ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2973, 16 January 1917, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE WAYBACKS." ' Mr. Philip Lytton's Australian comedy, "The Wajbacks," ivliioh will Iμ presented at tlie Grand Opera Hoiiso to-night, is ono of characterisation rather than plot, and special caro was necessary in eolecting artiste for the various parts. One of the outstanding features of the production is said to he tho excellent acting of Mr. "William Stewart, in the part of "Dads"—steering clour of burlesque and downing he roaohes a high level of portraiture. The old selector, racy of the soil from first to last, visualises in his nigged personality the grit and courage of his class. Miss Jano King is .1 decorative feature of life in the backblocks, as Felicia Holmes, tlio bush schoolmistress. Ouiera prominent in a long; caet are Mr. Harry Hodson as Dun Robins, a neighbouring selector; Mr. Prank Shepherd as Charley Lyons; the awkward, yet ardent '"Romeo .of PricWy I'lat," Mr. Herbert Stallard; Mr. John Pernside, Miss BettertonGlover, Mies Blanche Blair, Miss Lucy Adoir, and Mr. Cleave H'Grath.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The first appearance of Master Reginald Jiewberry, tho boy soprano, was ono of the attractive features of tlie nejv programme' presented at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. This remarkable songster is a product of Auckland, and ho lias juet concluded an exceedingly successful tour on the Fuller circuit ill Australia. He has a really remarkable voice, wonderful in compass, and with a clofir flute-like tone that ib a sheer dolight to the listener. Hie songs last night were received with enthusiasm by a very large audience, whicli appreciated to tho lull a rare musical treatAnother highly successful item on tho new programme was a burlesque sketch by tho bright duo, Elsa Brull and Arthur Helmsley; This couple produced a. very amusing skit concerning a shop assistant and a waitress who met on holiday at the seaside, where they talked of their yachts and motorcars, and later encountered one another at work. The little play was diversified by the antics of an egg, and by some tunerul sougs and clever dances. Mr. Leonard Nelson, tho "plain comedian, appeared with a bunch of new eongs and joses. He never fails ' to amuse, and _■ last night's audience gave him a very kindly reception. He had to respond to a series of recalls, Nankin, one of the most remarkable contortionists seen in Wellington, opened a farewell seaspn, and Edwards and Parken reappeared in a musical comedy turn that proved entertaining. Tho Natioal Duo, a youthful pair of singers and dancers, had some new numbers, including the latest of the modern dances. The other items on tho programme included some songe by Miss Dora Oberman, the Australian soprano, whoso fine voice has delighted many New Zealand audiences; artistic poses by tho Flemings, whose act was so popular when first shown in Wellington; and Scottish songs, leavened with pawky iokes, by tho Galeys a pleasant nair of' vocalists and humourists, hailing from north of the Tweed. The proCTjmme will be repeated every evening during the week with the usual matinees to-morrow and on Saturday.

THE KING'S THEATRE. By a coincidence there are at present two of the higliest-Eolnried artiste in motion pictures screening at tho King s Thcati'o on the name programme. Mr. Chaplin is, of course, the highest pan!, and following liiin is Mary Pickford, with Dou»las Fairbanks next in order of salary. These- two latter favourites appear i'n "Cinderella" and "Manhattan Madness" respectively. Parents who like to bo certain that their children will boo (pictures suitablo to them should note that the daily matinees at tho King's iiro designed specially for the younger generation. ■ * .

EVERYBODY'S. Tha merit of tho splendid Triangle picture, in which Sir Hwbert Tree lias tho premier role, ia evidenced by the crowded etato of tho house ench evenin". "'l'll Ol<! Polks at Home" has nouo oAhe Sivanoo River aspect about it. It (oils tho story of a young man who becomes entangled with a. woman, and is (iljout to bo tried for murder, but is saved l>y the entreaties of his old mother, wlio makes u supreme appeal to the jury. . THE EMPRESS. "Tho Common Law" is causing a. block on tho footpath in front of the Empress. Tho pictnro is being shown every two hours, commencing at 10.30 each morning.