ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 119, 21 May 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The second venture of the GeorgeWilloughby New Dramatic Company, " At Cripple Creek," waß introduced at tho Grand Opora House last night. Ifc is a melodrama of tho frankest type. Extraordinarily far-fetched situations, aremade plausible by being handled by extraordinarily improbable characters. The audience is dumped into " Rattlesnake Joe's dancing ealgon, where " guns are pervieded," and there witnesses the amazing sight of little girls being auctioned. It hears horrible plots and sees awful deeds. A precious gold mine with a barely-missed rich vein is the bone of contention, though, as usual in plays of tho kind, thero is a subtler object behind. The owner of the mine, Joe May field, has thwarted Martin Mason and Manuel Alvarez more than onco ; and his mine becomes to them rather the means for his downfall than anything else. Wherefore they train upon Mayfield and the mine all tho heavy artillery* at the playwright's command. Apart from manifest extravagances, the story is well told. Moreover it is very much brightened by a largo allowance of comedy, much of it very good, bright fun. A couple of courtship incidents provide some of tho best laughter of the entertainment. But a melodrama, even a very much better one than "At Cripple Creek," needs good playing to save it from disaster, and the Willoughby Company handles the stirring goldfields play with much ability. Tho heavy villainy is done by Martin Mason (Mr. Vivian Edwards) and Manuel Alvarez (Mr. Herbert Leigh) ; and beside their work, the task of Mr. Cyril Mackay of maintaining tho proper attitude of the hero, Joo Mayfield, looks to be child's play and a succession of fine rewards. Wahketah, Mayfield*s faithful Indian, is represented by Mr. Ronald Riley, who has developed a most bloodcurdling war-cry. Mr. Darcy Kelway plays Ben VVhite, a little nigger ; and Mr. Frank Noil stands for Reggie Harwood, an idiotic importation from amongst the dudes; and these two provide a deal of fooling. Miss Pearl Smith had a pretty part as Bello Gordon, finally the hero's bride. Miss Nellie Fergusson was " starred " as Dynamite Ann, a vigorous and good-hearted, if rough, lady of the camp, and ultimately a very good friend to the deserving. Excellent light comedy was played by Miss Nell Holroyd as Maggie Mason, a delightful little " cowgirl " ; little Miss Vera Huggett, playing Tatto, was among the most popular on the stage. The staging of tho piece was as ingenious as tho play ; and ono scene, in which Little Tatto was hurled ipto a canyon and caught by the Indian, who swung out on a vine in the nick of time, was very cleverly worked. Incidental songs, much to tho taste of the audience, wcro sung by the Era Comedy Four and the National Duo. The drama will bo played to-night, to-morrow, and on Saturday. THE DANDIES. The final presentation of The Dandies' second programme drew a crowded audience to the Concert Chamber laet night.' It is quito evident that this clover combination ha* achieved a popularity its undoubted talent deserves. Tonight another change of programme will be made, when a- number of items quite new to Wellington will be given. The comedians will ha\e rare scope, and something quite good in concerted singing ia promised. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre was again well filled fast evening, in spite of the bad weather, and the excellent programme was thoroughly enjoyed. _ Joeephine Gassmann and her picaninnics, in their novel turn, were great favourites, and had to acknowledge two recalls before they were allowed to take theiy departure. Another item which was received with spontaneous enthusiasm was that of Fernandez and May, two accomplished American musicians. The other artists aleo contributed materially to the success of the evening. To-night Mr. Charles Zoli, comedian, who has been on the circuit previously, will make his reappearance, and the Waldrons, English pantomime artists, will appear for the first time. Another new artist will bo "Billy Watson," comedian. SHORTT'S PICTURES. Thero are three excellent drama* in the new programme screened at Shortt's Pictures to-day. These are ' "Black Macks," "Tho Clue," and "His Fireman's Conscience." The first is by the well-known Bison Company, and is full of sensationalism. The acting is realistic, and the settings for the story admirably conceived. The culmination of the story is intensely dramatic, tho wrongdoers meeting with adequate justice for their nefarious deeds. "Murphy ,as a Picture Dealer" and "Pimple's Dash for the Pole" are hilarious comedies, quite as good as anything in this section shown for some time. A most interesting film is that showing "Chinese Customs." THE BRITANNIA. Tho new programme to-day at the Britannia includes as a star attraction a three-reel Pathe Drama, "In Mid-At-lantic." The plot is a fascinating one, and from start to finish provides one long series of exciting happenings. The speciality of the play is a dance in the ealoon of a burning steamer in midocean. Mile. Rubinne, the popular French actress, appeal's in the title role, and is supported by the clevci company, of artists who recently staged "King of tho Air." Tho star picture takes an hour to show, and other subjects ecreencd are the latest Pathe Gazette, "Kairwin" (scenic study), and an Edieon comedy, '"}\hc Girl and the Middy." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Heartsease," a drama by the Vita graph Company, takes precedence in the the change of programmo introduced at tho Empress Theatre to-day. A chance meeting between a French girl and an English tourist, leads up to their marriage. At first they arc very happy, but later on the young wife finds that her husband's cold nature makes her long for her native land. Her sole comfort is her second son, who is considered by his father to bo a weakling. The mother pines away and dies, and the second son seems to mourn her loss every hour. The elder son is the father's favourite and the other is, . like his mother had been, lonely and sad. An outbreak of fire in their mansion-home at the 'dead of night barely gives time for the occupants to escape. Tho second son now exhibits much bravery, and demonstrates that although he may be a weakling, he is so devoted to Ids late mother's memory that he risks his life to save her photograph. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. To-night's feature "Chivalry Outlawed" will bo supported by "Liverpool Grand National. 1914," "Tlie Tango Tango," "Lure of Fate," and "Little Indian Model."

OLYMPIA SKATING BINK. The first match of the ladies' hockey tournament was played at the Olympia Rink last night when Tui met and defeated Hinemoa by 3 goals to nil. Tonight a ladies' gliding competition will bo held, and Wellington, will m.<gcl LV tone at men's hockey.t.

THE KING'S THEATRE. There was a packed house "at the King's Theatre last evening, hundreds of people being unable to obtain admission. The principal picture, entitled "London by Day and Night," is one of the most interesting of its kind yet screened in Wellington, and was greeted with appreciative applause. Tho film includes views of every part of the great metropolis, and gives many interesting glimpses of famous historic spots. Another very fine film was that picturing "The Liverpool Grand National. 191.4," a series of clear and realistic views of the great steeplechase. There will be an educational matinee on Saturday. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. "The Crimson Stain," a lengthy dra* matic film, is the star subject of the new programme at the People's Picture Palace today. The story tells of the love of a young couple for one another, but their hopes are rudoly shattered, for the young lady ha-s to marry a rich banker. Through strange circumstances, the revealing of which makes for good acting, the young man is accused of the the murder of the bajiker, who has been done to death by a, band of roughs. He loses his reason and is confined to an asylum. His mental power is restored, and he makes his escape, appealing to tho same murderous roughs for shelter. He discovers they are the guilty parties, and loses no time in sotting himself right ia the eyes of the law, and in marrying his sweetheart. "Two Runaways," "The Gusher," "Adhesion," and "Spring Time at Nice" make up an excellent bill.