ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 256, 23 July 1920, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

"MOTHER HUBBARD." The 6«cond performance of .Messrs. J. and N. .Tait's spectacular pantomime, "Mother Hubbard," was staged in tho Grand Opera House last evening before ft crowded house. "Mother Hubbard" was again very favourably received, the inimitable comedy of tho two masters, Barry Lupi'no - (the Dame) and Jack Cannot "(Mr. Hubbard"), keeping the big audience in wonderfully good humour throughout the whole evening. Mr. Lupino was again in great form with his numerous sallies and eccentricities, and he also pleased greatly in "There's Mothing the Matter with Me" and other droll vocal numbers. He divided honours with Mr. Cannot, who fooled to perfection and incidentally made the vocal hit of the evening in "Signora" in his role of a comic troubador. "Bully," tho pantomime dog, lived up to his great reputation, being quite an entertainment in himself, and there were numerous other bright features in tho performance tributary to its overwhelming success. The various cleverly conceived dancing turns and the choruses also appealed greatly to the audience, as did also the orchestration of the pantomime. There wns In fact not a dull moment during the whole evening.

KING'S THEATRE. For to-night's weekly change at the King's Theatre the star item will toe the screening of "Quinneys," a popular novel by Horace Annesley Vachell, that proved a wonderful success as a 6tage play, and now promises to outshine that success as a film production. In ttoe role of Joe Quinney, the irascible yet good-hearted curio dealer, Henry Ainley has a part that is said to be the finest work of his career. The picture has met with universal approbation from English newspapers, which are not given to fulsome praise for kinenia productions. The usual high-class supporting pictures will also bo screened, ilr. Clmrles Moore, baritone, will sing "Crown of the Tear" and "Land of Delight." By special request, the entr'acte, "Hornpipe Humouresque (Eosse) will be played by the King s Grand Orchestra. There will be a full orchestral matinee to-morrow. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Can a man love two girls at the same time? In "T'other Dear which'is being shown at Everybodys Theatre, commencing -to-day, the hero, played by John Bowers, loves a French maid and a society girl at the same time, proposes to them both, and gets accepted by both. The deluded creature doesn t know they are the same girl-and he gets due punishment for his perhdy. lho "golden girl of the screen," Louise Him. is the lovable and charming star and the story is said to make one. of the most delightful comedies produced, the striking serial, "Mystery of 13," will be carried on another episode, _ while another film of special interest is Just for Joy," described as one of the most remarkable films dealing with daredevil 6port ever produced. ' EMPRESS THEATRE. Bessie Barriscale is said to be very beautiful and appealing in the latest Paralta -production "The White Lie, to be screened at the Empress Theatre commencing to-day. The story dea* with the mischief caused by one little lie told by a frightened wife to her husband-so. much mischief, indeed, that events culminate iu a mysterious murder ofjrlucii the wife thinks her husband guilty,- and the husband thinks the wife guilty, so both take the blame to save the other. Matters are cleared up unexpectedly-m fact, the whole picture is described as full of unexpected twists that will keep the audience guessing. ENGLISH PIERROTS. The English Pierrots' aro always welcomed here, and the clever combination at present playing nightly at the toncert Chamber, Town Hall, is drawing crowded houses. The entertainnien, provided by the artists is bright, and consists of musical numbers and comedy sketches. The orchestra of ladies is a new departure' in pretrot entertainment and one which is greatly appreciated. A complete change of programme will be presented to-morrow night.

GERTRUDE JOHNSON CONCERTS. Miss Gertrude Johnson, the young Melbourne soprano and prima donna, leapeu to Tame in grand orwra uithrn the past year. She came to New Zealand recently with the J. C. Williamson Grand Opera-Company, ■and in "Rigoletto" and "Lucia de Lammermoorf scored a signal triumph. Miss Johnson, having temporarily ceased singing in opera, nas been persuaded by Mr, Victor Beck, tho well-known director of many high-class entertainments, to come to New Zealand again, this time as a concert singer, for a tour nnder the management of Mr. G. S. Garland, of Auckland. The first concert to bo given here will be at the Town Hall on Monday. Associated with Miss Johnson will be Mr. Horace Hunt, one of the finest pianists New Zealand has produced, and an Australian flautist of high repute, Mr. Charles Russell. A leading Sydney critic, writing of Miss Johnton's work as Gilda .in "Rigoletto said: "Many traditions of famous singers cluster ro.und all these great Italian roles, but, without making any invidious comparisons, the fact may be cheerfully recorded that Gertrude Johnson delighted" tho audience as Gilda. The giTlish charm with which she played the part of the hcToine strengthened the conception as a whole. The. long duets were well rendered. Miss Johnson's purity of timbre, and the accuracy of her staccato were admired after the first few bars, soared upwards an entire octave, to the highest %'■ where she lingered with a confidence that brought down ■the house." Ava Symons, the well known violiniste, has been specially engaged for the "Wellington season. Apart from her brilliant soTo worS, Ava Symons will be heard in several trio numbers with Charles Russell, flautist, and Eric ■Waters, pianist. The plan is now open nt The Bristol, and the day sales are a! Perry's, tobacconist, Manners Sreet,