ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1705, 24 March 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ALLEN BOONE SEASON. "THE WEARING OF THE".GREEN." "The Wearing of tho Green," n comedydrama by Theo. B. Suyre. Cast:—. M'Ginnis Maurice Lyncli Mrs. O'Callahan Miss Ethel Grist Peggy M'Ginnis Miss Connie Kyte Squire ■ Fitzgerald ......... Frank Cullcnane Captain Adair Tom Buckley Gill Jt'Dougall . Onslow Edgcworth Kitty Adair. ■'. ....• Miss Ethel Baahford Murtagh M'Namara, Frank Cotter No rail M'Namara. Miss. Edna Keeley Finnian iioso Oreagh Miles O'Kcgan Olias. Dean Philip Fitzgerald Allen Doone Sir Eustace Vane ............ dive Farnliain Ralph Carson- 'gort, llogan O'Shauglmeesy James Sheehan Connolly ... ; J. V. White Sergeant O'MaJioney Fred .Daly

Irish comedy-drama iii its,more popular sense takes, a certain .well-defined .form, which few b'lt tho boldest managers'dare to depart, from in prqsell.ti.llg that class of theatrical entertainment. ; Necessarily the hero must be a very pretty fellow, with'a lively wit, a .-tongue ■well, "buttered with blarney, and, for preference, a- soft singing voico capable of giving expression to "the soul of minstrelsy" ,witli which every stage Irishman'is assumed to be infected. Tho fairest colleen of, the country is always in lovo with him" ami becomes his in the end, after a. superhuman struggle; his rival must iiece^sarily" ; be a most despicable character (without song); and, what is most essential, the play must end with the hero in the highest heaven of happiness and the villain utterly confounded.' Although the'general trend of this argument is followed in "The 'Wearing of the Green;'* presented by Mr. Allen Doone and his company at the Opera House, on Saturday evening, there are djfartures from the stereotyped form which lend a gleam of. originality to the plot, and which-serve admirably to display the graces of Mr. 'Doo'no in an attractive manner. As Philip Fitzgerald, he has a role starred - with- pretty- speeches of unblushing blandishment for the, fair Norali M'Namara, whichwlien delivered in his soft reposeful voice and pleasant 'manner, scon establishes a bond of syiiipatliy with tlie audience. The out reaching temperamental "attributes 'of J' Mr. Doone cover _ the weaknesses. ' 'and crudities in the play itself, . and/even lend dignity _ ah'd consequence to scenes which, if less delicately handled, would border on tho ridieulotis. Thero was no mistaking the'.impression hia'do upon tho audience by- "The! Wearing of the Greeiy" A crowded gallery'aikl stalls gavo it a'great weloc-me; and tlicre '.wero oven _ moments of fervent' enthusiasm. One is rather ingeniously; created bv the circumstances which follow Philip's determination not to marry Kitty. Adair (his wealthy grandfather's choice); 'Philip is disinherited by'the irascible old.man! and is., etist upon his own resource's in DnbThere Mr. Connolly, ananager of the Hall of Harmony, hears Philip ting accidentally, offers him itlio, chatico to tiike the place of tho leading singer, Miles O'Regaii, with. whom'Connolly -has fallen PhUip .accepts the , eiigageipentj but 0 Regans friends are present in force to prevent tho newcomer -making a- success, in addition tQ which, Gill M'DOugalt (the villain in. chief) has organised a party to wreck? Philip's chance of success. The interior of the theatre is presented—stage, footlights, curtain, orchestra,. and boxes, complete—with real people blended into the painted ones 'on " the; scene,. Philip appears, but is howled 'down. Again and again ho tries to get a hearing, but fails. Then a sudden idea strikes'-kimr-to mako nil appeal'to'the patriotism of his coiin-.try-men. He seizes an Irish flag-from the theatre decorations-, anil. sings?-tho' forbidden song, "Tho Wearing cf tho Green." This daring, act of itlio young Irishman tires the mimic audience to a great , pitch of excitement and enthusiasm, which 011 Saturday evening snread to 'the real audience, who demanded a repetition of -the song, after it had once been sung through on the mimic stage. By -making a success at the Hall of' Harmony, Philip, wins a wager made with his sporting' grandfalfcuor, and with his beloved' Norah is Sm-Jfm I,ac ' c t'3 his arms. His- eiienijvGill M Dougall, a shockingly bare 5 is arrested for having l led the riot which succeeded the scene at tho theatre, and 1 liilip (with his bride) makes for America to escape the hanging, that would follow 111s vocal indiscretion. Jtr. Allen DOOIIO niay not bo a slavish' adherent to all the canoiis of cultured voealism, nor is his tone production and phrasing by . anymeans periect, but hia trail tenor voice is vibrant with sympathy and emotional feeling, and. by a more natural process than that practised by many better-equipped singers, it reaches the heart. Tho simulated sOb in his voico as he sang "Tho Wearing ol tho Green sent little electric- thrills to every Irish heart in the audience,"and the re-, suit was a scene of enthusiasm. ' Mr. iJoono also \crooned '.'A. FoVr-leaveil Clover," "Norah Jl'Namara," and "Ireland, My Ireland,"' pleasantly. . Mis* iidna Keeley,- lvjiose accent savours more "J Aew Jersey than Dublin, makes jNorah M'Namai'a a bright winsome- lass, whoso ingratiating smile' in tho teeth of adversity, is provocative of so much'lovo and occasional song from the impressionable Fitzgerald. The lovo scene in the gloaming (Act I) was ratlier a'pretty, bit of acting. Mr. Tom Buckley, wqose Irish* brogue wa9 the. real thingj. presented a good character, sketch as Captain Adair," a brisk, rough-tongued old sea-dog,.'and crony of Squire Fitzgerald, capably played, by 'Mr. Frank Cullinanc. Mr. Oiir-low Edgcwortk was too boisterous and rough to be effective as Gill M'Dougall. Such n thorough-paced scoundrel would certainly, be possessed of greater subtlety'and coolness than as represented. .Miss Ethel Bashford was quite charming in tho few: momentary scenes whioh she brightened as Kitty Adair, and Miss Connie Kyte made Peggj; M'Ginnis an amusingly precocious sprite. The M'Ginnis of-,Mr.' Maurice Lynch was a lively low comedy character sketch in high colours. His description of the sceilo in the theatre gallery, when ho happened to make a disparaging remark about O'Eegan; the singer, was genuinely humorous. -Miss Ethel Grist made a buxom'. Mrs. O'Callalian, who was continually mislaying her brogue and finding.it again. She was happier in her last-moments. - Mr. Clive Faritham was well placed as Sir Eustace Vane. ■ "Tho Wearing of the Green is capitally mounted, and the picturesque dosses of the eighteenth century made a" gallant and coloursomo show, : particularly 111 the theatre scene. Mr. Percy Keogh presided over'an orchestra which will improve on a close 'acquaintance "with-" the.'brisk work required. The : play will be staged nightly until further notice.

THEATRE ROYAL. ; " The management of the Theatre Royal advertise an attrncfive and special change of programme for to-night. :Foremort on the neiv programmo will bo "Tlio Dentines," who will introduce an entirely original turn. Tlio various other items will also bo ohanged. ' . ' . ' HIS MAJESTY'S THRATRE. : Messrs. Fuller and Sons have prepared a specially strong' bill for the change of programme at His Majesty's this evening. The feature is entitled "Secret of tho Safe," a dramatic production by the CinesCompany, of Rome. This picture is;said to bo a very slately one, and will include some astounding scenes, including a meeting at tlio convict settlement, and a collision of two railway trains travelling tit express speed. "At the Fcot of tho Scaffold," a British production by the Ilcpwix Company, tells a story of breathless interest, with tragedy following swiftly upon tragedy, until at last tho (ruth comes out, culminating in the hero being snatched from death on the scaffold nt the last minute for a crime which ho never committed: Another interesting -subject is "The Diamond." Scientists have been able to manufacture diamonds and this film shows the process. "A Busy Day in Jungletown," a humourous titbit by ICnleni, and other items combine to mako up an excellent evening's entertainment. A matinee will bo held to-day, commencing at 2.30 sharp, when 11 special programme will bo screened for the matinee only.' . :

"FOR LOVE IS LIFE." An "all new" programme will be screened at tho King's Theatre this afternoon at the matinee, and to-night. The star item, "For Love is Life," is one of tlio noted Patho colour driutias, and vividly portrays tile love story of a sculptor, .lean, tho son of wealthy parents, falls in love ivith Clothildo,. nn artist whom his family think is airworthy to marry

Inm, but, alter three acts ot heart-stirring interest, Jbun's. family, ai'e'quito convinced that Clothilde is the one girl in the world worthy to wed their son. The management otate that; the plot is produced amid -splendid scenic situations, and the colouring of the picture is exquisite. Supportins,' items include two ,Vitagraph studies, "Six o'clock," a drama featuring Maurice Costello, and, "In the . Flat Above," a Flora "Lady Clare," a dramatisation of Tennyson's well-known jioem, will also be screened. THE NEW THEATRE. There will be a complete change of programme to-day and to-night at the New Theatre. The feature film will be a noted Continental dramagraph entitled "Nursing a Viper." The story opens with tho adoption of a beautiful girl by a wealthy couple. Tile girl, however, comes between her foster father and his wife,'and eventually the wife leaves her home. Her clothes are subsequent!}- found 011 tho bank of a pond, and it is generally believed that sho has been drowned. Her husband subsequently weds his ward, but soon discovers her duplicity. TIIO latter, however,' is killed in ,the hunting field, and the first, wife eventually returns to her husband. Another special attraction will bo 'tlie Lnbin "masterpiece," entitled "The Mexican Spy." Among others are: "Life of Danish Peasants" an;l "The Spider, Collects Animals." EMPRESS - THEATRE. " An entire chaiigo. of! programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures is announced for to ; day and - to-night. TII3 principal attraction will bo 'the Sclijj Company's latest sensational'feature, entitled "The Smouldering Spark." The plot: is roportcd to be of exceptional-merit, nud'incidents of an excitinir order follow in quick succession. The film introduces an cxciliim first fight, and a realistic fire at sea. This picture li;is already -won', a reputation in America, and Eurone. The next in importance will bo the A.B. drama "The Misappropriated Turkey," an intensely jmpressivo'.portrayal/ , Tliero will nlfo l>e an uproariously laughable, comedy, "The Masher Cop," bv the same maker". A pathetic drama, "The Blind Heroine." is a weH.-staged \ and artistically-noted nic-ce. A humorous story,. "Almost a Hero," will bo among the remaining 1111111kOrs. Now. selections will be contributed by'the Empress full orchestra.. V SnORTTS' THEATRE. Tho programme, at Messrs. Shortt's Theatre .will be changed tj-day,-when., as a special liastor attraction, "Tho VorieV" wilt bo screened for the first time. This film is said to bo 2500 ft. 'oiig.