ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 28 June 1919, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

RETURN OF. EOTAL COillC OPERA COMPANY. Tie J; C. Williamson Royal Comio Opera' Company, after concluding tin exceptionally successful tour of the South Island, will return to Wellington for. a short farewell season, opening at the Grand Opera House on Saturday next with "Katinka." This charming opera has 'been selected for the return of the. company by reason of the fact that on the occasion of its production during tho recent season of this universally popular company hundreds wero unable to obtain admission, so great was the public desiro to witness what is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and attractive of modem comio operas. The season will bo for nine,ni|;l]ts, "Katinlca" being played for the first three, to bo followed by "M'ytime," "Oh! Oh! Delphino!" and "lhs 'Pink 'Lady" for two nights each and in that order of sequence. The personnel of the company, which includes F'.orenco Young, Gladys Moncrieff, Olive Godwin, Reginald Roberts, Leslif Holland, and Phil Smith, will be the same as formerly, tho productions being staged exactly as in previous representations. The box' plans for the season will be opened at the Bristol on Thursday morning. "HEARTS 01? THE WORLD." ■ '-.At the King's Theatre, commencing at the matinee to-day at 2.15 and to-night at 7.15, the public will have a second op- ■ portunityof witnessing D. W. Griffith a famous spectacular motion picture drama, "Hearts of the World," which is said to have beaten the -records established by any previous picture wherever it has been shown. Local theatregoers will' Tecollect the interest caused here when the film was first presented at the Grand Opera House last January. Although "Hearts of the World" deals extensively with tho war, it is. the heart interest invested in what may l>e described as one of/tlio sweetest love stories ever told, which has been instrumental in making it greater. success , than ''Intolerance." It plays 'on all thei emotions. A feature of the production is the specially-written music and effects which will he played by the King's Orchestra. The plan is at the Bristol.- , :

EVERYBODY'S .THEATRE. Given '£he best obtainable in caste, story, direction, and production, the result is naturally-a perfect'whole, and in "The Cinderella' Man," which is < being 'shown 'rtt Everybody's Theatre,';this lact is evidenced. ■ Mae . Marsh and Torn Moore, George Tawcett and Alec Francis are a combination hard to beat, but add George Loane Tucker as director, and the vehicle the delightful : romance that met .with such universal success on the stage, and the result can be imagined. "The Cinderella Mail" lias a universal appeal of real, merit and charm to young and old, and is a most delightful sentimental comedy. Episode eighteen of the ''House of; fete" heads;; the supports, which are' a well-varied and interesting lot.

•EMPRESS THEATRE. An attractive programme will ho screened, at the Empress Theatre to-day, when the principal attraction will be a five-reel /Triangle production -entitled "The, Ghost Flower," featuring Alma Reubens arid' Francis Macdqnald. This is a. story of romance and intrigue, introducing the dark machinations of that body of terrorists the Caniorra. The scenes are laid in Italy, where the beautiful peasant girl Guilia itnds but littlo happiness with an unpleasant;parent./' She iloes from tyranny, and a person with, superior breadth of 60ul, a French poet and playwright, befriends her and introduces her to society as "The Ghost Flower.' Throughout the picture Alma Reubens ,is said to give ample evidence of her \yonderful /. dramatic ;apponl.', The story works upjto -a. fine dramatic .finish, In addition will: bo .'shown a most amusing Keystone comedy, "Fatty" and Mabel in "The Simple Life." An added attraction at the evening sessions will be 'The Ship That's Leaving Blighty,' to he sung by Mr. C. Melvia.

~ , PROFESSOR BARRADEN. ' The test chuilengo that was to have taken place m the Town-Hall to-night is not to take'pincc, but will como off Monday night at 8 o'clock in tho Grand Opera House. Quite a rush was made for. reserve seats at the Bristol yesterday morning, which indicates a big house, and the fact that Professor Barradens bona iide s , have been challenged by a well-known local resident in Mr. Carr, the Granjl Opera Houso on Monday night will, no doubt prove too small. Should Professor Barratlen fail to hypno■,tisc tho majority of (he men Mr. Carr wili bring forw'ard on Monday night, tho receipts will go to r the Returned Soldiers Association, per Mr. Carr. But if tho succeeds in hypnotising the majol-ity. of- the men ho is to take the receipts. -It is itlie intention of Professor Barraden, should ho succeed with these men, to . have .them do most ridiculous things, and this should "be funny to witness. One ' test Professor Barraden will present'if -successful will be the "Hypnotic Bath," said to be-a great laughterraiser.- Professor Barraden has had three seasons hero, and in all lias-shown twelvo nights) so he-has: amused many thousands in that time, and; on Monday night he will have an opportunity' to prove that i he correctly bills WiU6elf "tlio "world s greatest', hypnotist."' The box plan for Monday is now open at tho Bristol, and is : filliiig rapidly. Pation s who booked for the Town Hall can changc their seats on application to the Bristol after 1 p.m. to-day. The box plan for the remainder of tho day will be on -fiew at tho Bluebird, 107 Manners Street,, where the day sales' may bo had on-Monday-at .9 a.m. The box plan on Monday will : again be at . the Bristol. Professor Barraden explains; that the change from Saturday to, Monday night and . from the Town ;j&ll tov the Opera. House -was rendered 'necessary through the city authorities re-fusing-him the use of tho Town' Hall. He stated thut he :made preliminary arrangements for Ihe use 1 of the Town Hall-; :on aiondiiy; : and ;., framed v .Ms-' ad-' yeitiseinenfs accordingly; but it was only yesterday tliat..the authorities advised him that tho hall: would not be available.