ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2219, 4 August 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Oil Thursday evening next Air. Fred JNiblo, Miss Josephine Cohau, and the J. C.;. Williamson" Company of Comedians, will commence an eleven-night season, the first five nights of which will be devoted to "The Fortune Huntor," a comedy, in which Mr. Niblo has eclipsed his previous successes.. Inhere may be a vast difference'between fortune-hunting and "getting rich quick," but the title of each of these plays appeals strongly to the average human, the glamour and glitter 'of riches having a strong fascination for most. An Australian critic writes: "It is no exaggeration to say 'The Fortune Hunter' is a comedy of , exceptional merit. Its humour is bright, quaiut, and pungent, and thero is much humaji interest iu the play." The'author, •Winchell Smith," of "Brewster's Millions" fame, has written a far more notable success in "The Fortune Hunter." Box plans were opened yesterday, when, in spite of the grave interest naturally centering around the war news, the booking was Remarkably good.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Of the new turns at His Majesty's Theatre last night ; the best was that of Bogues and Ohvotti, who appeared in a musical comedy sketch, entitled "A Wager.". In this the singing was particularly good, and the. turn pleas■lng. A welcome reappearance was made by Tom Armstrong and Mabs Howarth, a comedy sketch duo; who caused much merriment by their new jokes. They had recourse to no "chestnuts," and consequently' each rally was very effective. The Jackelow Trio ' continue to head the bill, and these Russian singers and dancers / each night are greeted with_ great /applause. .. Their Cossack dancing is a unique entertainment, and something entirely new to New Zealand. The amazing evolutions of the two men dancers are well worth going far_ to see.- Stewart and Lorraine, in their brilliant, musical meHingo, aro prominent in and their .entertaining turn is on©-of the most effective. Their season' is drawing to a close, but the audiences show as great a, liking "for their turn as when they first made their appearance! The Clarko Brothers, Scottish comedians and. danoers, appear. in their national costume, and present a number of amusing songs' and dances. They made a fair, impression- with their different items. Van Buren and Spinctte, American tango I dancers, showv how this fascinating dance should bo performed. Their performance is dainty, and meets with the- entire approval of -patrons. The Gould Bros, make a first appearance, arid show, to advantage as comedians' and versatile entertainers, while Vincent, Arthur," and Oliver prove themselves' delightful humorists and instrumentalists. Another, new turn ,is' that of Taro and, Mandell, "Top-line :American versalijlions," who appear, in a series of peculiar items, which cause a good deal of merriment. Th« programme is well| varied, and distinctly' entertaining. It will be repeated this evening. i ■ . .

THE KING'S'THEATRE. The.King's Theatre was well filled last night, when the new programme, featuring, the' drama, "Hearts Adrift,'' was screened. The .story; tragic and gripping, is set in one of the South' Sea Islands,. and tho chief part is taken by that established ifavourite, Mary Piokford. The story is a little Spanish girl, tho solo survivor <of a. shipwreck, is - tossed by the'.waves upon th 6 beach of a lovely island. The little one makes friends' and conlpanions of the birds and beasts of the island, and skilfully, constructs crude garments from skins and fibres. Some years la.ter a wealthy couple, the Grahams, who •are travelling for health and.pleasure on their' yacht, are also shipwrecked: near this island. Husband ; and - wife" are separated. Mrs. Graham is putinto a boat and her rescue effected, but her ■■husband, like Nina, is washed ashore. Nina discovers his body on the, beach, hardly knows what the strange, creature .is, and seeing him, move, timidly runs : away. They eventually become acquainted, arid, believing his wife Ito ,be dead, Graham : marries Nina, reciting.the words of the ritual, and live happily together.' But one day a yachfr arrives at the island, and, with it,' Graham's first wife. There .is a happy reunion'of the Grahams. Nina 'is'forgotten; but she understands. - The supplementary items include "The.Gaumont Graphic," "Views of;the Gorges of Hourat," "The AllBlacks Arriving in, New South Wales," "Flying Fox" (natural history),- and !two : good companies—"Blame the Wife" arid "The Girl at the Lunch Counter." 1

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. , At the Empress Theatre continuous pictures yesterday the new programme was headed by the Barker Company's ■modern "feature" ,', drama, "Greater Love." This is a story of two college ohums who in after life become doctors, and are rivals for the affection of May The girl is m love with Tom,' but he ii too bashful to declare his love. The Princess Adelaide falls ill, and Tom is summoned' to attend her. Instead, however, he goes to the sick-bed of a poor, man's daughter, arid, at infinite risk of infection, cures -the patient. Herbert attends the' Princess, and, elated at' the distinction conferred upon him by royalty, proposes to May, and is accepted.. Tom then falls ill, and when May hears of his indisposition she roalises' that she is devotedly in love ,with Tom. She appeals to Herbert to save his friend, and the ties of friendship prove too strong for Herbert to overcome. He saves Tom's life for the sake of old memories, but in doing so he finds that he will.'lose' the woman he loves. Comradeship impels Herbert to heroically release May from their engagement. The A.B. Company's extremely lauchable farde-comedy. "Because of a Hat," has been revived in the current programme, in response to many requests/ A 1 most artistic industry is displayed in the'film "Porcelain "The Williamson's Weekly- depicts many up-to-date happenings in.oversea countries. The i??ko Company is responsible for an amusing comedy, "Female Attendance."

EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. A sensational 'detective drama, "The Black friangle," heads the new programme at Everybody's Pictures at the Old Opera House in Manners Street. As'a foundation for the plot three desperate criminals, styling themselves '".Hie Black Triangle," kidnap a banker's daughter and hold her for ransom. Stuart Webb, a famous.private detective, engaged to investigate the affair, .andat great risk to bis life he enters a house where he has reason to believe the banker's daughter is imprisoned.' He discovers her, but is himself discovered by the gang, and is dropped into a trap that is intended to put afl end to his career. An ordinary death trap, however, has no terrors for Detective. Webb. He ■Mutrivfls to escape, and is quickly on the trail of the kidnappers: The latterremove the banker's daughter in a motor-car, which, unknown to them, is driven by Detective Webb. Members of ,the Black Triangle nro dropped from the motor by strategy, and the heroine is driven to a place of .safety. By the following evening the criminals are and hi duo courses thoy are sentenced for their crimes. As picture plays go, the "Black Triangle" is a high-class number, tlie parts being ably acted, and the scenes well harmonised. Among the supporting items, a film of special interest is that entitled "The Evolution of Loudon Traffic." In this, a Loudon street of 1902 is photographed. ajid contrasted with a present-day moving picture on the same spot, 'flio motor vehicle—a rarity in 1002—is shown to Live almost com. .filfiteh jusplauted the -hows ia 191&j

wio 0 hansom cab, so popular in f, 9 .°2>_has mysteriously disappeared. AH Blacks v. New South Wales" is a Picture production of the recent big "ugby Union match. in Sydney, and tnere are several familiar faces figuring ?> n i h6 s £ reon - Other films include "The ™t"e Gazette" (topical) and "The *atal Dress Suit" (comedy). Musical accompaniments are supplied by an oronestra. The programme will be repeated to-day, when the theatre will be open from noon onwards. , THE POPULAR COMPETITIONS. , Tll \, Popular Competitions were prougnt to a most successful conclusion m the Town Hall last night, before a yery large audience. The programme included the pick of tfie competitors, for t|ne finals the audience was the ttiat the; evening resolved itself, not into a trial of taient, but a trial as to which section of the.audience possessed the strongest set of lungs and vocal organs. Th 6 audience m Ji j BUr6 V fl ave been exceptionally gifted in these attainments, for from 8 oelock to 11.16 o'clock, when the protracted programme was brought to a close, the chorus of cheers, whistling. yelling, and incidental noises continued almost without intermission. Some time after 11 p.m. Mr. Alfred Boothman, who as stage manager and weighed in the balance the applause of the audience (no easy matter) distributed the prizes as follow:—

, Tango Dancing.—Miss Johnston and Mr. Aneell. and Miss Baker and Mr. O'Carroll (dead heat), 1. , , ■ La Rinka Waltz.—Mr., O'Carroll and Miss Baker, 1. Dramatic Impersonation.—Misses M. Aitken and»E.; Aitchison, 1. '. Ladies' Song.—Misses E. Vernon and F. Baker (dead heat), 1. Pillow Fight.—Messrs. L. Thompson, E. Jacobsori, L. A. Stebbing, and V. Grant ( all tied for first place. .'..'. Comic i^ona.—Mr Wilkinson, 1. ■ Step Dancing.—Misses . L.. O'Leary and R. Rogers, 1. Boys' Step Dancing.—Masters W. Brrvnrn and Rowell, 1. - The programme of events was relieved with exhibition dances by M. and Mdlle. Oraus and Miss SKnw. Mr. Alfred Boothman recited "The Charge of the Light Brigade" with effect. "THE SMART SET." ■ ■ ! An event of note to lovers'of comedy and high-class vaudeville will be the advent of Mr. Walter George's company of "Smart Sot" entertainers at the Town Hall Concert Chamber, commencing on Monday noxt, for a scar son of six nights. ■ The box plan opens at tho Dresden on Thursday next at ; 9 a.m.,' and ther>rices will be 35., 2s. is. tilt: Edward Branscombe, so well and favourably known to the theatre-goers of tho Dominion,' has taken over the I above combination, and added several 1 star 3rtists ; from his well-known companies nf "Dandies," extended the repertoire greatly,- and stocked it with the very latest novelties,' and will, ho states, present it to the public of NewZealand with the utmost confidence that it will meet with that public's entire and unqualified approval. It ia the return of the f'Smart Set," so that there is no need to enlarge upon the style, of performance presented,,suffice it/te 'say that all those patrons who enjoyed the "Smart Set's", previous visit will onjo.y< it double this time. They have just oonoluded a successful season at Hobart. Headed by Mr. Walter George and. Miss Georgie Martin; these artists, with song, stery, dances, and concerted numbers, are stated to give a really excellent entertainment. All the artists are at the very top of their profession, work in. thorough harmony with each, other and_ the world in general, and the result is said to be an entertainment of the very -finest, quality that could be be presented. :