ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1039, 31 January 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

'TAID IN . FULL." The Iruly American drama "Paid in Full" wns produced again last evening, with great succer?. The bouse was full in every part. Mr. Cyril Mackay, with great cleverness, built up his difficult character of Joe Brooks, and brought it to that pitch upon which the whole point of the tragedy hangs. Every praise is due to him .for-his extremely 'fine actiug and the study lie must have given the part, jliss Xatherine Grey played quietly and convincingly, as Emnu Brooks, a character that is essentially an American creation. As Jimsy Smith, Mr. ~\\\ Desmond played a popular part well, conforming carefully .to type. "THE TRUTH." . To-morrow aud; Thursday nights, the last two of. Miss Katherine Grev's season—the late Clyde Fitch's delightful comedy, "The Truth," bo presented here tor the first time. . Apart from the interest which will naturally attach to tho production of what is said to bo a very excellent work* the management are desirous Miss Katherino Grey should' bi? seen in a -different type of character from': the serious ones'in'which sho has' already appeared. It is a role also* with which she is jlorfectlV familiar, having originally played it. York and several of the, principal American cities. These, the management state, will be tho only appearances, by-Miss'.Grey in this city, as she must return to the States in June'next. THEATRE KOYAL A large audience listened to 'the change of programme at tho Theatre Royal lost evwiifff and showed itself -quite satisfied with the faro provided. Among the people prominent' iii tlio new bill- aro -Air. Fred. Graham and Miss 'Nellie Dent, who aro onco. more among the. merry purveyors of vaudeville frivolity. 'They appear in a sketch entitled, "Tho 100 to 1 Chance," ai smart little comedietta, .which-chielly concerns a magic'wishing ring from'lndia and a horse , race.. Air. Graham retains his old-vivacity-in "gag" dialogue,and he wns : well played up' t'o by Miss Dent. During tho sketch Air. Graham sings "Matilda of-.St. 'Ivilda,"-and "Abbreviations.". Messrs. Farrell.and GafFney, comedians and dancers pattered humorously, and danced with capital vigour. | Mr. Farrcll has'only oiie leg (having lost the other in. a tramway accident), but that has Hn'. no-.way.-deprived him, of. his powers of rythmical agility and his dancing earned enthusiastic,.applause. ...Air. Gaffuey is also a highly-talented dancer. Afr. Scot' Gibson forsook tho kilts for burnt cork for tho nonce and'sang comic songs to the great amusement, of the audience and himself.. Aliss Ruby,.Wallace cut a dainty-little figure ■in "Gay Bohemia" and the Al'Cormiek Sisters—a juvenile duo—danced- with '.girlisjv grace, and • refinement,, after-tho song, "l'm. Glad I'm Home Asain."-Air!- Charles Heath exerted a tuneful tenor in-the popular old. .ballad "Alona,"' and Aliss.. Cecilo Stepliano sang in organ-like' tones ."Ben. Bolt." Other performers..included. ; Alessrs. .'.Tack Ivriowlos,' Will Eobey, and Edwin.Dennis.. The Anderson Trio , are announced to appear this, evening. ..

"WHAT HAPPENED. TO JONES'?" ' On Friday, February 3, the George Willoughby English Farcical Comedy Company, headed by Miss Beatrice Day, _ Mr. .-r\ 13. .Sharp, and Mr. Wi.lloughby him-self,-will commence a six-night season at the Opera House in "What Happened to Jones?" The company, is just, conclud-. ing a 'tour of the dominion, during which "Jones" has. everywhere, proved the strongest: draw. ■ .Its. exceedingly funny story is told in a series'of cleverly-con-structed scenes and situations, brimful of laughter. Its characters lire .individual studies-ill'rich .humour. . The great essential: in producing such pieces is of course a first-class cast. This'fact has not been overlooked by Mr. • Willoughby, who brings a supporting company of. unusual strength, which includes tho. Misses Bentrice Day, Amy Willard, Stella Pay.tcr, Nellie Mortyne, - and Messrs. Hugh C. Buckler. Arthur Cornell, Harry, Halley, Harry Overton, .and Fred. B. Sharp. Tho box plan opens this morning at the Dresden.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. - The failure, of, tho mail to connect at Auckland prevented tho latest budget of films from Home being screened at' His Majesty's Theatro last evening, but tho management, to keep faith witli the public, presented an entirely new bill irom their reservo stock, which programme was warmly received. One of the strong;est pictures of the well-selected, group ; was that entitled 'Tho'Copper and ; the Crook," a dramatic. story in which a nowly-sworn-in policeman comes into combat with a dcspo>ato" gans of -ruffians. Being what might be termed a handy man with .his hands, : tho guardian'of the peaco -plays ! havoc with the- gang, arid •subsequently- the fighting-is more serious, •fireariijs being "resorted •' to. Numbers prove'too nmch ; for tho'officer after his campaign has proceeded for a short time,' and his life is in danger on ;moro than one occasion, but the faithful watch kept by a youthful bootblack whom the policeman had befriended,-leads to the extermination of the gang and the triumph of the energetic policeman. . In "Royal Justice," • tho* high-handed behaviour. of a certain nobleman , in his dealings with a peasant' girl and her lover is ;summarily dealt with by a justminded " Sovereign, whose actions are. loudly applauded as . tho story is unfolded. "Hearts and Politics" was a strong dramatic picture with a "Western .setting. Another capital film, was "A Trip Through Venice," and on. the comic side "A. Lesson' in;. Domestic Economy" and "A Jar of .Granbury. Sauce" took pride of place. This.evening-the new programme which , would uave'been shown .last evening-had the-mail connection been made, will be-produced. , ;

THE; KING'S .THEATRE.; Tho high standard set .by the; management of tho Kings Theatre was fully maintained in tho programmo which was. presented last evening. The house was packed, and a.' number • of the screenings , wero loudly, applauded. Orio of. tho principal pictures, was. "Under the* Stars and Bars," a.'story with a strong, military flavour. The picturo opens with a peaceful scene in. an American" countryhome. In the, midst of a scene, of simply homo life, tho husband received orders to join tho regiment. A tearful, parting is followed ..by scenes of the. rival, armies. Tho. central figure'* of "the 'story is' sent with an' important dispatch, .arid in the: course of his errand is captured. After many trials the war end's, and the soldier worn and' weary and minus an arm, returns to his termer • home . to find it wrecked by shells aad his wife and-child gon6, he knows not'where; Ho collapsed on his search for them, and is removed to hospital.; During bis convalescence, whilst being wheeled in a .park, lie chances on his wife , and baby, and happiness prevails again. A really capital industrial film is. one showing the work; ing of a-huge tin mino 1 and smelting works in Malacca. Followers of the green, cloth and ivory balls .will find a picture of special interest, 111 "Scientific Billiards," which shows a, champion at the art playing numerous , difficult aud fancy strokes. Although only.-tho arm of the player and the. fcno aro r Visible, tho whole table can .bp seen,; aijd the' shots are; as clear as though played on a', full-sized' table. Some. new..pictures will: arrive by mail to-day. ' ; . ..'

STAR PICTURES. The Star Pictures ' entertainment at Newtown—now very, popular, with residents of South "Wellington—was very well attended last evening, the occasion being the weekly change 'of programme.' Tho pictures were effectively screened, and, by their brightness < and. diversity, held the attention and interest of the house. Perhaps the best picturc , was-a dramatic study entitled "The Farm Sorvant's Romance."' This is an, extremely affecting "story of rural life, and the acting and setting were such as called forth the enthusiasm of patrons:. "Hunting tho Giraffe" is an exciting 1 sporting picture, and illustrates tho many trials and difficulties of the big-game hunter in 'quest-of this timid and r&tlier ungainly; animal."" The scenic film, "Modern Chiiia," is 'especially good. It givc-s picturesque views of China,.and also illustrates tho remarkablo progress which tho Chinese 'aro making . towards ' Western civilisation. A splendid story'pf a lad's heroism is unfolded iii a dramatic, studyaatitled. "The • Little . Plaster Seller. 0

This picture was one of the marked successes of tho evening. "The Usurers" is a dramatic study to- which the grey position of the needy borrower forms a somewhat fombro background. A very laughable story of military life, and the trials and tribulations of two Scotchmen, is told in "Twa Hieland Lads." Included in the programme also are such interesting films as "Booth's Bov" (dramatic), "A Pair of Schemers" "(comic), and an extremely diverting farce, "Tweedledum Jlissas the Train." Patrons aro asked to note that the pictures will not be shown on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, but will resume on Friday' a* usual.