ENTERTAINMENTS
GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Again last-evening tho-delightful comedy "Daddies," featuring Miss Ernita :Lascello? in the title role, was presented before a largo audicnce at the Grand Opera House. The last production is announced for to-night, but this afternoon there ■ will be a special matinee performance. KING'S THEATRE. There was something to' please all tastes in the change of programme put on at the King's Theatre last evening. At the lung's variety is always the kev. note, and this was especially marked last night. The programme, which began with the "Educational Review," included a notable Ennnio Ward, production, "The Cry of the Weak," in addition to an excellent "Gazette," a rollicking ■ comedy, ami >i most, acceptable scenic film. The new bill also signalised a very welcome reappearance of Mrs. J. F. Woodward, the accomplished Wellington soprano. Besides these attractions, thero was tho usual splendid musical programme contributed by the King's orchestra of ten Their repertoire, which was well selected, included three dances from "Nell Gwyn," and some first-class incidental music. "The Cry of tho Weak" was a very dramatic story in which Fannie Ward's great powers as an emotional actress/had full sway. Briefly, it. was a clever exposition of the arguments advanced by the scliqol of thought who contend "that one half of the crimes committed to-day are really vengeance ,ag»inst the harshness of society." _ Tho p figures iji this drama with a moral were a judge, a prosecuting attorney and his wife, and a cracksman. The lives of all four were momentously entwined with each other to the end that proof be Dot wanting for the theory that "every man will , turn lip trumps if ho has but a fair chance." For the rest, there was intensified action in every part of "The Cry of tho Weak," ths scenes never lagging. Mrs. Woodward was accorded a very enthusiastic reception. Her three numbers were "Happy Song," "April' Morn," and "Ave Maria." As an encore 6ho gave "On Miami Shore," which was very loudly applauded. ' EMPRESS-THEATRE. Another fine programme was submitted at tho Empress Theatre last night, when a special attraction by the World Film Company was shown'; Montague .Love figured in the natno part as "The Rough Neck," with Barbara Castleton as co-star. -"The Rough Ncck" is a remarkable story of the big lumber camp:and is written by H. 0. Hoyt. Tho opening scenes show Montagno Lov? as the big manly boss of a timber mill, who is never happy unless he is fighting. During one of these_ fights he meets the young lady who is the tous* I of his losing his.heaTt, but she loves another, and hates the big lumber.king. Montague gets n message from his father in tho city to come and take his place which he decides to do. : Meeting his lady-love again, lis forces her to marry him, as he knows the man she is engaged to is a rogue. His wife tlieh conspires to npset her marriage ?but is prevented by being carried away to the timber country, where she lives in ths primitive, state, cooking and washing for the husband sho hates:' The city crooks get busy again, and organise it gang to go out and get tho girl, and tho dangerous papers lier husband has, which gives him power over the girl. liero is seen one of , the greatest fights »cver put up-by ono'man against overwhelming odds, but Montaguo _ Love beats the whole gang, and it;is then flint his wife realises that she has married ft real man! The ninth chapter of tho serial, "The Man of Might," is continued this week, with William Duncan: featuring in "The Crashing Horror." The usual interesting garottes are also on tho bill. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Pathos is the keynote of 1 "In the Gleaming," the picture which heads tho new programme at Everybody's Theatre. The pictnt'o possesses many features' of ■merit, not;the least being the. fact.that -it is billed as an English -The-leading rolo is taken-by -tho wellknown actress; Violet H6pson, who has an exceedingly diliicult part to fill, 1 but she accomplishes her work without blemish of any kind. Sho is ably supported by Jack Jannan, w'ho is an actor of no mean versatility. The story is founded on tho famous song, and it reveals thO' -.tragedy that can enter.into the lives' of any two human beings "when misunderstandings arise. With startling suddenness a sweet love themo is turned into one longi series of sadness. Husband and wife are parted, and'.believing herself to be a widow, tho .woman marries again, and: : just when it seems that sho has stepped across the threshold of happiness, stern Fate intervenes, and two lives-are blighted—but only temporarily. ' Not until a human : life is sacrificed- do tho man and the woman meet a»ain, but then all as made plain, and it is apparent that 1 the clouds of sorrow '"have lifted. The picturo contains many striking and'tense episodes, and some of tho sea scenes are really beautiful. The most stirring-event is a deadly, -but nneven,' duel, fought; in the mountains, in which one of those who have been responsible for some of the shadows of 1111happiness meets 'his end. Clear photography and brilliant staging l enhance.the general attractiveness of the film. Tiio supporting items include an exceedingly interesting Pathe Gazette, a clever comedy, and a very fine scenic subject. Appropriate orchestral items assist in male-' ing up a very interesting entertainment. >. . "LIGHTXIN.'" , The bo.x plans for tho first six nights of ''Lightnin'" will 'be opened at the Bristol on Monday morning! An Aus-' tralian critic describing "Lightnin'" says:'"Lightnin' Bill" Jones, an amiable old fellow, likes to drink and to tell tall stories, and is'disinclined to work. To keep the pot boiling his-struggling wife opens an hotel, for summer board-; ere. ,'Eor some tinio no boarders arrive, but suddenly:there is . a great rush. . 'The reason proves to bo that' one-half of tho hotel is situated' in Nevada and the other half in California. Women' ' who. wish . to .'obtain a -divorce at-the notorious Reno Court can fulfil the condition of residing for 6ix months in Nevada,, while their friends are ■'under the impression that they are enjoying a health holiday in California. But' tho' value. of the hotel site in other ways is discovered by two schemers,Raymond Thomas' and ■ Everett Hammond. They persuade Mrs. Jones tlmt sho' should accept worthless stock in their company in payment for tho place. It is her property, but the consent of her husband is desirable. Warned by John Marvin, whose dead mother .has been similarly swindled, "Lightnin' " refuses to agree to the sale. This causes his wife to become estranged, and to proceed for a divorce. A caso instituted by the swindlers against Marvin, turning on the cutting of timber after land -has been -sold,- is being heard in tho Court on the same day. Botli end favourably for those with whom the audience sympathises. Bill and. his wife are reconciled, and their pretty adopted daughter sees that her former opinion of Marvin Ims wronged him. There is a great deal of comedy in the piece, and tlio audience is laughing for the greater part of the ovening. Much of the laughter is in sympathy with tlio characters, and some direct pathos is weir introduced. As to tlio performance of Mr. John D. O'Hara as the incorrigible Lightnin,' it is surely without compare as a piece of wonderful characterisation the -world ever to-day. It takes 50 people to interpret the play.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 179, 24 April 1920, Page 5
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1,244ENTERTAINMENTS Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 179, 24 April 1920, Page 5
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