ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 82, 5 October 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. An excellent programme of assorted vaudeville was staged at His Majesty's Theatre Ja6t night, on the occasion* of the weekly change. Every item was good in , its own way, hut among the most acceptable was that provided by a duo new ' to Wellington, Rowley and Tointon. They were described as artistic singing and_ dancing specialists, but it was for their dancing abilities that they were best liked. Clemons and Dean, American sketch artists, also made their first appearance, and at once became very popular. Nothing so weird and eccentric in the way of dancing has ever been seen in Wellington as that provided by Mr. Clemons' in " The Dance of the Inebriate." The couple have the additional advantage of being able to singj. well in the musical comedy style. M'Connell and Austin, new to this city, were billed for " A Study ow Wheels," which .developed into a , remarkable dis play , of trick cycling. Edinbury, an equilibrist, won. much favour for some clever hand-balancing feats, and he de served all tha applause. Judging by the splendid reception accorded him, the reappearance of Leonard Nelson was welcome^ He sang some new comic songs, likewise some old ones, in his inimitable style. The Two Gibsons, Miss Violet Trevenyon (soubretie), Hennessy and Martell (comedy juggling act), Nat Hanley, and the Eclair Bros, all contributed items. The programme will be repeated each night this week, and there will be a matinee on Saturday. s WAR PICTURES AT THE TOWN HALL. The Concert Chamber of the Town Hall was crowded last night, when the second screening took place of a series of films depicting scenes from^the great war. The pictures show modern war from almost every point of viewj One section which is specially interesting to New Zealanders illustrates the daily routine observed on board New Zealand Transport No. 12, which conveyed part of the Main Expeditionary Force to Egypt. Another section— but one conjuring up different emotions — showed the work of a fielddressing station in France; from these views (hose present were able to realise to a certain extent the great work being performed by doctors and nurses. The scenes taken of actual fighting were as, good as could be expected in the circumstances, and there were also many interesting pictures dealing with the naval side -of the war. During the evening, various patriotic songs were sung by Miss Miriam Russell and Mr. Abel Rowe. The programme will be repeated this ] evening., ' THE KING'S THEATRE. The programme screened at the King's Theatre last evening was as varied as it was attractive. Each item was a special feature by leading picture makers. Comedy was predominant. 'A ' merry picture, entitled "War," dealt with the cosmopolitan -"inhabitants of America," and the adventures of a French and German family - living next' door to one another. Another good picture was that entitled "The Quality of Mercy," a story in which a, stony-hearted father is brought to his senses by his charming daughter. In lighter vein was a newspaper story, entitled "It May be You," Edison comedy. ' The .programme included an interesting budget of the Pathe Gazette, picturing topical^ events at Home and abroad, and an industrial picture showed tobacco in the making. Other attractive pictures included "Mabel Lost and Won/ and "The Cornet." MACMAHON'S THEATRE. - The romantic drama, "The Americano," a stining story of troublous times in that hot-bed of revolution, Mexico, is the headliner at MacMahon's Theatre, and both it and the serial, "The Master Key," have plenty of eager followers. "The Outlaw's Bride" is drama in more sensational vein. "Chiefly Concerning Males," featuring the popular Sonny Jim, is the principal comedy in " the current programme, which also includes a diversity of other dramatic, comic, scenic, and topical picture features. On Thursday a picture dramatisation of Tosti's well-known song, "Good-bye," is' to be produced. BRITANNIA THEATRE. The World Film, Corporation has been responsible for. the production of many fine dramas, and one of the best is "Mother," which is now receiving at the Britannia Theatre the recognition due to j merit. It is a domestic drama, and describes the trouble a mother has with her sons and: daughters. She hears j their troubles and helps 'them at every turn. In the end everything goes well. Supporting items of the programme are of great variety and pleasing quality. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Pleasing variety marks the new programme at Everybody's Theatre. " The' Million Dollar Mystery" is advanced toother stage, the latest number being tjntitled "A Leap in the Dark." A •ctomedy full of movement and laughter Vs» "Fatty's Plucky Pup," wherein Kbscoe , Arbuckle, with the help of his dog; rescues- a girl who has been abducted. Topical subjects are "Departure of 'New ■ Zealand's 6th Reinforcements" an\il the Gaumont Graphic, illustrating phauies of the great war. "Mother's Justice" is a drama of remarkable pathos. EMPRESS THEATRE. * Crowded houses have been the pile at day i'lid night sessions of the Empress Theat^i> this week, the attraction being a pictorivnl reproduction of the well-known melodrama, "When London Sleeps." The tense situations are well presented. JBilda Corrodes adventures when she Teturns to the circus are highly exciting, and losa nona of their thrill when projected Ota the screen. The "Topical Budget" csoritains much that is of absorbing interest. "Watch Your Watch" is a coTied[y of strikingly humorous qualities. SHORTT'S THEATRE. A drama of stage life is "The Ballet Girl's Vindication," now heading'the bill at Shortt's Continuous Picture Theatre. It is full of incident, and the acting is of a high order In the* working out of an original 4ove storj much ingenuity has been displayed. Of interest to chemists and students of science is a iilm illustrating the "manufacture of asphyxiating gastep, and the different results achieved . Other supporting pictures maintain the high standard set by the principal films. ROYAL ENTERTAINERS. At St. James's Hall, Lower Hutt, tomorrow and Thursday nights the Royal Entertainers will make their first appearance in New Zealand in conjunction with the Crown Pictures. This company has just finished a successful tour of Australia. Lenada's dog' act is described as a star turn. Sevan purebred French poodles waltz, march, walk the tight rope, and perform tricks in wonderfully clever fashion "Tiny, :> the star performer, is claimed, to Tdo "the -vvorla's greatest balancing dog. Tihe two Kranks, who carry their own scenery, present a novel and original turn entitled "Fun on the Farm," introducing singing, witty patter, and comedy acrobatic trick cycling. The St. Leonards'* do a chairbalancing act of the hair-raising order. The prices of admission W^U b» as utuftL

NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER. "Neptune's Daughter" delighted another overflowing house at the People's Picture Palace last night. Owing to the enormous interest etUl being displayed in this splendid film play a daily matinee is being given all the week. As a mermaid in the water, surrounded by ecenery which vividly brings to mihd our own island loveliness, Annette Kel. lerrnan, despite the fact of her mermaid, tail, gives an exhibition of swimming which is always graceful. Using the brftast stroke, she makes the waves her playfellows, or turns them into her royal road to a revenge which provides the motive of the story. However, it is when as a mortal the call of the water overcomes her, and she yields to her desire, that she is seen at her best. She rushes to a high bank, and from there, time after time, she dives into the almost transparent water, giving the audience an opportunity to witness her magnificent mastery of the art of diving. The daily matinee is at 2.30. The box plaus are at The Bristol. STAR PICTURES.' There wae a large attendance at the Star Picture Theatre, Newtown, last evening whem many "star" pictures were screened, including a delightful comedy drama* entitled " War."