ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 6, 2 October 1917, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Easily tho best of the items that wont to make up tho new progi-ammo at "His Majesty's 'J.'Jieutrc last evening- -were those given by the great basso prot'undo, Malcolm M'Euchraii. Tlio puolic of Wellington has by this time learned what to expect when Air. M'Eachrun steps upon the boards, and tho round of applause that invariably greets tyin is a fair indication of tho place ho has secured in the popular esteem. His voice is probably one of the finest that has ever been heard at His Majesty's; his .numbers arc chosen with a taste that ensures a rare combination of popularity with genuiue quality; and his personality is so pleasing that one could imagine his achieving a great success even if he lacked as a singer some slight part of tho brilliance he undoubtedly possesses. Last evening he included among his selections tho favourite "Floral Dance," "Wo Come Up i-'ioin Somerset," and "The Yeoman's Wedding." He rendered about half a dozen songs in all, and duly received from his audience sireh a tribute of applause as few artists receive, and still fewer earn. Other items of the vaudeville bill were given by James and Selma, a new couple who create a good deal of amusement. James is capable of giving a clever impersonation of a Hebrew, and his lady partner dances very well indeed. The Royle Trio provided comedy on tho same lines as they followed'last week, carefully avoiding everything indelicate, and making their points lty a genuine appeal to the sense of humour. Their dancing aroused great enthusiasm. Rose and Dell, acrobatic cyclists, and Murfnyne, the xylophone player, again appeared. Murfayne deserves more than a passing word of commendation for his expert handling of an uncommon and difficult instrument. He succeeded last evening in eliciting from the xylophone tones of surprising quality and sweetness. ' The second part of the programme was supplied by Paul Stanhope and his company in another revue, 'Topsy-Tur-vy." This, like its predecessors, .was notable chiefly for the very pleasing sing-, ing of the Grafters' Quartet. The entertainment will be repeated to-night.

-H. H. WARNER AT THE KING'S THEATIiE. ' The blaze of electric lights on Broadway, tho multitude of, rushing vehicles, the* gaudily brilliant cafe entrances, the glare and glitter of New York's great pleasure places, are all depicted in "God's Man and the AVoman," the star feature of the King's Theatre programme. H. B. Warner, who is starred in the leading role, gives'a strong portrayal of the storm-tossed central iigure, who finds that his very effort to do right leads him further into danger. The big cast is very even, and the productioA is marked by the highest standard of photography and setting. , THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Gladys Leslie is tho pretty star of tho Pathe jGold Rooster play, "An Amateur Orphan," the feature of the programmo now screening at the Empress .Theatre. The story has reference to a little girl who, by exercising great ingenuity, manages lo cscape from the tedious life of ease which has bored her and become the imnato of an orphanage. The supporting cast is strong, and tho setting is beautifully done. The play on the whole is a first-class production, and tho story boldlv original. Also on tho same programme" is the twelfth chapter of "The Iron Claw." ' ' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Bessie Barriscalo appe'ars as , Bawbsin "Bawbs of Blue Ridge," the Triangle dr>i!ua now screening at Everybody's theatre. Ono quaint scone in. the production is where she appealstothe mountain oracle, the owl, as to whether she is to marry a handsomo stranger or an old inino'r who "has discovered that she is entitled to a .fortune; .The latter character is a tine piece of dramatic work. 'Tho -photography is excellent, and Ihe whole story one of . the freshest and. most appealing that has been told on tlie ecrucn. Another fine picture is "The' Awkkcning,',' a drama featuring Anita Stewart and Earle Williams.'

"TURN TO THE RICrHT."

;7Turn to tho Itight," the new comedy by Winchell Smith and John E. Hazzard, which will be produced at Ihe Grand Opera House on Monday next October 8; by J. and N. Taifs new comcdy company, is in three acts, with a prologue, which is a short sketch giving tho key to tho play proper. When tho curlaiii rises, Joe Baseom, under the thioiG of "Pete," knocks at tho pawnshop door. Ho looks careworn and unhappy. He has just been roleased from Sing Sing Prison, where he was imprisoned for a crime which he did not commit, and whilst there ho chummed up with two young fellows—Muggs, who to prison for picking pockets, and Gilly, for robbing safes. They have slayc<i at the pawnshop overnight, so an to meet -loc when lie comes out of prison, as ho had been good to' them whilst there. Joe meets them, and tells them that lio is now going straight all .his life. -He gives them his hn.lf of ten dollars', which the prison authorities givo every young fellow on leaving, and entreats them to go straight. Tho two boys , are visibly atfected by his generosity and* kindness, and Gilly indicates to Muggs that he is to put the money back in Joefs pocket. Muggs goes up to Joo and shakes hands when he says good-bye, and unknown to him puts tho money in his vest pocket. Tho curtain is rung-down, and the .play proper commences, being a continuous series of comedy scenes, allied with pathos and,heart intevsst. The box plans will open at the Bristol on Thursday next. i "A TALE OP"3I/D JAPAN." It is anticipated that the Town Hall will be filled to-night when Coleridgo Taylor's "A Tale of Old Japan" will be given by tho Royal 'Choral-Union, under the conductorship of Mr. with a band and -chorus of 250. Tho public will note with pleasure the names: of those engaged to lake the principal parts. Miss Helen Gard'ner, uf Dunedin, will sing the soprano solos. Mrs. Maurico Jones, of Auckland, has been engaged to sustain tho contralto pnrt. Mr. G. W. Eiby takes the tenor role, .while tho baritone work lias been'allotted to, Mr. Frank' Charlton. . The soloists abovementioned should enable the union, to give a powerful and dramatic rendering of the late Mr. Taylor's masterpiece. As "The Tale" is not a full programme work, part songs, and glees will precede the cantata, whitih will bo conducted by Mr. H. Temple White. The _box plan will remain at the Bristol till 5 to-night, where all priced tickets arc obtainable. Tho doors will open at 7.15, and the performance concludo at 10 o'clock.