ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 37, 12 August 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The marked success which has attended the staging of "The Fortune Hunter" by the Niblo Company, at the Grand Opera House will probably be repeated in the new production, "Never Say Die." The latter comedy will be played for the first time in the Dominion this evening. It has a reputation of being a sure laughter-maker, equalling in this respect "The Fortune Hunter. It is full of complications, but they are not brought about in the usual way. There is something novel in the piece. The story is of a man who is given three weeks at the outside to live, and, in order to help a poor but lovesick friend, he goes through the form of marriage with his fiancee, so that she may inherit his fortune, and be enabled to marry the friend. But he cannot die according to medical contract. On the contrary, he waxes stronger and healthier on cocktails and supper parties than when captive to the stringent tyranny of world-famous physicians. So the humorous situations and complications may be imagined, and in the hands of Mr. Niblo, Miss Cohan, and the clever company supporting them, the result is such fast and furious fun that^the performance has been described as one long laugh. "Never Say Die" will be played for three nights, and on Saturday, "Officer 666" will be staged. ' HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Miss Daisy Jerome, the versatile little American comedieniie, made her second appearance at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, and delighted the large audiance with her charm of manner and dainty singing. Miss Jerome has a style of her own, which instantly captivates her listeners. One of her cleverest items is "Do they All Go, to See the Sea?" into which she infuses much expression and animation, and which she helps to make a great success by her inimitable gestures. Although under the average height, Miss Jerome has a remarkably strong voice, which she uses to the best advantage, and which seems particularly appropriate to the class of songs she sings. Also she is a clever monologist, as she proved by her recitation "The Press, the Pulpit, and the Petticoats." Some of ' her numbers have an extra verse voicing patriotic sentiments, and last night these ditties were especially popular. There are other bright turns on the programme, including 'that of Sebastian Merrill and his Yip Yaps, in which a sensational somersault on a bicycle is a feature. The programme will be repeated this evening. THE SMART SET. The Concert Chamber was filled with an appreciative abdience last evening, when the Smart Set once again proved their capabilities of amusing. The fun never flagged for an, instant, and Mr. Walter George and Miss Georgie Martin, in song, story, and dance, contributed a generous share of. the amusement. There were a number of concerted numbers, which were very well sung indeed. Miss Lalla Knight and Miss Gwennyth Evans gave much pleasure by their singing, and* had to respond to many encores. Other members of the company assisted, and altogether the entertainment is a capital one. PATRIOTIC CONCERT. Great interest has been aroused by the announcement that the theatrical companies at present in Wellington are com» bining forces with a view to giving a grand theatrical carnival matinee on Saturday afternoon next in the Grand Opera House. The proceeds are to be devoted to the Patriotic Fund, and the worthiness of the cause and the present Imperial sentiment that pi-evails will doubtless result in making the concert a sue-/ cess that will long be remembered in, this city. The project has been taken up with enthusiasm, the theatrical artists now in Wellington being only too willing to assist by All means within their power. They will include Mr. Fred Niblo, recognised as an exceptionally clever comedian, Miss Josephine Cohan, who co ably assists him in the productions now being staged by the, J. C. Williamson Co., Ltd. ; Miss Daisy Jerome, the charming comedienne now in the Brennan-Fuller circuit ; other artists now appearing at His Majesty's Theatre, and the members of Mr. Edward Branscombe's "Smart Set." A special feature of the very attractive programme will be the singing by Mr. Ernest Parkes of "Britons All," a new Territorial camp song.The box plans are open at the Dresden and tickets may be purchased at the Grand Opera House Cigar Divan. THE KING'S THEATRE. "Boys of the Bulldog Breed," a particularly appropriate film at the present time, is being screened in the programme now being shown at J,he King's Theatre, and is warmly received each evening by enthusiastic patrons. In addition there is a local motion-picture of some of the members of the Expeditionary Force, whose friends among those present are easily able to recognise them. Other pictures are "Mabel's Nerve" (Keystone comedy), "An ■ Exciting Honeymoon" (A.K. comedy) 5/ and "Big Beautiful Doll" (Thanhouser drama). THE, EMPRESS THEATRE. The final screening will take place this evening of the current programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The principal subject is the Selig drama "A Rose of May." Supporting this are "Williamson's Weekly," "The Armadillo," "Picturesque France," "How the Spirit of 76 was Painted," "The Dog-gone Baron," and others. Among the contributions by the Empress full orchestra are "Franco-British Airs." There will be a complete change of programme to-morrow. THE BRITANNIA. The present programme will be screened for the last time to-night. Tomorrow's new programme will include two star attractions — a two-reel Nordisk comedy-drama, "Votes for Women," and an Edison drama, " Princess of the Desert." Other subjects are " Harnessed Waterfalls," "The Emperor's Messenger," the latest Topical Gazette, and "One-round O'Brien in the Ring Again." PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. The Lubin firm has been responsible for some excellent productions, but few of them are as good as "The Two Roses," now being shown at the People's Picture Palace. The theme is a very interesting one, and the photography leaves nothing to be desired. "The Eclair Journal" — the latest number — is among the supporting films. There will be a change of programme , to-morrow. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. The popularity of Everybody's Pictures continues and the old Opera House is crowded nightly. The current feature film is a coloured dTama by the Pathe firm called "The Guiding Star." The picture is well worth seeing. The remainder of the programme includes: "Boys of the Bull Dog Breed" (a patriotic production), "Pathe Gazette," "Twenty Minutes of Love (comedy), and "Italian Love." The programme will ba repeated to-night. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "When Iron and Steel Meet" was splendidly received last night, as also was the patriotic film, "Boys of the Bulldog Breed," and several other good piotur*. ■■