ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 139, 7 March 1919, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH." The exceedingly funny American comedy, "Nothing- But tho Truth," was repeated in tho Grand Opera House last Bight by Mr. M. B. Figman and Iris company. There was a large audience, which enjoyed the play as keenly as preceding audiences had done. "Nothing But tho Truth" is to lie* presented for the lust time this evening. To-morrow evening and on Monday evening, for the last two nights of tho season, Mr. Kgman and his company will present for the first time in New Zealand the comedy "'The 1 Man on the Box," founded on the book of the same title by Harold M'Grath. Mr. Figman will appear in his 'original role of Bobby Warburton, in which he scored a very decided success in the United States. Mr. Figman will be seen in a part; in which he scored very heavily in America, The Chicago "Tribune," in a review, says:—"M. B. I'igmun, the star, and Grace Livingston Fiirniss, the dramatist, must be warmly congratulated on 'The Man on the Box.' Nothing better in the way of a play, no one funnier in the way of a comedian, nothing more artistic in the way of a production has been seen in Chicago ofr many years. The chief incidents of Mr. Harold MacGrath's book are very cleverly weaved into tho three acts, and all the chief characters are presented in a manner to be recognised, while the comedy, the tender and intense situations, are strongly built. Miss Furniss's dramatisation will rank as one of tho best hook plays of the last ten years. Likewise there is no question about "Mr. Figman. He can carry stellar honours with much better jrnce than half the socalled stars that como this way, and his work as Robert Warburton stamps him as a great comedian entitled to rank with any of tho present day." The box plans for the final nights'of the season are new open at the Bristol.

CHAPLIN AT THE KING'S THEATRE. To-nisrht will see the last screening at tin King's Theatre of "Desert Gold." For the cominE week, commencing with, a matinee on Saturday afternoon, there will be a triple attraction programme headed br Charlie Chaplin in "A Dog's Life," which is the first of his superfeatures to be released by the First National Exhibitors. This three-reeler contains a definite effective story thread,ed through with those inimitable laugh-ter-raising feats for which Chaplin is celebrated. The surprising thing in re- J Hard to it is said to te the freshness ond spontaneity of everything he does. His previous performance, splendid l though they were, are, it is claimed, dwarfed by this comedy: The feature-drama will 1)6 the Select production "Mrs. Leth'ngwell's Boots." which are charmingly and provokingly worn .by Constance 'i'almadge. TV picture, it is stated, it full of those delicate touches of humour which have made her famous, and is produced in the usual Select-tir?t-class style with a fine array of society dresses. In addition to the picture programme contributions will be given by Sapper Theo Trezise, who; served on Gallipoli, and was wounded, with the result that he was'sent to Blighty. On hie recovery he endeavoured to get to the front again, but. was medically rejected, whereupon ho accepted an engagement on the London stage. At the request, however, of General Richardson he cancelled this engagement in order to proceed to the firing-line and orcanise.- the. Kjwivas tlio_.N.ew Zealand Divisional entertainers were called. This body, as everyone knows, became famous, itnd Wellington will doubtless be only too irlad to have-an opportunity of hearing her clever "pon. in his humoresque of whimsicalities. Musical accompaniments, as usual, will be by the King's grand orchestra.

"SURRENDER 01". GERMAN FLEET" ■:•: .AT,-EMPRESS THEATRE. Seeing' a- well-known face ifliisli across tlw screen and a "close-up"• are two different things,. but .in the surrender ,of tho German Fleet, which is drawing crowded audiences at the .-[Empress Theatre. Admiral- •: Beatty poses for the camera-man,..and ~a', striking likeness is the result, .iliecscene,:takes place after the German 'Admiral, "and :his staff como aboard'this-Queui Elizabeth.' All details of the surrender are shown, and when one sees the dozens of U-boats coming in and being.'tied-'Up, each with bristling guns showing, it gives an idea of the enormous work the. Navy has had to do. Many views of our gallant. Bailors are, shown,.one scene being especially unique, where they are going aboard a Gorman pirate ship, with the scowling Hun sailors looking on. Every detail is shown. First, the big battleships coming in a single-Jino, and it.seems a pity that such fine-looking ships should be scrapped, as in some quarters proposed. The picture creates intense enthusiasm, there being much cheering at each screening. This picture will be screened again to-morrow,' Another attraction for to-morrow Ms "Neighbours," described ae a wonderful story with .the popular child-actress .Madge Evans in tho leading part. TOWN HALL PICTURES. To-morrow, at the matinee, Messrs. J. and N. Tait will-introduce to the public of Wellington, for-, the first screening, tho official British Admiralty film of the German Naval surrender, a picturisation of the historic surrender, consisting of fiye - 'tliouSand"feetfof film,, depicting .tife stirring incidents which happened on "The Day." Without firing a shot, tho German High Seas Fleet, having declined battle, eventually came" out from the Kiel Canal, and steamed to the rendezvous appointed by Admiral Sir David Beatty, and surrendered tamely, thereby dashing into oblivion the hope and ambitious pride "of the ex-Kaiser, who expected to seize the trident from Britain's hand. A large orchestra under Signor Truda will render specially arranged music, and Mr. H. F. Wood, the wellknown tenor, will sing appropriate solos. The box plan is reported to be rapidly filling at tho Bristol. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. 1 Mabel Normand will be seen for tho last time to-night at.Everybody's Theatre in "Joan of l'lattsburg!" The last will, oUo bo seen, of Charlie Chaplin- in "Shanghiiicd." A fine port Pathe mystery drama, "Tho.Hill Crest Mystery," starring Mrs. Vernon Castle, will head the new programme to be screened tomorrow. It is said to be a play with an original and unusual plot and a detective story of merit. Mrs. Vernon Castle, besides being one of tho finest exponents of the historic art in America is an allround athlete, and is one of the liestdressod and best-known women in America in this picture she is stated to do some very fine emotional acting, and the dressing and the general mounting are features of the film. Also to be shown will bo the second episode of "The House of Hute," "The Tiger's Eye."