ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3031, 19 March 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

J. C. WILLIAMSON ATTRACTION. "THE HOUSE OF GLASS." ' To-morrow ovoning, at the Grand Opera House, under tho direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., tho curtain will rise at 8 o'clock on "Tho Houso of Glass," in which Miss Florence Eockwoll will make hor first appearance. Of this play the "Sydney Morning Herald" critic writes as follows:—'Tor two reasons in particular an unusual interest attached to tho production of Tho House of Glass.' In tho first place it introduces a new actress, and in tho second presents a. play that throws a good deal of light on tho ideals of modern drama in Aniorica. Incidentally, it also provid.es thrilling exercise of the emotions. The dramatist has expressed much fresh thought and imagination, and has given Miss Rockwell in the part of Margaret Case a golden opportunity for tho display of her undoubted talent Tho secret of tho success of tho play'lies mainly along the lines of creative art—the parts of its construction are assembled with unusual technical skill aud cunning. Plot, characterisation and situations are handled continuously in the. best, manner of a master of stagecraft." Mr. Frank Harvey will sharo with Miss Rockwell the burdon of the work of the play, these principals being supported by a specially chosen. "The Houso of Glass" will be slaved for tho first four nights, heing succeeded on Satvirday next by AV. Somerset Maugham's powerful play, "The 5'.-nnd of Promise." This play had a run of neatly two years in London, and when taken to New York was immediately successful, being in its second year in "tht city. The setting is Canadian, to which country a young, and beautiful Englishwoman is brought. She fights desperately against the primitive surroundings of her now life, but finally the primitive conquers her in love and acceptance of the real against the artificial tilings of this world. Miss Florence Rockwell is said to bo exceptionally fine as Noraa Marsh, while Mr. Frank Harvey has a part in Frank Taylor, tho primeval husband. The box plans fur the season are now open at the ! Bristol.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The departure on Saturday night of the Victor Prince Revue Company marks the reinstatement of all-vaudeville programmes at His Majesty's Theatre. A l>ig list of variety specialists is scheduled for to-night. Billy Brown, one of the finest coon comedians in Australasia, and who will be remembered here in conjunction with his er6twhile partner, Sorlie, will make his first appearance hero as a subject. It will be remembered that the success of the Brown and Sorlio "turn" was largely due to the remarkable talent of iJrown himself, so tke-t it therefore seems superfluous to do mcro than state that Brown is said to be even funnier in the less confined boundaries of a single act. That refined and original English comedy duo, Brull and Hemsley, are announced for a reappearance to-night in a new offering. Mr. Hemsley's conception of the immaculate dude, together with his grotesque tanglefoot dancing, place him amongst the front-rankers. Fred. Arthur, billed as the "Shabby Genteel Comedian," will make his initial bow to Wellington with his impersonations and impressions that have won for him the fullest favour in Australia. Scott Gibson, Scottish humourist; Pearl Livingstone, comedienne;. Alsace, instrumentalist: R-osio Rifle Co., sharp-shooting specialists; Marjorie Alwyn, contralto; Mark Erickson, raconteur; and the lastnamed artist's rendition of "Saros the Sculptor," with the assistance of Mane St. George, will complete the evening's entertainment. The same bill will bo presented nightly throughout the week.

KING'S THEATRE. Another Blue Ribbon Vitagraph success is the leading attraction at tho King's Theatre this week. It is entitled "The Crown Prince's Double," and features in tho leading roles Maurice Costello and Norma Talmadge, two of the Vitagraph's most popular stars. Tho story opens in a small kingdom— not in Germany as might bo expected from the title—which is in the centre of a revolution. The king and his son have to leave owing to the people threatening to murder them. Owing to the ,Crown Prince's friends not. suiting his father, he has to go to the United States in charge of an American. He falls in love with his guardian's sister, and marries her secretly. Shortly afterwards he is sent for to return to the kingdom, but declines tho offer, as he has determined to become an American citizen. Intending to travel until tho trouble blows over, ho leaves home, but his wife takes ill, and jnst ajfc the right time the Princo's double is detected. Ho, Jwing out of work, accepts the responsibility of a thousand dollars and a lifo at a prominent hotel without asking any questions. This throws the spies who are following the real Prince off the track, and they confine their attentions to the man they think is the Prince apd who is enjoying his change of circumstances to the full. He befriends a girl who has been disowned by her aunt, and later meets her at a ba!l, she having been found by the aunt and. taken back to her home. From this on a charming love story is J worked into the play, and finally the Prince, his double, and the two girls meet, and the position is explained. The Prince refuses to go back to his throne, preferring a quiet life in America. The photography and setting are quite modem, and a proof of the good work done in the picture is the Prince and bis double shown in the picture at the same time when the two parts are taken by one man. The supporting programme is quite up to the usual standard of this theatre.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The double-star programmes that ha.ro recently been running at Everybody's Theatre have proved very popular, and it is not surprising that on Saturday a good attendance should have greeted the appearance of the new bill. This comprises a Triangle feature (entitled "The Honourable Algy") and the fourth instalment of "Ulorij/s Romance." The 'latter production, with Miss Billie Burke in the leading role, is one of the finest serials that have appeared. It is distinguihed from the common run by genuino novelty of conception, and by an absence of very muoh overdone sensationalism. Tho interest of the story and the charm of Miss Burke should render the film a decided success. "The Honourable Algy" i* a picture that is entirely pleasant, while not a masterpiece. The leading personage is the cadet of an old English house. He is portrayed with tho inevitable monocle and the traditional stage manner.' As the fortunes of his house are on the deoline, he is compelled to abandon a little English sweetheart and go in search of an American heiress. The said heiress, whon found, proves useful in quite a different way from that anticipated by Algy. She prescribes work instead of wedlock, and Algy adopts her suggestion. He settles down to business, makes a profitable investment, and, w'hen Christmas comes round, finds himself a millionaire. The heiress makes a present to him of the little English girl, whom she has brought all the way from Hadleigh village to deligbt the soul of Algy. Algy accepts the gift, and when last seen-is signifying how acceptable it is. As a whole, the bill provides pleasant entertainment, and will probably attract considerable natrcnago through the week.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The new star film at the Empress Theatre, "Tho Hidden Scar," was screened for the first time on Saturday. The theatre was exceedingly well patronised, especially in the evening, when accommodation was at a premium, llie Hidden Scar" is a rather apt name for the film, which is founded, on the ."rising Biblical passage: "He that is wnhmu sin among von, let h:m cast the iirst stone " The morn!, if course, is obvious, and as the basis for a lesson in practical charity it is one of the Jinest themes which could be illustrated. In the present case the story woven round the moral is that a minister of the Gospel marries a certain woman, wlio afterwards transpires to one whose footsteps have not by any means followed the path of rectitude. What is to be done The situation Is tenso and dramatic. The old maxim is revived: "Ho that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.