ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2111, 31 March 1914, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

For britlt quality and quantity the programme provided by v.ho Breumintfuller management at His Majesty's Theatre last evening toek i'airlv High rank. The improvement that is foeiwg effected in the class of artiste is having the effect of swelling th,o audiences, and tho big theatre was altnast filled last evening, while there was no doubt about the manner in which tl» bill was received. Among the newcomers the most decided hit Wd.s made by Brent Hayes, an exceedingly clever banjoist. He uses a plectrum in las work, and, in consequence, gets a sharp-toned mandoline effect! , rather than the soft, deep-toiicd hum of th,o old finger-plucked banjo. It is certainly amazing what Mr. Beyes can do. In the ''Miserere" duet from Verdi's "11 Trovatoi-e," he not only gives out the double melody, kit supplies a colourable imitation of the accompaniment, without attempting to pluck- with the fingers of ilia left "hand. He also played a wemt overture to the unknown opera, "The Serpent ettd the Angel" (which has not been allowed to escape .from America.), in which someclever, orchestral effects wore conveyed. Then he played "rag,"' which he gavo out as "The Slew-eyed ficklcfoot Wobble." It carried the hovt-so with him, Another newcomer was Dorothy Hariris, who is a cute and tuneful ehortler of rag-time melodies, and who improves on acquaintance. Shs changes her frock for each song, and as her dresses improve so does her work, She was smart and clover in "The Old Maids' Ball," but she was easily at her best in "On the Mississippi,"- $ rag-time lilt, which she invests with a good (teal of character. The Three Lusors are a man, wife, and child, trio, who play cleverly enough selections on the xylophone and sleigh-bells. They were somewhat handicapped, last night by bsing laist on the long pfos|ra.mme. Many people preferred making sure of tho last tram rather than hearing tho tuneful "Count of. Luxembourg" waltz on the bells. Gunnmgham and Rose, the slim, pale alto, aad. the negro comedian with the wheop, entertained cleverly, for ten minutes. Kiugsley a»d Graham were hardly at their best. Mr. Kingsley's voice was tai-rse and not quite up to true pitch, and thft jokes were musty. Millie DoriSj who is magnetic in personality, but risque in her selection of matter, has iflade a, decided hit in "Snookey-Ookußis," in which her broad Cockney stylo gets'Jailplay. She was also wildly anwsittg in her boisterous burlesque oil "Faust." Foster, Lamont, and Foster, created some wonder by tho/Cvidcnoo they gave of dental strength. Tho team consists of two ladies and a gentlpniaii. Shayrott and Lang reappeared with their comedy songs and dances, as did also the Phillip Sisters, and the Stratto&s. KING'S THSAfSE. "A Prisoner in the Harem," a- ten* sational Oriental drama liy Biache, fea-j turing a strong plot and exciting gjtua- \ ations, was the star attraction at the : King's Theatre last evening. The scene., which was laid in India, commenced with the representation of the grief of' Toru, an Indian girl who. had been sold by her father to the reigning Sultan. She was/loved by Akbar, who, like- her'self, was of humble cfjpift. She sfteceeded in,throwing a note from a. window in the.Palace to her 10-vcr, a-iid implored his aid. Akbar teid previously succoured a wounded tiger, and the animal had become attached to Irini. Itwas by tho aid of tho tiger that he succeeded in effecting Ibru's ese&pe. They however, reca.ptwetli and Akbar , was condemned and placet!,, in a cage with a tiger and -on the fallowing day the Sultan compelled Tortt to be present at tho scene, hut to- her joy, she found that her lover waa uninjured. Mad with rago the Sultan rushed into the cage, and drew his sWord npon Akbar. Tho tiger, however , , defended tho latter, and incidentally killed the Sultan. Akbar was released aiwj the new Sultan, oheying the customs of his country, declared that as Tcrtt was tho late monarch's widow, she should bo burned. Akbar secured the aid of tho British authorities to prevent this, and. as the flames burst out on the funereal pyro Toru was saved. Later Torn and Akbar were disclosed in their horn© with the tiger beside them. The picture was beautifully staged in. true Oriental style. The sensational parts in which tigers and lioiis were to bo seen mixing with human beings, ttas to say tho least remarkable. The opening picture in tho secead part of the programme Was one dopie-t----ing the ruins of the recent fatal fii'e at the Upper. Hutt. The details of. tho film were very good, and- a capital idea of the damage done to the properties cquld be obtained. Tta s.upport:mg pictures were good. "A Day in a Sailor's Life" showed tjje daily routine on board a battleship, aitwi gave a good idea how "Jack" has to work on board a man-o'-war. "Two Aristocratic Perntents" was a stirring Story of stage and society life. Other pictures were: "Pathe's 'English Gazette," "Gagfy" (scenic), and "Hubby's Pe-Uy," an excellent A.K. comedy. The programme will be shown throughout the week. THE EMPRESS TSEATEE. Tho new programme at the Bnip'ess Theatre continuous pictures included tho Edison Company's feature drama, "Stanton's Last ITlmg," This- is a sensational play, enacted in England and Belgium, and some fine seitiiefe in the latter country aro • Stanton is a promising young 'huejfiess staßj whose partner has been g»mfeKng with their clients' money. -When , the partner is on his' death-bed he confesses to Stanton, who realises that , lie; is ruined, but decides to have one more fri ; uj|, aiuj seeks a change bu the Continents, While proceeding to Dover he observes a young lady who appears ve-rj , m> happy. It transpires that she is Ladj Angela Carruthers, who is eloping witij a worthless count. Stanton meets the count at a casino in Belgito , , aj-id. a warm acquaintanceship springs up, Later the girl sees tho count in hi? true character, and when Stantoa goe , : to dine with him at his chateau, Ladj Angela throws a note from h<?r win (low, telling of her predicament. St-aii-toll bribes the count's chauffeur ic feign that the count's motor-car has broken down when they have startec on their journey with Lady Angela The ruse works successfully, a-ttd, while the count is engaged in e-saiiittiifi-g; t]>< motor-car, Stanton hurriedly Mts Lad; Angela into another car, and dasJie: away. The count sees , thiwigil tin trick, and compels his chauffeur, at tin point of the rovolver, to pursue Stan ton's car. - An exciting cJsase ensues Supporting tho feature film aro: u j Trip Through Lower Brittany" (scenic) "Double Crossed" (Keystone farce-som edy), "The Lesson" (Selig d«ma : ) "Compromising Complications" i&..Ti comedy), and "Tiny Tim's Krst Cigar , (Gaumont comedy).