AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16068, 26 November 1917, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE NEW HENRIETTA." The second string in tlio repertoire of Messrs J. and iN. Tail's Jsew Comedy Co., "The New Henrietta,' presented lor tho iirst time m Chi is ucliurcli oh foaturday nignt, belore u iairly large audience, is by tiie sunio autiiors as "Turn to the lviglit. Whilst lacking, perhaps, some ol the originality of. its predecessor, and certainly tlie drolleries of "Aiuggs" and ''Uiliy," "The New Henrietta" contains a far more probable story, and it docs npt require feats ol the tion to assume certain incidents. There are three Henriettas, one a dancer, one a young woman who has been wronged, and the third a promising goldmine. Also, there is a checriul idiot, and it is really around him that tho whole story revolves. The piece was capably interpreted by the company, though Miss Margaret Calvert,' who made such a hit in "Turn to the flight," was missing from tlie cast. Mr Walter P. Eichardson proved that he is an artist of versatility, for it would be hard to recognise m the Nicholas van Alstyne (Old Nick) of "Tho New Henrietta," the Joe 13asoom of "'Turn to the llight." Mr llichardson's interpretation of a somewhat difficult part was excellent, though possibly he made the old man a tritle too sprightly and youthful. The makeup, however, was remarkably well done. As Bertie van Alstyne (Nick's son), Mi- John Junior was more in his element than as "Muggs." He literally revelled in the part, and his cheerful careless idiocies had the audience frequently tied up with laughter. Mr Stapleton Kent was, however, not given the opportunities in the Rev. Murray Hilton that he possessed in "Gilly." He Jxad to portray a fashionable, impossible clergyman, and though he struggled manfully with his task, the odds were all, against him. Mr Gaston Mervale gave a finished representation of the unpopular part of Mark Turner, Nick's son-in-law, whilst Miss 1/izette Parkes made a dainty Agnes Gates, the old man's ward. Miss Gertrude Summers was, however, unconvincing as Mrs Cornelia Opdyke, the fashionable widow, and Miss Gwen Dorise did not make all she oould have of the part of Rose Turner, Nick's daughter. Minor parts wore filled capably by Messrs Maurice Dudley, Geo. Chalmers, Gerald Harcourt, Carleton Stuart, Francee Anderson, arid Edward. "Tho New Henrietta" will be repeated this evening and to-morrow evening. • OPERA HOUSE. The usual change of programme will be ■ presents! to-night by the I 1 uller management at the Opera House, when several new artists will appear. Heading the programme are ltio and Hclniax, a recent American importation, who will be seen in a display of physical culturo and posing. Another newcomer from the States will be _ Marie Buchier, a cabaret singer, who is said to be both charming and original. Dozey-Doura, ono of tho original and famous five Manchurians, made his first, appearance on Saturday night, and was accorded a good reception. His turn comprises both juggling and acrobatics, and is novel and original. Those popular sketch artists, Blake and Gran"by, will present a new sketch,, entitled "The Clarionet," Lew "James and Rein a Selma will present a new collcction of gags and songs, and Sydney Jones and his charming partner, Agnps Rames, ■will "•ive further selections from their repertoire. The programme, which also includes Ernest Pitcher find the Colemail Sisters, will run for sis nights with a matinee on Saturday. "THE CHEAT." "The Cheat," the sensational photoplay bv Jesse L. LasJjy, will bo tho principal picture at the Grand Theatre this week. Miss Fannie Ward, the famous international beauty actress, and Sessuo Hayakawa, the Japanese genius, take the leading parts, and it is stated that nothing better has been done in front of the eamcra. Powerful and exciting situations abound, in which love, hatred, and revenge are prominent all through. The plot deals with high American life, and the wild and passionate infatuation of a Japanese for a stockbroker's wife. How she unconsciously places herself in his power, and how' she attempts to free herself from his clutches, are stated to be niost realistically depicted, while the climax is described as a startling one. An excellent list of other films will support "The Cheat." « LIBERTY THEATRE. The now programme at the Liberty Theatre, which commences to-day, may be justly termed an all-star ono. Douglas * Fairbanks, the Triangle favourite, appears in a whirlwind comedy, entitled ''The Habit of HappiI ncas." Here he, as Saramio Wiggins, plays the role of a rich younjj man with a strong vein of whimsical humour. He ropes in a crowd of "dead beats," establishes a primary class in laughing at a slum refuge, and. lastly, obtains a job -with a grumpy old millionaire who suffers from indigestion and lack of humour.' Sammie cures him in drasticfashion, and incidentally delights the audience with a typical Fairbanks ' rough-and-tumble fight with a gang of | "toughs." Other star features of the , programme are Charlie Chaplin in [ "Easy Street" and Episode No. 3 of s the great serial, "The Secret KingL dom."