ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE

Setting a standard in the matter of classical music in harmony with the best photo-plays, the current programme at the King's Theatre is a worthj’ example o'f attainment. The fine dramatic, work of Norma Talmadge in "The Woman Gives” found popular favour. The story js projected with a wealth of detail (,uid ;to an accompaniment of orchestral music pleasing to a degree. Tho latest Larry Senion comedy from the Vitagraph studios. “Schooldays,’’ is a laughable film, while the introduction of a clever team of acrobats in "stunt” work, and a remarkable trick pony, are an object-lesson in the matter of “ sensational entertainment. The vocal numbers of Roberto Romani are of a high standard. There will be a matinee on Wednesday afternoon.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Sessue Huyakuwa, the Oriental star, plays the lead in “Tho Brand of Lopez," at Everybody's Theatre. The part, of u. Spanish bull-fighter which he plays in this intensely melodramatic production is widely different from most of his roles. Lopez is a cruel, cold-blooded, selfish man, whose humanness only comes to the surface when he has a son, and who later becomes embittered because the mother of the child is virtually killed by the taunts of her townspeople. In conjunction Larry Scmon is seen in his third comedy, "Schooldays,” and glimpses of the Olympic Sports at Antwerp are also shown. EMPRESS THEATRE. . The outstanding item on the present programme at the Empress Theatre is "A Master Stroke,” in which Earle Wil-’ liams has the leading role. A sensational plunge on Wall Street is the theme of the drama, through which runs a strong love interest Episode eleven of "Smashing Blarriere,” a scenic subject, and the latest Gazette are the supports.

THE FASHION PLATE DANDIES. The size of the audience doubtless had something to do with the brightness and swing that characterised the performance of the Dandies on Saturday night, when a change of programme was presented;, for the Concert Chamber was full, and the Dandies, one and all, did their very best. The greater part of the bill consisted of humorous items, and George Titchener, the principal comedian, was quite a hard-worked man. Gaiety and mirth always stand first in the Dandies’ scheme of entertainment. The new programme opened in the usual fashion, with a cliorus. Then Will B. Keany made the house rock with his opening * contribution. A playlet, followed’, illustrating the unwisdom of working swindles with casual partners who may prove too proficient. Renn Millar was the "kind old gent.” bora to be betrayed by his humanity; Syd Kingsley, the crook; Will Keany, the policeman; and Lenore Graham, the girl who helped the crook, and then did a little thinking on her own account. Serious items were contributed by Miriam Kutner, Wyn Faulknor, and Renn Millar. Miss Kutner rendered "Sing, Joyous Bird,” and "Your Grey Eyes,” while Miss Faulknor sang "Down Here” and "Let the Rest of the World go By." Mr. Millar earned thb warmest applause for his "Blue Lagoon and "Songs of Childhood,” two tuneful numbers that merited a good reception. Distinguished by the same delicious absurdity as had marked the waiting skit of the previous week, the part song, "I Know Where the Flies Go,” made an irresistible appeal to the sense of the ridiculous. Four Dandies were concerned in the perpetra-

tion of the turn, and they had a laughterracked audience entirely at their mercy. Lenore Graham scored a great success with "Johnny Callaghan" and "I Want Someone to Make a Fuss of Me." The ■first-named song had a delightful lilt in it, and the vivacious Miss Graham made the most that could be made of the catchy words and music'. In "Queer Questions” George Titchener exposed the folly of making superfluous inquiries. When the laughter permitted him to proceed, he gave a coster recitation—the talk of a father to his baby boy. It was rather a pretty piece, and the reciter did it justice. Mr. Titchener had a good share also in the honours of a sketch that the company presented as the finale of the first part. The. subject was matrimony. When the preliminaries of nuptial proceedings had been sufficiently exploited for humorous purposes, Mr. Titchener donned clerical robes.read a new kind of marriage service, and by way of benediction announced that 'Everything was Jake." With Will Keany for partner, he later found unexpected lines to complete unfinished verses. At the piano Miss Rosa Walton gave several excellent musical monologues, including “The Piccaninnies’ Paradise” and "The Woman Who Shops.” Other items were: Lenore Graham’s "Betty, Come for a Stroll,” the same artist’s duets with Syd Kingsley, and four Dandies’ "Topicalities." Tho last turn of the evening was "Sports,” in yhich the whole company burlesqued' sporting types. The programme will run for five night®.

"IRENE.” The somewhat unusual feature of a musical comedy with a reasonable and traceable plot is promised when Messrs J. and N. Tait present "Irene’' for a season here, commencing to-morrow evening, at the Grand Opera House. ‘'lrene" is a musical comedy which met with great j success in England and America, and recently at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney, put up a run of 150 performances. The Australian production was, it is stated, an exact rep'iica of the gorgeous show which -captivated New York, and is being brought to tho Dominion in its entirety. One of the features of the production is the dressing, which is set in some very effective colour schemes. The new company, specially imported for "Irene,” includes Miss Dorothy South, who has made a reputa--tion with musical comedy in New York. Miss South appears as Irene O’JJare, the shopgirl who iongs for the primrose path of pleasure, and through a good fairy in the person of the hero, is transferred into a society lady. She takes two of her shopmates, played by Peggy Maloney and Marion Earle, with her, and after the three have been gorgeously gowned by Madam Lucy, the "man modiste,” played by Chester Clute, they become the rage of society. The gaiety provided by these clever people has much to do with the success of the production. Other artists of note in the cast aie Robert Jewett, Irene’s lover; Thomas Paunceforte, Henry Gordon, Rawdon Blandford, Misses Georgie Harvey, Velma Hinkle, and Grace V. Connell. A special feature will be the specially-augmented orchestra, under the baton of Maurice Guttridge. The box plans are at the Bristol, and day sales at Ned Perry’i