ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 171, 9 April 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

$ GRAND OPERA HOUSE. < "Mr. Manhattan," now running at tlio Grand Opera House, is one of the brightest and moat sparkling productions mat has been staged in Wellington for some time. The music is attractive, and tlie piece gives several good artists excellent opportunities oi' distinguishing themsulvcs. To-morrow evening Wellington playgoers will be givon the opportunity of passing judgment on "Kaiinku," which will be staged here for the first time in Australasia. A full scenic lighting and dress reheareal was' conducted yesterday under the supervision of Mr. George A. Highland, who came out expressly from New l'ork to produce "Katinka." and a final rehearsal will happen to-day. "Kntiuka". waj described by critics in Sew York, where it neld the boards for three seasons, as a musical play of rare and lender beauty, as imaginative as it is romantic. The music is essentially picturesque, many numbers of the score will (it is anticipated) fasten themselves on to the popular ear. Apart from the charm of the music the libretto is claimed to be brilliantly clever, and there are many wholesome comedy suenes -which will give Mr. Phil 6mith fresh opportunities for creating humour. The character of Katinka will be sung and acted by Miss Gladys Moncrieff, and the voices of Miss Florence Young, Mr. Jack Halston, Jlr. Ho°-inald Roberts, and Miss Eve Webber will, it is said, bo heard to their fullest advantage in the niubic allotted their respective roles. The dancing, too, will prove a sp.ecial feature of the now opera.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATKE. Tho hrief bill submitted at Hie Majesty's Theatre last evening was contributed to by urtists who were, for the most part, well known to the army of Messrs. Fuller and Sons' patrons. One new act, wnicli was accorded a very hearty welcome, was a song and story novelty turn by Miss Maud Courtenay and Mr. C. The lady liae a masculine contralto voioe, and a sense of humour. When she sang about Sullivan, she looked as though she knew him—might have come from the same county. Mr. C, as he elects to be called, plays the piano, and rattled off in a breezy baritone some good stories, some of which were new, and others not perhaps so n,w. His racy style and clear enunciation made him popular. The pair sing comic duets, the one fault in which is their length; a rhyming duet was as many-versed as an Australian comic song of the '50's. "Bluffo" made the big audience laugh with alleged jugglery and I balancing. Bluffo now has among hia possessions the 60-mile gun that slielled Paris, which he fires whilst holding it in mid-air. The Tossing Tostros are back agaiu with precisely the sumo act as a month ago-top-hats, billiard cue 6, diningtable, and- rickshaw all complete. Lee, tho whip-cracker, and Bonita, who pings away with her Winchester riile at the little while discs, have also returned to show their skill in a good "sporting" turn. Ilickey and Rose sing and dance. The Three Carrs, juvenile- comedy vocalists, with a. bent for simple harmony, are also on t,ne bill, which concluded with- the balancing Ifarlems. ... , This evening the programme will be strengthened ,by the reappearance of Ward Lear, the experienced comiquo, and Raleigh and M'Donald, comedy sketch artists. o "THE PASSING SHOW." Mr. Jack Waller and his "Paesing Show" Revue Company are drawing well at the Concert Chamber. The show is bright and attractive. - The singing, tho instrumental music, the dancing, and humour arc all pleasing. A complete change of programme is announced for Thursday, and it will embrace novelties not previously seen in. Wellington, including Wylio Watson as the Egyptian Mummy, and new items by Fred Dennett and Gregory Ivanoff. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Crowded audiences are attending the Quceu's Theatre, Cuba Sti-cct, to witness Charles Dickens'e immortal work "A Talo of Two Cities." This picture will bo ehpwu throughout the week. The brilliant acting and the marvellous exactitude of detail according to book have been greatly commented. The crowd of Revolutionaries Biirgiug through tho streets of Paris during the Rcigu of Terror in 1789, is one of the most extraordinary crowds ever picturised. Their attack on the Bastilc is one of the culminating points of this film of great educational and historic -interest. William Farnum, in his doubling of the roles of Charles Darnuy and Sidney Oarton, has accomplished another wonderful success in his usual masterly stylo. XTNG'S .THEATKE. The .star attraction at the Kind's Theatre is a Triangle drama, ''Sudden Jim," featuring Charles Kay. By virtue of boundless pluck and after many bitter days, "Sudden Jim" finds both success and happiness with tho girl he loves. Supporting items include the eighth instalment of "The Neglected Wife," entitled "lielentless I'ate," also the Gaumout Graphic and other ■ interesting Heme. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Tho Grcll Mystery," a stirring detective dramai starring Earle Williams, is now screening at Everybody's Theatre. Two now Vitagraph actresses, Miriam Miles and Jean' Duma-r, make their appearance in this play. A side-splitting comedy, "Love and Blazes," Pathu Gazette, and oilier items of interest are also screened. EMFKESS THEATRE. In "Sally In Our Alley," now screening at tho Empress Theatre, tho settings are particularly striking, and much ingenuity has been exercised in pointing the contact Uctween the lives of the folks in the slums and those in the palatial homes of tho wealthy. The supporting cast is strong.