ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 147, 18 December 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KING'S THEATRE.

The Vitagraph comedy, " C.O.D. " or ; " Three of a Kind," will be shown at The King's Theatre for the last time to-night. The supporting programme is an excellent one. " THE PRISONER. OF ZENDA." Anthony Hope's popular novel, " The Prisoner of Zenda," will be shown in moving picture form for the first time in Wellington at The King's Theatre on Monday night next. The story of Rudolf Eassendyll, the young Englishman, who bore a startling likeness to the King of Ruritania, is familiar; not only through the book, but also by the play made popular here by Julius Knight. Many people have seen in the play how Rassendyll saved the country and throne and fell in love with the King's betrothed, the Princess Flavia, but for honour's sake made a noble sacrifice. The production is by the London Film Company, who are said to have surpassed all their previous efforts for beauty and gorgeousness of setting. Harry Ainley and Jane Gale appear in the principal roles and are responsible for some very fine acting. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. This., week's programme of vaudeville will be presented for the last time at His Majesty's Theatre this evening. Among the entertainers who appear are Armstrong and Howarth, who have a very bright turn; Sterling' and Love, musical comedy duo; Henri French, impersonator; and Decar, acrobatic clown. On Monday there will be the customary change of programme. MACMAHON'S THEATRE. "Living, breathing, pulsating London," as it lias been characterised still, despite its present darkness, seems to j hold a special charm for picturegoers,; and any subject dealing with " the Big ' Smoke" is always attractive. On j Monday, at MacMahon's Theatre, a| picture dramatisation of the well-known play "Alone in London" will be pre- ! senfced. The part of the heroine is sus- i ta.ined by that popular picture actress j Florence Turner. The story is typical of i the life that faces a young girl stranded i in the big city, but it is happily constructed, and the strong loye interest interwoven in the theme appeals widely to the domestic circle. The supporting programme is of the customary diversified character. To-night will see the last showing of " The Lights o' London " and "Four Grains of Rice," two dramas of sterling merit. SHORTT'S THEATRE. The current programme at Shortt's Theatre features a sensational drama, " Jabey's Conquest," s which deals with the machinations of a gang of " crooks " to obtain ill-gotten wealth. After many sensational incidents the would-be thieves are foiled by the man they endeavour to rob. " The Doomed Hero "is another thrilling drama. The programme will be screened for the last time this evening,- and on Monday a new attraction, " A Builder of Bridges," an exciting melodrama, will head the new bill. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. " The Secret Agent from Russia " and the supporting films will be shown for the last time at Everybody's Theatre tonight. Monday will see the first screenings of the new programme, including a dramatic study of 2000 ft in length entitled "Tracked by Secret Service," full of powerful situations and startling climaxes. This is the fourteenth episode of "The Million Dollar Mystery." An exciting and. thrilling story of the sea is shown in "The Guiding Light." " Charlie Chaplin's Busts-: 1. Romance ',' features in caricature Charlie Chaplin, a world-favourite comedian, and "Foiled" has some very humorous scenes. The Gaumont Graphic and " Through Switzerland" complete a varied bill. The symphony trio (Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Bloy and Mr. F. Johnstone) play music appropriate to every subject. STAR PICTURES, NEWTOWN. " The Secret Agent from Russia " will be screened for the last time at the Star Theatre this evening. On Monday a new series of pictures will be shown. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Picture patrons who have not yet seen tho present programme at the Empress Theatre will have a final opportunity of doing so this evening. A special Vita- ' graph Broadway feature, starring the : popular and clever artiste, Edith Storey, j will be shown on Monday. Clarry i O'Garry and his partner, Jan Larosse, ' are working a gold claim. Jan's wife, Marie, is unhappy with her husband, but has a friend in O'Garry. Jealousy plays a part, and many exciting mci- ' dents are the result. O'Garry joins the mounted police, and in the course of his duty has to arrest a murderer, who turns out to be his former partner, Larosse, and a terrible fight ensues. The same programme will include a blight Syd. Chaplin comedy and other subjects. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. Mary Pickford, the favourite screen actress, has been establishing fresh records all the week at the People's Pictude Palace in the picture adaptation of Georges Sands's popular story, "Fanchon, the Cricket." To-night will be the last opportunity of witnessing this photo-play, .for fresh arrangement? announced for Monday include a four-act Famous Players film, "The Ghost Breaker." The story deals with the treasure of the Aragon family, which is restored to the Princess Maria- Theresa by " accident. ■ She chops the casket, and from a secret portion a roll of parchment falls out, giving up the much-wanted secret. The princess follows the instructions and goes through a series of thrilling and exciting adventures that', provide a story full of interest. The supporting programme will include comedy and the latest Topical Gazette. THE BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Deep Purple," with Clara1 Kimball Young in the title role, will |he screened for the last time to-mght at the Britannia Theatre. Monday's new attractions include a five-part World Film feature, entitled " The Old Dutch," '• | a comedy-drama, with Sid. Fields, one of i the famous American team of Weber and ' Fields, in the title role. " Old Dutch " is a Broadway success, and is at the ] present time one of the big picture i triumphs of New York. The fourth set | of " Salisbury's Wild Animal Life of America." will show birds and animals °f Prey» including the bald eagle, young buzzards, baby congars, cub bears, skunks, the porcupine, and the lynx. The latest war gazette will also be shown.

SUNDAY CONCERT. ,At His Majesty's Theatre, patrons of I to-morrow night's concert are promised a very enjoyable programme. The Wellington Choral Club, assisted by some of Wellington's leading artists, will be responsible for the evening's entertainment. The club has been working throughout the year giving concerts, the funds of which have been devoted to help "our boys" at the front. To enable the club to continue its work, a further supply of music is needed, and the proceeds from to-morrow night's concert_ will be devoted to that purpose. Ifl .additaofl, Jbo_soine ..fine._ch.oral numbers

by the club, the following artists are also contributing:—Madame Anderson (contralto), Miss Hardinge-Maltby (elocutionist), Miss Myrtle M'Laughlan (violinist), Miss Elsie Harper (soprano), and i Mr. Jack Bryant (tenor). MURIEL STARR'S FAREWELL. On Boxing Night, at the Grand Opera House, Miss Muriel Starr will inaugurate her farewell season in Wellington pnor to her deimrture for America Three new plays are to be presented by the J. C. Williamson management in. twelve nights. The opening production ls to be the American comedodrama 'Bought and Paid For," described as one of the talented American actress s greatest achievements. It is j a powerful play of the present day, with scenes laid in New York, and dealing with conditions prevailing Nunong both rich and poor. Associated with Miss Starr will be Charles A. Milhvard (an American actor whose representation of I the drunken millionaire husband is said to be one of the outstanding features of the production) and Dorothy Davies (an American actress). The supporting company is of exceptional merit The second production is " Nobody's Widow " an American comedy, and for the last three nights <• Under Cover" will be staged. The box plans for the season of twelve nights will be opened, at the Bristol next Thursday. In aid of the piano and prize funds the pupjls of the Lower Hutt District iiigh School gave another production last night of the operetta. " The Sleeping Beauty, which was so successfully performed in St. James's Hall on Wednesday afternoon. The operetta was admirably handled, and the work of the children reflected great credit on the teachers responsible for their training. The cast was as follows -.—King. Leonard Teagle; Queen, Verina Atkins; Princess, Eva. Haiselden; Prince, Leslie Forsyth; Fairy Queen, Agnes Atkins; dairies, Marjory Barnes, Nancy Ward Marjory Hansen, Ja-ne Warnes, Olive Sheppard, Bertha Cross; The Man in the Moon, Alex. Wright; The Lord High Chancellor, Donald Foster: Kit Stanley Jobson.