ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2953, 16 December 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATEE. ■ ■ :ft An attractive programme lias been sub,nutted throughout tho week at His Majesty's Theatre, and the attendance lias been good. Half of the bill is occupied by the Bert La Bknc Travesty Stars, a "revue" co.mpaiiy, who are generally favoured. Gaily-dressed girls and also a number of men, who sing humorous songs and participate in much amusing dialogue, support Bert La Blanc, who makes much, of the fun. Juggling .with very eharp battleaxes, bayonets, and broadswords is the' sensational item supplied ■by "The Alerts," a clever. duo. The work is dangerous, but is carried out in a masterful manner. A.4ast opportunity. will be given to ■ see Mr. Donald Cornwallis, the English elocutionist. His pieces have been given with an appropriately arranged moving-picture in each case, and have been appreciated throughout. Others on the programme are:— Wilfred Dubois, a smart juggler and balancer; tho Fredo Boys, tumbling musicians; and Miss Cowley, a contralto. .Next week the Bert La Blanc Companywill put on, a new production, entitled "Fuzzy Wuzzy." The usual matinee at the usual prices takes'place at 2.30 p.m. to-day. . THE/ICING AT THE FRONT. - . Visiting his soldiers on the Western, front, right ii) the thick of it, King George V will bd'seen at the ' King's' Theatre in this wonderful series of pictures starting at to-day's matinee, and continuing for all nest week. These are the second series of battlefield pictures taken of the "Great Push" and exhibited by authority of tho War Office, and at t'he special request of Mr. Lloyd George. The King omitted no aspect of the war. He walked, between the' Allies' guns ana the enemy, and through -many trenches that were one occupied by the Germans, livery phase of the battlefield is shown, ev.en to this . headquarters of the Anzacs in France. The second part of the programme brings Edna May, the famous ''Belle of New York," to Wellington, as Salvation Joan. A: Vitagrapli blue ribbon feature, making a great two-star programme for this coming-week. "THE CAPTIVE GOD" AT EVERY- • BODY'S. A big attraction will commence at noon to-day nt Everybody's, when the star picture will be a. Triangle drama, "The Captive God," a Thomas Ince production. The''film is a story of America about a thousand years ago, when Montezuma; Emperor of the now extince Aztec nation, ruled ths.juost powerful and intelligent people on that continent/ The story is human and compelling, and is founded on the old Aztec religious custom. Every year the handsomest young man in the country was offered as a human sacrifice to their god. AV. S. Hart, who was the hero in' "The Fighting Parson," plays the victim in this production, and in the final scenes, when the fatal hour draws .near is said to display some really won-' derful acting. In theclosing' scenes, hundreds of persons participate in a great pageant. The accompanying subjects feature a very laughable comedy entitled "Kernel Nutt in High Shoes," presenting' tlie .popular comedian, Frank Daniels.

"WICKED YORK." . That vice and wickedness flourish. in undisguised abundance in the great cities of America is known to all the world, but even in New York the goodness in human nature gives virtue achance to balance- the devil's traffie in souls. This,, in short, is the idea that pervades the sensational and. dramatic live-act Gold. Rooster film, "Wicked New York;"- which features the new ' programme at the Empress Theatre to-day. The plot is on familihr lines, and is developed in a conventional way, but: what marks it with, the stamp .of greatness in photo dramatisation is the quality of the production, '.and the acting. The fine, artistic emotionalism of Florence Reed finds free scope for display, and is siad to fire the spirit of the play with a fervid glow. Supporting the. premier attraction is'ii'good selection of various topics, .which comprise. "The Topical Budget," "Reyfenge is Sweet," cartoons, aii'd if delightful scenic'"Pearl of Ossola Valley." QUEEN'S THEATBE. . That bright particular star of the picture firmament, Mary Pickford,- will be tlie reigning, attraction in the change of programme at. .the Queen's ■ Theatre today, .i..''Poor. Little. Penpina," in which' ,she. wiil appear, is. a .story'.that was specially written to suit her special characteristics, and, the clever actress herself, when interviewed recently in New York, selected it„.as being her best study, and. "the part I love ' most." Commenting unqn the picture, the "American Picture' Magazine" states: "On no occasion-has this .wonderful actress been seen to greater advantage. She makes the character stand out as a living, breathing, pulsing atom of humanity. The story is clean and wholesome, and nothing more impressive has yet been seen in the art of picture production." . Mary Pickfortl is a (|uedn in her own art, and she is said to demonstrate 'this emphatically in her latest production. Thero is a strong programme to support this paramount star, and- special ' music has been arranged for. There will bo no increase in the prices, and tho theatre will, as usual, be open continuously from li a.m. to 10 p.m. To avoid disappointment or delay patrons are advised to Jxiok their seats, or in the alternative ■ to "corno early." BRITANNIA THEATRE. Nothing better has been shown on the screen than "Jaffery"'provided at the Britannia Theatre yesterday for tlie first time here.- "Jaffery" is a picturisation of the novel by William J. Locko, who also wrote the "Morals of Marcus" and other well-known works.- It is a picture with a story not depending upon abnormal sex relationship, yet it possesses a charm that leaves a wholesome impression. The story is cleverly ueveiopea along, unusual lines; the action is clear and rapid, and reaches a logical, though somewhat unexpected, climax. The act"-; ing is of a'very high order, the leading parts being in the hands of C. Audrey Smith and Eleanor Woodrulr. C. Audrey Smith .was a close personal.friend of tho author, W. J. Locke, and when the proposal to picturise the. novel was made. Locke agreed upon the condition that Audrey Smith played the part. He is of'the. strong rugged type, who, however, is just as much at home in a fashionable drawing-room as in the forecastle ol a ship. "Jafifrey," which will be screened all tho week, is unquestionably a fine all-round photoplay. , The supporting films include episode five of "The Mysteries of Myra" serial, also "the. latest cartoon study of "John Bull's Scrap Book."

TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN' RECITAL. Mr. Bernard' Pago, city; organist, will resume his series of organ recitals at the Town Uitll to-night.- " The second Sonata,."by Borowski, the composer of the first Sonata which is such a favourite with Mr. Pago's a'iulienccs,'will be played this evening. This, work is absolutely new to AVellington. The -Unfinished "Pastorale," by Bach, which comprises four'movements, is again to he played. This work can' truly Iks said to be ot' never-ending delight with music-lovers. Schumann's "Fugue" on the' name of Bach will he played after a lapse of 18 months. The programme will also include 'the great "Pinale" from Symphony j No. 6 B minor (pathetic), by Tschaikovsky, and,the prelude to Act 111 ("Tristan and Isolde"), by 'Wagner. RETURN OP M. OSSIPOFF. ' . M. OssipolV. the Russian baritone, who visited New Zealand some five years ago is about to triyo another series of concerts in AVellington. AI. OssipofTs repertoire yoes from excerpts from grand operas to the humble -English ballad and Russian folk-song, a wide range, but lie does everything- in a most artistic manlier. In noticing his recent appearance in Colombo the ."Times"..siiys: "AVhen 0110 is enabled to enjoy so great a musical treat as that provided by AI. Eugene OssipofT,- the Russian baritone, one cannot but feel regret that the opportunity comes so rarely." AI. Ossipoff will bo assisted'by Aliss Kthuoe. a mezzo-soprano from the Alarshall Hall conservatorium, Aliss Sylvia 'Roberts, a clever . pianiste, I and"Aliss Bessie Rogers, elocutionist. The [box plans are open at the Bristol.

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S MUSICAL . COMEDY COMPANY. Tho J. C. Williamson, Ltd., . musical comedy! company will make their reappearance at the Grand Opera House on Boxing Night in the successful musical play So Long, Letty," which played to seventeen weeks • in Sydney ■ and fourteen weeks in Melbourne.' The ranks of tho company have been strengthened by the engagement of several. London musical comedy artists, including Miss Connie Ediss, described as one of tho most, fascinating comediennes who has ever j<nn'-' neyed from England to Australasia. For some years she was the principal comedienne of the Loudon Gaiety Company. With "So Long, Letty," a number of favourite musical comedy artists will return to Wellington. Prominent in the list will be Miss Dorothy Brunton, whose quick rise to. favour has been one of the outstanding features of the theatrical events of tho last five years. Other '. a " vourites to appear are Mr. Charles Workman, Mr Alf. Frith, (eccentric comedian), Mr. Field Fisher (a musical comedy huimorist), Mr. Bob Greig (recently transferred from the field of farce), Mr. Paul Plunket (baritone),' Chris Wren; Edgar Warwick, Fred Maguire (comedians), Miss Maria Eaton, Miss Ethel Morrison, and Miss Cecil Bradley. Miss Maud Fane has also been recruited to the company. Sho will be making her first Now Zealand appearance in musical comedy with this company. . During the season, which is limited to twelve nights, 'To-night s the Night," "High Jinks," and "The Girl in the Train" will be staged. Mr. Harry Burcher will have charge of the four, productions, with Miss Minnie Hooper arranging the stage groups, and ballets. Mr. Harry Burton, as musical conductor, and Messrs. Leslie Board and Little in charge of the scenery., The box plans for the opening production will open at the Bristol next Thursday at 9 a.m.

CODFORD CAMP CONCERT.. To-night the Codford concert, as aiK nounced in our advertising coljimns, takes place under the patronage of Their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpool; The total receipts are to be cabled to Miss Clara Rogers, of the-Vol-unteer Sisterhood, in .order to give the New Zealand boys at the Codford Convalescent Camp' a Christmas akin to that which t'hey would receive at their homes in New Zealand. The programme for .the concert is an excellent one, great care having been taken to include only such items as would be appreciated by all present. The solos are:—"The Enchantress," Madam Anderson; "Cam_ ye by Atholl," Madam- Kennedy: "The Two Grenadiers," Mr. Xen Barnes; selected, Corporal -S. L. Exton. Elocution items-.— "The Red Thread of Honour," Rev. A. E. Hunt; "The Coward," Miss Ethel Churchill; "The 3.V.," Corporal Shakes; selected, Mr. L. W- Hanlon. Violm solfts' by Miss M'Lauglilm and Corporal Rhinesmith. Miss Saunders s - dancirtg pupils, "Midnight" and "Carnival. Say■snet fighting team, under Lieut. Rankin. The orchestra will be conducted by, Mr. Szenes. ' .