ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10295, 2 June 1919, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. In the now programme to be predated,by the Fuller proprietary at 111 s ), ijopty s Theatre to-mgnt, the E volley Revue Company will end.- upon tho second week of the sea--10.1 ami pruuuce what is considered to bo their uest piece, “Two tjtnnga to Lor Bow.’’ this revue is said to itooiiua 111 comedy, and to give ample scope tor the capabilities oi the vun-u-is members ol the company- The luii-niaitiiig is mostly in the hands ol mossra Tom Havoney, J. P. O’Neill, l .iiy lUn.ouey, and miss Coral Warner, woo will be oapauiy supported by .uass 1 . ,iby tveunedy, Miss Mabel Oliver, a .tl Mr E. Lawrence, who will introduce new vocal numbers. The Kevvpie Lids, who have become so popm.tr, a.ll be seen in a I’epenoire ol dance d'vertissoitn-’iUs. „ The Jiaverloy Comp..uy wni occupy the whole of tho -seoo. part, die’ first being provided by a number ot vaudeville artists, uiclud:i g Mr Louis Nikola, a magician entertainer, whose now offering is reported to be an outstanding Feature. Luring hia present engagement Mr Nikola will introduce his original hand shadows, which comprise unique finger portraits of “men ot the moment,’’ which is stated to be a revelation in d.gital skill New violin solos will be ip.oyed by Alsace. The MolinaHs will also bo hoard in a new repi rtoire ol operatic and popular vocal items. Others to contribute f o the programme will be the Delavalos. Tho c rncelian of this duo will give further imitations of ClinpUfi, the moving p. comedian. Miss Lily Vockler will sing a number of chorus songs. The programme has l ee 11 listed for six night performances and a Saturday matinee. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. All the sessions at Everybody's Theatre were well patronised on Sat nrday, when the customary change ol bill was made. The programme, which was of exceptional merit, was headed by a very fine dran. atisation -,f V'o.toi Hugo’s classical drama, “Lucretia’Borgia.” The difficulties in producing a work of this nature can be well imagined, but the producers have spared nothing to ensure the. success of the picture. Entitlid “The Eternal Sin,” this picture deals with tho character of the most despicable woman known to history, and her strange love for her child. Unknown to the husband, the child is placed with a poor family to be cared for and brought up in ignorance of its birth and parentage. He grows into manhood, only to be drawn into the vor tex of hatred and a revenge that sur rounds his mother ana her family. By a strange fate, tho son is marked out for a horrible death by poisoning, and his mother saves him in, tho nick ot time. At length this terrible woman of passion comes to a fitting end at the hand of her own non. This most unusual story, from tTfti pen of the famous French ai thor, is lavishly staged, and the acting is of high grado. As Luc roll 1 Borgia, Florence Reed proves to be an actress of great power and individuality, and in the final scones she rises to great heights. As- Gennnro, - her son by a secret marriage, Dick Barthelmess has a part which admirably suits him. The supporting’ pictures are well selected. “LAUGHING BILL HYDE.” Bumper houses greatly enjoyed the exceptionally good bill of fare presented on Saturday at the ever-popular King t Theatre. The “piece do resistance” wax the thrilling motor-drama, “Laughing Bill Hyde,”-a most successful picturisation of Rex Beach’s powerful novel oi tho same name. Bill Hyde, though a convict, who, to quote his own phrase, had “been used to borrowing (thiev ing) since he was ten years old,” is at heart a “white man.” Thanks to a very deficient upbringing, he recognises only one moral precept,-“Never desert a pal.” But this, with Bill Hyde, covers a lot of ground, and, no matter what tho cost, he sticks to it. His is, indeed, a strong, a simple, and lovable character. Happily, lie succeeds in escaping from prison and impressing a struggling young doctor with his good-

hoarteuncss, and when they meet b. chance on the way to the newly-dis covered goldfield in Alaska, they chun up together How the doctor cure.dill Hyde, physically and morally, auc. now quaintly but thoroughly Bill rcs him; how Bill falls in love with : half-breed Indian maiden, heiress to a goldmine, but robbed of her -heritage, makes good her loss, and marries her. makes a splendid story splendidly told. a Woolwich Arsenal industrial film; laughable Keystone comedy, “Fui Dress fizzle” ; and a fine .Rocky Mouu rain scenic, “What the Ice Age Left, complete the picture programme. During the intoivais, -Mr' W. Goudie, j popular Wellington baritone, sang wit! considerable power and feelidg “Frieun of Mine” and “A Bong oi the Air Sei vice,” While she King s Grand Orchestra contributed an excellent selection ol instrumental items. CITY ORGANIST’S RECITAL. Mr Bernard F. Page, the city organist, gave a thoroughly interesting programme to genuine music lovers at tin own Hall on Saturday night. • Aftei the “Coriolan” Overture by Beethoven, a majestic and suitable opening number, he performed (by request) the popular Leoto and Andantino in E flat of Cesar Franck, which met wi-h specia approval. An andante from a string quartet by Debussy and Guinnant “Chant du Matin’’ followed, and proved pleasant interludes in the lighter vein before the Toccata and Fugue in C Major of Bach was heard in all its inherent nobili.y. The second part oi the recital comprised Walther’s delightful Prize Song from Wagner’s “Meiatersinger” and the Prelude to Act I. oi “Tristan and Isolde.” In the former Mr Page infused much romantic sentiment, and the Prelude was full of orchestral colouring. “THE THREE DOORS.” There was a packed house on Saturday night for the final performance of “The Three Doors,” in aid of the Free Kindergartens, and many people had to be turned away. The performance went splendidly from start to finish, and the audience was enthusiastic. The ballets went even better than before, and the performances of the kindergarten songs, etc., were delightful. A feature of this scene was the dolls’ house, whence these folk of nursery days emerged and performed their parts. Quite a feature of the performance was the dancing of little Joyce Julian, who took part in four dances on end, her skipping-rope dance rousing enthusiasm. Elsie Dick also showed herself a clever dancer as well as a good mime. ’ No small part in the success of tho piece was due to the orchestra under Signor Truda and Miss lllvatt, and to the fine recitations of Mr J. M. Clark. At tho conclusion of Saturday’s performance the mothers of the children taking part presented a beautiful bouquet to Miss Campbell, and a beautifully illustrated book to Mrs Hannah. Mrs Arndt and helpers sold sweets at each performance, and they should help considerably towards the financial results.