme, and as Mr. Waller's people know something about making fun and music either separately or together the entertainment they offer on this occasion is an ciccllent one.

'• HIS MAJESTT'S THEATRE. The season of tho Johnson Ecvuc having concluded, a Reversion to straight-out vaudeville will be made by Messrs. Fuller at His Majesty's Theatre to-night. Among the newcomers to appear this evening will be Miss Maud Courtney and Mr. "C," who will provide what is said to be a most divejting melange of sour; and humour. Another feature, but ri a different calibre, will be fnrnishfd- by the "Two Merry Maxims," described ,\s Jolly Juvenile Dancers, whose offering is said to. be of a novel nature, and who will appear for the first time in New Ztalinc!. Equal standing is claimed for Upside Down Wright, another newcomer whose speciality is the performance of a number of thrilling feats whilst, standing on his head upon a slack wire. The Three Carrs have been retained, and will render fresh songs and dances. The new programme will be staged for six nights, and the usual weokly matinee will bo given on Saturday at 2.30.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. ' Dickens's "Tale of Two Cities" is readily conceded by all to be one of the most fascinating of the brilliant scries of novels which made the author loved and famed throughout the world. Whilst conceiving a strong pulsating plot, tho author gives a gallery of stirring dramatic pictures of the French Revolution— pictures which show in bold silhouette all the shuddering horrors of that bloodmaddened period, and show at tho. same time the relationship which existed between the peoples of London and Paris in the days of terror. Tho super-featuro Fox film, which has been adapted from the novel, and which was screened for tho first time in Wellington before crowded houses at tho Queen's Theatre, Cuba Street, on Saturday, is a revelation in photo-play production. It was, evident that tho work of compression was tho result of much thought and careful analysis of the story, and tho interest I which pulsates'through the novel is adi mirably sustained and nuickcucd into life 1 by acting of a high order ofunerit. The dual roles of Sidney Carton and Charles Darnay are'entrusted to Mr. Wm. Farnum, wlioso'duplicatory impersonation is a fine bit of clever mummery. Whilst the likeness between the two men is always there, subtle mannerisms and tricks of expression convey the difference between the scion of the hated Kvreinont race and the great-hearted dissolute lawyer, who ultimately gives his life on tho reeking guillotine to save that of the husband ofMhe woman he loves. It is very evident in every scene that the producer, Mr. Frank Lloyd, has made the most careful study of the story, for every essential detail has been most carefully attended to, from the scenes in Tellson's Bank (in London and Paris) to those depicting the grim Bastille, the revolutionary courts, and the scenes at the I guillotine, with the eager crowdß waiting i to count the headß of the hated "aristos" j as they fall into the basket below the | awful knife. The picture is superbly acted all round, but the fine dramatic work of Wm. Farnuni as Carton and | Darnay and Miss Jewell Carmen as Lucie I have an artistic interest quite out of the ordinary. "A Tale of Two Cities" will be screened, afternoon and evening, throughout the week. THE KING'S THEATRE. Oharleß Ray, one of the Triangle Company's leading men, has gaiueu popularity with picture lovers chiefly because he possesses a certain, and precious gill of quiet, unobtrusive, yet wholly etiuotivo numour. The latest release in which this actor appears, "Sudden Jiui," being screened at the King's Theatre this week, gives him ample opportunity to use his most telling "punch." The story relates how the apparently useless son of a wealthy man can, ylien "iip against it," make good as a business manager as well as proving himself a real man in the broader Bense. "Sudden Jim," son of "Clothes-peg Jjmmy" (a successful manufacturer of those insignificant yet necessary articles in use on washing days) is suddenly called upon to take charge of his father's manufacturing concern. This he proceeds to do in real earnest. But he has his troublcß. These have their origin with the unscrupulous president of a lumber concern who wishes to get Jimmy's business under his control. To complicate matters, Jimmy is dependent upon his rival for the supply of certaiu raw material. When the supply is stopped and he is threatened with ruin' Jimmy in truly Western fashion takes the law in his own hands and proceeds to safeguard his interests. This involves the capturing of an entire lumber camp and its plant; a truly realistic fight ensues in which the employees of the rival firms participate. However in the eud Jimmy wins through, commandeers the necessary raw materials, which he conveys to his mill by means of a commandeered train, and thus averts the threatened ruin. A love story gives added interest lo an already interesting picture. "The Neglected Wife". has reached its eighth instalment, which brings tho fortunes of the principals to an interesting' stage. A picture of particular interest, is one depicting the visit of Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward to the Western front. The lateet Gazette is also on the bill. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A powerful Vita, drama, entitled "The Grell Mystery," J'iarie \i.!liiaja:», is the star lilm showing at Every tudys Tihea-tre this week. Eileen Meredith, is in ! lovo with Robert Grell. liobcrt has a 1 double in • .Hurry tiuldenberg, who, id a well-known blaekmaiicr. Lula, tJw wife of Goldenberg, tries to protect Orel; from her hußband, who goes to Greli'e koii=e to colloct blackmail. Lola folioivs raid stabs Goldenberg to death tircil Uobe, and Goldenberg'a body is mistaken for i that of G'roli. Immediately after tho! murder Eileonv. Meredith enters the th'eli|i home and seeing the dagger picks it v,p. i leaving finger-prints on the handle, f;x>ni which clue the detective lEnrJe Williams) arrives at the conclusion that she is tho murderess. Suspicion also falls upon Ivan, who was Grell's servant . but in the end Lola confesses. Grell who 'nun been in hiding, is found, ard all ends happily. "Love and Blazes'' is a laughter-provoking comedy, which, with tlit- i'athe Gazette makes up a very excellent programme. EMPRESS THEATRE. A well-known mug provides the title for tho World i'ilra drama, "Sally in Our Alley," now showing at the Empress Theatre, and in which Muriel Ostrichc as Sally doos extremely good work. Sally M'Gill lives in P'glail Allay, mid works in a factory. Sho is rather pretty and has always dreamt ol attaining a higher and liner position. Through meeting with a philanthropic woman Sally gets to be near people whose lives are spent in caso and luxury, and °»lly makes an impression on tho heart of a young and rich society man. The love affair is rudely cut Bhort through the jealousy of a society girl who is in lovo with the hero The mooting of Sally and tae priuco of her dreams, and the happy en.iing to -their fight for happiness, make a fascinating romance. Tho problem of tho play is: Can a girl born of drunken parents in iVin Blumß of a big city nio to a state

ot womanhood where she will bo recognised by nojicly? There are many wonderful child actors in the throng. The Wheels of Won," a, Triangle comedy, ' History of the War," seventh scries, and the Topical midget, complete a very rood programme. '