ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 177, 22 April 1919, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

"MAYTIME." 'l'lio Royal Comic Opera. Company j.avo two performances of the romantic play "Maytinie" in the Grand Opera- House yesterday. A matinee in the afternoon and Ihe evening performance wero both well attended. "Maytime" is a production that deserves the popularity it has won. It has the ..brightness and tunefulness of musical comedy with the romantic interest of a well-designed drama. Tho story begins in 1810, when the fortunes of the Van Znndt family are running high, and closes in l'Jl7, when the , granddaughter of the original heroine is ccnducling a dressmaking establishment on the grand scale in the old mansion. The grandchildren fulfil the happy promise that had belonged originally to tho earlier generation. A play covering so long a period gives unusual scope for elfectivo dressing, and the company has taken full advantage of tho opportunity. Tho mounting and staging, under the diic-ction of Mr. (.1. A. Highland, are particularly pleasing, and so aro tlie ballets and dances arranged and designed by' Miss Minnie Hooper. The burden ot interpretation falls chiefly upon Miss Gladys MoncrielT, as Ottille, who is maid, wife, grandmother, and maid again in successive acts; Mr. Reginald Roberts, who has corresponding transformations to oll'ect; and Mr. Leslio Holland, as Matthew Van Zandt, who flirts and D.arries throughout tilie 77 years covered by the play. Miss Florence Young and Mr. Phil Smith have lighter parts. The company is a strong one, and "May-' lime" is decidedly a play that should not be missed. Tho second production, lo be staged 011 Saturday evening, will be. the London Gaiety success, • "Oh! Oh!" Delphine"' which proved one of tlie most popular musical plays staged in Australia last year. 111 this, play Mr. Phil Smith will be seen in one of his funniest moods, and the singing members of tho company will have ample opportunities. The plans for "Oh! Oh! Delphine" will be opened at tlie Bristol to-morrow morning. KING'S THEATRE. Record business was done at both afternoon and evening sessions at the King's Theatre yesterday. The theatro was unable to accommodate anything like the number of the public who sought admission. The present bill is a particularly bright one, tho blending of pictures and music being-apparently exactly to the public taste. The admirable selection of pictures was enjoyed to the full, and the brilliant elforts of the special orchestra were a musical treat, while the singing of Signor Lucien Cesaront literally brought down the house. Ccsarotii was called on for a third encore, and gave the audience an ever popular number in "Tho Marsellaise." The star.item on the picture side of the entertainment was "The Better Half," in which the principal, parts are taken by Alice Brady and David Powell. Other films include another episode of "The Scarlet Runner"; a bright farce, "Gowns and Girls," and another instalment of "From Fairlie to Mt. Cook." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. All exciting study of cowboy life is '■given in "The Medicine Man," the special attraction in the' present programme at Everybody's Theatre. The leading role is "played bv Roy Stewart, whu makes the most of a strongly dramatic part, One of the outstanding features of tho story is an exciting' light between a slierilf and 0110 of Ihe conspirators. There are thrills in plenty in the drama ami also an appealing love story. The .eighth episode of "The House of Hate" and an interesting Patlie Gazette complete) the bill. All sessions- were crowded yesterday afternoon,and night. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Tho Appearance of Evil," which is showing at the Empress Theatre, is a most original film.- The star is the pupular actress .Tune Elvidgb, who plays the part of Mrs. Maida Brown, the heroine. f In this production Miss Elvidge wears some very fascinating dresses. There is a strong supporting programme. Mr. C. Melvin's singing of "The Long;. Long Trail" was greatly en-' joyed.