ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 200, 19 May 1919, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KING'S THEATRE. Captain Itruce Bairnsfather has beea justly credited with making 'a wbole world laugh in the midst of the most terrible of all war?. This he has accomplished because he is the. possessor of a certain inimitable humour which he "unloads" per medium of tlirac more or less typical British soldiers-Old Bill, Our Bsrt, and Alf. The joys (and sorrows) of tliis now historic trio have already inspired a highly-successful stage production, named after ono of the most celebrated of the '.'Fragments"—"The ! Better 'Ole." This production has since ] been done into screen form by a British company, and was, shown at the King's Theatre on Saturday, under the management of Leo <!u Chateau's International Attractions." It may be well to explain that "The Better 'Ole" is by no means n, mere series of Bairn=fathor "jokes." In the philosophy of "The Three Musketeers," of course, lies the chief charm of the production, but there is as well quite an exciting story telling how the sagacity mid bravery of Old Bill foiled « German spy plot, and in addition saved a French army from destruction; how, too; tho wives and sweethearts of the Bills, Berts, , nnd Alfs did their share in the grout war by quietly and bravely "carrying on" nt home while their men were'fighting their battle in the mud of the Flanders trenches. The degree of success with > which the producers have caught tho Bairnsfather "atmosphere" is wonderful, such classics as "the dud shell," "Where did that one go to?" the eternal "plum and apple" (and the rum jar, too), Bert and his collection of "Kirchner" girls, and finally, when going on leave, "I wish they'd hold this old war in England;" being delineated in a. manner worthy of tho originals. The wlio'.e production was keenly' enjoyed by the large audience, and at the. termination of the screening , tiiern was quite an enthusiastic demonstration of approval. Prior to tho -screening of "The Better 'Olo" Mr. Rupert Meates sang "Up from Somerset." Other pictures on the "programme are episode 11 of "Tho Scarlet Hunner" and the latest Gazette. The excellent incidental music discoursed by 'the King's orchestra is comprised mainly of English melodies. The programme will be- screened every afternoon and evening this week. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Milestones," now showing at Everybody's Theatre, is a beautiful picture.. The drama is an adaptation for tho screen of the successful play by Arnold Bennett. Tii'e piece is historical and symbolical of the progress made during three generations, and incidentally is a scathing denunciation of English family pride which dues ' not stop at forcing , upon young men and women loveless marriages for tho sake of either posi-' tion or wealth. But obstinate pride and bigotry and English conservatism cannot etiiy the progress of the world, and this is clearly demonstrated in "Milestones," which is an all-British production, of ex-' ceptional merit. The staging and tho .photography are decidedly good, and equal to anything shown in foreign films. Tho dresses are correct and true in every detail to the period they represent. The twelfth episode of "The House of Hate" and the Pathe Gazette are the supporting films.

1 EMPRESS THEATRE. "Tlie Balcony of Death," an extremely fine production, and the first to be sent out from a French studio since the dosft of the war, was screened at the Empress Thentro op' Saturday, and will bo shown all this week. It is a clever society 'drama, full of exciting situations. Mdlle. Bachel Devirye, a young French. actress, is featured in the leading role. The story is an unusual one, and deals with a mother's neglect of her children. Th& mother is an inveterate gambler, beinß fond of cards and raceconTso .betting, and this provides scone for some elaborate settings. There afo some excellent 6cenes In the Casino at Monte Carlo, and the Longchamps racecourse with it? crowds ol smartly-dressed women,-the betting ana the excitement arc also excellent. . T IU3 scene alone is well worth seeing. Mdlle. Devirys has eomo emotional scenes, and does full justice to them. The supportms pictures are strong, and altogether the programme is one of the most attractive screened at the Empress Theatre for somo time. • During the screening of the dram;, the music provided is exceptionally good, and there is the added attraction in the singing by Mr. C. Itelvin of the popular song, "The Englishman's Home." ORGAN RECITAL. The organ recital given on Saturday evening by Mr. Bernard Page, city organist, comprised seven numbers that had evidently been selected with a view, to variety as well as quality. The opcuing piece was Handel's "Concerto in D Minor" (No. 10). Into this number (ho "Twelfth Concerto for Stringed Instruments" had been introduced to fill the space originally left in the score for improvisation by the great master. Hugo Anson's "Pensee," the following selection, wove in tender, melancholy music a subline image from Omar. A "Lento and Andantinoin 13 Plat" from Cesar Franck and Bach's .choral. "Have Pity Upon Me, 0 Lord God," preceded the Glazounov "Prelude and Fugue in D Major (Op. 93). The second part of the programino consisted of the "Third Movement from Schchwaswde" (Riinsky-lCohsn. koff), and the "Finale in B Flat" (Op. 21) of Cesar Franck. The magnificentlyordered struct lire, of the last-named work makes it one of Franck's noblest contributions to organ music.