ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 275, 14 August 1920, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

.. •• KING'S THEATRE.' "His Bridal Night" is, a. farcical picture that kept the audience in' a state 'of hilarious giggle for over an hour at the King's. Theatre last evening. The humour is created by tlib ridiculous'like- '. ness of Jhe-twins Vi and Tiny Playfair. The former is a confirmed flirt, who is to be married to Joe Damorel on the morrow,: hut is determined to say one long, last good-bye to another lover, Lent.Trovall.. So. horrified.is Tiny at jer sister's perfidy 'that she resolves to forestall her sister,' and does bo with lappy results. Lent fancies he is flirting with-Vi, and keeps it up the nest lay—even at the wedding, -Afterwards ho gets beside him'self, and persuades \ T i that she has married a bully,-so that when Joe arrives he finds his bride in a tigerish' mcod. 'Joe calls, in the 6ister,. and she, resolving to teach -Vi another lesson, impersonates her to the extent of running off on o honeymoon with Vi's husband. As scon as the latter sees her husband "stolen," shi makes 'alter her, and there mo flashing comedy bits, before' Vi declares that she will play fair, whereupon Tiny ?onsolc9 her•self with Lent, and all ends merrily. Tho dual parts are played by Miss Alice Brady. How it is done is a mystery, but the scenes are acted -hy the one woman in the two parts (both being "on" together half the time). Other pictures shown were "Those Bitter ~ Sweet" (comedy), "Pen • Points of Progress" (Pathe), '«Mind the Paint"-(farce), and "Over the Canadian Rockies." Madame Mildare Hewitt, -the' possessor of a full-bodied contralto, voice, with some fine notes in the -upper register, sang "The Glory of tho Sea" and "My Snips." The King's Orchestra, -under Mr. L. D. Austin, played Nicolai'a bright overture to "The Merry Wives of. Windsor" remarkably well, and the incidental music to the pictureswas particularly well selected and admirably played. ... !'.'.'' EMPRESS THEATRE. Striking testimony, to the educative value of moving pictures is afforded by the big production, "Australia's Wild Nor'-West" which was put through its initial screening, in tho Empress Theatre yesterday. The film comprises an extensive and comprehensive series of i pictures of .the Northern Territory, taken -by a .'member of .the Government scientific partv (which recently explored the hinterlands of. the big Commonwealth. The, expedition had as its guide Jame9 Byrne, an old identity of the i Territory, and it ventured as far north as the unexplored islands which the coast, besides breaking much new ground on the mainland. - The' adven- . turers made the trip in a little schooner which set'out from Broome, and they encountered many, perils before returning to civilised parts after an absence ofasevenl months, During their wanderings in the -.wild-(north-wast they 'gathered', an invaluable mass of data, and the cream : of this was recorded by i AVilliamJackson, the intrepid ; photographer who produced. the present picture. The picture is wonderfully en- - lightening, particularly so," far as the manners and customs of the'wild tribes of Australian natives are concerned. At numerous points at which the expedition touched a series of excellent pictures were obtained of the-blacks in their native ■ state. ; Some very realistio scenes aie thrown on the screen depicting boomerang, throwing,' in which the natives excel, and on Lacrosse or De Eougemont's Island battalions of huge.turtles are shown wending their I way seawards.Light is also, thrown on the-activities of the Anglican and Ro- . man Catholic missions in the "Never* Never," and altogether the film is brim Ml of ; interest.,. Incidentally, >it seenis to emphasise the vast resources of the Territory, which fairly teems with game . 'and all manner -of strange. animals. jOne gathers the impression that in the "wild north-west" lies a land/'of plenty for countless 'thousands orice developmental work is carried out. The openi ing' scenes of the picture are devoted to an exposition,-of the pearl-fishing industry'in Broome, Which is said to bar- ] yest almost as as '.pearls. In a word, "Australia's Wild Nor'-West" ,-is the 'best scenic picture- yet '''screened locally.. Added interest is.lent to the , production by Mr. M. V.< Adams, of . Northern Australia, who lectures interestingly on the subject matter dealt with in the picture. \ The' supporting ■films are a, good lot, and include tho latest episode ; of the thrilling serial ."Liberty." , .. ■ .' ,''

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. 'An unusual theme is developed in "The Fear. Woman," a drama of considerable interest, which headed the new programme screened . at Everybody's /Theatre, "yesterday. It centred around strange and mystifying qualities, which for atime ruled, uppermost, in a woman's nature to. the dismay and'amaze-, ment of her friends, i Pauline Fredericir ,plays the' leading role,with;all,her characteristic emotionalism. At one moment she plays high comedy;' at another Bhe is. the heavy tragedienne, and in all scenes she registers a, magnetic appeal to the emotion." Her work is both finished and artistic, and she is completely at home.in her gorgeous gowns. The play itself strikes, a pleasing i balance ; between comedy and tragedy, for as an offset to tho intenso scenes where the psychology 1 of fear is the more prominent, theme,': there are moments, of laughter, and light-heartedness,. gay throngs, and. brilliant festivals. "Tlio Fear Woman" contains some of the most-, masterful touches of realism that 'have'' been seen this year, and- in-point of '..of setting it woulcLub .difficult to equal Jmd almost impos. sible to excel. In a word, it might well be - described as Pauline Fredericks greatest, screen achievement, it should enjoy a very successful,season. The supporting films are in.keeping with the. high'standard set by Everybody's Theatre,' variety being their special feature. The comedy screened' is of « most enjoyable order,-and the Gazette is full of interest. The latest episode of the absorbing serial "The Mystery of 13" is also being screened; . "AUSSIE. DIGGERS" TO-NIGHT.

••' Coming with a fine forward reputation, tho company of Australian soldters, known professionally." as "Tlie Smart Set" entertainers, will appear for tho first time hero -at the Grand Opera House, to-night at 8 o'clock, under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait. Judging by contemporaneous opinion,' something much C;ut of, the .ordinary miiy.be expected in the way of bright vaudeville. Judging by the programme offered, versatility would appear to bo tho main object, ranging as it does from grand opera to the latest ragtime melodies. Tho entertainment is set in two acts and twpnty scenes, exclusive of the prologue ("Tho Dream"). The incident*- take place in Paris at the Cafe de la Paix, and Eastern Europe. As to the individual members, it is said that no better female imHersonator has .yet been seen in Australia than Mr: Chark-s Holt, who, with Messrs. Ralph Sawyer and "Tiki" ■''' Carpenter, hold up "the charm of. the feminine element. Messrs. Crosby and Fred: Whitlow are said to be fins .comedians, while tho vocal strength of tho entertainment is mainly in tho hands of Mr. George Castles and Mr. Jock Thompson. A great asset to the ficneral success nro . tho' admirable harp solos of Mi'. Albert Torzillo. A special feature has boon mado of tho scenic and general, stage environment. Thcio are no fewer than 20 performers, all of whom aro described as artists of acknowledged ability! It ia eaid that special inter-' est: is attached to tho costumes worn, those of Mr. Charles Holt having beenmado by the famous La Fayette, of Paris? A special treat should ho in store for patrons of ilie "Aussie Diggers."

THE EVANS-GANGE SEASON. What is claimed to be something superior to tho ordinary concert event will be presented on Tuesday. night, whrn Amy Evans, a Welsh soprano, and Pinsor Gango, a Scotch baritono, will commence their Wellington season in the Town Hall under the direction of

ChappeH and Company,', tho iride/y-----known musical - house of London. Tho Dominion tour commenced at Auckland /■last Saturday night, and judging by tho comment of tho Press in the northern capital it is apparent that both of these oversea artiste easily upheld the reputation olaimed for them. The box plana

for the season are now-'on view at the Bristol. ..Daysales are available at Ned, Perry's, Manners Street. _ ~ e j■.. / ENGLISH PIERROTS., v ' f. With songs of sadness and of mirth— 1 mostly of the latter, order—the English 1 Pierrots wiled away a pleasant two hours in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening. The change of programme submitted lacked, none of the ingredients which make for successful light entertainment, and the audienco •> was manifestly delighted with the fare provided. The Pierrots put on a many-' .sided show, and every member of this talented concert party was a host in, himself—equally at home in comedy or dramatic subjects. ' Tho programme was of very generous dimensions, '•comprising over twenty items, and thanks to the finished accompaniments every thine went off with a'swing. .The ladies' orchestra again made a big hit. 'la opening they gave a whimsical selection, "What a Whopper," which put every- ' body in a happy frame of* mind, and . their' subsequent numbers- included a. *■ charming, instrumental quartet, "Moonlight Waltz."" Daintiness and finish - marked their orchestration of the whole of the programme. Miss .Toy -IJolls's dance specialty proved another delightfully diverting turn. The company is g very happily situated in the matter of 6 j vocalists. Miss Lillian Colenzo and Mr. W. P. Turner were again to the for© g in comedy, as. was also Miss Maxine g M'Konzie and Miss Thelma Eedgrave, lightness and brightness characterising " all of their work. Miss Redgrave's pro- \ gramme number , was "Shy"—a very amusing ditty—and added effect was lent Miss M'Kenzie's contribution, "Men, Men," by tho chorusing of the male « members of tho company. Mr. Leslie J Austin introduced several excellent now. *, comicalities, and Mr. Charles Lawrence won golden opinions with' his pianologues, principally "all about love." The ~ tenor is Mr. David Lyle, who was heard ?n Evening' Sojg," and in a fasoinafcing duet "Down Tho Vale," in which ho was accompanied by iliss v Ena Gor- r Jon, a soprano both talented and arti6- ' tic. Mr. Boy 'Cqokc contributed -a n choice vocal offoring in tho shape of ':! "Nita Gitp.na," while Miss Betty Mac- l Leod javo n sweet piniioforte solo, "Automne." Concerted items again proved \ the icompany's great attraction, one and . all revelling in a riot of merriment. J* 'flieir numbers included "Talkers and T Tea," a cleverly conceived tabloid com- *' edy, a quaint plantation scona, "Tho 1 Darktown Cabaret," audi an lentnavor J ganza biirlosquo entitled "111-hroatod I Trovaiore," the wholo proving a ncvor- t failing fund of amusement. The same t programme will be given to-night. J Jfy particular "peeve"—that makes mo , grievo " Anil grumble and grov/1 all day— "I 1b a- tasttlc coiil that, taUtiß firm bold, J] And eetß in its roots to stay. But I'm happy to state, I've learned of '! late . ■ A Of a remedy pood and sure, x That puts me right in tho courie of a 1 night- _ Oalled Woods' Great Peppermint Ovre.-- v , Advt. ' o! V