ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2363, 20 January 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

1 J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY. Onsidorablo interest lias already beon infused into tlio coming season of tho Gilbert aud Sullivan oponiß, aim on Wednesday night next when J. C. Williamson's now English Comic Oporii Company will onoo again present 'Iho Gondoliers" tho Grand Opera House will doubtless bo taxed to its utmost capacity. Tho stay of tho company is limited to sixteen nights, but that period thoy will stago six of tho most popular works of tho famous collaborators. "Tho Gondoliers" will only bo presented for three and it will bo followed by throe revivals or "The Yoomen of tho Guard," throe of "lolanthq." throe of "Tho Mikado, two of "H.M.S. Pinafore," and two or "The Pirates of Penzance." "Tho Gondoliers," with its brilliant combination of tuneful nielodioß, clever satjre, higholass and genuine comedy situations, gorgeous mounting, splendid choruses, and romarkably fiuo ballets, has always proved one of the moßt popular of the Gilbert and Sullivan works, and goneral satisfaction will bo felt that this opera has been chosen by tho J. C. 'Williamson, Ltd., management in which to signalise tho first appearance of the company here. While tho majority of tho principals hail from England, the chorus, consisting of over 80 voices, are all Australians, and their work in tho Commonwealth and South Afrioa ed a perfect furore of enthusiasm. The principal members of the company include tho Misses Pearl Ladd (soprano), Gladys MoncrieS (soprano), Katio May (comedienne). Maud Miles (soprano), Edward M'Keown. (tenor), ,G. Villers Arnold (baritone), Frank Wilson (bantone), Albert Kavanagh (comedian), Frank Rintel (tenor), Edward Wynne (tenor), D. Gordon, L. Sigel, T. Turnley, and Charles It. Walen (principal comedian). Miss Ethel Morrison, the heavy contralto, originally hailed from \Yclllngton, whero she was for years associated with the local amateur operatio and comedy societies. The orchestra was described in tho Commonwealth as the finest band yet got togother for oomio opera. The operas are staged under the personal supervision of Mr. Richard Woathersby, who has been for 30 years stago direotor with Doyle Carte's Company at tho Savoy Theatre. Mr. Henry Burton, the musical director, was associated with tlie recent London production of tho Gilbert and Sullivan operas. The box plans for the entire season will be opened at the Bristol (the Drosden) on Monday morning noxt. "THE EVER OPEN DOOR." It is some time mow since Wellington audiences 'have been treated to the olass of melodrama the George Villoughby Dramatic Company are producing. "The Ever Open Door," which was staged for the first time at tho Grand Opera House on Monday night, wa6 witnessed by another large audience last night. The drama, centring round London slum life, apparently is the type of play that appeals to a large Seotion. The heroine of the drama, though not a faultless being, makes amends for a previous sin of hers and for another supposed crime of which 6he is really guiltless. It is incidents and intrigues centring round her rather rough path through life that make the plot. Miss Vera Remee takes the leading part, and her interpretation of it is an instantaneous success. The supporting artists interpret the lesser roles tvith oredit. "The Ever Open Door" will be repeated for the last time to-night, and on Thursday "Ouida's" "Under Two Flags," a drama which should oarry a special appeal at the present time, will bo. presented. ... , HIB MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Those in search of thrills should visit His Majesty's Theatre, there to see Madame Scliell, a little weak woman, drill two lions after the method of Sergeant What's-his-name—"with a bit of a stiok." 'Ilio lady's mastery over the beasts is complete, and the lions do not seem to be too well mannered either. Two old friends of Hugh Ward's comedy companies, Mr. Reynald Wykeham and Miss Pressie Preston, who have taken to the short order stago with a sketch or two, have been, welcomed and cheored. The programme altogether is a mirthful one. THE KING'S THEATRE. Always up to date the new progiamme at the King's. includes in the Pathe Gazette a chapter about King George of England visiting the troops in France. The big strong picture is entitled "The Battle of the Sexes," the old, old story about a man, a good woman, and a bad woman. There is no divorce scene in the picture, however, and the story ends in the approved ,; lived-happy-evor-afterwards" fashion. The otter films deal with news, travel, comedy■ and • adventure, making up an unusually fine programme. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The comedy of the Keystone people, called this time "The Rounders," is amusing the ever changing orOwds at Everybody's Theatre this week. The story is commonplace enough—two naughty men and two angry wives—but the men's pranks are strange aid the wives' anger is strenuous. For twenty minutes or so at Everybody's one can laugh heartily enoilgli to forget decorum and the last car. There are other comedies on the bill, also a more serious picture play entitled "Fate's Midnight Hour." PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. "Thumbprints," a remarkable photoplay, revealing the methods of an exceptionally smart detective, is the principal attraotion at the People's Picture Palace in Manners Street. Tho now programme has attracted considerable attention. At all sossions yesterday the oosy little theatre was well filled, and at the first session in the evening every seat was occupied. In "Thumbprints" the detectives are confronted with a Dafirliiig mystery, during tho solving of whioh many exoithig incidents are portrayed, and it is only by the aid of modern science that the mystery is solved. The supporting pictures are many and variod, and include "Borrowed Books," a splendid dramatio study, "News Items" (comic), "Stars in My Crown" (dramatic), and "Bill-posting" (comio). This week's "Warwick Chronicle" is well up to the usual standard. Besides many scenes of topical interest some very fine war pictures are shown. In fact tho whole programme is worth seeing this week. Next Monday the management announce that a dramatisation of George du Maurier's novel, "Trilby," will be shown. Sir Herbert Tree takes the part of Svengali, and Viva Birkett is Trilby O'Farrall. The cast is an exceptionally strong one, aud comprises many wellknown artists. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Tho King Repents," together with the present supporting programme of tlie Empress Ineatro continuous pictures, will be shown for the last time to-day and Supplementary films embrace "Life on the New Zealand Troopships," "The Topical Budget" (war news), "That's Torn It" (force-comedy), and others. An entirely new programme will be intro(iliced to-morrow. MILITARY ENTERTAINMNET. "In aid of the dependents of those New Zealandcrs who fall at the front or suffer whilst on active service." What object should appeal more to the hearts of the people than that embodied in the forepoing lines? It has b<?on inborn on . .ffISOTMAt tea. little, atteitioa Ims. jm.

i , , -V ' h paid to this, imminent contingency, and b some of thorn have combined to give a r grand military entertainment of a e unique character in the Town. Hall this evening. 'The programme is a rattling t good one, rich in novelties, and breathi- mg the true spirit of the timOs. Such s admirable performers as Dr. Norman Hales, Mr, C. V. Mohr, Miss Flora >- Shaw, will contribute to the programme, i l'hero will bo military tableaux depict--0 ing l "The Retreat from Mens," and y "Jessie's Dream," the Senior Cadets' champion .team will perform their physical drill exercises, and the Wellington Pipe Band will thrill with the music of "Caledonia Btem and wild." A t foature of the programme will be the ■ 'sale by Mr. Erie Johnson of "Kaiser 6 Bill" (a prize Shorthorn ram presented by Mr. E. Shortt), and the "Kron J Prinz," a dear little piglet of aristo-, cratio linoago. The entertainment js ? to be given under tho patronage of His Excellency the Governor, the Prime ' Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, ana the offioers of the garrison. ® MAOMAHON'S THEATRE. 1 "Tipperary," with its bright vitality s and its sterling patriotism and loyalty has been drawing large houses at MaoMahon's Theatre, - where the capacity of this popular house of entertainment was taxed to its utmost. The story is a crisp and vivid one, and its stirring I fidelity to iife makes it doubly nttrao--3 tive at the moment. As a matter of g fact the picture is ah appeal as well s as a graphic story, and it will be long 9 before a mora emphatic call to loyalty is shown in picture form. There was . an entirely new supporting programme . yesterday, at the head of which was a d delightful American drama entitled "The ( Golden Ladder." As a study in dral' matic condensation, this picture would jJ take a whole lot of beating, and it is as pretty as it_ is impressive. Several excellent comics and a number of pretty scenio and industrial pictures are included in a programme of spe>i cial excellence. The vogue of "Tippers ary" is most marked, and the vocal .t portion of the entertainment is quite o a foature. "Tipperary" will be shown o at every session for the remainder of it the week'. ,e 1 .■