ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 251, 18 July 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. On Saturday very successful performances of "The Pirates of Penzance" were given in the Grand Opera .House. "lolautho, or the Peer and the Peri,” will be produced this evening, for two nights only, with the following cast of characters:—Messrs. Charles Walenn (the Lord Chancellor), Frederick Hobbs (Earl Mountararat), James Hay (Earl Tolloller), illbert Kavanagh (Private Willis), John Ralston (Strephon), Aliases Thelma Carter (lolantiio), Molly Tyrell (Hairy Queen), Beryl Walkely (Leila), Jessie Cafi'yn (Celia), Grace Crotty (Fleta), •.nd Patti Russell will make a welcome reappearance as Phyllis. On Wednesday afternoon and evening and on Thursday "H.M.S. Pinafore" will bo staged, to be followed on Friday evening by "Princess Ida," which will also fill the bill at the matinee on Saturday, the season concluding on Saturday night with a revival of the famous "Yeomen of the Guard." On Saturday afternoon Mr. Charles Mettam assumed the role of Frederic, and gave a very good performance, singing the music with easy facility. Mr. Mettam is capable of playing the whole of the tenor roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire.

"CHU CHIN CHOW.”

**Chu Chin Chow," the gorgeous Eastern phantasy, will be staged at the Grand Opera House by the J. C. Williamson management on Tuesday, July 26. Two lovo stories run side by side in' the romance, and are responsible for novel and conspicuous features of the lavish stage setting. Tuneful music is allied to exquisitely coloured scenes, while the latest lighting effects supplement the scenic illusion. "Chu Chin Chow" is the old story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, brought up to dote and glorified in a maze of kaleidoscopic changes. Abu Hassan, the Robber Chief, has in thrall the beautiful slave Zahrat-al-Kulub, who has acted as a spy in his service with a view to her early release and reunion with her lover Omar in the desert. In the slave market Zahrat rushes in with her attendant dances, and failing to win her freedom from Chu Chin Chow, denounces him to the populace, but is captured by the guard and removed to the robbers’ cave, where she and her lover are doomed to a cruel death, amidst a wealth of jewels and precious stones. How the open sesame to the cave is discovered and vengeance meted out to the robbers and their chief gives further opportunity for sensational stage pictures. The box plans for the first six nights and two matinees will open at the Bristol on Wednesday morning next.

EMPRESS THEATRE.

"The House of Intrigue” is at the Empress Theatre thia week. It is an unusually interesting story woven round the happenings to an actress out of work. She holds up a band of crooks, and after a series of exciting episodes the audience is brought to the realisation that honesty is the best policy. In support is an excellent comedy, entitled “A Trayful of Trouble,” a Gazette, and a scenic film.

KING’S THEATRE

"Peaceful Valley” is the feature film of the new programme at the King's Theatre this week, and Charles Ray is tho hero. The story tolls of an old family and the lives of the aged mother, her son, Charles Ray, and her charming daughter. Tne son is called upon to use his head and judgment lest tho farm and the daughter should fall into the hands of a city "shark." The supporting films include "A Trayfu.l of Trouble,” in which Snookey, the chimpanzee, makes a deal of fun. The Lyric Four contribute several enjoyable musical numbers, and excellent orchestral numbers are offered.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

"My Husband’s Other Wife" is now being shown at Everybody’s Theatre. The story tells of Dr. Mark Ridgewell, who thought that in his second wif6 he had found tho higher, everlasting form ot love. Tho question is: Had lie? Tho supporting items are good.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

"The Twelve Pound Look" is the feature film at the Queen’s Theatre. The story is of a girl who is unhapuy with her husband, who saves her allowance until she has the necessary £l2 to purchase a typewriter, and then runs away to test life on her own, determined to prevent the coming of "The Twelve Pound Look" itiio any other woman’s eyes. Gertrude M’Coy is tho star in the unique detective drama, entitled "Angel, Esquire,” which is shown also.

ERNEST DRAKE RECITALS

On Thursday evening next at the Town Hall a recital will be given by Mr. Ernest Drake, the young New Zealand tenor who has lately returned from Englandl after a series of successes on the concert platform there. Mr. Drake is classed by London critics as one of tho leading lyric tenors of the day. Mr. Drake will be supported by a clever company, Including Miss Clarice Wood (pianist and accomyanist), Miss Dorothy Baker (violinist), and Miss Molly Dixon (soprano). Only one recital enn be given in Wellington. Tho box plan is at the Bristol.

MARIE NILSSON

Marie Nilsson, a singer who has won a reputation in opera and on the concert platform of London and Paris, will give a vocal recital in ths Concert Chamber to-morrow night. This gifted lady, for whom no less an authority than Jean do Reszko predicted a brilliant career, hae appeared before the King and Queen. She is a dramatic soprano, and according to the notices she has received from the critics, she sings with delightful ease and grace. Her programme includes the "Jewel” song from "Faust”; "Je Suis Titania,” from "Mignon": and a group of Hebridean songs, not yet sung in Wellington. The box plan is open at. the Bristol.