ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3111, 15 June 1917, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

—,—& GRAND . OPERA HOUSE, 'i'lie Irish melodrama, "Shainus O'Brien," was again repeated at the Grand Opera House last evening by tho ISrnndouCrenior Company. There was a, good audience, who enjoyed tho production. The play deals with tho troubles of Ireland in '98. Shamus O'Brien; the fcero. round whom tho story ecutros. is ably played by Mr. Maurico Tuohy. Mr. Y. I'aul as the rascally Shadrick O'Finu is aiso well cast,, and the roan of tho company fill heir places with ease. ToJiigbt the company will revive "Bast Lynnc,' with which they close tho season in Wellington.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho Johnson llevuo Company are proving «. great attraction at His Majesty s Theatre, and nightly large audiences arc. attending. . Their production is ramed "The Gramaphono Girls," and abounds with music, song, chorus, dance, and everything that makes a rovuo entertainment an attraction. Besides tho company tbcro aro also aomo vaudoville items, foremost amongst which is that of Miss Violet Trcvcnyon. |

TMIE ENGLISH PIERROTS. Tho English Pierrots, who havo established a nue reputation lor themselves in Wellington, attracted a packed audience to tho Concert Chamber last evening, Tho littlo company, which has now been entortaini/iB tiic public in a very clean and wholly deligntiul manner tor a month past, is strong in inalo performers, who work swingiugly together in tho happiest combination, m Mr. David Lylo, the Pierrots possess a very ndmirablo tenor, who last evening gavo particular .-pleasure in the ballad, '"l'hauk Uod tor a Garden," and then, to tho surprise of the initiated, gave a ringing deliverance 01 "On With the' Motley," from "I I'ngliacci," and, oncorcd once more, sang ".because." Mr. Lylo has also a keen comedy-sense, and is always good in tho character sketches in which ho figures. Mr. Leslio Austin Is another capablo all-round performer, a. good singer, an adaptable comedian, and always likeable in thoso acting ducts with 'Miss Langley. In that direction "Maudalay" was cxoellcnt, but "Goody-Good' was ultra-sloppy in character, though well done. Mr. Louis Mitchell scared as "The Sweep," and Mr. Boy Cooke was heard ill "The Last Gall" and "Dreamland." Miss Billco Wilson, who livo wiro. to tho tips of her fingers, was very amusing in "Bed Head," and recited exactly like a five-year-old child at a birthday party. "The Coster's 'Wedding" gavo Miss I'lsa Langley a chance to further show her adaptability to character. As 'Liza, of tho' slums, she was as lurid and picturesque as tho feathers in her hat, and was well supported by Mr. Charles Lawrence as tho groom and Mr. Austin as the parson. Miss Edith Harrold sang tho Jewel Song from "Faust," and was encored. Tho programmo concluded with a screaming absurdity in tho form of a burlesque on tho pantomime "Dick Whlttington and His Cat," which kopt tho audience giggling tho whole time. . Miss Elsa Langley was a bold Dick in top boots that threatened to envelop the whole of her trim littlo person. The best bit of burlesquo was tho Fairy Queen of MiBS Billeo who mimicked tho sing-song stylo of reciting tho rhymed lines of the averago Fairy Queen perfectly. Mr. Louis Mitchell as tho Cat was just as good as tho gonuine pantomimo foliue; Mr. David Lylo was Alderman Fitzwarren, and Miss Shirley Cook was Margerine, his very Btaecato daughter. Tho Dame was humorously played hy Mr. Austin, and Mr. TV. P. Turner figured as tho King with tho rats. There was no inoro humorous character in tho burlesque than the scene-shifter of Mr. Charles Lawrence who is responsible for the speotaclo. Ho made a hit when he informod tho Fairy Queen that her fish and chips wcro waiting for her in tho dressing-room. Tho one big specialty was tho March of tho. Nations, led by Vacci-nation and Ruination, with Tronthain and Ngahauranga to make tho concert of nations complete. It was all admirable fooling in tho best spirit ol burlesque.

KING'S THEATRE. Every night without exception since "Intolerance" began at the King's Thcatro there has been only standing room left ten minutes before tho picture was timed to commence, and this state, will probably rule to-day and to-morrow, which will seo' the final screening of tho great picture. It is ono of tho biggest spectacles ever produced in Wellington. Not tho least important part of tho production is that played by the accompanying orchestra. Especially imposing aro tho Bcencs where Babylon is attacked by a giant army, who are driven back the first time, but by treachery sain a hold in the'city tho seoond time. Thero will be matinees this aiternoou and to-morrow aftei-noon. THE EMPEESS THEATEE. "Tho Dancer's Peril," a powerful story featuring Alico Brady, is a rolontloss exposure of the corruption and profligacy that onco characterised the Russian Court. The picture portrays the adventures of a young ballet dancer, saved by her mothor from the clutches of an evil man. Splendid dancing by Alexis Koslofl, of tho Russian Imperial Ballet, is a feature of tho play. To-morrow's change will show Jane Elvidgc and Oarlylo Blackwoll in "A Sauaro Deal," described as a drama of modern art and Bocicty. THEATRE. ; John Hay's two poems, "Little Breeches" and "Jim Bludso," are tho foundation of ; a> thrilling Triangle drama, now showing at Everybody's_.T)ieatre. William Lucas has tho name part, and Georgio Stono is Little Breeches." A particularly thrilling scene is that where the "l'rairio Bello" catches fire, and blows up. Billy Burke is presented in "A Modern Pirate." Tomorrow Prank Keenan stars with little Thelma Salter in "Tho Crab," described as a most unusual and well produced Triangle play.

THE, BATTLE OP THE ANOEE. The official picture of the Battle of the Anore, to bo shown at the Town Hall on Monday next, under the direction of the Y.M.0.A., wag taken on September 15 last by official iinematographers attached to the French Army, and it is stated that all who see the pictures will gain almost as vivid an idea of ..what real warfare means as if they had witnessed an actual battlo. The appearance of the ("tank" was first made in the Ancre battle, and special interest attaches to this feature of the pictures. The exhibition of these films has been arranged by the Government, in order that Now Zealand people should have forced home upon them-the truth about the conditions under whicn our men are fighting. His Majesty tho King, after seeing the picture privately at Windsor, said: lho public 6hould seo these pictures, that they may have 6ome idea of what the army is doing and what war means." The entire net proceeds from the exhibition are to go directly for- tho benefit of our lighting men in camp, trench, and hospital.

KINEMACOLOR. To-night and at tho matinee to-morrow will bo tho last opiportunity of- seeing Sew /iealaud in Uineniacolor and- "Tho World KoYiowed." They havo proved a source of delight to all who have seen then, and being in the beautiful natural colours much additional charm is added. Many people will no doubt malio a point of paying the; Town Hall a vi6it before tho season ends. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol.

J. 0. WILLIAMSON, LTD.'S PANTOMIME.

Considerable interest is being evinced in connection with, tho forthcoming presentation of tho J. 0. Williamson,'Ltd.'s, pantomime, "Tho House that Jack Built." the first performance of which will ho given at the Grand Opera House on Tuesday night next. Transported in its entirety direct from Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, tho huge show is claimed to have much to recommend it, and naturally suggests the biggest j theatrical evcnt~ of tho year. It is reported to bo particularly strong in the eomjedy side—a fact duo not only to the humorous dialogue of tho hook, but also to tho excellence of tho comedians in tho cast Tho result is that tho audienco is kept in high good hnmour all tho time. Tho spectacular effects and gorgeous pageants are, according to contemporaries, more numerous and magnificent than ever. The box plans arc now on vTc'w at tho Bristol.