ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2752, 22 April 1916, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

TEE ROYAL STROLLERS THIS EVENING. Aftor a most successful season of sixteen nights in Auckland the Royal Strollers, with their brilliant lender, Mr. Sydney James, will nialce their first appearunco in Wellington at the Grand Opera House this evening, and according; to tiio heavy booking which has taken place dnr. ing the hist few days, this clever hand of players should have an enthusiastic reception. Tho Strollers depart from tho orthodox style and methods of the usual costume comedy, and tho entertainment that this company gives is quite distinct from any we have ever had here before. This evening's progi'Tunnm will commence with a selection by tho orchestral band, under the direction of Stroller Arthur | Frost, then the Strollers formally intro. duco themselves to their fripnds across the footlights, then conies a rousing open, ing chorus, followed by a medley of musical works of Mozart, Handel, Chopin, etc. In duet, song, and dance, Miss Madelino Rossiter and Mr. Desmond introduce themselves, to bo followed by. Chief Stroller James, who will criticise without fear or favour "Bongs and Singers." A trtirring 6ong by badflo Gravstone is followed by Mr. Arthur Frosts quaint arrangement of "Three Blind Mice," in which Misses Rossiter, Lewis, Milne, and S hollers Desmond, Graystone, and James take part. The next number is Miss Gweu Lewis, in her. delightful songs at tho piano, and then. . follows Sydney James, in his famous ventriloquial specialty, introducing "Billy," ye incomparable jester, who is assisted by his Stroller laughter confederates. A beautiful sunrise is the opening of the second purt. The lighting effects are said to be magnificent. The Strollers awako from sluanber, and Mr. Desmond press-its his eccentric terpsicliorean item, afteivwhich Miss Connie Milne contributes a vocal solo with special effects. Ono of the most amusing items follows, in which the full company appears. This is a burlesque oratorio, entitled "Minced Minco, Pies." Tho comedienne of tho party, Miss Madeline Rossiter, will then sing and dance her way into the heart of the audience, and this splendid programme will conclude with'ail original burlesque, entitled "Our I Picture Palace." which is described as a screaming absurdity- and clever satire on the moving picture craze. As already announced, a special matinee will be given on Monday at 2.30, and tho box plans of reserved seals for Saturday. Mondaj - , and Tuesday's performances will be on view each day at tile Grand Opera House.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. I "At His Majesty's Theatre, at 2.30 this nfternoon, a bargain matinee performance will be given, especially for tlie benefit of women and children. A full specially-arranged programme 'lias been, prepared. Toriiiglit the present week's attractive bill will be presented for the last time. A complete change of programme will be given on Easter Monday evening.

"BRITAIN EREPA/KED." The King's Theatre has been filled by' enthusiastic crowds every night this week, and the daily matinees have also been mast popular. The pictures pro. scuted—"Britain Prepared"—are, indeed, an .impressive and wonderful spectacle of the Empire's ''might and power, and Show conclusively that the "Ijion" is awake to his responsibilities, and is ' "prepared" in every way to face tho enemy. The enormous advances made, in munition making, aerial work, the train, ing and preparation of troops, and-on and under the sea, are remarkably shown in these, films. They. bear the impress of genuineness, for only with official sanction could such sicturcs be taken, and they are risrht up to date, both on land and sea. The naval portion of the nio ture is the most comprehensive and complete ever shown, and far superior to any other set of films on the same subject that lias yet been screened. Owing to tho very great success, the management have decided to extend the season, and "Britain Prepared" will be shown twice daily all .next week. Holiday visitors will be glad to get tho opportunity ■ of seeinsr such a magnificent dispKi'. "There -will be a matinee to-day, and the pictures will bo screened to-night. The plana of reserved eeats (luring the holidays will bo at the King's Theatre, and as thoro is no extra charge for booking patrons aro advised (o sccuro their seats early.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Yesterday, from 2.30 p.m. onwards Everybody's Theatre was packed. A specially selected programme was screened, and evidence was not -wanting that the pictures were appreciated. The feature picture, "Jolm Glayde's Honour," which was screened so successfully throughout the week, gives way to-day to an ontirely new programme. "JELFS." "Jelfs," which will be shown on Easter Monday, commencing at 10 a.m. at Everybody' 6 Theatre, is a-play that has commanded attention throughout America and Australasia. Written by H. A. Vacliell, "Jelfs" was one of the best sellers of the season, and its popularity was so great, that the London Film Co. arranged to produce it as a photo-play. The story of "Jelfs" is one that will delight everyone. "Jelfs," one of Nature's noblemen, living a rancher's lifo in the plains of Canada, is called home to Loudon to conduct an oldestablished bank, left him by his father. His unconventional way of settling big questions mako his confreres stand aghast at his audacity. Heir to .£30,000 per annum, his advent into society creates ft sensation, especially to mothers of marriageable daughters.. His straightforward manner leads to unforwen difficulties,' but eventually he wins a place in the social aud financial world, and marries the beauty of the season. The play is brimful of stirring dramatic action, and its pathos and 'humour blended together make a picture that is sure to attract crowded houses for the week it is screened. Henry Ainley, who plays the part of "Jelf," is a great actor- of rare ability, aiuf his interpretation of the leading roles in the "Prisoner of Zonda" and "Rupert of Hentwu," was acclaimed by critics as ft' splendid artistic and dramatic performance. EMPRESS THEATRE. The last performance' of Miss Marguerite Clark, as "The Goose Girl" will be given to-night. It is a pliiy that ripples delightfully with wholesome fun, and at Hie same time tuned to a beating' heart, The action of tho story is screened amidst gorge.ius scenery, and the costumes aro regally imposing. On Monday, starting at 11 a.m., a monster attraction will be screened, "My Old Dutch," in which Mr. Albert Chevalier will give one of his most thrilling performances of a lowly coster, who rises to the sublime in fatherly love for a son who is on the verge of disgrace, but who Tedeems himself before it is too late. It is said that no person can see "My Old Dutch" through with dry eyes, and certainly tho pathetic scenes are deftly drawn, but bill skilful management of the lighter sido of the story, hearty laughter mingles with tho'' tears. The charm of "Sly Old Dutch" lies in the fact that the audience realise it is truth that is being screened; they know it is real pathos and real hulnoivr that pervades the atmosphere of tho play, aiul there is nothing so searching in a dramatic play as true realism. A good programme of snpnorting subjects will accompany "My Old Dutch." "OUR BRITISH NAVY." At the Town Hall to-night Mr. Charles MacMahon will inaugurate a brief season with the alar picture feature, "Our British Navy," a comprehensive sketch of tho genesis and the evolution of tho Empire's first line of defence, Tho picture shows, literally, "the Fleet in being," and It is an admirablo symposium of the life bf the men and the action ot the men-o'-war, from the stately superDreadnought to tho busy submarine. At the moment it is naturally of spccial interest on account of its technical illuininativeness. , Supporting it will be the big Ivlaw and Erlanger drama,;"Tho Wife," a beautiful domestic drama that took tho picture world of America by storm on its production this eeason. Jt is a picture innate wifjh charm and temperament. Comedy will bo supplied by the two-act farce, "Under New Management," and tho whole of tho large hall will be available at a universal charge one ehillin&i

TEE CROWN THEATRE TO OPEN NEXT SATURDAY. Wellington picture-dovers who have been waitiug patiently for this handsome picture house in ilolosworth Street to open its- doors, will have to possess their souls in patience for a few days longer. To bo precise, Saturday next (April 29) will see the opening ceremony.' All Wellington will quickly know that this has happened, for a brilliantly-illuminated crown will blaze out on tho evening sky from tho summit of tho 100-foot towel*. Another thing that patrons are bound to comment oil will be the delightfully fresh atmosphere and absence of stufiines3 generally. Tho architect is evidently a man with a passion for largo windows and doors, and these will bo thrown open during the day to tho sun and air. Coming to tho pictures that will btj screened at tho Crown, the bookings in elude big features, in which such big stellar artists as Mine. Sarah Bernhardt and Miss Marie Tempest will play the lead. Tho company has been fortunate in securing the rights to screen in AYelliugton many pictures controlled by the Trans-Atlantic Film Company ot London, and also the renowned Broadway features, including the ''Blue Bird" and "Red Feather" releases. This splendid selection of pictures, avoiding as it does, as far as possible, the nltra-sensa-tHoiiai, will, Jio. doubt, appeal to all classes of the community.' A large and well-bala'nced orchestra, comprising soma of New Zealand's most brilliant musicians, has been engaged, and the musical items will, from time to time; bo pub. lislied through tho Press. The trams stop almost at the doors, and as the theatre is situated closb to the (railway stations, suburban patrons will, no doubt, appreciate the convenience of being able to witness the entire prozramme. Mr. L. Brookes is manager of the Crown Theatre. The Hon. A. L. Herdman and His Worship the Mayor have extehded tilieir patronage, and will officiate at the open, in? ceremony. PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. A large audience assembled at His Majesty's Theatre last evening on the occasion of tho special concert given by the Wellington Professional Orchestra, under the, conductorship of Mr. Herbert Bloy. A great feature of tho evening's entertainment, which was on" the whole thoroughly appropriate to Good Friday,' was the highly artistic singing of Mr, John Prousc in the "Pro Peccatis" from Rossini's "Stabat Mater," and Techaikowsky's "Pilgrim Song." Both were given with judiciously subdued orchestral accompaniments, and mot with unequi. voeal appreciation on the port of the large assemblage of music-lovers. Tho "Largo" of Handel, with Mr. Haydn J Beet as solo violinist, was another die. tinctive feature which was warmly welcorned, and an enthusiastic encore was accorded. "Tho Lost Chord" (Sullivan) exhibited tho force of the orchestra 111 a most favourable light. . Both these' nieces were arranged for the orchestra by Mr. Clias. Norman-. Other selections were repetitions of previous performances by the orchestra, tho most notable being the overture to "Euryanthe" (Weber), "Slavonic Rhapsody" (Friedemann), and the "Faust" Fantasia (Gounod). _ The remarkably quaint composition of Percy Grainger—"Shepherd's Hey"—met with quite an ovation, and had to be repeated, Two numbers from a suite by Anselt, and Gounod's "Saltarello" were the other pieces porformod. The next regular concert of the orchestra will toko plnco on Sunday, May 11. ORGAN RECITAL. The attendance at the organ recital, given-last night by Mr. Bernard Page., City organist, was much large than usual, and the audience very much more de. monstrative. Tho programme opened with Chopin's "Marche Funebre, ' a pro. foundly emotional piece of music, Im. pressive or melodious as the theme changes, and Mr. Page played it to show all these things. Another item was the Good Friday music from Wagners "Parsifal," one of the most beautiful parts of the great opera, magnificisitly played. The programme contained also a movement from Beethoven's Spnphony No. 2, "Largo in G" from Xerxes (Handel), and the'"Finale" from Tchai. Icovshy's Symphony. No. G. A" ' tho livusic.was eminently suitable to the being expressive almost wholly of deep 1 pathos or poignant sorrow.