ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2759, 1 May 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE STROLLERS. • F' la ,n P n P u ' ar company o£ versatile artists, lhe Strollers, drew another good audience at the Grand Opera. House on Saturday evening. Air. Sydney James again delighted tlio audience with his dummy ''Billy,' His "Excelsior" number was ail exceptionally line pieco of work. Miss Hossiter scored a great success in her "Pierette" song, and as a dancer she is in a class by herself. Miss Given Lewis, Miss Connie Milne, and Messrs. Graystone and Desmond rendered serviceable assistance. A change of programme is announced for this evening.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A. new programme of vaudeville items will be presented by the Fuller management at His Majesty's Theatre to-night. Several new artists have been eggaged, all of whom are stated to be of distinctive merit. Chief among these -will be Mr. Ted. Bailey and his posing dogs, a group of white English setters, who help their trainer to make iip what are stated to bo astonishingly effective groups, imitating marble statuary. Another first appearunco will be that of Marvollous Ed., <1 one-legged acrobat, who concludes his performance with a leap on his hands from a pedestal eight feet high, to the ground. Miss Estelle Wordette and Co., who have recently arrived from America, are billed (is character impersonators, and will provide a comedy sketch, entitled "A Honeymoon in the Catskills." The supporting company -will be Carlton Max, Ted Stagpoolo, Sydney Jones, Agnes Rawes, and fharrat and Lang. An added attraction will be the re-engagement of those popular favourites, Armitage and Hine. The programme will be staged every evonmg during the week, and at > the usual week-end matineo.

"NIOBE" AT THE KING'S. What promises to 1)6 a most attractive programme will bo presented at the lung's Theatre for tho first time to-night. The chief item is a, film adaptation of Paultou's fascinating comedy-drama, "Niobe," tho play'that was So popular a few years ago, when .the Brough-Bouci-cault Company played it throughout New Zenland. The Famous Players' Company were fortunate in securing Miss Hazel. Dawn, the beautiful and clever flctres.*-' ivho has just concluded a big starring engagement in America under tho Frohman management. Miss Dawn's undoubted ability nnil great charm slrjurd find ample scope in the part of Niobe, the Goddess -of Tears, who ooines to life after 3000 years, to find conditions sadly changed from the time of her earthly tenure. Modern clothes, modern customs, modern speech,'she finds "exceeding, strange," and poor Poter Amos Dunn Ends the "statue" an embarrassing and difficult proposition, oausing many complications with his wife and family. However, to Dunn's relief it is all but a dream, but a charming and delightful entertainment to tho onlooker. The other photo-plays to be shown are a. fine "Vita" drama, "Good in the Worst of Us," and a bright "Beauty" comedy, "Deserted at the Auto," and the latest "Pathe Gazette." Bright appropriate music will be rendered by the King's Orchestra, Tho usual prices will prevail, and seats may be booked ait the Bristol,

"THE SUBMARINE PIRATE." "Tho 'Submarine Pirate," which will be the star item at Everybody's, to-day, is the first of its famous Keystone Triangle features, now the rnge of America' and Australia, It is claimed that no picture yet screened has such remarkable combination of humour and thrills as "Tho Submarine Pirate" has in its four thousand feet of comedy. .Tho demand for 'thrills in comedy is os great its in drama, and Mack Sennett, tho world-famed producer. has specialised in that branch of comedy, so that sensational comcdy in this feature should be well worth seeing. Syd. Chaplin is featured in "Tho Submarine *Pira{s,' ° and has tho part of a waiter, and ho proves conclusively in this character that as a lnugh : gettcr he lias few rivals. Tho plot of tho four-Teel comedy is rather unique, showing as it does Sydney. Chaplin donnfng an admiral's clothes and stealing a submarine (which, by the way, was lent by the U.S. Navy Department), and he starts on a joyful, gay career of piracy. Syd. goes the whole hog, and' fights a battleship, holds up passenger ships, and generally, has the time of his life, until mistaken instructions leaves' him floundering in the wator whilo the submarine submerges. This comedy is full of laughing features, and every moment new founts of fun onen up to 1 gently spray the audienco with its humour. Supporting pictures include "The Baron," a strong Edison drama, "Gaumont Graphic," with the latest topical news, and "Waterfalls of Africa."

"HELEN'S BABIES." AT THE EMPRESS. "Helen's Babies" promises to bo a big success ■at the Empress Theatre. The book,is so well known that there is no, occasion to dilate on tho story. Like "Stalkey and C 0.," "Helen's Babies" is a story of children, written for grown-ups. ]n America tho film created great enthusiasm. The amusing oliarni of the story is that wliilu if concerns the .worrying time tho children gave their harassed uncle, they wero unconsciously working towards a splendid climax. Tho unole is desperately in love with a young lady, but ho does not, know how to approach her in such a way as to find out whether sho would marry him. One of the first pranks the children play on tho uncle has the- effect of causing a complete estrangement between the two lovers, and he feels like "The Sentimental Bloke," that "Life's joys havo done a bunk." His rosy breams are shuttered to nothingness, bulwhen the children succeed in bringing the lovers togethor again, and tho marriage bells ring out, they are forgiven. A big programme of feature plays support "Helen's Babies," ono of which is "Tho Third Commandment," a vivid romance,, with a smashing climax, that drives the message it conveys deep into tho heart.

SHAKESPEAREAN COSTUME FESTIVAL. The Shakespearean Costume Festival, which is to bo held in the largo Town Hall on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week, iu aid of the Red -Cross Fund, will bo a most uuiguo performance. Tho stage is being specially draped with .rich dvaporics to hide tho choir seats and organ loft, and at tho samo time serve as a suitable background to set oil' the many beautiful dresses which will be worn. Tile dresses will be another out standing feature of the festival, tho pageant and the qual'rel scene from the "Midsummer Night's Dream" giving .Mrs. James .Hannah ample opportunity to display her undoubted ability in this direction. Two big scenes are included on the programme, viz., the trial scene from "The Merchant- of Venice," and tho kitchen soone from "Twelfth Night," by menibers of tho Charley's Aunt Club. This scene, which is a fine example of the poet's liroad comedy, affords those talcing part in it ample scope of showing their marked dramatic ability. The rest of the programme is composed of short scenes and sketches frojn the poet's most notable plays, and are all m the hands of most capable performers. Sir John Findlay has consented to give an eulogy on Shakespeare, and Mr. Robert Parker has arranged a string orchestra to provide the necessary music. On account of the length of the programme it has been decided to commence each evening at 7.45 o'clock. Tho box plan is now open at the Bristol.

SUNDAY CONCERT. As many as could be comforably accomwere present at tho concert given by tho Natives' Association Band (undor the conductorship of Lieut. T. Herdj His Majesty's Theatro last evening. The programme included some well-chosen items, and it wits apparent that their rendering was quite to tho liking of the big audience. A. contest march, "Northumbrian" (Rimmer) was delightfully played, whilo a selection, "Gems of Tschaikov>ky" (arranged by E. Swift) was well applauded. Other items rendered by tho the baud were, Intermezzo (Indian), "Aisha" (Lindsay), and a quickstep, "Raise the Flag" (Ma'ckie-Beyor). Mr. R. G. Blow delighted everyone with his interpretation of "Then Art Passing Heneo" (Sullivan). Mr. Blow also sang "Hymn ol' Action" (Davie*). Mr. F. R. Johnstone contributed a 'cello solo, "Priere," while Messrs. Robinson and M'Masf-eri were

accompanied by the band in a. cornet duot, "Badinage" (Eimmer). A violin solo, "Dream Thoughts," was capably played by Master J. Ridlet. TOWN HALL, TO-NIGHT—CLEMENT L. WRAGGE. During the many years Mr. Clement L. Wragge's name has been before the publie, ho has visited almost every country which offered scientific information useful for adding to the vast store already in the hands of this capable and popular "science" entertainer. The subjects to bo discoursed on at 'Mr. Wragge's opening lecture in the Town Hall to-night is entitled "The Eternal Universe and the War," and tlio leoUiro is stated to excel his previous efforts, being cf more than usual ijiterest, as it particularly deals with the present irar. and the lessons inculcated thereby in fee light of the evolution of the human race, Tiewed "as a unit in the grand scheme of Eternity. Referring to a recent visit to one of the Australian citiesv contemporary states:—"Mr Wraggo is as merry, as grave, as informative, as amusing as of old, but lie has gathered much new material from' various parrs of the world visited since his last appearance in this city. He said some startling things, and at the same time cracked a little joke, perhaps in the very middle of the narrative of some stupendous fact— scarcely within human comprehension." .Tlio ■ slides used to illustrate the subject were exceptionally fino astronomical pictures, many of which were taken at the Lick Observatory, California. The plan of reserved seats is on view at the Bristol.

THE JULIUS KNIGHT COMPANY. On Tuesday week, at the Grand Opera House; under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Mr. Julius Knight will play a season with the great .war play, "Under Fire," which has just oonoluded ft season of seven nights at His Majesty's TheatrJ, Auckland. Of "Under Fire," the Aucklaud "Star" says:—"Much kudos is due to the author of 'Under Fire' for tho mannor in which he has succeeded in visualising the history of. the war from that fateful week in August to the Battle of the Maim .Through'constant repetition, certain phases of tho great struggle and certain phases of life at the front have become almost types instead of incidents, and it is there that Mr. M'Grue has presented with a splendid accompaniment of powder, spies, soldiers, Bel-, gian peasants, and a band of British, characters who seem like old friends. This drama is eminently exciting, and most ef fectively staged and mounted, and. the acting is uncommonly good. Mr. Julius Knight as Captain Larry Redmond hiis one of those dashing, heroic parts which always pleases his host of admirers, and he plays the cheery Irishman with his accustomed finish." Miss Lijette Parkes appears as Ethel WiUougliby, and Messrs. J, B. Atliolwood, Thos. Lloyd, Herbert Leigh, Louis Kimball, Boyd Irwin, JI. W. Varna, D. J. Williams, Walter Vincent, Kenneth Brampton, Carlton Stuart, and Misses Emma Temple, Eileen Sparks, and Rooslyn Fame suggest, a strong dramatic combination. In all over 200 people take part in the production. Tho mounting is most elaborate, and it is stated that no moro vivid war drama has been seen in New Zealand. The box plans will open at the Bristol next Friday morning at 8 o'clock.

BENEFIT CONCERT. The Wellington Waterside Workers' Union Band held a benefit concert in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday evening in' aid of Mrs. Litton and family. There was a fair attendance, and tho following contributed to tho programme:—'Working Men's Club Orchestra; Mosdames Tobin and Martin; Misses Daisy Mlellan, • Rita. Hans, Churchill, "Tho • Golcling Sisters,' Hessis. Will Bnrko-and family. W. Sumner, Will Carr, and W. Mack.