ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 93, 13 January 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BLIND HUSBANDS.” In the nntural beauty of its setting, “Blind Husbands," which is running for a short season at the Grand Opera House, possesses an invaluable asset. The picture doos not, however, depend for its interest upon mere scenery. Tho plot is ingeniously contrived, and the acting above the average in quality. For sheer strength the climax, which occurs on a bare rock platform with dizzy precipices on every side, would be difficult to surpass. Before the screening of the picture, Mdlle. Irma Caron, an entertainer whose versatility is her strongest point, presents a brief programme of music and dancing. Among her items are the song "One Fine Day" (from “Aladam Butterfly"), violin pieces, a Japanese love song rendered in tho Malay tongue,, and un Egyptian “Invocation to Love. KING'S THEATRE. \ A happy combination of orchestral items and photo-plays has long been the outstanding feature of the weekly programmes at the King's Theatre. Synchronising accurately with the screen incident of the moment the King’s Orchestra has established a name in the matter of picture music and the standard set is one that is worthy of the best support. In the new programme to l>e presented on Friday night this scheme is emphasised, for apart from an entr’acte, Tosti’s “Good-Bye,” selections from “Lucia di Lammermoor” and "Pagliacci” are included in the/music incidental to “The Woman Gives," which is the leading feature of the pictorial classics. The story is described as a highly-develpped drama of New York’s artist colony, and has been adapted tor Norma Talmadge from the novel of the same name. Miss Talmadge as an artist’s model is said to give a performance seldom equalled. The role is one which gives her opportunity to display her striking personality and her undoubted ability in characterisation. In addition will be screened one of the inimitable Larrv Senion’s comedies. This time it is "Schooldays," and no worst boy in school ever dreamed of the succession of pranks and absurdities that this little comedian has introduced into this subject Roberto Romani, the operatic basso, who has found great favour with • audiences at the King’s- Theatre, will be heard in a further selection of excerpts from the musical classics. Gounod s "She Alone Charmeth my Sadness,” “Inrictus” (Bruno Huhn), and Russell s "Tom o’ Devon," will be included in his numbers. "The Yellow Typhoon” will he screened for the last time this evening. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. D. W. Griffith's latest- production, "The Greatest Question,” now showing at Everybody’s Theatre, deals with the problem: Is there life after death? AU that makes for a picture of outstanding order is found in this production. To add to the evening’s enjoyment, Charlie Chaplin provides many laughable "stunts”,in his latest comedy, "A Day’s Pleasure.” Commencing at 11 a.m. tomorrow, a complete change of programme will be given with Sessue Hayakawa in the lead in the "Brand of Lopey,” a melodrama of Spanish love, hatred, and revenge. EMPRESS THEATRE. “Jacques of the Silver North," showing at the Empress Theatre, stars Mitchell Lewis. A girl living in 'the far North Country has adventures -and trials in plenty, but Jacques, a fine type of manhood, sets things right. The girl, however, falls in love with another man, and it is Jacques who provides for their perfect happiness. Episode 10 of "Smashing Barriers” is also on the programme. A complete change of programme is tn be given to-morrow. MAORI "MIRACLE MAN.” A fil mwhich is expected to attract a great deal of attention is that depicting the strange happenings at the camn of Ratana, the Maori "Miracle Man." The picture is to be shown at the Britannia Theatre for the first time on Friday night. Ratana is credited with the possession of almost supernatural powers, and it, is claimed for him that he has ■ effected some amazing cures in cases of long standing disease which have not yielded to other treatment. The picture was officially taken under the most perfect conditions, and the result is said to be something quite unusual in the “movie” world 1 . THE FASHION PLATE DANDIES - Each night the Dandies present in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall an entertainment of the light and breezy tvpe that has always kept Mr. John Hopkins’s companies strong favourites with the amusement-loving public. Humour is the forte of the Dandies, and those who patronise the current programme are assured of seeing and hearing plenty of mirth-provoking items. Mr. George Tichener, a comedian of widelyrecognised ability, is given excellent opportunities for the exercise of his powers, and in the ensemble work all the mem- j hers of the combination play their parts with a success that earns them liberal applause. Catchy musical selections are a feature of the programme. "IRENE.” There had been the liveliest- speculation in Sydney as to whether the J. and i N. Tait Musical Comedy success, "Irene,” I would surpass the record put up in that city by "Our Miss Gibbs.” It is an | interesting coincidence that both these j great hits had a shop-girl for heroine, anil there was every likelihood that "Irene” would- achieve the long run i of the previous success, and certainly eclipse it in number of people who paid for/tickets at the Criterion Theatre during the last few weeks. “Irene’s” triumph is said to be due to the fact that it represents a new movement in musical comedy production. It has not the character of some revues and other light pieces that temporarily lose the plot to interpolate some musical number that has no bearing on the business in hand. "Irene” ran for over 150 performances at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney, and only had to be transferred to the Dominion to make way for the Christmas attraction,. The company specially engaged in America by Messrs. J and N. Tait, includes: Misses Dorothy South as Irone, Peggy Maloney, Marion Earle, Alice Bentley, Vlema- Hinkle, Georgia Harvey, Grace V. Connell, Messrs. Chester Clute, Robert Jowett, Henry Gordon, Rawdon Blandford, Milton Given and Vera and Billy de Marsden, dancers. The many song hits in "Irene” have unite u lor to do with the success this musical comedy has achieved; and on Tuesday next J. and N. Tn It will present their Musical Company at the Grand Opera ; House. “Irene” has a record of over «X> nights in America, and 300 nights - »n London. Miss Dorothy South fills the principal role, and her periormanee us Dene has endeared her to the Sydney public. Mr. Robert Jowett is described as a manly hero, with a rich t baritone voice, while Mr. Chester Clute, / the diminutive comedian, is a popular I"Madame Lucy"—a male modiste. A R special feature of the production is the [j dancing of Vera and Billy de Mcrsden, while the frockbig, scenery, and orches- -j tra are said to be up to the highert stand- h nrds of musical comedy. The songs in- u elude a haunting melody, "Castle of d Dreams,” which runs throughout the pro- g duction, also "Alice Blue Gown,” "We’re Getting Away With It,” "f-’kyrockol,” d "To Love You,” "The Ta’k of the Town,” | and many delightful choruses. The box | plans open to-morrow morning at the , Bristol for the iir-t six nights. f