ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 281, 22 August 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE. A very acceptable programme of motion pictures is being screened at the King’s Theatre this week. The principal attraction is “The Thunderbolt,” which' is described' as "the romance of the strangest marriage on record.” The lead is played by Katherine M'Donald, and those who saw the talented American actress in “The Notorious Miss Lisle,” some little time ago, .will no doubt' be keenly interested in this her cecond picture, for “The Thunderbolt” is stronger on the dramatic side than was its predecessor. It tells of the tragic situation of a bride who, rightfully anticipating love and happiness, is confronted by the fact that her husband has married her in a spirit of hate and Revenge. An added attraction are the vocal numbers of Miss Clarice Norman (soprano), and the King's Orchestra plays high-grade selections. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Thrills, romance, and adventure are the ingredients of “Terror Island," Houdini’s new Paramount-Artcraft picture, which Is now being presented at the Queen’s Theatre. The supporting feature is one of Mary Roberta Rinehart's popu-lar-stories, “The Street of Seven ’ Stars,” featuring Doris Kenyon. The second episode of the serial, .“King of the Circus,” starring Eddie Polo, will be screened during the afternoon only., The Otaki-produced comedy, “Charlie’s Capers,” featuring Leonard Doogood, is an excellent comedy of the Chaplin type. It is being screened during the afternoons only. EMPRESS THEATRE. The current programme at the Empress Theatre includes “Sky Eye," a picture which has the distinction of being the Mrst and only motion picture ever made in which the major portion is taken in the air. Six thousand feet of “stunts' is the result of this picture, which has a love story, with thrills and heroism interwoven as its theme. Among the exciting incidents are the parachute drop from a height of 2000 feet from a wrecked 'plane, a drop from a speeding 'plane to a train, and the realistic burning of hundreds of acres of oil lands. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. ‘ A photo-play with an unusual setting Is being shown at Everybody's Theatre, in the shape of “The Woman Untamed. Plenty of action is woven into the story, and its atmosphere is that of a cannibal island in the South Seas, upon which the heroine is cast by a tragedy of the sea. Doraldina, the famous Broadway dancing star, plays the lead, and introduces many of her better known dances. As a prologue to the film a series of Hawaiian dances is performed during the evening by the pupils of Mr. Joe Knowsley. The supports include “Outing," a Christie comedy, "Seaside Siren," and the Pathe Gazette. SECOND HEIFETZ RECITAL TO-NIGHT. The youthful virtuoso, Jascha Heifetz, whom Messrs. J. and N. Tait have given > Wellingtonians an opportunity of hearing, will give the second of his series ot recitals in the Town Hall this evening, and the programme to be presented should give great musical satisfaction to all concert-goers, for, in the opinion of many it is even better than that ot the first recital. Mr. Heifetz has received dozens of requests for special numbers, and whenever possible he will willingly accede to these requests, but they cannot be substituted for those in the published programme. In. an interview riven in Auckland, en. route for Australia, Dame Nellie Melba said ot Jascha Heifetz: "A most wonderful boy; m tact the genius of the age. That is the opinion of many of the world s critics and even the threat Zhreisler re fuses to criticise Heifetz. The playing of Heifetz at his first recital last Wed nesday created a profound impression and that evening will long Aive in t memory of those present. The next recital will be given on Thursday evening next, and the box plans are at the Bristol, and those people who could not gain admission to the unreserved seats last Wednesday are reminded that five sb ling day sale tickets are now on sale a Ned Perry’s, and three shilling will be sold at the Town Hall (Wakefield Street entrance) only.

ALLAN WILKIE SHAKESPEAREAN SEASON. Next Monday evening will marl? the opening of tne Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company's season at the Grand Opera House. The organisation, which is headed’ by Mr. Allan Wilkie and Miss Hunter-Watts, will present a repertoire of nine plays, the selection for the first week being “Hamlet,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” “Twelfth Night, Merchant of Venice,” and "Macbeth,” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” will ibe repented on Saturday evening, September 3. An Australian paper states: "The actor-producer's scheme of giving the works of the Bard the representation most likely to appeal to the playgoer in general, rather than contenting himself in catering for the scholar alone, is having the effect of filling the theatre nightly. Moro than that, it is instilling a knowledge of these incomparable plays, with their immortal texts, into minds which had but scant acquaintance therewith before. In that sense .Mr. Wilkie is doing a great service.” Special concessions are to be extended to parties from the University, -schools, and other educational institutions. Those desiring these concessions are recommended to interview Mr. S. Malcolm Laughton, representative for Mr. Wilkie, at the Grand Hotel daily between 2 and 3 p.m. The box plan opens acthe Bristol on Thursday. "PAOLO AND FRANCESCA." Much interest is being shown in the production for the first time in New Zealand of “Paolo and Francesca,” the famous poetic drama by Stephen. Phillips, which Miss Hardinge-Maltby and a company of local performers will present at the Concert Chamber for three nights, commencing to-morrow. 'The play deals in a vivid, forceful, and at the same time ibeautiful manner with the tragical passion of Paolo for his brother s wife, Francesca, and is founded on an incident of Italian history. A long cast includes Misses liardingo Maltby, Linda M'lntyre, Eva Butts, Kitty Murie, Nyola Innes, Violet Mueller, Messis. Theodore Trezise, Paul Latham, Alfred Spencer, F. C. Facer, It. Pankhurst, Vernon Gowin, Eric Pankhurst, J. It. Aldrich. Mr. Leo Buckridge will sing a soldier song of his own composition, and the orchestra will be under the direction of Mr. M. Dixon. Popular prices are being charged, and seats may be booked at the Bristol. COLOSSEUM RINK. The popularity of roller skating is nightly attested Io by the crowded attendances at the Colosseum Roller Rink, >u Vivian Street. The floor is in firstclass order, and the appointments one of the best. An orchestra is in attendance, and trained instructors place their services at the disposal of beginners. 'There is a pretty balcony cafe in tho rink, where all manner of dainties are obtainable. "JUDAS MACCABAEUS." Next Saturday evening in tho Town Hall the Choral Union, under the baton of Mr. H. Temple White, will perform Handel’s great oratorio, "Judas Mnccabaeus," with a choir and orchestra of three hundred performers. The society has been fortunate in securing the services of tho notable oratorio soprano, Miss Rosa Alba, who will make her first appearance in \\ ellington on this occasion. The Sydney "Bulletin" said:— "Rosa Alba’s voice is sweet and pure i.n ’ tone ns tho silvery notes of our bush bell-bird." Tho other artists will be Miss Phyllis Mareey (contralto), Mr.

Hubert Carter (tonor), and Mr. Arthur Oakey (bass). Patrons are urged to book their eeats as early as possible as very heavy booking is expected. The box plan will open at the Bristol this morning at 9 o’clock. A full rehearsal will be held at St. John’s to-morrow evening. ALEXANDER WATSON. The enjoyable recitals which M)r. Alexander Watson has been giving in the Concert Chamber were concluded on Saturday evening, when more people were desirous of getting into the hall than could bo accommodated. Mr. Watson’s items were principally from Kipling and Dickens, every contribution being handled in a masterly manner. ORGAN RECITAL. The organ recital given at the Town Hall last evening by Mr. Bernard Page was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. An attractive programme included the following items: —Borowski's Sonata (No. 1); Andante (from String Quartet), by Debussy (1862-1918); E. d'Evry’s Idylls; Harmonies du Soir (Karg-Elert); Wagner’s (1813-83) Prelude (to Act 111, "Tristan and Isolde"), and "The Gate of the Warriors" (Bogatyri) at Kiev (from Pictures from an Exhibition), by Moussorgsky. CONCERT AT HUTT. The annual concert of the Hutt Bowling and Tennis Club (under the direction of Mr. E. J. Hill) is always the concert of the year as far as the Hutt Valley is concerned. For the one to be held in the King George Theatre this evening Mr. Hill has arranged a very attractive programme. Vocal items will be contributed by Miss Mabel Esquilant, Mies Rosa Alba (the famous English soprano), Messrs. H. F. Wood, R. R. Orr, A. E. Russell, and Mr. E. J. Hill. Miss Ava Symons will play violin solos, Miss Maisie Burt will recite, and the Melody Four will contribute two numbers. Mr. Harold Whittle will preside at the pianoforte. Local performers will leave the Bank of New Zealand cornel - at 7 p.m. for the Hutt.