ENrSRTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 68, 14 December 1918, Page 10

ENrSRTAINMENTS

KING'S TIIEA.TKE. A war picture which is stated to be surprisingly absorbing, quite upart from tho war interest, is the feature to be screened to-day at the King's Theatre. 11, is entitled "The Belgian," ami is a U.S. Inhibitors' release, wilh Walker Vi'hiteside and Valentine Grant respectively as the hero unci heroine. There is a beautiful love story woven through it, while the background is made up of a series of war incidents, which deal cfiielly with the epy system. Incidentally the picture reveals some of the ingenious devices which spies resort to. The scene opens in Belgium, where tho hero is a fisher lad with a genius for sculpture. He is discovered 'by art experts and goes to Paris, where lie forgets the sweetheart of his more humble days and gets into the toils of ;v woman f.'ho is a spy. Later he returns to Belgium, and "in the fighting ho is blinded. Then it is that hie little sweetheart nurses him, and he, unaware who his nurse is, dictates to her his lovo letter to the other woman. It is difficult to imagine any more pathetic situation, [low ho recovers his sight, finds out the other woman's treachery, and how his earlier love thus reawakens, is an idyllic romance. The settings are very fine.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The theme of the Select feature, "The Knife," to be screened to-day at Everybody's Theatre, is!a most unusual one, and it is said to be treated in u remarkable manner. Apart from -this, the picture has considerable interest'owing to the fact that it is the first production made by Alice Brady with her own company. It gives great opportunities for her fine acting. The story is that of a young and wealthy girl who has.all the superstitiousness of the Southern States, and who, while visiting her fiancee in New York, goes to consult a fortuneteller. The fortune-teller is in reality a white slave trader,' and the girl gets abducted. Her lover confirires to truce her, and at first is nearly distraught when he learns what had happened. His friends prevent him from killing <he two white slavers, who are the culprits, and he decides to take a terrible vengeance. He- is a doctor, and he suddenly realises that he can use them for experiments which will be of boundless benefit to humanity, and which, if it sacrifices their lives, will only be wreaking justice upon them. The situations provided are very dramatic, and the end is finely contrived. The dresses worn by Alice Brady are said to be a revelation.

EMPRESS THEATRE. "Efficiency Edgar's Courtship," an Mssanay drama, is the feature with which tho Empress Theatre will bo reopened 10-diiy. The story is described as a delightful tale of modern business methods adapted to love, and full of excited incidents and rollicking humour. Tho theattu has- been thoroughly renovated during the time it has been .closed.

"THE MESSIAH." The most inspired of musical compositions, "Tho Messiah," is also the most popular. More than any other work may it justly be described as "the music of t'\e future," for, after more than one hundred and seventy years, its preeminence is still unquestioned. On Saturday evening next, December 21, in tlie Town Hall, the Choral Union will produce it. Mr. Robert Parker will conduct a chorus and orchestra of 250, and Mr. H. Temple White will preside :\J the grand organ. The society has engaged a very strong cast, and the principals will now comprise Madame Bella Russell, of Auckland, soprano; Miss Mina Caldow, contralto; Mr. Sidney Butler, of Auckland, tenor; and Mr. John Prouso, bantone. The. box plan will open at the Bristol on Tuesday next. A full rehearsal for chorus and orchestra will bo held on TuesHnr, in St. Peter's Schoolroom,, and the final in the Town Hail. on Friday next, at 7.30.