ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 92, 16 October 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The present programme of vaudeville entertainment at His Majesty's Theaiire will be presented for the last time tonight. Among the most prominent turns are those of Pollard and Jackson (operatic duettists), O'Connell and Austin (trick cyclists), Leonard Nelson (comedian), Lew Hoffman (comedy hat juggler), Naf'Hanley, and the Two Collyers. A NEW MAGICIAN. At His Majesty's Theatre on Monday evening next Mr. Herbert Brooks, an English entertainer, will appear for the first time.- This artist is said to be a deft exponent of card tricks, but this portion of his entertainment is but a preliminary to his box trick, in which the apparently impossible is achieved. The magician is enclosed in. a steel box, which in turn is laced up in a canvas packet and securely corded. The trunk is placed behind a curtain, and in less than a minute Mr. Brooks reappears, while the box is as securely fastened as before. This artist's engagement will extend for six nights only. He will be supported by a fiTst-class vaudeville company. LAST NIGHT— "NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER." The final performance of this marvellous photo-play will be given at the People's Picture Palace to-night, when Annette Kellerman will, for the last time, change from mermaid to mortal, throttle her assassin at the bottom of the ocean, and thrill her audience wi^h her other daring adventures. The box plan is at the Bristol. "DAMON AND PYTHIAS"— MONDAY. The first K"ew Zealand presenta-tion of "Damon and Pythias" will be made at the People's Picture Palace next Monday afternoon. Living in the pomp and glory 'that radiated through Greece in the height of its day, the two noble figures, Damon and Pythias, form the central feature of a story of impelling power, dramatic intensity, and a sentiment that is at once heart reaching. The real friendship of the great warrior and the leader of men, and the great test to which it was put, fills the five parts with a plot of absorbing interest and one that bristles with the thrill of unexpected climaxes and the throb of exciting pulses. The Universal Film Co., of New York, state that this is the costliest production they have yet made. Fierce battles, the throngs at the games, the classic dances, the thrill of the charioteers, the conflicts at sea, are pictured with wonderful power, while the real sentiment of the story is brought out with a tenderness that is lasting. The box plan is at The Bristol. THE KING'S. To-night will be the last opportunity of witnessing the present excellent programme at the King's Theatre. "Her Shattered Idol," the "big" subject on the bill, is well worth seeing, with its original story and happy -blend of broad comedy, stirring adventure, and tense drama. The other items on the programme are also of a high standard. The next programme, which will be presented for the first time on Monday .night, has a startling, sensational 5000 ft drama as the chief attraction. This is a remarkably well-told story by the famous novelist William Le Quex, entitled "Sons of Satan," and is the production of the popular London Film Co., with Charles Bock, Gerald Ames, and ■ Jane Garl in the leading roles. The story is a striking one, and reflects riot only the surface of society, but the things below »it. The story concerns the methods used by high-class blackmailers and criminals when controlled by a master mind. The chief character, Henry Nbrmand, 13 a chief of a gang of thieves and murderers known in their class as the "Sons of Satan." Under the name of Paul de Villereau, he is also a famous detective. He and his organisation have at times been of great service to Scotland Yard, though their real purpose is blackmail. How they succeed, and how finally overthrown, makes a story of thrilling interest. Seats may be booked at the Bristol Piano Co. EVERYBODY'S. The last screening of the sensational drama, "Whom the Gods Would Destroy," the Keystone comedy "Merely a Married Man," and the fourth episode of "The Million Dollar Mystery" will be made at Everybody's to-night. Monday will see the commencement of a superior set of pictures, headed by a thrilling drama, "At the Bottom of the Sea," the fifth episode of the big "mystery' ' • play. This part is exceptionally exciting. The butler, to evade _ the gang, secretes the parcel of securities, and travels full speed ahead in a motorboat. He is chased, but accidents happen, and he finally escapes. The programme will also include "The Midnight, Limited," a sensational railroad story, "The Gaumont Graphic," and several" other dramas and comedies. THE BRITANNIA. The last night is announced of "A G«ntleman from Mississippi," a five-act photo. -pla,y by the World Film Corporation Company, which has attracted large audiencf.-s all the week. On Monday another release by the same company, " The Man of the Hour," is to be the "feature film at the Britannia Theatre. This photo. -play has Robert Warwick in the title role. This actor recently made a big hit with picture-lovers for his acting in "The Dollar Mark." The story is a unique one, and is enacted partly in the society circles of New York and partly in the romantic North-west of Canada. The general mountings and surroundings of the World Film Corporation releases have been on a high standard, which is said to be fully maintained in this picture. A splendid assortment of supporting subjects will also be screened. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN 1 . "Sons of Satan," a sensational feature drama, written by William Le Quex, will be the principal picture screened at the Star Theatre, Newtown, on Monday evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. The powerful Vitagraph drama, "The Enemies," will finish a successful week's screening at the Empress Theatre to-night. Mon day's new programme will be headed by a Clarendon film, "In the Blood," described as a remarkable study in hereditary influence. Scenes of dramatic intensity, points of pathetic emotion, and incidents of a sensational nature all lead up to a remarkable ending, in which the wife conquers temptation held out to her by a false friend, and shows the husband a noble example he can no longer neglect. The programme will also include : '"The Topical Budget," a charming Welsh scenic, "The., Banks of the Llobregat" ; and farce-comedy by L.K.O. Co., starring Billie Ritchie. MACMAHON'S THEATRE. To-day will be the last opportunity at MacMahon's Theatre of witnessing" the picture-dramatisation of Sir Arthur Jones's celebrated play, "The Middleman," an absorbing story, and at the same time a strong sociological study of the conflicting interest of Capital and Labour, Comedy is supplied in the yrogvamme by. ' forcing D.nd'a Qon<

sent," a farce with plenty of originality. The usual topical subjects are also included. On Monday "The Master Key" will enter on its fourteenth episode, the last but one of this sensational serial. THE MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON. This evening, at the Grand Opera House, the curtain will rise at 8 o'clock on the first presentation in Wellington of "The Girl in the Taxi." Much inter est is centred in the first appearance here of J. C. Williamson's new English musical comedy company, comprising many artists specially engaged in London. The cast includes Mr. 6. H. Workman, who created the part of "Pomeral" in London; Mr. W. H. Rawlins, a* Baron Dauvray; Messrs. Field Fi&hei, Hugh Huntley, Alfred Frith, Chris. Wren, and Jack Hooker, all of whom are newcomers. They will be assisted by Misses Gwen Hughes, Florence Vie, Helen Hobson, and Cecil Bradley. Them are also Mr. Sydney Yates and Miss Daisy Yates, two celebrated Englieh dancers, and Mr. Paul Plunket, a new English light baritone. The young Aus tralian favourite, Miss Dorothy Brunton, as Suzanne, completes an attractive allotment of parts. "The Girl in the Taxi" is to be staged for five nights only. Next Friday night the company will present what is described as a musical jollity in. three acts, "High Jinks." The final production of the season will be the present London Gaiety success "The Girl on the Film." For this production, it was i necessary for the company to appear as picture actors. The doi plan for this evening's performance is on view at the Grande Confectionery Shop, where day sale tickets may also be obtained. SHORTTS THEATRE. "The Frauds," one of the best Es sanay pictures shown for some time, will be screened, finally at Shortfc's Continuous Theatre, Willis-street, to-night. Other pictures include "How the Allies Land at Gallipoli," "Manners and the Man" (adapted from the famous novel "The Man on the Box"], and the latest War Journal. Monday will see the initial screening of another first-class Essanay feature, "The Girl and the Reporter." TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. The City Organist will resume his j series of Saturday organ recitals at the Town Hall to-night. Since the last recital Mr. Page has had a number of requests to repeat works played at previous recitals. One has been the Tchaikovsky Sixth Symphony, and it has been agreed to place this number on the programme for the recital on the 30th October. Included in to-night's programme are many | items asked for by visitors to Wellington. It is exceedingly gratifying for the City Organist to know that the works performed in the past are the class which are chosen by patrons for repetition, and it goes to prove that it is not the lighter works that is most appreciated, but the great works of composers that require two or three hearings before they can be really appreciated by tie audience is actuary the popular music. Many items would be repeated by Mr. Page but for the fact that the requests are i unfortunately anonymous. The items to be played to-night include the following : Handel's Concerto, Rebikoff's Psychological Poem, Dvorak's Humereskes, Cesar j Franck's Finale Op. 21, Byrd's Pavane, Frescobaldi's Capriccio Pastorale, Dandrieu's Musette, and Beethoven's First Movement from the Sixth Symphony Pastorale. BAXTER BUCKLEY FAREWELL, i Mr. Baxter Buckley gave his final pianoforte recital at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening. He leaves for Europe in a few days — not with the ambition to storm his way to fame, but to study. This is characteristic of Mr. Buckley. Finished .artist as he has shown himself to be — and as such passing pianists of eminence have thought him, and said so — he is not yet 1 satisfied that there is no more for him to learn. The audiences to whom Mr. Buckley has made his strongest appeal have never been unwieldy in size, but they have been constant and true, and in large measure sympathetic friends. He has always had a devoted following. This explains the fact that the audience filled the Concert Chamber last evening. The programme was a masterpiece of compilation. The highly varied character of the numbers was such as to give Mr. Buckley or any other pianist of equal capacity, all the opportunities required for the display of technical and temperamental abilities. The items were far too numerous to particujarise — they .numbered fourteen — and mention of the names of the composers will serve to show how wide was the range covered. They were Handel, Scarlatti, Couperin, Beethoven, Schumann, MacDowell, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Pabst, Zliere, and Palmgren. The principal numbers, however, were Beethoven's "Fantasia (Op. 77)," Chopin's "Scherzo in 0 Sharp Minor," Schumann's "Papfllons," and MacDowell's "Polonaise." It is most difficult to say in which of these Mr. Buckley was best, for in all he excelled himself, and the other pieces he invested with a charm peculiarly his own. The recital -was made doubly enjoyable by the vocal numbers contributed by Mrs. J. F. Woodward and Mr. Frank Charlton. The former greatly pleased with "Rosebuds" (Arditi), a song to which her sweet and admirably-managed voice is most suited. "Will o' the Wisp" (Spross) was another of Mrs. Woodward's successes, also "Rosa Resurget" (Liza Lehmann), but this last calls for greater power than Mrs. Woodward possesses, courageous as she was in her effort. Mr. Frank Charlton made a great success -in the prologue from "I Pagliacci." Every word was clearly enunciated ; he sang in perfect tune, and put more feeling into this essentially human work than in so many others that he has recently sung. In short, he was nearer to the stage as distinguished from the platform than he has been even in a recent appearance in opera. The accompaniments of Mrs. Ernest Queree (to Mr. Charlton) and Miss P. Hanify (to Mrs. Woodward) were admirable. SUNDAY CONCERT. An excellent programme has been prepared for the concert to be given at His Majesty's Theatre to-morrow night, under the auspices of the Natives' Association (late Garrison) Band. Mr. R. All wright will sing "Pagan," etc., Mr. S L. Exton will sing " Sound, an Alarm," and, with Mr. Allwright, the duet " Watchman, What of the Night." Mr. Minifie will give a piccolo solo, and lady members of Mr. J. G. Turner's Mandoline Orchestra will contribute a selection. The band items include " The Guardian Hymn," specially composed by Mr. Keen in honour of our gallant New Zealand soldiers. The words and music are exceedingly pretty. ENTERTAINMENT AT V.M.C.A. An entertainment, arranged by Mr. R. Rex, and given at the Y.M.G.A. last^ evening, proved most enjoyable. A number of dramatic items were rendered by Mr. Alfred Boothman, the Australian actor, while a " gun spinstal " act by Miss Violet and Mr. Percy Chase, and a display of step-dancing by Mr. Norman Dentice, proved very acceptable. Musical items were rendered by the Gas Company Orchestra, and the accompaniments were played by Miss Weston. Jupp's . Band will play selections »t ,

VICTORIA COLLEGE GLEE CLUB. . The Victoria College Glee Club gave ar. entertainment in the College gymnasium last night in aid of the Hospital Ship Fund. The glee party, conducted by Miss Clachan, contributed numbers of varied character. "Tell Me, Flora" (Pinsuti), "To the IXeath " (Wheeler), "Moonlight" (Eaton Fanning), "Roundelay" (Beaie), and " Jade and Jill" (Caldicott), all received tasteful treatment. Other concerted numbers were given by a quartette, Misses Dwyer and Leitch and Messrs. Wilson and Martin. "The Rosary" was an excellent item and gained great applause. Soloists, both vocal and instrumental, added considerably to the pleasure of the entertainment. Mrs. F. P. Wilson sang "Bello" and "Darkness" most pleasingly, Miss Eva Smith gave Storch's " Alone," and Mies Gladys Watkins contributed Novell's "Little Damozel." Miss Ethel Churchill and Miss Dryden were heartily applauded for monologues and recitations. Mr. Hamilton Hodges and Mt. William Goudie were heard to great advantage in vocal solos, and Miss Mildred Henry played as a 'cello solo Leo Stern's " Melodic Eomantique." "BEVENGE" AND "JOAN OF ARC." At the Town Hall on Tuesday next the Wellington Musical Union will render Tennyson's poetic narrative of the most extraordinary incident in British naval history. Several of the themes used by the composer are adaptations of nautical airs of the time. "Joan of Arc " was composed for the Birmingham Festival of 1887, 'and abounds in fluent melodies and excellent part writing in the chorus. Madame Wielaert, of Auckland, has been engaged to sing the part of Joan, Mr. H. F. Green, of Masterton, for the tenor work, and Mr. C. Clarkson and Mr. F. Chariton for th*e baritone psarts. Sea-ts m»y be reserved at the Bristol. "ELIJAH." The Eoyal Choral Society wfll make its first appearance under the conductorship of Mr. Bernard Page at the Town Hall on Thursday, 28th October, when that popular and highly dramatic oratorio " Elijah " will be performed, with a full orchestra and chorus, - together with the grand organ, at which Mr. Kelly will preside. An exceptionally strong cast of soloists has been engaged. An orchestral rehearsal for strings only will be held in St. John's on Monday next, at 8 o'clock.