ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 224, 16 June 1920, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

. KING'S THEATKE. The Nat Gould racing feature, "A Fortune at Stake,"was'grceted 'by. a'crowded house st the King's Theatre last night, Gerald Ames, ns Mnrtiiidnle, the gentleman rider, is the personification of British love of sport and fait' play. An unusual tfcirill is provided in the great race scene, when the hero strives neck and 'neck'with a phantom rider beside him. The racing scenes arc the true atmosphere, and in production, direction, and acting the picture is a credit to the producers. Tile rendering by the King's Grand Orchestra of Suppe's, "l'ique Damo" won much ■ applause, and Jlr. Eraser Thomson was given a warm reception for his character sketches.

, 'EVERYBODY'S THEATKE. : Mr. E.' J. Carroll announces positively the last -two clays' screening at Everybody's Theatre of (J. J. Dennis's'"Ginger Mick" companion mature to "The Sentimental Bloke-" tfh'i? attraction is definitely hooked next week through tl\e Wairarapa >. district. Crowded houses have been the order of the day aiid nigiiit ever, since ' "Ginger Mick's" advent in Wellington a fortnight ago, and there is a consensus of opinion that in "Ginger Mick" Mr. Haymond Longford .has made even a better picture than its forerunner, "The ' Sentimental Bloke." With . the tendency to. Americanise almost, everything in connection' with the pietive industry to-day'it is refreshing-to .see the success and artistic merit of this Australian production. ' ; - SEMPHESS THEATKE. Sessue Hayakawa, the famous Japanese actor, is starred in l "The Illustrious .Prince" at tW Empress Theatre. The story is^from'tte pen of Phillips Oppenht'im, arid is fast moving and I interesting throughout, the settings and light eifebts being .excellent. The supporting pictures inciude a rollicking comedy and the weekly Gazotte.

THE DANDIES,

'The Dandies will finish their' Wellington season in the Conceit Chamber of the Town: Hall on Saturday evening, and. there will Iks jiiany who will regret the departure of this, talented, combination. The current programme is most entertaining, and. is varied ■ enough to p'ease everyone. ; Every member of- the company .contributes freely : to the evening's pleasure,' solos and concerted - numbers and diinty dances making! up the bill of fare. There was another enthusiastic hou6e last' evaning to" greet the Dandies.

; . WILLIAMSON PANTOMIME. ' J, C. Williamson, Ltd., will .present their I.BJSO 'pantomime, "Tho B.eeping Beauty,"; on Tuesday next. The "Australasian," ['commenting on the pantomime, say's:— I Tire first impression of. a pantomime is largely in the appeal to the .eye, depends mainly upon its beauty, and'in. this "The Sleeping Beauty," at Her Majesty's, is, supremely well equipped.' More than one visit may be necessary even'to appreciate this outstanding fact, fori ; .as heretofore, there is embarrassment of riches. , The feast of Lucil'.lus has its-full classical meaning—not mere-dinnor-table excesses—when descriptively applied to the settings of "The Sleeping Beauty."' When you begin to appreciate the values of.its artistic undertones, to note, how very effective'.y,colour-.-is used without :the aggressive' 'daubs so often mistaken for theatrical splendoui;, you realise perhaps in all phnses'the most beautiful'pantontime that has ever beta staged in: Melbourne. The. dressing too,'is superb. A man may appreciate, but only a woman ,with her. trained sense, of colour can satisfactorily describe it.. New creations in clever stagecraft arc constantly being seen. It has two phasesfirst, the colour, which, like every act and movement, of. even sober-drama, is dependent mainly upon lighting for its full effect—and second,* its action, about ■which much, moremay yet be paid. For th« present.: it is sufficient to echo most cordia'ly and.with a. feeling of real admiration., the! public approval, "WpII done!" ■ The' east provided is especially (rood.. .The newcomers are Miss''Wimf!'ed Romp,'-"principal boy," Miss Eve Lynn, a "principal girl" second.-to none, Mr. Marriott Edgar, the Dame, .described as a comedian of rare humour and r efinrd attninnientsr ; and "the'.-.brothers .ETbert, eccentric ■ comedians- ;from Drufy J an?. A warm w;e'coro« msiy ; be expected for Messrs. Herbert . Leiffh and. Sidney Yntes and Misses .Peggy. Doi-ap, Dorothy Hnstinus,;. .Margaret -Sutcliffe, and, Maggie Dickenson. The box plans for, th« first six nights will be opened at the Bristol oil Monday morning. '

NUIiSE GAR YEN'S SONG RECITALS. Two song recitals are to be given in the Town Hall Comrt Chamber 011 Monday and Wednesday, Juno, 28 and SO, by Nurse Kathleen, Garven, Irish contralto,, whose magnificent voice 'h<is been cultivated -by Mrs. Arthur Mead, of Christchurch.- Nurse Garven'made her debut twelvo months atio in /tho Theatre Royal', Christcbnrch, when, she received a reception such rts few visiting artists ever obtained in that critical centre. No doubt, says a critic, her voipe in its range and intensity would naturally draw ajpplause, but it. required more to account for the glowing Press notices that Mowed.-This something was the 'versatility of "-the cantatrice, who sang three great arias with instrumental certainty and passionate declaim; then took a Brahms lullaby of anlold Irish Wit son;-with equal intensity.' The box plan for the coming recitals - will • open on June 21, at tho Bristol. ' , . , .

A good male choir makes nn instrnctivo appeal to lovers of music, flnd nn opportunity is. to .be given next 'week of hearing a.performance in public. by tUe Commercial Travellers' Club ma'e choir. The travellers, will have the, assistance of Mrs. .Woodward 'and Mrs. W.il'ie Prouse, and a ve.ry attractive programme has been arranged.. ■ ' •

Mr.. Ballant.vne, the Canadian-Minister of Marine, reviewing in the House of '.Common l ; the progress of the Canadian mercantile marine, said that it was nol. often that Government-owned services showed a profit, but, although only '!!> vessels wore operating last year, their earnings yielded interest of s}'. per cent upon Lire investment, after providing for ne.v organisation, insurance, and opening new routes. The Goveroimmt had cnntracted for 63. vessels, representing a tonnage. of 380,000 tons. The average cost, of tl'C ships would be. 1!)0 dollars ner. ton. Since the armistice was signrrl the flovernment had been able to secure-a price of IG7 dollars per toii. ,In the United .States the same vessels cost over 200 dollars p'tr ton. ..