ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 116, 10 February 1919, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BUSINESS BEFORE PLEASURE." Messrs. Adams and Waters, Miss Maggie Moore, and other members of J. C. AVillininson's "Business Before Pleasure" Company arrived iir Wellington on Saturday evening, and everything is in complete readiness for tho opening performance of-the aniusiiiu Hebrew comedy/ which begins its AVellington season at the Grand Opera House this evening. "Business Before Pleasure" lias, in Australia and New Zealand, eclipsud tho triumphs won by "Potash and Porlmutter." The position held by Messrs. Adams and AVaters in the estimation of London and New York theatrical managers) may be gauged by the-fact that they were both selected to create the characters of Abe Potash and Mawruss Perlmutlier when it was first staged in England nud America, and they played the parts continuonel}* for ever three years, liesides being born comedians, Messrs. Adams and AA'aters, it is said, possess a magnetic personality, - which places them on the best terms with tho'audience, and they are also actors of rare histrionic powers; consequently they are in the sentimental scenes just as effective as in the amusing situations. In "Business Before Pleasure,"'our old friends Abe and M.-vwrues have left the clothing trade, and have entered the film industry, and as in "Potash and Perlmutter," there is the same rapidity of utterance, the same hot arguments, and tho same amusing in which the escited partners were shouting each other down, and tho same alternations of wrangling and reconciliation. It is said that in Auckland recently this pieco caused quite a sensation. Owing to. the brevity of the season only six representations of "Business Before Pleasure" can be given. . The bos plans for the whole season are now on view at the Bristol. Early door tickets for stalls and galtsry may bo secured at Perry'a or at the doors this evening. MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON. The Williamson Musical Comedy Compur.y concluded one of.the best seasons in v'YiHngton on record on Saturday s/sßinjr, when "You're In Love" w/ss I ni-syed once more. The company will ;pi'.irn to Wellington in a few weeks' t;wt. . ,-■ o THE KING'S THEATRE. T» many picture-goers the name of ConTalmadge is a magnetic one. This no doubt bad something to do with the very liberal patronage experienced at both sessions at the King's Theatre on Saturday, when the new programme was I headed ■ by. the comedy-draina "Up the I lload with Sallie," tho said Sallie being ' portrayed by the star. Sallie is one of • . the many relatives of a wealthy but miserly old man—relatives who. (with the exception, of course, of Sallie) crowd round his death-bed hoping not so much for his recovery &s for remembrance in the will. The reading of the will discloses some novel provisions, chief of ■which provides for a legacy of oftOO dollars for each, the one making (iu the judgment of the widow, who was., by the way, his second wife) the best use of I the money to ultimately take the lot. This novel but interesting situation is very soon ended by tlie ingenuity of Sal-, lie, but not before she and her aunt experience many adventures. The chief of these is brought about through Sallie and her aunt being compelled to take shelter in an apparently tenantless house. AVhen they are comfortably settled down tho real owners turn up, and an amazing set of complications ensues, the unravelling of which incidentally provides some .really, excellent comedy; eventually, the problem of the disposal of the dead man's millions is solved in a most unexpected which involves the home-coming of the old man's only son, long since considered dead. Although in places loosely constructed, the story is nevertheless a highly entertaining one, being particularly strong on-the comedy side. Other pictures of interest include, the latest Gazette, "The Lancashire Fusiliers at the Front," an instalment of "The Fatal King," and an interesting scenic subject. The musisal programme' is of the'usual high' standard. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. - :.' "Tlie Business of Life," the chief attraction this week at Everybody's Theatre,'is an entrancing adaptatiou of tho sensational novel by Robert W.> Chambers, and the film, with Alice' Joyce as the star, discloses, all the high lights that mado the novel one of tho "best sellors." The etory centres round a young giirl and a man with whom scandal hag been busy. She marries him in spite of the warnings of her frientls..- One night •later ,sho surprises him with another man's wife. It is an intensely dramatic situation. Tho dressings and settings are particularly good. The programme include? a. Keystone comedy, "Her Torpedoed Lover," a topical feature, "The Egyptian Labour Contingent," and the Patno. Gazette. ■ • EMPRESS THEATRE.'... At ,the Empress Theatre this week the star film is a brilliant Triangle AVestern drama "Ashes of Hope," in.which Belle Bennett takes the leading role, and is supported :by Jack Livingston. The story has a powerful human interest, and the ' cabaret scenes are gorgeous in their settings. Belle Bennett has put her.' best work into this llraraa. and scores a great success. The supporting films include a decidedly humorous comedy and 'the Topical Budget with its record of various, world-wide incidents. THE COMPETITIONS. Much public interest" is being manifeetel in tho musical, elocutionary, and literary competitions promoted by the Wellington Competitions Society. These will open in the Tow;n Hall on Thursday,February 13. The number of .entries totals 1535, and there are 112 classes, covering contests hi elocution, music, singingj public speaking and debate, essay writing, and dancing. Eight championship gold medals will be awarded in the following sections: Elocution (ladies anil gentlemen, and.junior, boys and girls); piano championship (lady or gentleman); vocal , 'championship (-ladies and gentlemen); Highland dancing. A' v spepial gold medal will be presented foir the best performance of . sheantrubhaa. Tlie recitations cover a wide range, there being selections from Shakespeare, Thackeray, 0. AV. Holmes, AV'.E. Henley, Thomas Hood, Alfred Noyes, and other well-known poete.