ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 58, 1 December 1917, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"QKUMPV," With the namo of "Grumpy" on every Playgoer's lips, it was almost inevitable mat another crowded house should bo attracted to the representation Riven last evening. Mr. Cyril Maude's playing of the leading role is more to tho audience than tho mere pleasure of a night: it is sometiling to clionsh a delightful meinorv of for many days to come. "Urumpy" will certainly live m the remembrance of many of its patrons as tho finest play thev have seen of its kind. The piece will be produced again this aftornoon and this evening, giving way on Monday to "General John Regan."

"GBNEKAL JOHN REGAN." ( Geo. A. unnunfa'iiuju'B aeuguuui comedy 'General Jonn jiegan," is 10 uu pluycu on Monday auo Tuesuuy ueit. uf jitr. Lyrn Hauae's performance a timuaue paper says: "ilr. Jlauuc'reflected ueiigauuliy me ligJit-handed manner of Jar. iwrmiuguam's story. lie .winded everyone into the conspiracy with a torrential geniality that swept away all opposition, all suspicions, all objections. . . . 'i'he comedy itself is just a sketch of Irish .village life under conditions that niako entirely for laughter, and tho wit is fresh enough, to sustain the slender statue joko through three unUaggmg acts. Mr. Maude carried it along at tompestuouß pace, and surely actor never talked faster, lie literally talked those poor villagers off their legs. Mr.- Maude's comic gifts Btood' out triumphantly in tho meeting of the statue fund committee, in holding in hand half a dojen irreconcilable men and a- couple of jealous _ women. This is a most deliriously comic meeting; you fee\ the rev. chairman is cheating you'in closing it when he does. There has only been one rough and tumble, and the temper of tho members Buggoßts that they are good for at least half a dozen. The large audience laughed till it cried."

HIS ITAJBSTV'S THEATBE. Walter Johnson's revuo players in "The Honolulu Girl" continue to brighten tho fleeting hour at His Majesty's Theatre. Mr. Johnson himself works with eightcylinder force, and ho manages to iMuse his own energy into most of hi 6 r.tyers. which iB the accepted American method of comedy. Alerts, who wield the battleaxe of mediaeval times, and juggle nonchantly with tho still effective bayonet, provide a good turn, and Mr. M'Kay, who is associated with Miss Graham, lifts up a, tuneful basso in good popular ballads suited to his bravara style. There will be a matinee performance this afternoon.

KING'S THEATRE.: Olive Thomas appears a 8 Claire Curtis in the new. Triangle photoplay, "An Even Break," the star feature to be screened at tho King's Theatre to-day, at 2 p.m. Bho leaves her homo in the little town of Itandsburg, and goes to New York, where Bhe 'soon becomes a popular dancing favourite at Minat's cafe. Later. Jirumio Strang, tho lover of her school days, comes to the city to visit her. He has mado some successful inventions! but' i 6 having trouble with labour agitators in Kandsburg, who fear that the new- machine will throw them all'ouT of work.- He also finds an enemy in Davo Harding, a member of a,, rival Arm. While Jimmie is in -the city Harding oonnives with the strikers to blow up the machines. Olaire hears of the plot, and immediately prepares to frustrate it in a war that provides an exciting race to Kandsburg. Olive Thomas, who is supported in this picture by Charles dim and Margaret Thompson, will be remembered for her success with the pyjama girls in "Madcap Madge:"

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. . "The Mormon Maid," after a record week at the King's Theatre, will commence a second season at Everybudy's Theatre today, for one week only. In the leading roles are Mae Murray and flobart Bosworth, and their acting is admirable. It is a spectacular film, teaching the lesson of tho evils attendant on polygamy, backed by a religion more or less tinged with fanatioism. The story woven in with the main themo is ouito an exciting one. In addition to this featuro will bo shown Chapter 5 of "Tho Secret Kingdom," entitled "Carriage Call No. 101." This episodo deals with Phillip, who iB the rightful heir to the throne. Count Mamin aids ITadamo Savatz in her attempts against Phillip's life, and Phillip, ib bound and locked in a room with tho gas turned on, but ho manages bv .some moans to unhook the telephone received. The switchboard operator sends up to investigate, and Phillip is,rescued.

EMPRESS THEATRE. ■ • Really original treatment of • a- -wellknown theme ie said to mark tho World Film drama, "Souls Adrift," the star featuro to be soreened at the- Empress Theatre to-day. Ethel Clayton" is the star., Tho action, opens upon a luxurious pleasure yacht, whose saloon is dedicated to riotous, drunken revels. Escaping ono evening, tho heroine comes up the engineer on deck, and m he turns she discovers that he is tho man to whom sho had once been engaged. Suddenly tho yacht rooks, and the muffled roar of an explosion sounds, and this chance-met pair arc tho only survivors. Tho picturisation of tho eiplosion is said to bo done •with unique skill, as are the subsequent scenes showing tho drifting boat in the weed-infeßted, too calm tropical seas. The evonts on the island are fu<! of adventure, a pirating sailormau and his negro assistant landing with a stolen bag of gems. Tho island is a plaeo of rare tropical beauty. Strong items support the star attraction.

•, "OH, SUSANNAH!" The 'successful farcical comedy "Oh, Susannah!" will commence a tow-nights' season at the Concert Chamber on Wednesday and Thursday next, December u and 6. The Thespians, a now comedy company, headed by Mr. Culford Bell, will appear in this farce. The cast of characters has been carefully chosen, and lovers of farce comedy are promised' a good laugh. Amusing situations abound in the piece leading np to exciting, laughable climaxes. The tickets are selling nuickly; and patrons are advised to book their seats at the Bristol on Monday next. The proceeds will go to-the Clara Rogers Comforts Fund. The entertainment is under Vicc-Regnl patronage.

"THE NEW HENRIETTA." At the Grand Opera House oh Saturday evening Meßsrs. J. and N. Tait's Now' Comedy Company will pay a return visit to Wellington, and .will present "Tho New Henrietta," by tho author of "Turn to tho Right," and which has proved the successful rival of ,tho la6t-named play. "Tho New Henrietta" is described as a comedy-drama, fnll of exciting, and sparkling episodes. The story is woven round a mino called "The Now Henrietta," and the Stock Exchange deals provido novel and amusing situations. While tho owner.. Nicholas Van Alstyno is away ou a. yachting cruiso a rival successfully causes a Blump in Henrietta share's. Bertie, Van Alstyno's son, howover, comes to the rescue, and counters the Stock Exchange gamblers. • The owner's return brought about by wireless messages, effects of a riso in the shares, and mauy oomplications ensue. Although a comedy, tho play is said to contain many dramatic episodes, and the stage settings and mounting of the play ore reported aa being exceptionally fine. • Mr. Walter P. Richardson plays the part of Nicholas Van Alstyno, and ho has received tho highest praise from the oritics in othor parts of New Zealand. His study of tho old mau is described aB one of the finest pieces of character acting ever seen in the Dominion. Miss Lizctto Parkes as Agnes Gates has great opportunities, and is alßo credited with a flno performance. Misses Gertrude Suninieis, Given Dorlse, Francis Anderson, Messrs. John Junior. Staplcton Kent. George Ohalmorß. Gerald Harcourt, Maurico Dudley, and Carloton Stuart all havo congenial rolon; and in addition to producing the play Mr. Gaston Mcrvale makes his appearance as Mark Turner. The season in Wellington is limited to five nightß and the box plans will bo opened at tho Bristol on Wednesday morning.

"A DAUGHTER OF MB GODS." William Fox's million-dollar picture, featuring Annette Kcllcrmann, will bo shown at tho Grand Opera House on December 15. It is recommended by. tho producers because they claim that overy ono of tho million dollars expended bought its quota of genuine valuo, talent, and beauty, all combined and visualised hi ouo grand kinematic dream. There is ' only ono ugly person and one ugly spot in tho entire length of tlio picture, and those, designed to be ug v, aro superlatively so. Ono is tho Witch of Badness. The ugly soot ifl the cue of tho God of Evil. The rcßt of the play, which moans all of six tremendous episodes, is described as one long delight of sheer boautv. Annotto Kellermann has, it is claimed, for tho first time in her life, tho play, Hie sotting, and the baolting which enables her to do herself justice. She not only hits boon displayed to the best advantage in the most exquisite natural surroundings, but is given such a diversion of action that she can employ her remarkable talents to the full. In divine, swimming, dancing, acting, and even fighting irf armour she is said to establish herself, not only as tho Venus of tho screen, but as a. mos.t versatile and talented actress. Her supporting cast includes a school of bewitching mcrniauls, charming children, a valley of gnomes, a bow of Oriental dancing girls, a biiltan, •i prince, slaves, and warriors,