ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 70, 19 September 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. "FANNY'S FIRST PLAY." Sir Arthur Pinero's delightful play, "His House in Order," was repeated for the last time last evening, and was witnessed by a large and thoroughly appreciative audience. To-night it gives place to "Fanny's First Play," in an introduction, three acts, and an epilogue, in which the tJiiipany is said to be at its very best. Judging by what Sydney critics have stated, the performance is one of unusual merit. The wit and humour in "Fanny's First Play" is irresistible, and the piece is full of satire. Mr. Hugh Buckler will take the part of Juggins, the butler, who is a younger brother to a duke — a character sparkling with satirical fun— and Miss Violet Paget will 'play Margaret, the young lady who suddenly revolts at her narrow environment, and instead of going to a Salvation Army revival meeting visits a dance hall. This hall is raided by the police, and Margaret, when arrested, fights the policeman and "hears words coming out of her mouth she didn't know she even knew " Ultimately she finds she has spent the night in the same gaol as the young man she is expected to marry. He also has revolted, and spent a joyous evening with Ohe Darlirtg Dora, and he also has fought a policeman. The play will be staged for two nights only. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Figuring prominently in the '"'biU 1 ' at His' Majesty's Theatre are the Dumetriscue Troupe, who- perform a number of daring feats on horizontal bars. The most sensational item is a blindfold spring from one bar to another, in which the performer judges the distance to a nicety, and which is greeted with enthusiastic appkuse. Two other favourites are Miss Violet Carmen and Mr. Alf. J. Lawrence, who are always assuted of a warm welcome by patrons of vaudeville. The programme will be finally presented to-:iight, and on Monday there will be a complete change. TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. ' Mr. Bernard F. Page (City Organist) will continue his series of organ recitals on the Town Hall organ to-night. Owing to the. many requests for a repetition of the Sixth Symphony by Tchaikovsky, the City Organist has arranged to play certain _ movements from the Symphony at to-night's recital, and will continue them until the work has' been com■pleted. To-night's portion will be the first movement, which is perhaps the most impressive of the whole work. •A t new group of MacDpwell's pianoforte pieces has been arranged for the organ by Mr. Page, aiid will be played this evening for the first time. They are : — "Prologue," "An Old Love Song," "A Deserted Farm," "From A Log Cabin," and "An Epilogue.' 1 At his recital last Saturday, Franck's Pastorale was performed, and it will be repeated this week owing to the many requests t made by patrons. Another work by this composer, Finale in B Flat, will make up the second half of this programme. "Light of the Moon" (Karg-Elert) and the Great Toccata and Dorian Fugue by Bach, complete what should prove to be one of Mr. Page's most interesting programmes. THE KING'S THEATRE. i Last night a capital and highly apprei ciative assembly approved the good fare in the reigning programme at the King's Theatre. "A Tragedy of the Clouds" is a Pathecolor play of unusual beauty. The balloon sensation is a clever feature, while the. scenic views of Holland and Belgium are pretty in the extreme. The supporting films- are of fine calibre. The final screening takes place to-night. On Monday evening the management will present for the first time "A Woman's Triumph," an adaptation ,in 4500 feet of film of Sir Walter Scott's world-famed story "The Heart of Mid-Lothian," which relates the splendid narrative of Jennie Deans, the Scotch girl who walked barefoot from Scotland to London, interviewed the Queen, and obtained from her a free pardon for her unfortunate sister Effie. The story, which is, as is generally known, founded on fact, is regarded as one of the finest in the English language. ' Its reproduction for the scheme by the famous players is described as being particularly well done. Auxiliary subjects to be shown will be "Life in the ' Philippine Islands" (Pathe scenic), "An Easter Lily" (Vitagraph comedy), "The Prairie Dog" (nature study), "A .Modern Samson " (comedy), and the latest Gaumont Graphic. Box-plans are nmv open at the Dresden. SHORTT'S THEATRE. The Gloria Company's remarkable pro duction, "Nero and Agrippina," will be screened for the last time in Wellington at Shortt's Picture Theatre this evening, and picture lovers who have not yet seen it should not mice the opportunity. The film is one of the most remarkable that has yet been produced. No expense has been spared in its creation, and it gives a realistic representation of the ; day6 of Ancient Rome, when luxury and abuse did so much to bring about its downfall. One of the thrilling scenes, of which there ire many, includes the burning of Rome. The acting of the principals, particularly tjjat of Nero's impersonator, is quite above the ordinary. On Monday an entirely new programme will be screened, the star attractions being a detective drama, entitled "Tracked Across the Atlantic," and the third series of "Lucille Love." PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. The thrilling detective drama, "The Devil's Eye," continues to draw large audiences at the People's Picture Palace. "The Devil's Eve" is a stolen diamond, around the recovery of which is spun a romantic story. The supporting pictures are of a high order. On Monday, when an entirely new programme will be presented, the star attraction will be "Fanlonia* : The False Magistrate," a film which Ijsa been spoken ot r'ery highly wherever tl ha» been shown. MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. "Lord Ohumley," a oowerful military story, is being repeated to-day and tonight at Mactnahon's New Theatre. On Monday the big star will be "Love in the Tropics," a pretty play of love and hate by the famous Nordisk Company. It will be followed on Thursday next by the Barker film, "In the Hands pf London Crooks," and later by "The 1 Lights of London." The supporting pictures are always good. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A large and appreciative assembly approved last night's screening of the Cines fine drama "The- Crusaders" and the supporting pictures. The last exhibition takes place to-night. Monday's feature will be " A Woman's Triumph, or the Heart of Mid-Lothian." SAILORS' FRIEND SOCIETY. At the Sailors' Friend . Society last evening, Mr. Miller provided an enjoyable entertainment tqr a large audience, over which Mr. James t Moore (Missioner) presided. • The following contributed to the programme : — Mesdames Abbott and Rouse, and Messrs. Miller and Archer. At the conclusion of the concert the entertainers were accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and the usual "at home" >vp held.

THE BRITANNIA. . " Monday's programme includes for" A feature attraction a two-reel society drama entitled "When Lions .Escape. A woman lion -tamer had ittaVried a banker named Strong, but she Btill kept her^lions and gave a show once a year. At one of these two explorers wjjre introduced. One, Vandon, was a cardsharper, but was caught by the husband. He burns for revenge, which he, seeks, to obtain by inducing his companion "'to tie up Strong and leave him to the mercy of the lions. The villains' plans miscarry and he is killed by the lions. The supporting pictures are: Außtra* lian Gazette, "Story the Gate Told" (drama), "A Night Out" (comedy), "Ab Fair Kashmir" (scenic), and "An Elopement in Rome" (comedy). THE EMPRESS THEATRE, For the last time, the Klaw and Er» langer American Civil War drawia, "X Fair Rebel," will bft screened this evening at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The feature play introduces several stirring battle scenes, which are very realistic. Other items of a varied ahd entertaining type" supplement the big > picture. Commencing on ( Monday next, the management will present the Gloria Company's magnificent society drama, "The Stolen Inheritance." This' is described as a sumptuously staged photoplay with a powerful plot. The principal is an attractive-looking adyentur.eas who impersonates another young woman. The latter ha* become demented through her father's death, and this gives the adventuress an opportunity of going to New York to the dead man's wealthy, brother, where she is received as a relative. The subsequent experiences of, the adventuress are stated to be most interesting. A number of auxiliary items wiil also appear. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES; That wonderful cinema achievement in 7000 ft of film. "Ahtony and Cleopatra," which has been responsible for. crowded attendances at the favourite Opera House for the past five days and nights, is being screened to-day and to-night for the last time. This is a picture that should not be missed. On Monday, at noon, the first screening will take place of "A Deal with tlie' Devil." described as a remarkable and somewhat electrifying Nordisk special of absorbing intere«,tand compelling power. It is said to deal in a skilful way with the. theme of -ovei^ leaping ambition, and that which' is presented on the screen ,in y.ijjjd dramatic form is really extraordinary dream of a dissatisfied Americaa'.metlical student. A special patriotic 'giijture 1600 ft long will also be screened, entitled "Europe at Peace a.nd 'War,'V which ahows the whole French frontier,. Paris and important -centres, Germany* "bottled" battleships, shelling a 'battleship, "Arethusa," Lord !Kilchenei:,l'General French, Turcos and artillery, ttidian troops, etc. The production of this" film is stated to evoke much enthusiasm. Other selected films will be : "The Silver Snuff-box" (Vitagraph drama], "Among the Adirondack Mountains (scenic), "Three of a Kind" (camedy), and' the latest Pathe Gazette. The orchestra- at» tends afternoon and night sessions.