ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 257, 24 July 1920, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"MOTHER HUBBARD" PANTOMIME. Tho Grawl Opera House was filled Inst evening by on audienco that was greatly entertained by the J. and N. Tnit pnntomimo, "Mother 1 Hubbard."' Tho quips and pranks of Messrs. J. Cannot and Barry Lupino never failed to bring bursts of laughter, and tho freak dancing of Messrs. Moon and Moms and their sleight-of-hand performances were loudly applauded. As "Bully," the dog, Mr. William Hassan was thoroughly delight* ful, and his performance must take rank as 0110 of the "best of its kind that lias been seen here for many years. Missca Daisy Yates, Ethel. Walker, Dorothy Leigh, ' Nellie M'Carthy, . and Gertie Latchford were very pleasing in their respective paris, and thG dancing ot Miss Elsie Parke was delightful.- One of the most charming of the ballets wna the autumn ballet, in which she took tho part of the pheasant. The colour scheme in this was particularly artistic. The pantomime will be repeated this evening, with a matinee performance in the afternoon, "QUINNEY'S." All those people who enjoy a good English play most ably acted. for the screen should see Horace Vachell's comedydvania "QuinneyV' at the King's Theatre. Why such an absorbingly interesting piny has not been produced in this oauntrv instead of the many puerile America plays 'that we are givon, is one of the many mysteries of the theatrical business, for "QuinneyV is a play of quality, with a capital story, good characterisation. and evidantly has been writteu iu the best Mr. Vachell's book. Joseph Quinney is a dealer iu antiques, proud of his expert knowledge, proud of his spotless reputation, and a dear, lovable old man. His treawres include his daughter Posy, and it is with a shock that he learns through the discovery of a letter in one of his vases that she is in love with and is loved by his assistant, James Miggott. Through the information in the letter tho old man traps the lovers, and at once con* ccives tho idea that Miggott is after his trenlure as well as his daughter. At a Palo old Joe buys a 6uite of furniture for J2900, which he believes is genuine Chippendale, and is ela-ed at his luck, but Migott, on examining the chairs, finds them to be the very onos he ha 9 "faked", for his former employer, Sam Tombin, who is Mrs. Quinney's brother-in-law. On being discovered as Posy's lover, James Miggott, who is a fino voung fellow, reveals tho trujth about the furniture, and is therefore entrenched in a strong position, as Quinney has Lsold tho furniture again to a wealthy American. There is an interesting domestic upset over the whole business. Posy and her mother, resenting tho old man's harshness, seek sanctuary at TomVin's. and James goes with them. Toinlin finds himself also in the young man's power, and is comically uneasy at the prospect of being bowled out as tho man who (under a falso name) placed the chairs in tho Sale-room as the work of Chippendale himself. In tho end, old Quinney satisfies himself by returning the American his chequo, and finding James tto be "real quality" in his 9wn peculiar way, consents" to his marriage with Posy. Mr. Henry Ain-ley, one of the best of English actors, is admirable as Quinney, and the supporting artists are excellont. The sub-titks give a fair 'idea of tho quality of Mr. Vachell's dialogue and his humour. During the evening Mr. Cliaa. Moore sang in fine, robust manner "The Crown of the Year" and "Como to tho Pair," and Mr.'Austin's capable orchestra supplied excellent music.

' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. . A delightful comedy, "T'other Dear Charmer," featuring Louise Huff, who is universally acknowledged ns the "golden girl of the screen," wis included in the new programme presented at & erybwly's Theatre last night. Tho theatre was crowded, the picture appealing to all present, on account of -the absence of heavy melodramatic situations and ' tho pleasing abundance cf sprightly comedy. The 6tory is amusing. The role of the hero is played by John Bowers, and he lands himself in "queer street" on account of his duplicity in affairs of tho heart. He Wea a French maid and a society girl at tho same time, and, torn by conflicting emotions, he proposes to them both. Both girls accept him, and then the real fun begins.' To his infinite discomfiture lie eventually finds they aro one nnd the E.iino girl—and v sho sees that ho pays appropriate toll for his perfidy The play abounds with laughter and love, nnd is entitled to rank as ft comedy of tho brightest order. Variety is lent to the programme by the screening of another sensational episode of tho striking serial, "Mystery of 13." Another supporting lilm of considerable interest is r 'Just for Joy," featuring the moat hazardous sport known to mankind.

EMPRESS THEATRE. ■ A Paralta production of unusual interest, entitled ."The White Lie," headed the noiv programme screened at tlie Empress Theatre yesterday. All sessions were crowded, Bessie Barrisealo making a distinct hit in her interpretation «of , the leading roll. "The White Lie" is a powerful melodrama of action and suspense, with an appreciable leaven of romance, • throughout whioh runs a charming love story. It involves the question whether a. wifo should deeeivo her husband even in trifles, and it points a warning finger to tho sequenco of events which follow an innocent little lie told by aitimid wife to her jealous husband. Tho story, which opens quiotly and humorously, ends 011 a note of horror;. the whom the husband suspects is found murdered, and both husband -and wife take tho blame, thinking the other guilty. This gives rise to a series of intricate situations, out of which the heroine eventually emerges triumphant;' The supporting films fire attractive, and include another thrilling episode of the big serial, "Liberty," involving some sensational scenes. An excellent Gazette is also being shown.

THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. A week in Wellington,;,has firmly established the Pierrots in' popularity with those who relish the lighter forms of theatrical entertainment. The little company presents charming musical items in addition to an endless variety of humorous sketches. Well-known names figure in the list of its members, and patrons of the 1 * Pierrots of former seasons greet with pleasure the reappearance of Messrs. Lyle, Cook, Austin, Lawrence, and' Turner. The new faces, however, represent big gains in strength to tho combination, as' their success with the audiences of the past week may testify. To-night the, Pierrots will present a fresh programme. The new programme contains two novelties—the "Dance de la Apacha," by Miss Joy Rolls and Leslie Austin, and a eoena On the Riviera," by the company.

GERTRUDE JOHNSON CONCERTS. A series of high-class concerts will take place at the Town Hall, commencing Monday, under tho direction of Mr. Victor Beck and the management of Mr. G. S. Garland. Tlio attractions oompriso the appearance in the same series of two artists wbio belong to the highest branches of musical culture. Ono is Miss Gertrude Joh&non, tho 'brilliant young Melbourne, girl, who, as prima donna in tho Rigo and Williamson Grand Opera Companies, recently took Australia and New Zealand by storm, and Mr. Horace Hunt, tho gifted musician and. pianist, of Auckland. Miss .Tolmson made her chief successes in tho Dominion early in tho present year in "Lucia de Lammermoor' and Rigolctto." Tho impression sho created everywhere in the country will still he remembered. Mr. Horace Hunt will play several works of Ms own composition. Ho has a rare gift of interpretation, nnd in that senso alone is entitled to tho popularity that is his. His stay in Europe and England has enkrped his scope tremendously, and now Ins technique is perfect and his execution a thing to marvel at. Mr. C. Russell is the fituifcist of tho oomtaafcion, and plays tho most popular of wood-wind instruments as to the manner born. Mr. Russell will play several obbligatos to Hi!!) songs of Miss Johnson. Ava Syluons, tho woll-known violinist, has Iwen specially engaged for the Wellington season. Apart from her brilliant solo work, Ava Symons will ho heard' in several trio numbers with Chnrles Russell, flautist, and Erie Waters, pianist.

The plan is now open at tlio Bristol, and the day sales are at Perry's, tobacconist. Manners Street, A successful concert arranged by Hiss Mabel Coad wAs given before a crowded audience 011 Thursday evening in the Moleswortli Street Methodist Sclioolroom. The proceeds were in aid of tlio Young . Men's -Bible Class building fund. Items wore contributed "bv tho following Misses Hill, Coad, Flaws, Freeman, Garshook, Bitchio, Fairclough, Worboys, Harris, C-ooley, Daniels, Weston, Tighe, and Messrs. Brown, Ritchie, Black, Ifainsworth, Smith, Mackenzie, and Harrison. In addition, several choruses and action songs were contributed by the young ladies and children. A sweols stall in conjunction with the concert was ably managed by tho Misses Trcgnrtlm.