ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10289, 26 May 1919, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE, The outstanding attraction to be provided by the Fuller Proprietary in the new programme at His Majestey's Theatre to-night will be the reappearance of Tom Haverley and his Kewpie Kids, who, in their eight months' absence from Wellington, have scored heavily in all the New Zealand centres. The new revue selected for presentation this evening is entitled "Murphy in the Trenches." The piece, as its title conveys, is a revue redolent of modern warfare and Bairnsfather humour. The spectacular setting is the unique one of a trench in the front line. The ballets and military drill by the Kewpie Kids are stated to be particularly well arranged. Mr Tom Haverley reincarnates "Murphy" for this production 'as a soldier, and the theme (which has the support of "Billy" Maloney, J. I". O'Neill, Miss Ituby Kennedy, and Miss Coral Warner) is stated to be exceptionally funny. New scenery has been specially painted by Mr W. J. Beok. A good selection of vaudeville artists will uppear in the first half of the programme. Alsace, a Continental musician, will appear for the first time this season in an entirely new act. The Molinaris will provide a high-class vocal interlude, and these artists will be further supported by Nellie Kollo and the Delavale Bros., also Miss Lily Voekler will complete what promises to be a most entertaining programme. The new bill will run for six nights and a matinee will ba given on Saturday. "THE BETTER 'OLE." At Everybody's The&tre on Saturda> bumper audiences followed with the greatest interest and delight the screening of the powerful war drama "The Better 'Ole." All have for long known Captain Bairnsfather as a humorist of the first rank, but in this play he shows :i power of pathos so great that it moves eve-n hardened tiheatre-goera. ;td tears. Old Bill, Bert, and Alf— the three musketeers of the twentieth century—are in ■ heir way a creation as great as that of Alexander Dumas himself. Tho play is wonderfully well staged and mounted; the characters of Old Bill, "the Walrus,' Bert., the ever-susceptible, and Alf., the humorist, are splendidly sustained; and in tho well-known setting ot "Fragments from France," the stirring drama of love, patriotism, and heroio selfsacrifice runs its course to the appointed vet unexpected and most effective climax. "The Better 'Ole" was introduced by the song "Up from Somerset," effectively sung by Mr R. Meaten, in the character of Old Bill. A strong supporting programme includes the thirteenth episode ot tho thrilling serial "The House of Hato," a mirth-inspiring comedy, and a most interesting topical Gazette. The programme will be* repeated each afternoon and evening during the week. KING'S THEATRE. Crowded patronage was accorded tho King's Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening on the occasion of the in. troduction of a complete change of programme, headed by the superbly staged "feature" photo-arama, "The Death Dance." A leading part in the play js interpreted by that talented youtiß actress, Alice Brady, whose consummate artistry was abundantly displayed in a I role which was completely congenial. The plot opens with scenes depicting the unhappy marital relations of Maitland, a wealthy city broker. His wife, under the guise of pursuing the study of painting, entertains ultra-Bohemian friends at her studio in town. Among the latter is one Borensky, a foreign cabaret dancer, with whom she is in love, Through the services of a private detective Maitland secures evidence: of his wife's duplicity. The husband goes to the cabaret with the intention of shooting Borensky, but the latter does not appear, on the plea of indisposition. Maitland enters into a conversation with an acquaintance, fid after imbibing wine recklessly wagers that he can buy any one of the ballet girls at the cabaret within three months. In accordance with his plan to-win lus bet Maitland befriends one of the «irls, pays for her voice-culture and furnishes on elaborate suite of rooms for her. An unexpected development is the death of Maitland through a street accident. Hie wife then learns of the dead man's patronage bestowed upon tho ballet girl. The inevitable "scene" ensues, and the girl goes back to the stage as dancing partner of Borensky, whose love for 1 er is rejected. Mrs Maitland has now transferred her affection to'her late husband's junior partner, Standish. They go to tho fateful cabaret and witness the "Death Dance" by Borensky and his partner. Standish falls in love with the ballet girl, and this arouses Mrs Maitland's jealous instincts. Standish becomes acquainted with the danseuse. and a mutual regard ripens into love, resulting in their

engagement. Mrs Maitland i 6 wrathful and advises Borensky, .also madly jealous, to kill his partner in the "Death Dance," in whioh. he is supposed to stab her. The climax is skilfully conoeived. The staging of the piece is sumptuous, ml the fair sex -will find special interest in the stylishness of the costumes. Mr Herbert Wood gave an enjoyable rendition of the popular waltz song "Destiny" and was required to add an encore number. The exciting Vitagraph serial. "The Scarlet Runner," came to an exciting conclusion with a hair-raising motorcar race. A feature of the programme is the lengthy "Gazette," whioh runs for nearly half an hour, and exhibits a wonderful display of remarkable and interesting happenings in Europe and America. The Keystone comedy, "An Innocent Vampire," caused hearty laughter. The scenio charms of the Swiss lakes are unfolded in "From Lucerne to St. Gothard." The King's orchestra, under the direction of Mr L. D. Austin, contributed fine selections of incidental music, including "Intermezzo and Romance" (Grieg), "Romance and Chanson Triste" (Tschaikow6ki), and the noted "Valse Triste" (Sibelius). The programme will be repeated nightly. "SORROWS OP SATAN." la the "Sorrows of Satan," e. most effective dramatisation oi Marie Corelli's iaiuous novel. Miss Gladys Cooper, one of imgland's most beautilul aau cmtjiiinir actresses, finds as the heroine full scope for her undoubtedly great histrionic powers. The plot Of the novel is very skilfully followed, and the result is a thrilling, purposeful play of uuuuaiHfcU uorfer and patnos. Satan, coming to Earth as a wealthy man of tasmoii. is welcomed 'bv ' 'Society" as the i'riuce of Peace has never 'been. Ihe heroine comes under bis spell, and almost he wins her soul; but in the end the Cross triumphs and all ijb well. The setting of the drama is magnificent; the cast as a wlioie is an unusually slions one; and the large audiences at the Kmpress Theatre on Saturday watch- ■ u with the keenest interest the uniolding of the plot. A beautiful "the cu.uured scenic. "Pictuiesquu Brittany, and other interesting items were also shown. During an interval Mr C. Melvin sans most acceptably the fine patriotic song, "The Belle of Peace,' introuueuijf organ chimes and bells. A special feature was made of the musical side of the programme, the incidental musio to 'The Sorrows of Satan' being most effective and pleasing. The borrows of Satan" will be screened each afternoon and evening during the week. "THE THREE DOORS." The bos plan for Mrß James Hannah and Aliss Gladys Campbell s original phantasy, "The Three Doors,' open at the Bristol to-dav at 9 a.m. and intending patrons are advised to make early uppiioation ior seats. The joint, production of these two fine artists is being looked forward to with pleasurable anticipation and the originality and variety oi the programme to be submitted rs Buch that a buge success may be confidcntlv predicted. The proceeds will be donated to the Wellington Iree Kindergartens, and it is hoped that the cause of the children will benefit largely as a result