ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 153, 26 December 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

A ROYAL DIVORCE. This evening at eight o'clock, at the Grand Opera House, there will be a revival of the Napoleonic military spectacular drama "A Royal Divorce,'' in winch Mr. Julius Knight (supported by Miss Irene Browne and J. C. Williamson's new company) will ones again delight with his lihe characterisation of Napoleon. Seals in central position* may be selected at Miss Lennox's shop in tho Grand Opera House, where tickets for the early door stalls and gallery can also be purchased. Mr. Julius Knight's appearance here is always cm tain of attracting; a full house. " Added to his popularity, the occasion of the production of "A Royal Divorce" will be doubly interesting fiom the fact that as the Man of Destiny. Mr. Knight will be run in a pait which did more than any other iole to make his name a, household word fiom one end of Australasia to the othpr. Miss Irrne Biowne proved in "Milestones" and "Bella Donna" that she is an actress of special abilities, and it will not be surprising to those who witnessed her performance in those pieces to learn thai she is easily the \ery best exponent of the role of Josephine yet seen in the Dominion. Miss Dorothy dimming is said to be excellent as the Empress Marie Louise, and Miss Lizette Farkes has scored one of her best triumphs as Stephanie. Mr. Leslie Victor has on a previous occasion appeared as Tallyrand, and Mr. Eardley Turner again appears as the drunken innkeeper, Grimaud. A feature of the revival of "A Royal Divorce" will be the staging of the series of war tableaux, including "The Retreat and Burning of Moscow/ "The Battle of Waterloo," and "The Rock at St. Helenn." During the season will also be staged "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "The Sign of the Cro.-s," "The Silver King," and "Monsieur Bcaucaire." Tho productions aie staged under the direction of Mr. Julius Knight, and Mr. Thomas Foster is stage manager. "THE MESSIAH." The Christmas night performance of "The Messiah" by the Royal Wellington Choral Society met with much popular favour, in so much that the Town Hall held a very numerous audience. The performance was identical with that given by the .society a week ago, the same principals taking part. The bays solos were most capably rendered by Mr. Peter Dawson, whose spiiited interpretation of the air "Why do the Nations" was received with great appreciation. An excellent voice is not Mr. Dawson's only, or perhaps even his greatest, asset. His understanding and his power of interpretation support his voice and make it something more than an accmatc measure of tones. The recitative "For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth," illustrated his powers admirably. Mr. Martin Duff sang clearly, artistically, and carefully in the tenor pait. Miss Mina Caldow succeeded very well with the contialto solos, though she was a little lacking in delicacy of treatment in "He Shall Feed His Flock." In "He Was Despised," however, she excelled herself, and her feeling rendition of the magnificent air was deservedly applauded. Within certain limits Miss Annetta George pleased with the soprano music. Her principal success was when she struck the note of joy (particularly in "Rejoice Greatly"), and her most marked failing was a tendency to treat the finer passages of the score almost carelessly. As at the previous performance, tho chorus and the orchestra, under Mr. Herbert Bloy, acquitted themselves most creditably in their parts. PETER DAWSON RECITALS. To sit at home and enjoy through the medium of the gramophone singing of the gifted baritone, Mr. Peter Dawson, is the happy lot of thousands throughout the English-speaking world, but to few outside the Biitish Ysles has the opportunity been offered of hearing him with all the intensity and personality behind every note. To-night all music lovers will have such an opportunity at the Town Hall, when Mr. Dawson will appear with an English conceit company well qualified to delight a musical audience. The artists are said to have reached a plane of high repute in their respective spheres, and they have charmed large audiences. " CLASSMATES." On Monday naxt a special attraction, "Classmates," billed as a dramatic sensation by the K. and E. Company, will be presented at tho Empress Theatre. This subject is said to be wonderfully well done by special arrangement with the famous A.B. Company, whose entire resource of artists, scenery, and stage management have been utilised in the production. It is represented in the plot that young Stafford is in love with his mother's waid, Sylvia Randolph. Tho girl, however, favours Irving, the son of the village storekeeper. The rivals meet at West Point military training camp, where Stafford, a new cadet, is under the orders of Irving. At. the camp dance Stafford plans to disgrace Irvinsr through the latter's father, who is addicted to drink. He makes tho old storekeeper drunk, and Irving has the mortification of seeing his father disgraced before the other guests living learns of Stafford's trickery, and a fight ensues between tho two men. A heavy blow over the. eyes maker. Stafford blind, and this leads to the expulsion from tlio camp of Irving and his classmates 1 , Dumble, Clay, and Lindsey. Subsequently Stafford recoveis his sight. After further exciting incidents, Sylvia, -who really loves Irving, ile\erly manage? to legam his lost communion, and a happy ending is brought about. To-night the Film DArt Com- ! pany's sensational detective drama, "Tho Chase for the Rubies," and supporting siuu\s will be seen for the last time. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. The People's Picture Palace, which has earned a reputation for the screening of the highest .standard of films, was agciin well patronised, both yesteuhy and to-day, when special holiday programmes were provided. The star attraction to-day is " His Last Chance." a thrilling American drama, which can be relied upon to arouse intense interest. The supporting items are " Lisbeth " (a tabloid romance), " Paris and the Eiffel Tower," and other excellent subjects. SAILORS' FRIEND SOCIETY. Christmas Day, 1914, will long be remembered by the men who spent their holiday at the Sailors' Friend Society Institute. In the morning a bright service was held, Mr. Moore preaching on Luke ii.. 11. Miss Shaw wdb at the i organ. The afternoon was spent in sports; and the men fought keenly for the prizes. Tea, of a "knife and fork" nature, followed, and then more sports. During the evening a delightful conceit was given by Mr. and "" Mia. T. K. Jones to a big audience, who cheered tin, 1 items .again and again. The perioimers were Mesdame*. T. J:. .Toucj, Gibbs. the Misses M. Jones, I. Jones, and D. Jones, and Messrs,. T. E. Jones, F. A. Campbell, Dent (s.s. Lauderdale), and Cummings (R M.S Kia Ora). Cheers to performers and also to the donors of light refreshments brought a happy day to a close. The winners in tho tports were Messrs. Buckingham, Worthing - tori, M'Donald, Uimi, PanUhum, and Power.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The holiday programme being submit trc! at His Majesty*. Theatre is chawing excellent houses, and the. mcmi' beis of the company am meeting with I popular receptions. Among the "stais'" now appearing are Mr. George Hall (Yankee blory-teller nnd monologuist). "The Magpies" (conceit company), and Helen-Lcach-Wallin trio (wire wonders). On Monday an entirely new bill will be put forward. THE KING'S THEATRE. The final presentation of the current spiies of pictiues at the King's Theatie will be given this evening, the leading .subjects being the Vitagiaph comedy success "Advontnres of Mits Tomboy." (with John Bunny, Lillian Walker, and W.illie V.tn in the piincipal loles), Pathe Gazette, "New Yoik Police Carni\al," and "Scenes in and around the 13plgirin _ Capital. '' A complete chango will be introduced on Monday, when the main atti action will be the Kalem Company's romantic story of leincai nation entitled "The Mysteiy of the Sleeping Dcith." 'with Miss Alice Joyce in the principal patt. A strong series of supporting pictures is also promised. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. The Christmas programme screened at Everybody's Picture Theatre yesterday attracted crowded sessions, and there were again large attendances to-day, when the ordinary programme, with "Kronstadt" (Max Pemberton's famous story) as the star production, was repeated. On Monday a complete change will be presented, the principal attraction being a beautiful Palhecolour drama, entitled "King in Name Alone." It featuies a Eojal romance in a South European State, in which love and intriguoare supreme. "A. Brand Mew. Heio" (one of the Kcyrtone comedies, with Keystone's fat boy playing principal part), Tho Oaumont War Graphic, and views of our naval brigade interned in Holl-ind will also be screened. MACMAHOxVS THEATRE. Holiday business was done at, MacMahon's Theatre both yesterday and today, when with the juvenile programme presented, and the distribution of toys the children had a loyal time. The programme- submitted was one appropriate to the reason. To-day a ■complete change of programme is being shown, headed by "A Dumb Passion," an effective drama of love and motherhood. The magnificent picture of weiid Rotorua. a comprehensive series of moving pictures of the vdld thermal regions, will be shown for the last times to-night and at Monday's day sessions only. "Tho Angelns" is another charming little drama, and no fewer than three highly diveiting comedies are also being shown. The "interest" ceries is well-maintained, by some capital "Wonders of the Deep." and some pretty views of Italy's Mediterranean shores, whilsi. the vvar, for once, is left sevei ely alone. The whole programme is a comprehensively varied one of distinctly attractive qualities. THE BRITANNIA. To-day's holdiay programme at the Britannia Theatre, which includes "Tho Live- Wire," a three-part diama ; "Fatty's Oift.'' a Keystone comedy; "Tommy Atkins in the Firing Line,"' and other interesting subjects will be screened for the last time at to-night's sessions. Monday's new attractions feature an Edison drama in two parts entitled "In the Shadow of Disgrace," with Mabel Trunnelle in the title iole The story briefly is that Seth is madly m love with Norah, who is the prettiest girl in the village. Norah spiuns (Seth's love for that of Arthur Jlaitland. They arc secretly mairied and Maitland "leaves for India. Seth inteicepts Arthur's letters and the .gossips get busy. An unusual climax completes iliis film. Other Monday's screenings will be "High snots in Broadway," Keystone farce ; "Wire Chief's Reward" (drama), "Widow a.nd Twins*' (comic), and the latest English. Gazette. 6 SHORTT'S THEATRE. The popularity of Shortfc's Theatre was again demonstrated yesterday and today, when the various sessions were largely attended, and the pictures shown were greeted with the heartiest applause. The films bein;? screened to-night are : — "Blue Pete's Escape." "The New York Reporter. "Eclair Journal, No. 96," "Travel and Sport in India." and two pleasing comedies. On Monday a complete change will be givcu. STAR PICTURES, NEWTOWN. ( A holiday bill will be presented at the mar Theatre to-night. The chief attraction is "Kronsfcadt," a drama (3000 feet m length), adapted by Mr. Max I ember.'on from his own novel of the same name. All the latest war news and a Keystone- comedy, "Mabel's Latest Piank, " go to make up an excellent list.