ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2213, 28 July 1914, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE FORTY THIEVES." _ Ript of gaioty and splendour as it is, "Tho Forty Thieves" pahtomimo can scarce fail to delight tho most fastidious audieueo, and at its presentation last night tho crowd in tho ■ Grand Opera House were by turns entranced with tho boauty of the* stage pictures, captivated by the tuneful music, or provoked to laughter by .the intelligent foolishness, or it all. Mr. Barry Lupiuo is the performer whoso special whim is to ninko himself or others ridiculous, and to make much, fun for the people beyond tho footlights. Mr. Edwin Brett has some peculiar gifts, enabling him to induce' modest, retiring folk to join in his merry refrain "Whoopl Lot's Do It Again." Mr. J. B. Atholwood, sound actor as he is, makes all that needs to bo made of Cassirn Baba, and the leading singing parts are well taken by Miss Dorothy Firrn'm, Miss Winnio Volt, and Miss Mario Eaton. The eccentric acrbbatio play of tho Three Rubes always draws demonstrative' approval. There will be a matinee porformanco to-mor-row afternoon. • HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ; The current in the stream of vaudeville gained in velocity last evening by the arrival c/f a new contingent of artists. From far Kieff, in Russia, came tho JakoleW Trio of Slavouio dancero and singers—a lady and two young men. They brought ( ' with th.em a breeze' from the Steppes, and the steps they executed from the muscle-testing "cobbler's danco" to the. wild Cossack whirl, combined with their picturesque and gailyrcoloured costumes, found immediate appreciation. The lady Jakp-" low. who has a strong sopranp voic6, a triflo • unsteady... in tone, sang 'My Hero," from ''The Chocolate Soldier," and later a Russian song 'of peculiar rhythm. Both of the males aro skilled dancers and acrobats, one in particular being a great "whirler , ,"' if one may coin a word/and their,"spring and elan is exhilarating in the extreme. Dale Winter and May Field, a couplo of singing sketch_ artists,' were discovered in and it is during tho robing period that they burst into somewhat inconsequent song, the humour of which was uoj; too' apparent. A pretty taste for decollete dress is a feature of "Scattered Dnsams." Fred Swift, an American with an English nnme, who speaks with a German accent, made the hit of the evening. He is music all over. Every section of his sartorial equipment Rives out a note —he is a Jiving symphony, . Apart from his musical'clothes, Swift is a fine cornet player,'a clover manipulator <jf tuned-motor horns, and a patter comedian of resource. Zeno and Mandell aro smart exponents of a merr.y humour, distinctly, their own, | based for tho most part oil the proportions of the lady performer. Tbpy sing the raggiest of rag-time, burlesquo the tango, chop into each other's songs, but always tho joke is on the plump and pleasing lady. A distinctly-refined performance is that of MissiSs;Andrews and Dent—two ladies, a violin, and a piano. Miss Andrews is a richly-talented violinist, who produces a'fine mellow tone of an appealingly sympathetic quality. She plays good-music with understandin'R, and it was well appreciated;" Misb Dent sang "My Ain Folk" tastefully, and played the accompaniments'for her gifted partner. Stewart and Lorraine are musical specialists, who play lively •tunes on a variety of curious instruments which look/a good deal bettor than they .sound, 'and Tom Armstrong ■and Mabs Howard produced a. new force' entitled "A Midnight Mishar)," which gave tho,comedian a chance fo exude a jdry humour • that , found ainpta favour :-with' the" i audi(3nco:; r '\Mr'. i: Arthur sang a couple of ballads aoneptabh, and with Messrs'; Oliver'and Vincent indulged in some good trio ..singing. . .Mr. Frank Crowther's orchestra was equal to all demands.. '...''.' ' THE KING'S THEATRE. '. ■Tommy Atkins appears as,one of .the characters in "The Lure of London"— the big picture drama screened at ■ tho King's Theatre last nrghtr—but ho is not such a hero as the British-soldier is usually, supposed to ~ be. Hβ is, however, in the. p'icture long enough to cause all the trouble on which the plot hinges. He makes love to the nursegirl and tho latter neglects her dut] to" Sir John Westbury'a two infant chiJ dren, who are under her care. The result is that Daisy Westbury strays from homo and is lost in the streets' of London. Charlie Brooks, a little news vendor, finds her and takes her to his homo in the East End, where she is "adopted by his parents who resolve to make her work for her living. , /Tho little girl' becomes alternately flowersoller, artist's' model, and dansouso under the stage name of Daisy Sinclair. After a tour of Australia, she returns to London to perform ■ at the Empire Theatre. William Anderson, 'the artist, fov whom she previously acted as model, renews 'his acquaintance with her, proposes marriage and is accepted. Later through a misunderstanding he breaks off tho engagement. Tho daneuso goes to him for an explanation, but is unable to see him. On her way homo she is knocked down by a !taxi-cab,- and taken in an unconscious 'condition to the hospital; where Sir John \Vestbury is now head surgeon. Ho examines her injuries, which are not serious., and recognises a locket and chain round her nock. Scarcely crediting that she is his daughter, he seeks a acar on her forehead and finds it. : As a • result of a conversation he.. has with Charlie Brooks he is convinced that Daisy Sinclair is his own little girl, who had been lost many years before. The patient slowly recovers, there is a happy family reunion, and the misunderstanding between the heroine and her lover k cleared up. The play is very handsomely staged and dressed and exceedingly woll acted, the rolo of Daisy Westbury being filled by the beautiful Engglish picture aotress,. Miss Ivy Close, t whose dramatic method is one of the' features of the film. . Some''very fine .scenes of London life figure in the production, which is euro to please the houses throughout the week. 'The supporting items incldde a melodrama, "His First Love," amusing comedy, ''The Joy. Ride," a.' recent edition of the Gauniont Graphic! and a rare scenic number, "Visions of Rome," -which shows many, interesting, corners of. the Eternal City. The programme is screened' to the' accompaniment of delightful music by the King's orchestra under the direction of Signor A. P. Tr'uda. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Tho Blackmailer," ■ a stylishly-staged feature drama by tho Film d'Art Company, takes precedence in the new programmo which wae introduced at the Empres3 Theatre continuous '-pictures yesterday, i The leading character, a •well-educated rogue named Lambert, the leader of a gang of burglars, applies for a position"as tutor to Lord Walton's little son, and is ongnged. Subsequently ho conceives a scheme to acquire .wealth, and indiices Lady Walton to write,him a note that appears as though it compromises her. Lambert then domaiids £5000 from Lady .Walton, at tho samo timo threatening that if she refused he would show tho note to Lord Walton. Mr. Lantona, a guest at Walton Hall, (fuspects that Lambert is engaged in some sinister scheme, and watches hjs movoments. Lady Walton goes to Paris and disposes of some of her jowcis to raise tho amount claimed by Lambert. On her return home she hands.Lambert Uio money but he refuses to return tho note. Lantona then intercedes and do--mands- tho return of the missive Lambert refuses to givo it back, so Lantona seizes a. guii and shoots tho scoundrel. Lady Walton corroborates Lantoua's statement that-Lambert-met his death by tho accidental-discharge of;tho gun. Supplementary films include: Williameoii's .Weekly" {toxical), -"Haj^Malsiug,

in Now Zealand" (industrial). "Billy a Elirst Quarrel" (Gem comedy), "Coasts of Now Zealand" (scenic), dud "A Mixup at the- Mardi UrasV (Solig comedy); "EVERYBODY'S" PICTURES. A dramatic picture of a uiglily-scnsa-tional character, "Tho Golden Beotlo," is the "star" attraction of the new picture programme at "Evoryeily's" Pictures, it is from the Cines Company's studios, and no'trouble^ has been spared to get in many exciting events. Tho story deals with Anglo-Indian affairs. Georgo Surrey, the principal character, is a typical Englishman, who goes on a big game hunting expedition in India, aiid tho story deals with his adventures, which are many and exciting. He lias the misfortune to incur tho hatred of the Goddess Kaly, and is captured and placed in a dungeon under au idol-. -There ho secures an eagle and ties a message to one of its wings. Tho message is recovered by an English hunter, named Murrell, who sets out to effect the release of the prisoner. Tho Chief of the Golden Beetle clan overpowers Murrell, and one of the gang goes to England and impersonates Surrey. Eventually, the two Englishmen gain their freedom, and while pursued by the gang descend a precipice in human ladder fashion. This is a particularly exciting oveiit, and shows great acrobatic prowess on the part of tho actors, In England some further exciting adventures follow before the imposter is outwitted. It is altogether a story abounding with dramatic features, which lend themselves to presentment on the film. Other interesting films include one showing the construction of a lifeboat, and Pathe's Gazette is full of topical subjects. _ ! 'Simple 'Simon and .the Dromedary" is screamingly funny. A. pretty scenic study is one showing a real English winter. Tho orchestra adds to the entertainment with a well-selected 'programme of music. ■ POPULAR COMPETITIONS. Opening their season at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, tho Australasian Popular Competitions Enterprises will present their first series of popular events. Over - 200 .entries from amateur artists ; have been received, tho Hutt, Petono, and other suburbs being well' represented. /J'ho management has found it necessary to extend the season to Monday night, August 3/ in order to accommodate tho. largo _ number of performers. Wednesday night's programme will include blindfold boxing, comic singing, tango dance, dramatic impersonations, and chorus- singing. Tlie latter item will he unaccompanied, and the.intermixture of sentimental and comic choruses, and the varying voices of tho singers, should . provide much "amusement.. To convenience tile publio •tio entrances to the large hall- will bo open at 7.15. Tho box plan is open at tho Dresden, where soats may be reserved. . ■ -./•'■-■