ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 12, 13 July 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Durand of the Bad Lands," one of the best stories ever written of the wild West, is the subject of a film play now showing at the Queen's Theatre, Cubastreet. It lias things in it which a.re quite new and refreshing, and is worthy of high commendation. The role of Pick Durand is played in a forceful and appealing manner by Dustin Fafnum, who is looked upon as 'one of the leading wild West hero impersonators of the day. As a man who is very much wanted by the sheriff of tho county in which he is located, ho eventually turns out not to be so bad as one had been led to .believe. Tlie locality in which the play is staged possesses very beautiful scen-ery and is quite a feature of an excellent production. The programme contains other admirable items. ""■"" PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Onei of the beet of the W. S. Hart pictures, "The Silent. Man," is the feature attraction in the new programme at the Paramount Theatre. "Silent" Bud Marr is a miner who for years lias prospected- the. wastes of the vast Arizona desert. He finally makes a rich "strike," and comes into the small border town of Balceoven to enter his claim at the- Government Land Office. He goes to the "Hello, Thar" saloon and dance hall, conducted' by "Handsome Jack" Pressley, though the actual proprietor of the place is Ames Mitchell, who owns practically all of the town. Marr is placed on trial for kidnapping Betty, for holding up the stage, and for robbing Mitchell's messenger of a sack of gold ore. In the midst of the trial something happens that turns the tables in Marr'e behalf. There is an exciting finish and a happy ending. THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. Wellington people are evidently loth to part with the Pierrots. Last evening the Concert Room of the Town Hall was too small for the numbers that wished to hear these bright, versatile artists, whose merrymaking is as clean as it is sparkling and refreshing. Again and again the favourites were recalled. The booking for the final entertainment to-night has been so unprecedentedly heavy that the management announces that no shilling seats will be available. - "LOOK WHO'S, HERE"—TO-NIGHT. The farewell season of Jack Waller's popular "Look- Who's Here" Company, commences at the Grand Opera House tonight. ' The box plan, we understand, shows that this popular attraction is assured of a hearty welcome, and it seems a foregone conclusion that the talented company will send each and all away well pleased, for the members have set themselves out to present something special to mark the occasion of their goodbye. Jack Waller, ever up-to-date in the items ho submits, has included in the proprogramme a clever skit of trie War Loan and a series of little sketches depicting the Captain Bairnsfather drawings of "Humour in the Trenches," together with a big Hawaiian scena, featuring the native guitar and the ukulele. The company will tell the audience its "Idea of a Perfect Day," and Jack Waller will deliver a dialogue on the "Perseveranco of Sister Susie." The concerted numbers include the "Ballads of the Future," and Wylie Watson will supply a fund of merriment with "P.G. Dinky Doo." Fred. Dennett and Gregory Ivanoff, masters of the piano and violin respectively, aro down for a new range of solos; and the Purple Band, under the baton of Simms Waller, will supply the orchestrations All the old favourites of the combination will make a welcome reappearance. FIVE SHORT PLAYS. On Monday evening next a very fine programme is to be given in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall by "The Thespians," under the direction of Mr. Culford Bell. Five short plays will be presented. First on the list is a comedy, entitled "Compromising Martha," with a cast of four characters. "Miss Patty" is a farce, and is sure to be provocative of much mirth". "The Lady," is another playlet, clever and amusing. A Dickens' duologue, arranged from "David Copperfield." "Rosa Dartle's Revenge" will add the right dramatic touch to the programme. Mr. and Mrs. Culford Bell will appear in a smart comedy sketch "A Sunbeam," affording plenty of good acting to these well-known players. The proceeds are for the Mayoress's Pudding and Cake Fund, and is under Vice-Regal patronage. Seats may be booked at the Bristol. KING'S THEATRE. "Stranded in Arcady" is to be shown to-day at the King's. Donald Prime, an author, is told by a friend that although he writes of women he knows nothing of them. The friend suggests that he should be marooned on a desert island with one. This strange thing comes to pass. When the pair try to escape they are fired upon and have to fight for life. Then to their rescue comes the man whom they thought had marooned them, and he, too, nearly loses his life. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "The Call of Her People" was finally screened at Shortt's Theatre last night, and was replaced to-day by "The Turmoil," a Columbia feature released through the Metro Corporation, starring Valli Valli, with George le Guere as her leading support. The picture is adapted from Booth Tarkington's novel of tho same name. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. At the People's Picture Palace there is now showing, for three days only, "The Long Trail." In presenting Lou Tellegen and Mary Fuller, it is felt by tho management that a great production, technically and from an artistic standpoint, has been added to the list of motion picture masterpieces. NEW (MACMAHON'S) THEATRE. To-day's programme at MacMahon's Theatre is headed by the thrilling drama, "The Serpent's Tooth," featuring Gail Kane. The story is that of a battle between two men for an innocent girl. One is poor and generous, and the other rich but a drug fiend. "A Lass of the Lumberlands" entered upon its eighth episode to-day. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. This evening's change of programme at Our Theatre, Newtown, is headed by a gripping and well-constructed drama, "The Gilded Cage." Alice Brady plays the leading role, a.nd is supported by a cast of favourite screen artists. Episode four of "The Great Secret" is another of the attractions. BPJTANNIA THEATRE. At the Britannia Theatre there is now showing what is considered to bo the greatest of Jack Pickford's screen successes, "Tom Sawyer." Delightful entertainment is provided by this story of youth, andl Paramount has seen to the fact that it is true to the original story. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. An. excellent programme is being screened at the Star Theatre. There are t.lireo feature films, "Her Boy," s. patriotic drama, featuring Effie Shannon and Miles Welch, a rattling Chaplain comedy, and a, further instalment of "The Million Dollar Mystery," and tie bill is rounded off by well-selected' sap-

I HIS. MAJESTY'S. Fullers' vaudeville programme tonight promises to be an extraordinary attraction. Murray Livingston, billed as the famous American protean actor, who has created such a sensation in Australia, will appear in a novel act entitled "Lifo's Dreamers." Though ho never leaves the stage, with tho aid of it curtain, he presents a. turn with many costume changes. Two clever dancers, Aubrey and Riche, who are appearing to-night also, compel attention firstly in the matter of costuming; second, in' the matter of stage setting. These two American girls have mastered the two first lessons in theatre-craft as applicable to the variety stage. EMPRESS THEATRE. Little Madge Evans takes the lead in "Wanted, a Mother," being screened at the Empress Theatre to-day. She appears as a little girl whose father, Dr. Homer (George MacQuarrie), fails to realise that the child needs his care, and leaves her to the governess to rear. As a consequence, many startling things happen. -. CROWN THEATRE. There _ has never been five reels of film which contained more action than the Pathe feature "Stranded in Arcady," which is now shown at the Crown Thea-' tre. Mrs. Irene Vernon Castle is the leading character. The story is amazingly mystifying, while the solution is as unusual as unexpected. A good supporting programme is included. TRAMWAYS MILITARY BAND. In His Majesty's Theatre to-morrow night, the Wellington Municipal Tramways Military Band will render a programme of some of the most popular gems of its extensive repertoire. Mr. H. Moschini will wield the baton, and the band will be heard in such favourite classical airs as Verdi's grand fantasia, "Ai'da," 'Wallace's famous "Maritana" overture, with its brilliant subject matter and tuneful excerpts ; Boldi's intermezzo, "Chanson Bohemienne," and the Spanish march, "Cadiz" (Valverde). Mr. E. Elliott is down for the concert solo, "In- Sympathy" (Leoni). Miss Elsie Rosslyn, of the English Pierrots, the possessor of a charming soprano voice, will sing "Aye Maria," and, in association with Mr. Roy Cooke, basso of the same company, will render the duet, "Somewhere a Voice is Calling." Mr. Cooke's solo will be "Floral Dances." Yet another member of the English Pierrots will_ appear—Miss Rima Young, the clever pianiste, who will essay Godard's "Mazurka."' CAPPELLIThe appearance of Signor Cappelli, the Italian tenor, at the Grand Opera House on Saturday, 27th inst., will bo regarded as a musical event. Cappelli is presented as ono of the leading operatic tenors of the day While opera is his forte, yet he includes in his repertoire several charming romances and serenades by great composers. His selections from grand opera include such striking arias as "0 Paradise" ("L'Africana"), "La Forza del Destino" (Verdi), "I Pagliacci," the "Flower Song" from Bizet's "Carmen," and numbers from operas of Donizetti, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Puccini, and other composers of note. Cappelli's appearance locally should be signalised by a large attendance of all who wish to hear a distinguished artist at the height of his career. Adequate support '\vill be given Signor Cappelli by Mr. John Amadio, the brilliant flautist; Miss Vcra Bedford, soprano ; Signor Cesaroni, bass; and Mr. Harold Whittle, accompanist. The box plan will open at the Bristol on Wednesday, 24th inst.

COUNCIL OP AGRICULTURE

The annual conference of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture, comprising affiliated A. and P. and Breeders' Societies, will open in the new conference hall of the Dominion Farmers' Institute on Wednesday next, at 9.30 a.m. The opening address will be delivered by the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald. Minister for Agriculture, and this will be followed by a review by the presisent, Mr. F. W. Williams. Mr. G. A. Macdonald (Orari) has been nominated by the executive for the position of president for the ensuing year. The annual report of the Board of Agriculture will be placed before the conference, and the following papers will be read :— "The Importance of the Electrical Power Board Bill to Agricultural and Pastoral Interests," by Mr. A. W. Rozer, president of the Southland League; "The Manufacture of Nitrogen from the Air," by Mr. J. Orchiston, Wellington; "Lu-cerne-growing," by Mr. A. Macpherson, supervisor, Fields Division. Department of Agriculture, Christchurch; "The Tractor on the Farm," jby Mr. G. N. Hall, Christchurch'; "The Growing of Root Crops," by Mr. A. H. Cockayne, Government Biologist. There are thirty remits on the order paper, the last of which is from Canterbury, and reads :—"That the conference, at its rising, should adjourn sine die."