AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 65, 16 March 1916, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. "In Vacation Time," the third production of the Bleteoe >Revue Company, has proved a huge success at the House this week. The play, besides ib'eing replete with many 'boisterous and hilarious scenes, contains several vocal items of merit. Mies Ivy Davis, as principal girl, introduced several choruses which quickly made a hit. Jhe other members of the company were also well received tn their respective roles. Tbe Neapolitans, gTand opern duettists, provide an entertaining turn on the nrst half of tbe programme. LYRIC THEATRE. One of tbe most popular filmß presented to patrons of the Lyric Theatre is now bcitts si-reened, aod will be shown for the remainder of the week. The picture !3? S ,Xc!1 " i 8 of undoubted merit, and reflects credit on the producers the .Broadway Film Company. The story of -Nell Gwynne, tbe mistress of diaries 11., ever a lover of pomp and pleasure is well Known, it has been staged to effect before ?vh7/h ? elgil , ted ( alienees In Auckland, rthlch fuet, instead of depreciating from has given additional interest to its appear! ance in picture rorm. Mary Piekford plays the p,irt or Nell iivyDne 3 ln hw a S SU a! teleJited manner. The part of Charles 11. is portrayed .to advantage *>y Mr Owen Moor*. The supporting programme Ik a strong one. and makes for a nroKrainme of exceptional merit. PALACE THEATRE. The bi-weekly change of programme was effected at the Palace Theatre this morning, when a fine series of films to be screened for the remaluder of the week 'Were presented. Foremost on the list Is 5L s V r drnu ">. entitled, The Daughter of Darkness." Tbte sensational story concerns the exploits of Miss liniiiie, onp of the most daring women, who adopted crime as a profession. The lighter side of the programme Is supplied by the comedies, ••Hie Lordslilp," a Lubin production, nnd "Tne Quarrell," a humorous effort by the »-i-a-gi'upb. Company. KIX<iS THEATItE. "Esther Redeemed" Is drawing packed houses at tbp King's Theatre every evening Miss TlttPll Bruno in the leading role gives promise of building up n reputation as a Him favourite as grn.it ns Unit which surronnded her ou the legitimate stage. Miss ! Urune in the early portion of the story plays the part of Esther, a girl of tbe I slums, as faithfully as file portrays the I woman who bus decided to "make good" in the anal portion. There is a strong supporting programme. KING GEORGE. An Eclair special st»i drama Is tbe dominating feature in the programme screened for the first time nt the King (Jeorge Theatre thte morning. The film Is entitled, " Twas Ever Thus," and Iβ a stronj; and emotional story of devotion. "The t'llll Girl" is a drama of the hills. In which an untamed girl finds her true mate from nmongst society mep. Tjbo "British Army in Prance" features tbe rndian troops at inetront, , while Attlpllcan , 'tffmy manoeuvre are depicted ln the fll'm' of "GftX name. The pregrAnimc Is completed With a laughable ■pieeadlly" comic, entitled; "I'lmple Acts." GRAFTON THEATRE. That the management of the Grafton Theatre were Ju»tUlel In continuing tbe screening of "The Rebel." the film lv which Allen Doonc Is featured, is evident from the success with which the picture hns inn Dils week. Tbe story Is a typical one of Irish life, and no person better tnltcd' for tbe leading role could be found than Allen Doone. The mysteries of the Black Box serial ar<> deepened ln the screening of a further episode. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. This popular house of entertainment has been visited by good audiences at each session this week, when Tlttell Brune has proved a decided success in her Initial appearance in the picture world. She plays tbe leading role ln "Esther Redeemed." A fine supporting programme includes "And the Parrot Suld—!" a Vltngraph drama featuring BUIIc Reeves. Other films are "The Pathc Gazette" and n beautiful scenic of the Island of Wacbcren. OTHER riCTTRE BNTERTAIN3m.VTS. The aim entitled "Tbe Martyrdom of Nurse Cavell," being shown at the Globe Theatre, Is one of the most remarkable pictures yet screened here. "413" is another dim shown at tbe same theatre, and this nnd other good pictures complete a flne and Impressive programme. "The Martyrdom of Nurse Cavell" has been witnessed by many sympathetic patrons at the Grand Theatre this week. The heroic action and self-sacrlnce of this young Britisher Is screened most realistically. The picture Is ably supported by the "Daughter of Darkness," a film full of pathos and tonchlng Incidents. The picture of the wonderful self-sacri-fice of Nurse Cavell Is now appearing nt the Princess Theatre, and Is proving a strong attraction. The dim depicting "The Martyrdom of Norse Cnveli " is , drawing large audiences at' tbe 'Queen's Theatre.' "'lnfelice," a powerfnl drama, on tn&'Supporting programme, will be screened until Saturday. HOW SEALS ABE TRAINED. Captain Frank Bnling, whoso troupe of performing seals is such an attractive Item at Wlrtb's circus, which Is to open on Saturday, March IS, near Hohson Street baths, tells some interesting things about seals. These animals Inhabit the rocky parts of the coast of California, and live exclusively on fish. They are exceptionally fine swimmers, and can catch almopt any fish. The average life of n seal under natural conditions Is from 50 to 75 years, and some grow to a weight of over -1 ton. Netting these imimnls is qulto am Industry on this coast. '• When they are first caught," says Captain Hilling, " they are very ugly, and are all the while waiting to bite and to Injure yon. This goee on for abont four or five months, and wben they bare become accustomed to yon and are nsed to ■being bandied, their education commences. Sometimes tbey take even longer and sulk. I knew onp seal tbat refused food for 50 days. This is only n short way on the road though, for they are about tbe most difficult animal to train and present, that I know of. They bnvc a keen brain, but they seem to be all the while using It to kind of take a rise out of you, bnt If you treat them kindly, you can get along with them all right. It takes about two years to break them In for performing , before the public." THE ROYAL STROLLERS. The announcement made in this Issue by Messrs. J. and Nl Tait, to the effect that the Royal Strollers wJU commence a season nt 'His Majesty's Theatre, on Wednesday, the 39th, will no doubt be received with pleasure by thentre-gners, w?K), in these gloomy times, welcome an opportunity of enjoying a hearty l.iush and a brigbt anil pleasant evening's amusement. FrWn (lie Palace Theatre. London, the Royal Strollers have jnf>t completed au extensive tour of Australia, and in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide appeared most successfully for seasons of ten, fifteen, and sixteen weeks respectively. The Royal Strollers were organised some years asm by Mr. Sydney James, who is the head , of the Campany, and he line as his nssneintcs artists of lilgh repute nnd great individual talent The Strollers have In tine past appeared mostly In l/oml«n and tbe principal cities of the I'nlted Kingdom, although they hn-ve also rrsited South Africa no less tllnn five times, where they are, it Is said, extremely popular, by reason of the fact tbat tbey are quite different from the Costume Comedy Companye which we ihave been used to, their programmes, staging, costuming, etc.. being quite original and distinctive In Mr. Sydney .Tame? the Strollers possess a director whose, versatility us an entertainer (•wild scarcely lie equalled, nnil as a ventriloquist he has been described as the finest seen In Australia, and with his friend "Billy" he keeps his audience in merry nwod* (luring the time he occupies the stage. Miss Madeline Rrtsslter. dancer and comedienne, Is one of London's favourite nrtlsts, who has been the recipient of most flattering notices from tbe Australian Press. Tbe light comedlnn, Mr. G. Desmond Is an eccentric ragtime dancer. Miss Gwen Lewis , , who in her song? at th? pinno is stated to ho men better Ib.in Margaret Cooper, ,Mlss Connie Milne, Mr. George Gr.iystone, Mr. C> \V. Northeote, and •Mγ. Arthur Krogt, musical director, combine to make a talented band of merrymakers, whose mission in life •Is to amuse while they entertain. The box plan for the season will be opened at Wildmea «sd Aiey'», on Thursday next.