ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 173, 16 April 1919, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROYAL COMIC OPERA CO. Quoted as being tho most original musical play of the day, "May time," to bo presouted here by tue J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company at the Grand Opera House on Saturday next, is thus discussed by an Australian critic. "Maytiiue" is a. comedy of sensibilty. Tho episodes occur betwen 1810 and 1917. Youth and trust and love pass; human folly and vanity remain. Such is the story, of a play which follows tho fortunes of a family through three generations. Otille, daughted of Colonel van Zandt, loves and is loved by Richard Wayne, one of her father's apprentices. They are torn apart, vowing that their boy-and-girl passion will never die; but ho returns after years, to find her tho wretched victim of a marriage of convenience, lie weds another, and the interest in their romance departs, to be revived in that of their equivalents of later years. Obviously here everything depends on the creation of the required illusions—more particularly that of youth, since it is essentially a play of youth.. Miss Gladys'Moncrieff as Otille succeeds. There is something reserved about her style which makes her an ideal maiden of tho early Victorian period, and hor beautiful voice is woll adapted for the incidental numbers. Reginald Roberts is continually in the picture. Leslie Holland has most of the comedy "fat." His acting is always sound, and so is his sense of humour. The successive wives whom he introduces are excellent in their different lines—Addie Lennard as a languishing female in a orinoline; Beatrce MT.lwain as an enchanting little girl of the early 'eighties; and Florence Young radiantly comic as a virile wife of the dress improver period. Phil Smith, Olive Godwin, C. R. Bantock, Maio Baird, Sydney Stirling, and many others in a big cast do their work with elKcency, and the dressing is as interestingly accurate as anything that the firm has done. "Maytnie" is emembellished with some glorious music. The box plans for the first six nights, during which "Maytime" will bo played, are now open at the Bristol Piano Co. KING'S THEATRE. At the full orchestral matinee at the King's Theatre to-day "Tho Studio Girl" will hold pride of place, with 'Constance Talmadge as the star. Excellent supports aro "From Fairlio to Mount Cook," u New Zealand scenic, -which is really beautiful, the sixth episode of "The Scarlet Runner," an Earlo Williams serial, "The Iceman's Bride," a comedy in two reels, and a new Gazette. Mr. Herbert F. Wood will be heard in "A Ship that's Bound for Blighty" and "Here's to Love and Laughter." The King's Orchestra will play as an entr'acte Edward German's three dances from Henry VIII. Tho plan is at the Bristol, or reserved seats may be had by telephoning King's Theatre, 3143. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The Turn of the Wheel," the Goldwyn iiroduction screening this week at Everybody's Theatre, affords Geraldine Farrar splendid dramatic opportunities. It is a producton on when Goldwyn has lavished all the magnificence at its command, and holds the audience from start to finish. The supporting bill is a strong ono. EMPRESS THEATRE. : Kitty Gordon and Muriel Ostriohe aro the two leading players in the fascinating drama, "Tinsel." The story is exciting, and holds tho interest right through. Charlie Chaplin is seen in "Behind the Scenes," one of his most amusing comedies. The latest number of the Topical Budget contains interesting news. PROFESSOR BARRADEN. Professor Barradeu and his subjects provided amusement in plenty at tho Grand Opera House last evening. The principal attraction was tho hypnotic skating rink, which caused unrestraiued laughter. This evening Professor Barraden will conclude his Wellington season, when ho will placo a man into a cataleptic state, swing him on low chairs, and while the man is in this condition Professor Burraden will, with a 301b. hammer, break' a stone on the subject's chest.