ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 30 June 1919, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

RETURN 01? TllU ROYAL COMIC • OI'JJKA COMPANY. A return farewell season of nine nights is announced for the J. C. Williamson i'oval Comic Opera Company, commencing at the Grand Opera House on Saturday next. The success of this highly popular company on the occasion of tiieir last visit was such that the repertoire will be generally welcomed. The first attraction announced is "Katinka," which will be veil remembered as a particularly bright and harmonious work. So patently popular was -".LCatinka" when dono here by this company recently, that the theatre, was unable (o accommodate the crowds 1 ; ansious to see the piny. It is mainly to this end that the coming ' season was projected. Miss Gladys MoncricfF, has certainly, to date done nothing quite so artistic as '"Katinka." Ivan Dimitri shows Mr. Reginald Roberts o(f to ppecial advantage. Mr. John Ralston is Boris. Rtrogoff to the life, while the Thaddeus T. Hopper of Mr. Phil Smith is joy to behold. Another fine performance is that of Miss Florence Young us Mrs. Hopper. The solo dancing is safe, in the. hands of Miss Jtaio Baird and M.r. Robert Mackinnon, and the many ballets and ensembles are always beautiful and artistic. "Katinka" will be played for the first three nights of the season, and will be followed by "Maytime," "Oh, Oh, Delphine," and "The Pink .Lady," each of which will be played for two nights each. The box plans for the season will be opened at the Bristol on Thursday.

KING'S THEATRE. Under arraugeinent with J. C. William, son, Ltd.', the D. W. Griffith feature picture "Hearts of the World" is being screened at the King's Theatre this week. Considering that this picture has already been exhibited with great 6uccesa throughout New Zealand, the crowded attendances at both sessions at the King's on Saturday were .a further striking tribute to (he merits of the picture itself -as well as proof—if such wore needed—of the magic attaching to the. name of D. Griffith. "Hearts of the World" has already been fully described. It was produced and screened in Europe and America, low? before.the signing of the armistice, and is in reality a wonderfuljy effective piece of Allied propaganda. While engaged in producing the picture Mr. Griffith was granted exceptional facilities by the British Government in order to study war conditions at first hand, and,the result was a photoplay whose appeal to large-hearted humanity is certain—not. only during the, wur period but at any time and at any place. The picture primarily exposes the atrocious methods of the Hun and.illustrates the marvellous war effort of the Allies; it depicts, too, the untold sufferings endured by the civilian population in Prance, and the bravery, fortitude, and fidelity, of French women and children. Around all this there is built an engrossing storv ,of love and heroism which is enacted by such capable artists as LiGian and Dorothy Gish, Robert Harron, and a wonderfully clever child actor, Ben Alexander, who are supported by over aso ore of capable oeople. View, ed from any-point of view, the picture is a wonderful one. Many of the war scenes are uniquo, and no doubt during the coming week many who have'already seen "Hearts of, tho World" as well as those who have not will pay tho King's a visit. Not the, least remarkable feature, of the screening, is the incidental music, which it is understood was arranged by the producer. This was capably rendered on Saturday by the King's orchestra, whose work was equal to that of the special orchestra which accompanied the picture originally. "Hearts of the World" will be screened nightly tliroußliout the week as weJl as on Wednesday afternoon. EVERYBODY'S THEATER. For, the change of bill at Everybody's Theatre" on Saturday the Goldwyn feature, "The Cinderella Man," starring. Mae Marsh and Tom Moore, was selected. The picture is known to tho play-going public of Wellington, having been played here ten months ago bv 'Kathlene MncDonell and Charles Waldron. The phototograpliy, acting, and mounting in' the picture version'of this story are all that could be desired.-'' The story-is. briefly this:' Marjovie Catver (Mao Marsh) avrives home after being reared abroad. Her father is not pleased at his daughter's arrival homeland he endeavours to have her married to the first fortunehunting person to arrive. But he ooes not have things;all his own way. Marjorie throujh throe of her'' father s friends, does a good turn ; for a poet (played by Tom Moore), who lives in tho attic iiex't "door, without the poet knowing who his was. But one day she is caught •by . the poet, i lid a friendship springs up, which. gradually ripens into love. -From this on everything, runs as it should. . The pioture is easily one of the best screened at the theatre for some time. -Other items of the programme are. a Pathe Gazette; a laughable. Triangle comedy, . and . the eighteenth episode of the "House of Hate," in which it can be seen'that the villain is rapidly coining to the end of liis tether. ■ . ■ EMPRESS THEATRE. A story of romance and. intrigue, disclosing 1 the operations of the principal Italian secret societies, is unfolded in .the five-reel Triangle drama entitled "The Ghost Flower;"-now being screened at the Empress Theatre. Guilia, a-beau-tiful Italian, peasant - girl, finds little happiness living with a morose and unpleasant parent. • She- leaves her homo with its unhappy surroundings, and is befriended by a 1 French poet and play-wright-with lofty ideals, who introduces her to society as "The Ghost Flower. The transition 'from the Italian underworld to the gayness and brilliance of French society is emphasised, and _the scenes'are exceedingly, good. Alma Reubens takes the.leading role,, and Rives a finished representation of a very difficult character. Her beauty and personality are particularly suited to the Italian, role. Francis Macdonald and .Dick Rosson are also in the cast. A Keystone, comedy, "Fatty and Mabel-in the Simple Life, is the supporting picture,, and Fatty irbuckle provides excellent, comedy. Mr. C. Melvin sings "The Ship That's Leaving Blighty."... I

DIGGER DIVISIONAL PIERROTS,

The above talented'company is opening in the Grand Opera Houses for a sea--son of two • nights, commencing next Thursday, prior - to touring the,, chief centres of the Dominion. They have made a .great name not only with the troops of Britain, Franco, and America, but the public also of these countriw, for whom they have played for charity. They have brightened up many hospitals where our soldiers have been lynig, 11 ud now before demobilisation arc, playing their final -tour, the company being the only one of original strength of the ihree divisional troupes, the others having been disbanded. "The Watch on the Rhine," the soldiers' newspaper at Cologne, says"The • Diggers had their usual crowded houso at the Grosso Coin iast night,,when they submitted a cmtiige of programme, l-'or two hours they entertained us in a manner which took us right back to London, and the audience rose spontaneously at the close and vociferously cheered tho Pierrots." A Scottish paper, in. a paragraph headed "New Zealand Will Be There," says: "After her footballers beating iu succvjsion British, French, and Welsh teams, comes the news that the men from "down' under"' have brilliantly won the boat race in Paris. Last night's performance by the "Diggers'" Concert Party made one rather wonder if there is any limitation to the exploits of the men from onr small colony. Their great reception last night was well deserved."

I • PROFESSOR BAKRADEN. At the Grand Opera House to-night at I 8 o'clock Professor Barraden will havo | an opportunity of proving his rbility us [a hypnotist. He has been challenged ! bv ii local resident, and should he fail

to hypnotise Hie majority of the men that the challenger will wing forward, the proceeds of tlie night are to go to the Returned Soldiers' Association. Considerable interest is being caused by tonight's test, and a packed house is anticipated. Professor Barraden lias uplioared here several times, and is well known. 110 states that he feels very confident, and says that if given a fair trial he will suewed in to-night's test. The box plan is now open at the Bristol; There is no booking fee, and patrons are advised to book. The day sales may be had at the Bluebird, 107 Manners Street, from 9 o'olock this momms.