ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3020, 6 March 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

• "WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES." Another large auclienco renewed acquaintance with tho famous farcical comedy, "What Happened to Jones/' at the Grand Opera llouso last evening. Mr. George Willoughby, \cho l introduced "Jones" to Now Zealand people some sixteen years ago, and tho members of his company gave a capital interpretation of the play that has made 'hundreds of thousands of peoplo laugh, and the mirth did not flag at any point. The sporty commercial traveller wlio travelled in hymn books, with playing cards ns a side line, and who undertook to impersonate temporarily no less a perBonago than a bishop, is a familiar character, and the story of the play scarcely needs relating. It is brimful of ridiculous situations and absurd misunderstandings. Some introduced musical numbers may be regarded as an admission that the fun las .lost ita virgin freshness, but they are welcome on their own account? The play went with, a ewjng last night, and the audience proved enthusiastically appreciative. "What Happened to Jones" will be repeated nightly during the week.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Light and airy comedy characterised the new bui at His Majesty's TiR-au-e last evening. The lead waa taken by Miriy ami Luigut. those experienced American frivouers, who fire oif a barrage ot nonsensical llippancies in a skeceh entitled "tiomo iiaby," the baby being contributed 10 tho tainily circle u.v tileu Jicho, who chirrups rounu itckso Cottage to lend the colour 01 youtn to u Weilled widow, to wiioin tiie nope oi romance is not yet tlc.ui. Mr. Jjarly, as Laight, as the case may be, is the giddy young oldster wiio liuis to the widow to a. 6ong and danec accompaniment. It is ail goou fund while it lasts. Billy jUanu, a burnt-coik epeciaUnt, sang eongs and medtie?, ana. delivered a stream of patter consisting ot josed, ancient and modern. The hit oi the evening waa made by Phil Pfci-cival, who deserted his uncertain seat at the piano to give a burlesque ol melodrama that waa dehciously comical, 'ine larcicsvl stage lost a capital inunimer when Mr. Peroival went iuto yuuueviile. Miss Aiurjorie Alwvn, a tali, lair uuiwajto Tsicii a pieadaut timbre ii aivr l<;;; voice, leuiKi i'ie hciirt oi'tho audience in "My Aic >folk" and ''.Uttk iiaa," ana Xcortard's troop of snowy Pomeranians repeated tneu pretty periormance, if hick »a,s so successful last weak. The flucosio call consisted of Victor jfrii&e'e in .the musical farce, "The Beauty SJiOy," which was seen here a few woalw »g% Mr. Prince, a a boozy and aajoroiw sailor, frivolled amiably, and Mm I'Wfothy Hastings lent a certain relineniint in personality and dress to tho roie ojf the beauty doctor. Mr. Chas. Zoli ;.vn in his element as the proprietor of a fisli emporium, and Miss Lillian Colocso waa • as vulgar as the servant of the beauty establishment was doubtless intended to be. A eoxtet of gay girls pranced round ■in the background to lend an animated trimming to the whirl of songs and dances tnat keep the atmosphere of the beauty studio vibrating. Mention should 'be nlado of tho brightness that Miss Pearl Livingetono radiates, The switch that controls her efforts requires turning more frequently than is the case.

THE KING'S. The moonshino still, emugglere, , and "revenooers" oro the principal characters in "The Stronger Love," now being shown at the iCiug-s Theatre. Miss Vivian Martin, a, clever 'Httlo lady, plays the' rolo of a ■ tattered, barefooted little beauty of the mountain clan. The story revolves around her lovo for a stranger who wanders into the wild country looking for "radium. He is suspected Dy tho smugglers of being "a revenooer," and is only rescued by the girl's brave strategy. It is a pleasing production, and tho scenic beauties aro ivorthi special mention. EVERYBODY'S. (Donglns Fairbanks, in. "Eeggio Mixes In," is at the top of hie form. In this ho is Been as "tho bouncer" or "chuckerout" in a Bowery 6aloon. In reality he is a well-to-do young man with plenty of money, and his job in tho ealoon is really morely a moans to an end. The end in this case is pretty little Bessie Love, a dancer there. Fairbanke's method of settling disputes and the final outcome of the adventure provide humour, thrill, and novelties sufficient to arouse enthusiasm in tho most bloeo picture follower. "Gloria's Eomance" (No. 2) completes the bill. THE EMPRESS. "Tho House of a Thousand Sins"', is the namo given by the Nihilists to the. house of Lavaroff, wh\> is the chief of the Russian secret police in Warsaw, tho locale of "The Scarlet Oath," a World picture play, now showing at the Empress. ■ Gail Kane plays dual roles in this production,, and boft. «re' acted with the sincerity which has made this player so popular. The supporting items are good.