ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 270, 9 August 1920, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING'S THEATBE. How a misunderstanding, with i's origin in pride, almost parts forever two who were made to ije mated, is kid in tlie principal screen drama at the King's this week. The story is well presented. Miss Norma Talmadge fills the lending role willi conspicuous success, and all the tmio looks charming in the beautiful gowns she wears. On account of the splendid dressing, the picture is likely to have a special fascination for tho feminine spectator. It ought to be made clear, however, that Miss Talmadge depends, as ever, upon sound acting to achieve her main effects, and does not by any means content herself with merely striking attitudes for the display of splendid raiment. For tho rest of tlie programme, the point mainly notable is tho excellence of the orchestral music. A "Ballet Russe," full of life arid colour, is tho big number on this occasion. A male quartet of sufficient talent to please tho average house is to be heard during an interval in the picture-programme. Saturday night's attendance, which was very large, showed unmistakable approval of the bill.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Everybody's Theatre was packed in all parts on Saturday, while largo numbers had to bo refused admission. The, attraction was "The Tong Man." It is a startling exposure of San Francisco's Chinatown, with its "Tong" wars. Sessuo Uayakawa, the star; says "Tho Tong Man" is the mest thrilling and mysterious picture he- has over done. The. picture is a screen dramatisation of Clyde Westover's book, "The DragonV Daughter," one of the most interesting books of Chinese life in America eVer written. The fifth episcde of "Tho Mystery of 13" is included in tho supporting programme. EMPRESS THEATRE. A love of animals and an eye for beautiful scenery will enable anyone to enjoy "Back to God's Country," the . principal picture at the Empress Theatre this week. The incidents of the story oro thrilling. A rescue from the rapids and a flight from murderous pursuers ncro=s a 'barren waste of snow are among the l)ig scenes. Miss Nell Shipman's performance in the leading role is excellent. Charlie Chaplin appears in an irrosistiblv funny production, "Sunnyside, which gives a farcical representation of village lift in tho States. Charles, as tho simple farm hand, affords _ mutter for endless laughter. A new episode of the Liberty serial is shown. ENGLISH PIERROTS. Tho longer they stay in Wellington th« more popular do tho English Pierrots become. On Saturday night they presented a new programme, which proved absolutely the best they havo yet staged, and which was versatile enough to satisfy tho most fastidious tastes. I'crtiinntely the weather was line in tho evening, and the Concert Chamber was packed with an audience whose interest was sustained from beginning to end. The programme commenced with Padercw(dd's "Minuet," by tho orchestra,- whoso rendition was heartily applauded, the opening chorus, "Mirth," by the Pierrots, was a gay, lilting introduction to tho bill of fare. Several comic selections followed, and all were thoroughly enjowl. Humour is the predominating feature of the first part of the entertainment, and it is always clean ami acceptable. -Miss Ena Gordcn and AW. Ti.nv Cooke were heard in a_pretty duet, "Kingfisher Blue," their voices blending very sweetlv indeed. In "Virginia, a chorus song, Miss Mnxnio MKenjie achieved a full degree of popularity, which was thoroughly deserved, her wnisomo manner contributing ir no small degree to (ho success of tlie item. Air. Leslie Austin raised shouts of mirth in"Economise," a delightful travesty on tho cost-of-living problem. Your Jwos Havo Tnught Me," by Mr. David Lyle, proved tlwt this singer is as popular as ever. Mr. IV, I\ Turner is undoubtedly one cf the leading fun-niakers of hie show, and his contribution, Curls I Have Met," tickled everybody, particularly his reference' to the name of a well-known local legal luminary. Miss Thelmn Redgrave was successful m Wee Wee Marie," a chorus song reminiscent of recent years in France, and Mr. iioy Cooke was warmly applauded for his fine rendering of "Tho Lute Player. The first portion of tho programme concluded with a sketch, "Pierrots on, lour, which was extremely amusing. _ in "flower Song," an instrumental piece, tho orchestra again exhibited their hue talent in the second half, and Wibblj Wobbly Walk," a conceited item, brought down the house. Miss Lillian Colensw aroused shrieks of merriment with a character song, and she was called upon to appear for the third time. Miss Ena Gordon's sweet soprano voice wis heard to advantage in "Slave Song," and Mis? Jov Rolls and Mr. Leslie Austin were seen in an attractive dance Bpecinl y A pinnologue, "Exits," by Mr. Charles Lawrence, caused much laughter, this being a burlesque on the various ways in which some people are given to leavetaking. Miss Marion de Saxe, with La Travvata" demonstrated that she is an accomplished flautist and her contribution proved very enjoyable. The entertainment closed with an "Eastern Seena a delightful ending to a most interesting programme. The Pierrots will appear again to-night.

THE EVANS-GANGE SEASON. 4inv Evans (a famous Welsh soprano) ami tracer Gauge (an eminent Scotch basso cantante), who arc now touring New Zealand under tho direction of Chappell and Company, tho widely-known London musical house, will comment their Wellington season in tho. lown Hall on Tuesday, August 17. It is claimed that'these artists are at the very zenith of their fame. The management has announced that on this, their introduction into tltc concert arena, they have taken no risks; they assort that both artists are of the highest calibre, and como to these shores in the full possession of their powers. The box plnns for tho whole season will be opened nt tho Bristol on. Wednesday next.

AUSTRALIAN DIGGERS. The Australian Smart Set Digger Company will open its Now Zealand tcur at the" Grand Opera House on Saturday evening ilext (August U), under tho direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait. Tho company comes here with nn Australian and European reputation as a combination which can offer the fruits of both talent and experience in its entertainments, having learnt its business, liko other Di"ger companies, under conditions very different from those met with since the' return to home shores. Originally the function of the company was to lessen the monotony of the trenches and tho re.-t camps by the exhilaration of its performances. It is claimed for this combination that every soldier in it is nn artist and every artist « soldier. Every mi'iuber of tho company was nt tho front. There is less of tho military atmosphere, however, than is the case with many of the Digger companies, but tho applause and appreciation generally won betoken a strong appeal to the risibilities of an audience. Feminine parts are played bv several members of tho company, and tho dressing in this department is reportod to bo quite a featuro of tho outertainnient, many of the gowns being cf great beauty and markedly artistic design. Generally speaking, tho entertainment is of the rovue character, containing musical numbers, sketches, eccentric dances, and much comedy. Tho box plans will open at tho Bri6tol next Wednesday morning.

"AUSTRALIA'S WILD NOR'-WEST."

An expedition which set out from Broonie, the greatest pearling centre in the world, in the 22-ton scheoner "Cu(wulla," did not anticipate the obstacles that had" to be surmounted when the parly set sail one day in tho season which is not usually beset by storms and hurricanes. Under Captain Johnson, who navigated tho little craft through many dangerous passages, tho party, with Mr. Stnart, a veterinary .surgeon, of Perth, as leador, Mr. YV. J. Jackson as photographer, and Mr. .Tames Byrne, an old identity of tho wild const, to serve as a guide and adviser, spent nearly a year along the const whore the tides rise and fail 40ft., and often affect a river as far up as 50 miles in its course The films obtained by Mr. .Tnckson reveal parU of the continent hitherto unknown to tho great outside world, and tho varied forms of life- oxhibdted are suoh as to aiouse

the interest of nil lovers of tho unfamiliar. When 0110 is told thlat no less than 12 tons of turtles were captured by four natives in ono night, it is hard to realise what such a teat means until the turtles are shown on the screen being released and allowed to move totbo water like an army of (tanks going into battle. On the hacks of some of theso (riant turtles natives are seen riding. This interesting collection of pictures will bo presented at the Empress Theatre, commencing nt the morning session on Friday next. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard Page, City Organist, gav« nn ortran reeital at tho Town Hall on Saturday nierht, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by those, who were present, Opening "with Fnnlkc's Sonata in D Minor, n very dignified piece, Mr, Pago gave a beautiful rendering of Rachmaninoff's Melodie, and played a couple of items from the works of Moussorgsky. Tn the third movement from "Scheherazade," by Jiimsky-TCorsakoff, Mr. Page fully displayed' his powers as an organist, tho interpretation being delightful. Mr. Page is a devoled admirer of Cesar Franok. mid his programme on Saturday night included this composer's Priere in 0 Sharp Minor (Op. 20). The exquisite meledy of this work is one of the features that make, it ono of Planck's great triumphs. Tho procrnniino concluded with Toccata and Fugue in D. Minor (Do;inn), by Bach.