ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 50, 27 August 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE ARGYLE CASE. THRILLING DETECTIVE DRAMA. It is unfortunate that " The Argyle Case," put on at the Grand Opera House last evening, is to be played for only one night more. Of course, the war has overshadowed everything and upset all plans and arrangements. But for that the season of tho Williamson Company now at the Opera House would have been prolonged. There is good ground for saying this, for " The Argyle Case " is one of those plays that people talk about. It is different, too, from other detective plays. The story is unfolded like a panorama-show — as it goes along. Mr. Charles Millward, as the private detective Asche Kayton, played as though made for the part. The " case " is not only one of murder, but also banknote counterfeiting. It is a doublebarrelled mystery. But it is not too involved for Asche Kayton to successfully deal with. The dictograph's fingerprints and other "tools" of the cnhie investigator's trade were all employed in the solution of the mystery, which was tensely followed by a spellbound "house." It was thrilling from start to finish. _ Mr. Milliard's performance was admirable considered irom every point of view. In Mr. William Harrigan he had a most able collaborator. The rest of the cast was admirably sustained by Messrs. Arthur Styan, George Bryant, Harry B. Burcher, Robert Whyte, jun., Charles Brown, and Misses Sylvia Bremer, Gertrude Boswell, and Maggie Moore. " The Argyle Case " will be played for the last time this j evening. ' HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ' Vaudeville continues to be popular, and the current programme presented at His Majesty's Theatre attracts appreciative audiences nightly. The programme includes many unique and interesting items. The Aerial Bartletts give an exhibition of trapeze work, aa clever as it is thrilling, and the Goldinis show what can be done in the way of ragspinning, tumbling, and dancing. Another delightful contribution to a capital programme is the part singing by the New York Comedy Four — a solo, " Sons of New Zealand " being sung with much success by Mr. Holly Leslie, a member of the company, who possesses a bass voice of fine quality. ' HARRY LAUDBR. Tlie celebrated comedian will make his first appearance in Wellington on Saturday, sth September, with his company of vaudeville artists. The dramatic critic of the Sportsman (Australia) writes :—": — " No one can deny that Harry Lauder is the greatest Scotch comedian that ever lived. He is as great in song and humorosity as Bobbie Burns was in verse. ... In addition to being a fun-maker Lauder also has a remarkably fine voice, as he demonstrates when singing serious bongs without orchestral accompaniment." The box plan of reserved scats opens at the Dresden on Monday morning. , THE KING'S THEATRE. "Hinemoa," an excellent picture, "made in New Zealand," is proving a big attraction at tlie King's Theatre this week. The production is notable in many ways, and especially for its clearness. The legendary story is easily followed and very interesting. Other pic- j tures in a good programme are : ''French Army Methods," "A Song of Twilight," "Bosuns Mate" (a reproduction of ono of Jacobs's comedies), and "John Bunny and the Mighty Monarch." There will be a matinee on Saturday. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A new programme of the latest pictures will be Ehovvn at the People's Picture Pa)ace to-night. The chief item is "The Midnight Strike," a. 'powerful drama showing the lengths to which a number of farm hands went in order to have revenge on their employer. The remaining items include : "The Way of a Woman" (a notable drama of considerable force), "Life at the Bottom of the Sea'" (educational), "Tweedledum, Shortsighted Chauffeur," "The Warwick Chronicle," and a repetition of "The; War Correspondent . ' ' SHORTT'S THEATRE. "An Alpine Tragedy" is the star picture at Shortt's'Theatre.to-niglit. It is 5000 ft long, and is described as the greatest masterpiece tlie famous Aquila Company lias yet presented. It is a case of adequate description being set, at defiance, and is expected to create a stir amongst picture-lovers. Other pictures a-re well up to standard. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Owing to the great demand for tlie British naval ami military spectacular film, "In the King's Service," the subject is being shown again to-day *nd to-night at the Einpres6 Theatre' continuous pictures. Tho military and naval pageant is quite novel in many reispoots. A number of new supporting pictures were screened for the first time to-day. Patriotic airs are contributed nightly by the Empress iull orchestra. THE BRITANNIA. To-day s N new programme is well up to the standard maintained by this theatre. The feature film is a fourreel NoTdisk drama, entitkd "The Golden Calf." Tbo plot is most interesting. Richard Wallace has stolen the deedb of a mine in Coo-lgaTdie and. from them Tealiaos a fortune. He goes to Europe, enters society, and after many exciting happenings , ie caught and suffers the penalty of hie crime. The supporting programme includes: "Lww and tlie Man" (Vitagmph drama), "The Smoker" (A.B. farce)., Max Linder appears in a sketch "Max Melodrama," and the latest world's happenings are shown from "Topical Gazette." STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. To-night's star feature drama, " The Adopted Son," will be supported by "Grandmother's Wedding Dress" (drama), " A Trip in Southern India " (scenic), "A Cunning Intrigue" (drama), and three up-to-date comedies. PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. The programme to be submitted at the fifth concert of the season by the Wellington Professional Orchestra next Sunday should prove a popular one. The principal items will be the "Tannhauser" overture (Wagner) and Friedemann's "Slavonic Rhapsodic," which ¦fras so well received at the orchestra's first concert. Other items will be a fantasia on . Bizet's i opera "Carmen," Thomas's "Mignon" gavottoj and a grand march Triumphale from Verdi's "Aida." Mr. Herbert Bloy will conduct. A silver coin collection will be made at the doors. SAILORS' FRIEND SOCIETY. At the Sailors' Friend Society last evening the Misses Petherick, Harmer, Miller, and Messrs Howett, Handlyn, Thompson, Boyd, Parsons, Heenan, Osbome, and Chapman entertained an audience that packed the hall, with a programme of patriotic music. The prizes presented for the competitions were eagerly competed for, and were won by seamen in port. The Missioner (Mr. Moore) announced that hundreds of " hussives " had been presented to the crews of the troopships, but more were required, and he hoped that the Wellington people would fcupply tue.nj!.

"THE ORANGE DANDIES." "The Dandies," who were so popular when last here, are returning to Wellington for a short season, which is limited to six nights. Since their previous season in this city "Tho Dandies" have been appearing in Auckland with wonderful success. The company, which opens the return season on Monday next, will draw further on its extensive repertoire and will present two entirely new programmes. The plan is now open at the Dresden. eVerybodFs "pictures. The programme screened at Everybody's Picture Theatre this week is of a very attractive character. The centrepiece is entitled "Fighting Blood of 1809," and a very fine film it is. The story which it tells is an exciting one. The other pictures shown include "The Fatal Mallet," and "Tlie Pathe Gazette," "Spithead Naval Review," and "Belgian Heroes."