ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3131, 9 July 1917, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BROADWAY JONES." Gen. M. Cohan's delightful comedy drew ■a fiiir lioueo' on .Saturday evening. "Broadway .lonos" ahoiiDds in fun of much the samo typo as that,' provided by "flet-Ilicli-Quick ■ Wnllingford," «nil between Ihn rcspeotavo merits of tho two productions them is littJo to pick and choose. Mr. Robert Groig appears, with Miss Tkn-lrico Holloway, at t.he head of tho oast. According to the. etory. Uroad.w<l y h.-is a plonfiaut little spin in New, Yni'lt. and it costs him about a uuiirter of a, million. When first, introduced to tho house, he has hod Ibo ciuartcr of a. roillion-and has it no longer. Instead, liii Jins onu of tho finest collections of debts over seen in the great oily. I'esporote discaEfß rotiuiro despcrato remedies: ho acnuiros a. wealthy but rather mature ■widow for a flajicco. Ycry shortly, bowovcr, Broadway's need of tho widow dlcappcnrr. with hie uceipcctcd inheritance nf a. cocßt chewing-gum business. Between tho widow- and tho businM , ? (whtcli brings its own liltlo problems along) ho finds himself in a, very uncomfortable position, aid tho -way of Ins escape is sufficiently ludicrous to keep the lioueo in a simmer of laughter till tho curtain falls. The company loses no opportunities for creating merriment, and ot/on (he minor charaoters are ''cry adroitly handled. Tho outstanding feature is tho completo nbscnco of weak spots. Another porformanco will I'o given to-night:

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATER. With two such entirely different allrac- ' linns as Tho Tojos and the Johnson liovuo Company, business continues excellent, at His Majesty's U'hoa-tre. 'I ho eitraordiuary agility, sonea of balance, ami accuracy of louoh in these Japanese <iro iniiaziug. and ono cannot but.marvel v> tho power they display in their respective lines of business. Tho "alido for life down a ropo stretched from.tho family circlo to tho sta.ffo continues to maKO "goosey" tho flesh of everyone wbo -witnesses tho act. Armitage and Hino repeat tliclr now very familial- "Soldier and Slavey" Kkotoh. and tho Tuttyii mako fun in thoir own way. Tho now revue by tlio Johnson Company ia entitled "lu.o I'lyaway Girls." Whilst eomo, of tho otheJ bills have had n, thin tugscstion of plot, this rovuo disponses with it altogether in favour of n vaudcvilo-curo-panlomime stylo of oxtravn.gan?.a. which aims at brightness and farcical frivolity without rliymo or reason, yot which entertains in tlio manner intended. Tho progress ol tho season emphasises thoi value of Mr. Harry Burgess as a charaoter comedian. Hir cxtTeme length and narrow, proportions made his impersonation of an effeminato waitor highly ludicrous, and lub ptotcsqno attudiniaing and "Nancy" speeches ■werc> a eourco of: much amusement. Mr. Gu3 Franks wae onco moro tho pmlitt Hebrow. thiclc ,and inoorrect of speech, and 3fr. Jack Kearns's inversion of tno grnniuiatic lawn mado tho audienco -wince again. Miss Lola.Hunt, attired in tho blameless, wihite tights of a pantomime "boy." rolllcted freely in "I'm Goini: AwaV Homo" and "Jty RoSie Hose Bud." Clever Lydia danced, delightfully, with Mr. E. Laehbrook for a partner, and chirruped the "AlabamaJubllco" with spirit. Ono of tho best comedy hits was tho singing, of Oloso to My Heart." in which,tho •members of the chorus 'get their chance, to sololse, a«« another was a comio duel secuo. Mr. lashbrook's disccuises included a travosts on Svcngali. with a olioms of Tnlbyfli as support. Miss Vera Kearns and Mr. Walter Johnson also contributed to Hie gaiety of the merry show.

"DADDT LONG LEGS." Joan Webster's dramatised version of her book, "Daddy Long Legs, is to bo presented at the Grand Opera Houso next Wednesday evening by J. 0. Williamson s company of comedy artists, headed by. tho youug Canadian star actress, Miss KatJileuo MacDoncll, and Mr. Charles Waldron. The strength of its appeal ia eaid to lie mostly in Tits simplo naturalness. It ia a play that leaves tho beaten track ot strenuous drama, and enters into the peaceful garden of romance. It is a modernised fairy-tale for grown-ups, and oliildren also, to enjoy. Its powerful heart, interest ia said to be finely interpreted bj tho strong company tho Williamson firm has secured for the production, and there is an aotrcsa of definitely outstanding ability, in the role of Judy Abbott. Miss Kathleno MacDonell, it is said, is wellnigh ideal in the part. Tho orphan girl, young, adventurous, eager, lifted at tho moment of long-restrained revolt out of a life she loathos into a life sHe has scarcely dared to dream of, becomes, in her hands, an actual entity. Miss MacDonell is said to have temperament, vitality, emotional power, and a remarkable reserve forco, which, makes her work not only artistic, but distinguished. It is stated that Eho displays real genius in a characterisation "which is said to bo practically flawless. Mr.- Charles Waldron, as Jorvis' Pcrulleton, the modern male prototype of tho falfy-godmothor, succeeds in impressing by his sheer earnestness, his quiet, natural, and entirely forceful handling of tho part. His silbnt. aotions. equally with his meaningful gestures and facial expression, and the olear enunciation of hin lines, assist to endear this guardian lovor to all who look on and listen. Misses Haggle Moore and Emma Temple will be seen, in delightful character studies. Thin, production will bo staged for ecvcu nights only. A special matineo will be given on Saturday afternoon, next. Tho box plane will be opened at the Bristol this mornin? at 0 o'clock. "THE WHIP." . "The Whip;" a speutaonlar and melodramatic utory of the turf, 'which enjoyed a very successful run some few years since, 'is tho latest Btago sucoc§u to be transferred to the screen. The first exhibitions in Wellington took place at the King's Theatre on Saturday, and in the evening long before 8 o'clock BtandiiiE room wae dlffioult to obtain. Tho original Etory of "The Whip" was interpreted here by English players, but tho screen production is purely American, therefore as may be anticipated, there are moro thau shadeß of difference between the play of the Btase (which, production was redolent of that, phase oF. English 3fe commonly referred to as "the sporting life," and which in apparently so Impossible for American playera to successfully reproduce) and tho screen play under notice. However, this defect—if it bo a, defectis immaterial. It has been said that a play is either good or bad; tho ncreen version of "The Whip" belongs easily to the former class. Tho obiof characters ere a wealthy judge, owner of racehor'B'es; Mb daughter, a. typical 6port and animal-loving beauty; her lover, ai -wealthy young artist; the Inevitable' rascally count and a beautifnl adventuress, hia partner in evil-doing; an evil-visaged bookmaker interested In stiffening ?, horse; and the aforesaid horee (The Whip) and his •straight-running jooHey. This varied assortment of people work out. a. story that is undoubtedly exciting. Melodramatic, certainly; bnt the hich colours are intelligently eubdued, and the situations are rarely overdone. The preat feature of the picture, however, ia the number of bis and exciting scenes; notable are a motor smash, a railway smash, a. scene on an ocean liner, a horse show, a. hunting Fcene. and. bigeest of all, tile great race in whloh Tho Whip wins under dramatic ciroumstanoes, and which created real excitement, anions the midlence. Altogether, of ltn Hnd it U the bost nlcture seen for many n. day. "The Whip" will be pereenpd Iwico daily throughout, the week. EMPRESS THEATRE. Tho change of programme a.t, tho Eniprcs.s Thoatro on Saturday attracted tho usual largo attendances. Tho big fc&turo was a Greater Vitagraph production with Anita Stewart in tho loading rolo. Thin beautiful aotre3B was absent from fllmdora for some time on account of illness, but "Tho Oombat." aimed, einco her return, attests the faot that shp ha,s lost nono of her winsomenoss or ability. In "The Combat" sho i« Been liivit ns % gay, rebellious sooioty debutante, cajoled, by her mother into o, loveles3 marriage; then as a. passionato, -woman bent upon saving her real lover at any cost. Jicr actr ing io very powerful throughout, nnd one fees her at her best in tlie great sceno where her young husband, whom sho thought dead, comes suddenly upon her. jticfc at the moment film is dealing with a, black-mailing lawyer who hoo obtained her marriage certificate, and is subjecting lior in t.ho cruellest torture. The Ureater Vita-graph, has seldom screened a. drama with such an engrossing succeEiaon of Incidents. The, olover constractipn of the play keeps tho spectator '(continually in doubt, an to what is likely to happen next, •whilo Anita, Stowart holds tho sympathies with, a I'.evor-relaiius grasp. Tho role is n, great one, and ilis3 Gtowart has not failed to make the most of it. Of tho other momhors of tho cast, Kichard Tumor n.nd John Hobertson arc revelations in (lower and manliness. Ralph W. luce, who had charge- of the production, o£ course, contributed greatly to its success. A flret-ratft Gnumont. ccenio nnd a- Keystone comedy avo included, in the programme.

EVEBV'BODre THEATRE. Two Mceptionally good pictures proved , n. great attraction in the now bill at Evorybody'n Thcatro on eatui-da.y. Tho piotuies wero a Triangle Kay £eo production, entitled "Tho Weaker Sex,"/and 1A» final instalment of "Gloria's Romance-. • "Tho Weaker Scot" was tho moro ins of tho two pictures, and besides beinj: nplendidly staged featured four well-knowu find flrstrclopa artiste ' In tho plpt Dorothy TJalton takes thn role, of the lady attorney, known as "The Woman Lawyer, and early in tho picture sho marn-cs tlio city attorney, which part in taken by Ohai-lea K. French. Tho rolo of hie eon Jack falls to Oharlcs Bay. and that of tho groat ooiabot Binscr with whom ho is infiituatcd is token bj- liouiso Cilaum, who

is very well-known in the part of a. ri-rcn. After Jack's father ms.rrico. Jack decideo to marry the dancer. At a. parly eiven ia her honour he meets a- cousin of hia step■mother, however, arid fallts to nor charms. A scene oventuatcslin tho dancor'e .room, and £ho in murdered. Jack ia charged, ivith tho murder, and hia father, as city attorney; has to conduct, the c&sc against him. Hie Blep-mother, assisted by a, lawyer uncle, oonducto his caso, and a.fter. sonic esciting scenes find that the prlnolpal witnwc for the Stale is roally tUo murdorcr. Thorn is then n, happy cndlnff for Jack, hi« fHraily, a.nd his Kwc.cthca-rl* After a run of many ircoks "Gloria's Bomanco" at last oomcu to a happy endiug. Although tho ntncinc.in tho plcc« has been oxcellont throughout. a.nd tho acting of tho highost order, a. Epccial effort haa boon mado to mako tho concluding ohapter tpooially striking, and it certainly is. Beautiful scenory abounds and Gloria looks more beautiful than over 6ho did. Concluding the picture she ia scon to closo tho book of tho same namo, and pointing to "Tho End." givo aji silmost audible "Good-bye." A specially interesting supplementary pioturo ia one depicting damage caused'by tho mice plngue in Australia. SUNDAY CONCERT. Tho , Wellington Professional Orchestra, under tho oonductorship of Mr. HcrbcTt Bloy, last evening gavo a. very enjoyable concert in Hia Majesty's Theatre. There was a largo flttendaaco. • As tho programmo was not only-of » high standard from a. musical point of view, but tvsis aJso thoroughly pqpulei, it, met .-with enthusiastic appreciation from every section of tho bouse. The opening number wa-s lilgar's "Pomp and Oircuraetauco March, No. J." Ono of tho succeeding, items was l.ho dignified and eloratcd. ovrr•turo of "Egmont" (Beethoven), which tho orchestra, rendered with all the delicacy of treatment, rcauircd to do it, jiictico. Another wolenmo fteSirre -was a fantasia, on "La. Bohenio" (Pucctni). in which tho main thomo3 of tho opera, wcro voven together in <i very intcrostine faohion. Tho orchostra also performed this finely. Mascaijni'B great "Hynm to the Sun,'lrom "leis," was ii numbor that made a particularly deep impression upon the o.ucue'nee. Tho composition ia characterised by missive effects in harmony aad colour. It- describes the- night, tho dawn, the first rays, tho suu, and. finally tho day. The last is announced by a. tremendous climnoc of glorious sound, which has been Rradmally built up. In tlio- final portion, tho brass section of the orchestra, specially shone. One of the beautiful romantio entr'actes from "Hosamnnde" (<Schubort) ■wa.3 also srlven with na-rtioulav crace. An excellent rendorins of Adam's protty and brilliant overture. "Si J'Etais Boi, brought ■to a. oIoEO one of tho pleasantest, cvcninEfl e. music-lover could wish to , upend.