ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2592, 14 October 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S NEW MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON. The new musical comedy, "The Girl in the Taxi," which will be produced by the J. C. Williamson Company at the Urand Opera, House next Saturday evening-, is, says the Auckland ".Herald," "of the raciest kind, and allied with particularly tuneful music, the whole presented in a setting of .sparkle., colour, and animation. Few modern musical plays possess the electric-at gaiety that characterises this one. The first act is amusing, the second brings on paroxysms of mirth, and the third can scarcely be heard, so loud and continuous is the laughter it causes. So intensely funny are the situations, so smart the dialogue, and so ingenious the surprises which lift the farce along upon its merry way that the onlooker is left almost breathless in the end. "Tho Girl in the Taxi" was produced'for the first time in New Zealand last evening, and seldom has an Auckland audienco shown, such emphatic signs of enjoyment. At times they rocked with laughter, so long and so pronounced as to stay tho action of the .piece. This was especially the case during the excruciatingly comical breakfast scene in Act 3. Much of tho credit for the diversion created was duo to tlie performers. They constitute one of Hie best all-round combinations of comedians, comediennes, singers, and dancers tho Williamson firm has sent to New Zealand. The piece is handsomely staged and costumed, and its musical numbers numerous." The second production, "High Jinks," will be presented on October 22 for four nights. This pieco is full of fun, .and abounds in light tuneful music. The play is of "The Bello of New York" type, and,each of the three acts furnishes scenes of'musical frivolity and good humour, and provides many mirthful situations. Tho final production, whic-h takes placo on Octobor 27 and 2S, will be the latest London Gaiety success, "The Girl on the Film." Tho box plans for tho season of eleven nights will he opened at tho Bristol this morning at 9 o'clock.

| HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE, At His Majesty's Theatre a" capital vaudeville programme is attracting largo audiences. The chief attractions this week include tho operatic olio of Pollard and Jackson, vocalists of uncommon ability and resource; Mr. Leonard Nelson, a comirjue of outstanding talent; Mr. Lew Hoffman, a comic juggler who is genuinely comic; O'Connell and Austin, wizards of the cycle; and Howlcjv and Tointon, two American dancers, whoso melody is chiefly echoed from their soles. The usual matinee will be given oil Saturday afternoon. THE ICING'S. The Majestic feature film at tho King's Theatre is proving a strong attraction to picturc-lovere, the happy combination of laughter-raising incidents and stirring adventures in "Her Shattered Idol" being quite out of tho ordinary rim of picture plot?. For vivid -realism, the dream of prehistoric days, with tho fierce fight of the two cave men for the woman, hau seldom if over .beeJi equalled. The picture is splendidly acted; Miss Mae Marsh, Robert Hurron, and big Elmo Lincoln being largely responsible Tor the success of the play. Although the 4000 ft. star subject holds pride of place, the rest of the programme is of a very high order. The clever cartoons of Raoel liaire in "Cartoons in- a Laundry," are wonderfully amusing, and "His Junglo Sweetheart" provides a dramatic story around the famous Selig leopards. A particularly inteiesting Gazette and some beautiful scenic studies complete a first-class programme.

"DAMON AND PYTHIAS." , "Damon and Pythias," the spectacular photo-drama, whose production has been deferred owing to the great success of "Neptune's Daughter," will be'given its first presentation in New Zealand at the People's Picture Palace next week. This is the second big feature film brought over by the Frederic Shipinan Enterprises, and is said to present a marvellously faithful representation of Grecian life, when Greece ruled -the ■ world.

"Damon and Pythias" is based on a story that everyone knows and for that reason this drama holds all the more fascina-. tion and interest. The story of "Damon and Pythias" has served. as the foundation of the principles of benevolence iiad man's humanity to man, as found in the ritual, of the Knights of Pythias, of whom there are over 750,000 members in the United States alone. ' This photo-drama is tho. production of the same film company who made "Neptune's Daughter."

"NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER." Thi third consecutive week of "Neptune's Daughter" at the People's Picture Palace is nearing its close, and only three more nights remain in which to view this marvellous photo-play, with Annette ICellermau as star. . So great has been the success of this "fairy tale in pictures" that it could undoubtedly remain liiucli longer, but this is impossible owing to previous bookings. Described as a fascinating romance of land and sea, this picture is undoubtedly one of the finest works of its. kind which has been reproduced by a kinematograph, there being a beautiful story, which can be easily followed, and a wealth of picturesque and artistic scenes. Miss Kellerman herself is delightful in the main part, and more than satisfies any other phase and emotion which 'she depicts. The orchestral music is a notable feature of the Kellerman performances, and has been specially arranged to fit in with the story of the play. The box plans are at the Bristol.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE., Theto is a wido diversity of subjects ill the programme of pictures at present being shown at Everybody's Theatre vniifit.y calculated to please' all tastes. "The Million Dollar Mystery" (fourth episode) in continued in' a chapter of exciting interest, entiled "The Top Floor Flat, ami there is si notably good dramatic offering in "Whom the Gods Would Destroy," 0110 of Lubin's line romances of tragic portent, which is well packed with thrills. The "Gaumont Graphic" presents current history in tabloid form. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. ''TUs Knemira," now showing at the Empress Theatre, is a fine virile story of the sea, which has the strong interest throughout of a typical Jack Loudon novel. This means that the human eiemeut is forcefully present in character nmf incident, and the acting and photography are in fascinating harmony with the subject. In contradistinction to the tense dramatic taliug in "The Enemies," is the snappy comedy, "How Mary Fixed It," a; bright and breezy' farce of a very iimming character. TENNYSON'S GREAT SEA BATTLE, The Wellington Musical Union promises its patrons on Tuesday next, at the Town Hall, some idea of what a sea battle means, as described by Tennyson, and set to appropriate music by Stanford. It will also give a rendering of tlio historic French battle which was led by the maiden Joan of Are. Madame Wielaert, of Aucklaud, has been speeialy engaged to sing the title role, and will lie supported by Messrs. H. F. Green, of Masterton, anil Charles Clarltson and Frank Charlton, of Wellington. Miss Phyllia llanifv will play Weber's "Concerto in -p Minor," and Mr. Herbert S. Claughton will conduct.