ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 144, 14 March 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE. Miss Carrie Lanceley and her Melody Maids havo created an excellent, impression at the King’s Theatre, where they are appearing at preset. Saturday night’s audience was charmed with the soprano’s voioo. Her numbers, ranging from Gounod's "Ave Maria” to "Cornin' Thru’ the Rye," are given with the charm and grace of a born singer. Mfrs Cecile Stevens, solo violinist, was heard to great advantage in “Pagliacci,” and responded to numerous . encores. Miss Irene Watts accompanied excellently, and in addition rendered a pathetic little monologue, entitled "Old Chap.” The concluding member of the party, Miss Doris Middleton, executed two ’cello solos in good style. The picture part of the programme was livened by "Don’t Ever Marry," a riot of merriment. A newlv-wed husband has two other "wives" thrust upon him, and a series of laughable situations arise before the final "fade-out.” The programme will be presented all this week. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol until 5 p.m., after which hour reservation may he made nt the Theatre bv personal application, or by ringing 22—212. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Saturday again created a record house at Everybody’s Theatre, with the modern 'masterpiece, "Humoresque.” Rarely in the history of the Wellington theatres has a picture made and continued such a wonderful success. "Humoresque” was born, not made. Special music is rendered by a full orchestra, which helps the production considerably A varied supporting programme, including a Rolin comedy. "All Dressed ■ Dp.” featuring Snnb Pollard, causes much merriment, and the latest Pathe Gazette shows many interesting glimpses of the world’s happenings. EMPRESS THEATRE. The outstanding features of “The Branded Woman" are the personality and iino acting <rf Norma Talmadge. Her impersonation of the guileless young girl, fresh from refined training and clean environment, is sweet and refreshing. The role is a difficult one, but it is particularly well handled by Miss Talmadge. QUEEN’S THEATRE. "Sweet and Twenty,” screening at the Queen’s Theatre, is the story of a young naval officer- who, returning on furlough, discovers that his brother has endeavoured) to alienate his sweetheart’s affections. With girlish frivolity, she confirms his suspicions. Later a courtmartial leads to his dismissal from the service. He leaves for the colonies to make good again, succeeds, and returns home to discover that his sweetheart has always been true to him. The supports include a Chaplin comedy, "The Squarehead," Ford Travelogue, scenic, and 1 the latest Topical Budget.

UNIVERSAL PICTURE THEATRE. Island Bay has made a forward step, in that it rejoices in a picture theatre. For a long time there has been an excellent hall at Island Bay which was built some time ago by Mr. R. Keene, but Opart from a few public meetings and occasional dances, the hall has not been used to any extent. It was subsequently converted into a skating rink; and it was recently purchased by a syindicate, who decided to convert it into a picture theatre, and Mr. A. L. Power, who made a considerable success of the rink, has the. management of the Universal Picture Theatre, the name given to the new theatre. The official open-

ing took place on Saturday evening, and the residents of the Bay showed their appreciation by filling the theatre to capacity. The hall holds four hundred comfortably, and fully a hundred peo-ple-had to be disappointed because there was no accommodation for them. There was some delay in the opening, but the crowd made full allowances for this, .and were quite good humoured. Councillor Shorland, a resident of the district, performed the opening ceremony, and in a short speech congratulated Mr. Power on his enterprise, and stated that owing to the shortage of labour and materials, the management had been handicapped

in their preparations, and there remain- . ed a considerable amount of work to be done, to give effect to the designs of the ■ management in providing for the comfort of patrons. The opening of the theatre marked another milestone in the progress of Island Bay, which was the second suburb to have a theatre of its own. He ventured to hope that me residents would accord their full . support to the enterprise, more especially as it was the intention of the management to screen pictures of a wholesome character, and of educative value. At the conclusion he called for three cheers for Mr. Power, the manager, and there was a full-throated response. The programme for the opening night comprised the “Virgin of Stamboul," featuring Priscilla Dean, “Bear Skinned Beauties,’’ and the first episode of “The Vanishing Dagger,” a serial in which Eddie Polo takes a leading part. The programme will be repeated this evening, but there will be a complete change to-morrow, and again on Thursday and Saturday; that is, there will bo three changes a week, supplies of films being obtained from the Universal, British and Cbntiental, and Fox Film Corporation? A stall for the sale of sweets and cordials, under the charge of Mrs. F. E. Heal, is located at the back of the hall. MADAME STRATHEARN’S RECITALS After the enthusiastic reception given to Madame Jessie Strathearn, A.8.A.M., at her recent Auckland recitals, Wellingtonians can look forward to this lady’s visit to the Town Hall here w*Jh anticipation of something really good. Madame Strathearn's programmes are "popular” in the best sense of the word, ranging from operatic airs from “Faust,” “Carmen,” and “The Pirates of Penzance” to national ballads and songs which are also interspersed with recitations. Although Madame Strathearn’s magnificent voice will undoubtedly draw big audiences to the Town Hall, the fact that she is making this tour on behalf of the very poor of the East End of London should make a strong appem the public. , She has cancelled six months' professional engagements in order to raise £30,000 for the famous West Ham Central Mission, Barking Road, London. Every Londoner knows of the splendid work that is done in .the worst of London slums by this uneectarian mission. By the poor of West Ham it is regarded as their own institution, and its workers are known personally to practically everyone in the distract. The old building in which this great work has been carried on for many years is entirely obsolete, besides which, the various aciivities of the mission work' have completely outgrown their present accommodation. It is essential that a new building be provided without delay, and it is to this purpose that the proceeds of Madame Strathearn’s tour will be devoted. Tho rec/als will bo given in the large Town Hall next Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings. Popular prices are announced in our advertising columns. SHAKESPEAREAN SEASON. Mr. A. Stanley Warwick wil produce “A Midsummer Night's Dream” for a Beason of three nights in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, commencing this evening at 7.45. A full orchestra has been engaged to interpret Mendelssohn’s beautiful music. An excellent response has been made by educational establishments, and a large number of seats have been booked, so that those who are desirous seeing this production are advised to secure their seats at the Bristol. A good level cast will interpret the play, and it is hoped that the lack of- scenery will not be keenly felt, but Mr. Warwick feeds that rather than offer something totally inadequate, it is better to be without altogether, and ***** the magio

of the words and the beauty of the music to carry the performances to a successful issue. No admission will be given after the commencement of overture until th* ♦nd of the first oct.