ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2832, 25 July 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATKE. The' Victor Prince Musical Comedy Company commenced (lie final week ofa long season at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. The new piece was a. "cheerful Chinese comedy," entitled "Chow Chow, Come Along." The comedy ran ulong merrily, and comfortably filled the whole of the first portion of the evening. As in the other pieces played by tlic company, there was little in the nature, of a plot, and the "story" was connected liy somewhat jerky links, but, for all that, Prince and his associates produced 110 end of fnn, and filled the house with hearty laughter. The dressing was .pretty, " and the general staging effective. Among the newer artists were Chas. King and Virginia Thornton, assisted by Rupert Drum. They presented a scena- which has been done in Wellington before, but they did it excellently. Tt was called "Ciiums," and it outlined the caso of the veracious husband landing home witli the dawn and reciting bis invention to his unreasonable wife, who goes upstairs to pack prior to returning to mother. With the timely and unexpected aid of an old friend, the wife is led to swallow the. story, and finally confesses her wickedness of unbelief, aud on her knees craves forgiveness. The thread, no doubt, is slender, but good acting makes the turn a strong on*. Cnmby and Brown, Ethiopian eccentrics, also appear on the bill as artists neiv fo the city. Among'the others who contribute to the entertainment are: Harry Cash, Hebrewimpersonator and dancer; Clark and Wallace, singers and dancers; Freddy James, juggler; and Nelson and Nelson, on stilts. Nelson and Nelson appeared hero some time ago, and scored a big success. KING'S THEATRE. , This week's new programme at the king's Theatre is a strong one, the leading attraction being a nve-reel "Blue, liibbon" feature film by .the Vitagrapfl Company, entitled "The Chalice of Courage." It is a beautiful dramatic story, staged amidst the most rugged and picturesque scenery imaginable. The picture unfolds a compelling story of love jfntl advejiture among the snow moun- | tains of the great North-West of Canada. In primitive surroundings, where man makes law unto himself, a man and a woman stand the severe 'test of character and' courage, in the face of danger and . death, and win through to happiness and peace after draining to the dregs the bitterness of misunderstanding and fear. The film consists of some of the most beautiful mountain scenery shown in Wellington. Tito photography of tho clouds and snow-topped mountain peaks is excellent, and the reel which contains the picture of tho boiling, rushing canyon, both' in summer and in winter, is ivcli worlh seeing for itself, alone. During >the course of the story a horse and woman-rider dnsh headlong over a precipice, both being severely injured. It was this act that the police to intervene, and'the repetition of such an act is now forbidden. .Another sensation is depicted in a furious storm on the mounlain. Another up-to-date number is the Patlie Gazette, containing all (lie latest pictures received from the various war fronts. A. laughable comedv is also produced. It is called "M'utl ami J elf in a Kitchen."

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Comedy is very much the predominating feature at Everybody's Tneatre this week. "The Shopwalker," featuring the woiid-known Charlie Chaplin, and ''Stolen Magic," featuring Mabel. Norniand, arc excellent pictures, to the lovers of comedy, and yesterday the theatre had more visitors than could be seated. (Jliarlio Chaplin is undoubtedly at his best in "The Shopwalker," and keeps tho audictice in a mirthful ' mood throughout. 110. shows a. number tf new tricks, and among his laughable farces Ue attempts, vainly, to ascend a moving staircase. After a good inany attempts, he finally manages' to do so, and later on has an even luunier scene, when he attempts to descend—hurriedly. Another 'part of tho picture, where he tries the effect of watering the flowers, ou ladies' hats,' is very comical, and many of "his old tricks, such as dodging blows and kicking backwards, are revived. Tho other comic item "Stolen Magic," is very good, and ilabol Norniaud has to get into all sorts of places to escape the snakes belonging to a traveller, which get loose and roam round .at/ large. Magjc, mystery, bombs, and scenerj- arc all turned into comedy in this picture, and help to make a good production. Other items are: "The Trickster," a powerful drama; "Snow Scenes Bound l.omlou"; and the "Gaumpnt Graphic."

EftPBESS THEATRE. Charles Chaplin, in "The Shopwalker," at tho Empress Theatre, is l'unuier than over, and it is clever, wholesomo comedy with which lie scores. He still wears the big boots' and the shapeless clothes, but, of coarse, a change of suits is made when he is placed in tho billet as shopr walker. He obtains tlie billet by reason of a resemblance to the head of the department, who is absconding: ivith a largo sum of money. The detectives visit' the emporium, and Charles is suspected. Torn between l'ear of the detectives and love for the charming customers, the comedian his unlimited opportunities, and he keeps the audience rocking in,their seats throughout. "The Shopwalker" is a riot of merriment. The other big attraction is "The Famous Players" dramatic offering, "The Commanding Officer," which holds the audience in a tense state of suspense 'till the last moment. • The story concerns the pretty daughter of Colonel Binham, who is courted by three eligible young men. One, Lindsay, is rich, but the. girl's fathei persuades her to marry the commanding officer. Eater,' she meets Lindsay, who attempts to kiss her. Captain AVaring takes a snapshop of the encounter*. Later, Lindsay is found killed, and the commanding officer is suspected. His wife thinks he,committed the crime, and he thinks she did. After many exciting scenes the truth is discovered, and the commanding officer .realises the innocence of his wife. Tho drama is splendidly staged and admirably acted. Amongst the cast is Jack Pickford,' brother of Mary Pickford, The official war films and "the "Topical Budget" make up a most entertaining programme.

THE TIVOLI FOLLIES. Hugh D. M'lntosh's combination of merrymakers, The Tivoli Follies, are to reopen in Wellington".'at the Grand Opera House on August 2 'for a season of ten nights. The ,sixty performers Mr. M'lntosh has brought over, include ballet and chorus. In addition, the i'uil Tiroli Operatic Orchestra will accompany the follies. 'Miss Vera Pearce is now Queen of the lollies., xsilled as "The Boomerang Girl," this clever performer has had many opportunities since last here, and sho has. had excellent notices in all Australian cities. She is supported by a. clever comedienne, Thelniu Raye, recruited from musicalcomedy ranks. Jack.Cannot, who is returning with new songs and burlesques, is assisted in his merry-making by three distinct types of comedians, in George Welch, Walter Weems, and Billy Rego. Frank Greene,, baritone, and .Tean Keith, uie child wonder, • are also in the company. Star vaudeville acts fill up (ho first part of the programme, introducing to New Zealand the Belgian Orchestra, with a fine tenor in Jacques 801, Short and Little, comedy acrobats, also Ella Caspers, "the girl with the . voice of gold." The box plan is to open at the Bristol 011 Friday morning. The Follies played in Napier last night, and will bo there again to-night. They play Hastings to-morrow, after which will follow Palmerston, \Tanganui, and Masterton. DOROTHEA SPINNEY. A further recital will be given at the Masonic Tlall this evening by Miss Dorothea Spinney. To-night's recital will be "Tho Bacchae," a mixture of savagery and exaltation. The choruses are said to be beautiful. The play is eoncorned with a king.who is brought to a dire end because he refuses to acknowledge the divinity of a god.