ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 89, 13 October 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

SEASON OF MUSICAL COMEDY Sparkling brightness, light tuneful music, and effective humour are said to characterise " The Girl in the Taxi," "High Jinks," and "The Girl on the Film," the three musical comedies which the new English Musical Comedy Company will introduce to Wellington during the season of eleven nights, commencing at the Grand Opera House next Saturday night. "The Girl in the Taxi" will be the opening production, and it will be staged for five nights In this play it is stated the comedy is bubbling over with humour and teeming with farcical situations. " High Jinks," the second production of the season, will be staged for four nights, commencing on. Friday, 22nd October, and the season will terminate with " The Girl on the Film," for two nights. The box plans for the entire season of eleven nights will be opened at the Bristol Piano Company to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. In order to meet with the expected exceptional demand, the management is arranging that a queue shall be formed at the box office at 7 o'clock. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The current programme f at His Majesty's Theatre is varied and interestingMiss Maisie Pollard and Mr. Fred Jackson, operatic duettists, have quickly made themselves popular. Miss Louie Duggan, who is billed as "The Devonshire Nightingale," is responsible for some pleasing ballads, and a clever comedy act is given by Mr Lew Hoffman. Many other clever artists contribute to an -attractive programme, including Leonard Nelson, Eowley and Tointon (American dancers), and M'Connell and Austin (trick cyclists). BAXTER BUCKLEY RECITAL. The farewell piauofore recital to be given on Friday next at the Concert Chamber will be the sixteenth programme by this well-known artist. March, 1913, saw the inauguration of the series, since when oyer 200 pieces by composers of all nationalities — over 100 of which were entirely new to Wellington — have been given. A further batch will be included on Friday. Mrs. Woodward and Mr. Frank Charlton are the vocalists, with Mrs. Queree and Miss Hanify the accompanists. Bookings are very encouraging at the Bristol. THE KING'S. The splendid comedy-drama "Her Shattered Idol," is the chief attraction at the King's Theatre this week. "This "feature" production is refreshingly original. The dream of prehistoric days, with the vivid realism of the cave-men's fight, and its working out in the life of the romantic girl, who idolises brawn above brain, muscle above manhood, is the main idea of the 6tory — and the cure by the cute old professor "''who knew a thing or two about women," make an extremely humourous shpwing. The popular Mac Marsh is in the leading role. The other pictures shown are very good productions of the picture-maker's-art; "His Jungle Sweetheart," ,an animal drama, and "Cartoons in a Laundry," an Edison screening of Raoel Barr's clever work being greatly appreciated, while the "Gazette" and a beautiful scenic study are of more than ordinary interest. The present programme will be shown throughout the week. THE BRITANNIA. The World Film Corporation photoplays, which are screened exclusively at the Britannia Theatre, are proving » popular attraction with picture lovers. "A Gentleman from Mississippi," the fifth of these fine pictures, is well up to the high standard of previous productions. The new senator is expected to be easy prey by the designing political grafters, but the gentleman's code of honour cannot be undermined, and he proves a stumbling block to some underhand and not too honest acts of Parliament The picture is splendidly mounted and acted. LAST NIGHTS " NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER." The last four nights of " Neptune's Daughter" at the People's Picture Palace are announced. Unique in every respect, it is not, surprising that this remarkable photoplay is still drawing big audiences, although it is now in its third week. While the production features Miss Kellerman in particular, the film abounds with many striking dramatic incidents quite uncommon to the ordinary picture drama The box plans for the last nights are at the Bristol "DAMON AND PYTHIAS. ' The story of "Damon and Pythias," the Greek photodrama which wiil follow "Neptune's Daughter," is historically true, and the scene opens in the ancient city of Syracnse This big play relates in five parts the history of the great love of a man for his friend. "Damon and Pythias" is said to be the most spectacular photoplay ever produced. Cities are looted and burned, colossal battles are fought, chariot races are run ; and the beautiful Grecian gardens, with their thousands of flowers and myriads of dancing girls, are but a few of the countless massive and sensational incidents. The first presentation in New Zealand of "Damon and Pythias" will be made at the People's Picture Palace next Monday THE EMPRESS "The Enemies," a particularly powerful tale of the sea, of the type that Jack London has made famous, leads the programme at the Empress The Vi'tagraph Company has produced the film in a very realistic manner Harry Morey and Edith Storey enact the leading roles, and the acting of the large supporting cast is of high r standard Many sensational and novel situations occur throughout the voyage, and the manner in which the crew of ruffians are handled by the huge mate and life on board ship is well done A notable supporting picture is "How Mary Fixed It," in which th« world favourite Mary Pickford, and her husband, Owen Moore, are seen together in one of Miss Pickford's early successes. Auckland's send-off to the Maori Reinforcements, is well shown. There is a very interesting Topical Budget, and some clever cartoons called "A Barnyard Mix Up" (Lubin). MACMAHON'S THEATRE With the bi-weekly change of programme at MacMahon'3 Theatre tomorrow, a special attraction is announced in a picture dramatisation of Sir Arthur Jones's drama, "The Middleman." This bitter satire is one of the most scathing denunciations of certain modern methods of exploiting the masses ever penned. The play lends itself admirably to reproduction in picture, and the graphic story is very wholesome. It is one that carries a special appeal to workers in all classes of life, and is, incidentally, a powerful study in social economy. There will be ihe usual supporting programme, with a bright leaven of comedy, but, despite the expense attaching to the production of this notable picture, the management announces that there will be no increase in the prices of admission. STAR, PICTURES A strong programme is presented this week at the Star Picture Theatre, Newtown, the principal film being an amusina dr*ma, entitled "H«r Shattered

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A very powerful Lubin photo. -drama entitled "Whom the Gods Destroy" is being shown at Everybody's Theatre this week. It is done in the best Lubin style, and depicts in a series of thrilling incidents the villainy of a business man who murders his partner in order to possess himself of the latter's wealth. " The Million Dollar Mystery " makes further progress in the fourth episode, "The Top Floor Flat." The Keystone Company provides " Merely a Married Man," a wholesome comedy, and there are other good items. SHORTTS THEATRE. To-night will see the last screening of " John Halifax, Gentleman," at Shortt's Continuous Theatre, Willis-street. It is a beautiful picture — a faithful adaptation of the well-known novel. Ths supporting pictures are of a high standard, including the latest war journal. To-morrow's "star" picture will be "'The Frauds," a , 3000 ft Essanay feature, with Edna May, reputed to be America's highest salaried picture actress, in the lead.