ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 119, 16 November 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"HUMPTY -DUMPTY." A COMPACT PANTOMIME. Messrs. George Stephenson and Alf. Linley in "Humpty Dumpty" have brought a nice, portable, and compact pantomime to New Zealand. . In point of numbers and effects, it does not pretend to be a mammoth show', and yet if the roafing laughter and noisy charac- i ter of the applause throughout Saturday evening be reliable guides to go by "Humpty Dumpty" was the very thing all those present had been looking for for a long time, and thoroughly enjoyed when they had found it. Take the ballets. These (of the Alhambra or Empire sort) have grown and grown until in the competition of one house with another there were so many ballet girls on the stags at a time that they bumped into one another and left precious little room for the premieres danseuses. Now, In "Humpty Dumpty" the ballets are small and compact, and the eye has not so much roving to do in seeking the shapely form that pleases it most, or in following the sprightly evolutions of the corps as a wnole. No one looks for a story or plot in a modern pantomime, no one is called upon to think about it during its performance : its ancient significance is lost; it do6s not profess to teach anything or to mutely express anything by gestures and mobility of features. That's all gone and done with. But it does make an, appeal to the eye and the ear, and, except for its originators 'and producers, involves no mental exertion of any sort. Mr. Harry Taylor, by the way, wrote the book and the music of this panto., and also directed it from the orchestra. "Humpty Dunrpty" is constructed upon quite conventional lines — has its ballets, its principal boy and principal girl, its dame and "her" collaborator ? its vaudeville turns (which are < but little connected with the story itself), ita Amazonian guards, its glittering scenery of exaggerated lilies and mammoth butterflies, its tableaux, and its patriotic finales ; but this particular nanto. is all so compact that it is not hkely to become bewildering nor to produce a surfeit of too much of good things. That is where it really scores. Reference was made to the roaring laughter on Saturday night. That was the trut charactei of the mirth—roaring. Mr. Con Moreni as Dame Buttercup was to blame for this, and next to him Mr. Ernie Lashbrook, as Tiddly Wink the Barber. Between them they kept the house going with their patter and capers, and especially so in their duet "Rotorua," when they evoked shrieks of laughter by suggesting— "If I only had the Kaiser I'd sit him on a geyser" — and so 'on. Those wonderful artists, Lennon, Hyman, and Lennon, who ap pear to set all laws governing the human anatomy at defiance, fairly took thfc [ breath away in their daring contortion acts— in itself a really fine turn. ■ The principal boy, Miss Olive Robinson, has a powerful voice, a shapely figure, and, best of all, a real interest in what (if the truth were asked' of her) would be found to be a pafo most difficult to play with unqualified^ success. If she did not rightly earn it, th'en all the applause given to Miss Robinson in her final song and scene "New Zealand Will be There," was a hollow sham. Next to her came the principal girl, Miss Mollie King, who is gifted with a pleasing, if not yet very strong, voice. As "Humpty Dumpty," Miss Ida Ingersole had but little, if any, scope for the display of her undoubted talent as a comedienne. Miss Stella Cazalla, as "Hassarac," was remarkable for her §raceful figure, but in her song "The an Toy Maidens" she suggested that, given tlie opportunity, she could do better than play three- word speaking part. Mr. Charles Howard, as the King, proved himself to be the possessor of a well-trained baritone voice of good quality. The ballets of the Eggs and of the Tango Pierrots were exceptionally well danced, and accordingly were redemanded. The scenery was excellent, and the mounting and production as a whole left no loophole for fault-finding. Starting out from Wellington, "Humpty Dumpty" should have a cordial (and profitable) reception wherever it goes. Whether the modern . pantomime was originally written for children and so brought down to their understandings is an arguable point, but there can be no doubt about the pleasure "Humpty Dumpty" gave to the grown-ups who, | as usual, predominated at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night and gave the impression of having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. At MacMahon'a New Theatre, the two principal attractions are the Cines masterpiecie, "Thorns," and the Keystone comedy, "His Wedding Day." A pow. erful love drama, is unfolded in the former film, while the latter, is one of the most humorous pictures yet turned out by the well-known Keystone people. Tomorrow the "bill-header" will be "Our Japanese Allies," in which will be seen glimpses of the Japanese Army in. the field. The supporting films will also be well up to the high standard set by the management of this popular picture theatre. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. An entirely new programme is being, shown at Everybody s Pictures to-day. The chief attraction is an Edison drama "The Shattered Tree," an excellent story of two sons of a wealthy business man. One is a gambler, and his brother steals a large sum of money from his father, and shifts .the blame upon his brother, whose guilt people are only too ready to assume. He leaves the country and makes his fortune ; but his guilty brother falls lower and lower and ultimately commits suicide. Charles Chaplin and Mabel Normand make merry in "The Sky Pirate." The English Gazette, with the latest war news, a novel Vita comedy and the "Sacred City of Benares," a beautiful Pathecolor, are some of the pictures included in the programme. Music is supplied by the Symphony Band. SHORTT'S PICTURES. The new programme at Shortt's picture theatre consists of a number of fine pictures, of which the most striking is "On the Verge of War." It is a particularly thrilling drama in which the central figures are spies. One of these, a Mexican villain who is remarkably well portrayed, devotes a vast amount of labour to securing a document which turns out to be a blank paper. The most interesting feature of the operations is that the spy makes use of a hypnotist who, working on the same lines as Svengali, directs from a distance the movements of a young girl. Both the spy and the hypnotist come to the ends they deserve, and the girl is freed from a terrible control. The tenth series of "Lucille Love's" adventures adds a vigorous spell to the programme, which is completed by "That Awful Maid" (Crystal comedy) and the Warwick Gazette, which shows a large number of interesting war episodes. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "The Inspector's Story," a powerful Lubin drama, "The Davis Cup Contest," "Latest War Graphic," "On the Border" (Mexican drama), and "Fanny's Melodrama" (Vitograph comedy) are included among the pictures to be shown at the Star Theatre, Newtown, to-night.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Fresh features and a number of imported artists will be introduced in the vaudeville programme to be presented at His Majesty's Theatre to-night. Prominent among the newcomers will be Miss Carrie Moore, the popular AngloAustralian burlesque actress, who has just finished a successful season with the Aladdin Pantomime Company. During her brief season in Wellington Miss Moore will introduce a number of new songs and scenes. Another important first appearance will be that of Brinkman and the Steele Sisters, a trio of artists who are described as novelty singers and character change artists. These performers are Australians who have been for some years in America, where they /have appeared in most of the leading variety theatres. Another first appearance will be that of "Mysto," an illusionist with an English reputation, who will present a number of illusions which are said to possess an element of novelty. Miss Ina Lucas, who will appear for the first time to-night, is an Australian comedienne who has just concluded a lengthy season at the Bijou Theatre, Melbourne. -Among the favourites remaining from last week are Gruett and Gruett, who will submit a number of original nigger comedies. The three Homaz will present further feats of strength and endurance, and Monahan and Sheehan, who will play several new selections on their numerous collection of musical instruments. The programme will be completed by the inclusion of Benson and Belle (dancers), Neil Cant (Scottish comedian), Eloise Taylor (soprano), and Les Bates (comedian). A ] matinee will be given on Saturday. THE KING'S THEATRE. ' A particularly strong programme will be shown at The King's Theatre this evening, headed by a 'special feature entitled "The Inspector's Story." This is said to be an exceptionally powerful dramatic film in which a child takes the principal part. She is made to realise the position of her reprobate father, and she sets out to reform him, and succeeds. But success only comes aftei many disappointments. The acting is notable. Many interesting topical films will be screened, including the tennis contest for the Davis Cup, and the latest war news and doings in England and France are screened. . "Heeza Liar's Big Hunt" is a series of amusing cartoons by J. R. Bray, the noted cartoonist, on ex-Presi-dent Roosevelt. "Max on the Briny," a Pathe comedy, features Max Linder, who recently lost his life fighting for the Allies. Supporting films are: "On the Hartz Mountains" (scenic), "Fanny's Melodrama" (Vitagraph comedy), "On the Border" (Mexican drama), and "Ancient Egypt" (scenic). PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A picture of paramount interest, entitled " The Great European War," is the chief attraction in the new programme shown at the People's Picture Palace to-day. The production is by the Royal Film Agency of Birmingham, and is unique in mary ways. What has been attempted is simply a pictorial representation of the events of the present momentous crisis, and nothing is shown on the' screen beyond an "acting version" of the news passed by the official ( bureau. The film is a kinematographic " follow up " of the day-to-day history of the war, and some of the most up-to-date incidents are depicted. The portraiture is in most instances of a high standard. The memorable scene in the House of Commons on 4th August is given, "featuring" Sir Edward Grey, the Prime Minister, and other front j bench notabilities. Almost lifelike photographs appear .of Mr. Winston Churchill, Sir v Edward Carson, and the Foreign Secretary, and at least recognisable imitations of Mr. John Redmond and Mr. Lloyd George. The best representation of the whole is undoubtedly that of the Kaiser (the " villain of the piece "), who can be too instantly identified. Some thrilling representations of scenes in the firing line are included in the picture, which, it may incidentally be mentioned, was accorded a most enthusiastic reception when screened in London. THE BRITANNIA. "The Weakling," a powerful drama, is the feature of to-day's new programme at the Britannia. The 1 - story concerns the life and love affairs of Litt Largin, whose physical cowardice has won for him the nickname of "The Weakling." Litt is a brilliant business man, but after losing many of his friends and also his sweetheart through showing the white feather, eventually has a chance to make good. This he does successfully, 'and regains for himself a high position in the esteem of his friends and the lady who weds him. The supporting pictures are "They Bought a Boat" (comic), "Trip to Southern India" (scenic), "Grandmother's Wedding Dress" (an appealing drama), "A Coat's l rale" (a onereel Keystone farce) 3 and the latest war news ,per Gaumont Graphic. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Woman v. Woman," a melodramatic "feature" success by the K. and E. Company, was shown for the first time today at the Empress Theatre. The subject is excellently interpreted by noted cinema, flayers, and the mounting is on an elaborate scale. According to the story, Bessie and Miriam, who are sisters, meet Rachel, an evil acquaintance, and through ncr Miriam forms a misalliance with an unworthy man, who is subsequently killed. After twelve months elapse Miriam marries Ralph, a wealthy gentleman, who does not know that she is a mother. Miriam gives her infant to Bessie, telling her to keep her secret. Bessie also marries, and does not tell her husband, John, that she has Miriam's child, and Rachel out of spite tells John that the child is Bessie's. This shatters the happiness in Bessie's home, but Bessie's mother induces Miriam to tell John the truth and happiness is restored. The supplementary subjects include the Eclair Journal (latest war news), "Trouble on the Stage" (farce-comedy), and Universal Weekly (New Zealand topical happenings). DRAMATIC RECITAL. To-morrow evening, at St. James's Hall, Lower Hutt, Mr. Culford Bell and Miss Betty Purdom are giving one of their popular recitals, assisted by their pupils. A splendid programme has been arranged. The entertainment is being given in aid of the Britain and Belgium Fund.