ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 138, 7 March 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE. No better testimony is needed of the success of tile Maurice Tourneur special, “My Lady’s Garter,” than the crowded audiences that are filling the King’s Theatre nightly. It is a story of thrills, and is perhaps one of the finest mystery plays screened to date, its tense situations. rapid action, and exciting incident revolving round a plot as unusual as it is thrilling. The London basso cantante, Mr. Thomas Saymes, is making a successful reappearance, and his numbers are well chosen. The entr’acte and incidental music by the King’s grand orchestra add' greatly' to the charm of tire evening’s entertainment. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Earle Williams and a notable cast are to be seen at Everybody’s Theatre in Haddon Chambers’s famous stage-play “Captain Swift,’’ which has been admirably adapted for the screen. No pains have been spared by Vitagraph to make the production one to attract. A fine supporting programme includes a Gold-wvn-Capital comedy, "Flapjacks,” and the latest Rathe Gazette, which shows inte resting glimpses of tho world’s happenings. EMPRESS THEATRE. “Humoresque,” the poignant drama of heart-throbs that is screened at the Empress Theatre this week, is one of the finest photoplays yet shown in Wellington. It tells, not of the rich, nor of the conventional drama of the easy-going majority, but of the sordid lives of the poor, and the suffering and misery in the ghettos of big American cities. Other r films are screened. MADAME STRATHEARN. Music-lovers will be pleased to knew that the well-known English singer, Madame Jessie Strathearn, will shortly give two concerts in Wellington. This talented singer gave her services freely to the soldiers both in England and 1 in France during the war period, and will be welcomed by many returned men. Already the Wellington branch of the R.S.A. has made arrangements for one of the concerts to be conducted under the auspices of the association. Madame Strathearn ‘ cancelled an engagement at Home to come to Australia and Ncsv Zealand to give a series of concerts, the proceeds from which are to be given to the M e.st Ham Central Mission, an undenominational institution that concerns itself with the poorer children of the East End of London. . - - "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.” It is apparent that the forthcoming production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is attracting much attention. Already a great number of seats have been taken, and as there cannot be any repeat performances, all those who are anxious to renew- acquaintance with this wonderful comedy should secure their seats at the Bristol Piano Company. The Hon. C. J. Pa'rr (Minister ’of Education) has accorded his patronage to the production. The secretary of the Education Board has written Mr. Warwick a letter, in which the board “desires to commend to the authorities of the boys’ and girls’ colleges an entertainment which it feels sure will be of great educational benefit to the seniorj scholars attending the colleges.” QUEEN’S THEATRE. A large and appreciative audience attended the Queen’s Theatre on Saturday evening, when a picturisation of Sir Hall Caine’s story “Darby and Joan” was screened. The leading characters were excellently portrayed by Derwent Hall Caine, the author's son, and charming Ivy Close. For detail, photography, and acting the picture adaptation is a masterpiece. Sayle Moore had rejected all the gifts of creation, and had sunk his -oul in the pursuit of power and wealth. In this pursuit he trampled down all opposition. Widow- Gorry’s livelihood depended on water-power, but. Moore, to suit his selfish ends, had the stream diverted. This brought her undying hate upon him, and when, after her son Patrick had secretly married Moore’s daughter, he drove her from his life, reaching the deep level of his crafty soul. Out into thei world, then, went the two people of the story, to fight against fearful odds. And the life-story, ns vividly depicted by Sir Hall Caine, is a human document; During the screening, Miss Eileen Driscoll sang the song version of “Darby and Joan,” whilst a capable orchestra (under the leadership of Mr. S. Cimino) rendered appropriate music. The programme will be repeated each afternoon and evening this week. THE NEW ZEALAND DIGGERS. The New Zealand Diggers, the alever entertainers whose forte is musical melange and bright comedy and dialogue. concluded a successful Wellington season at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening, when + he audience was large and appreciative. Tano Fama, the clever comedian. Stan Lawson, the female impersonator, Donald Stuart, the elongated comedian,, received the warmest of plaudits from the audience, and the entertainment was concluded in a way equally as successful as its commencement.