DRA MATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume XIV, Issue 720, 18 April 1914, Page 10

DRA MATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footlight.

ENTEBTAINMENTS. His Majesty's Theatre — Brennan - Fuller Vaudeville (in season) Empress Theatre (in season)— Continuous . Pictures King's Theatre (in season) —Hay ward-Ful-lers' Pictures New Theatre (in season)— Continuous Pictures People's Picture Palace (in season) —Continuous Pictures Olympia Skating Bink, Vivian - street— (in season) Grand Opera House—Maud Allan and Company, Monday, April 27th Grand Opera House — American Musical Burlesque Company (in season) Grand Opera House Opened. ST was only to be expected that- a crowded audience would witness the first curtain in Wellington's magnificent new Grand Opera House last Saturday evening. Every seat was occupied, even to the boxes. The distinction of providing the initial performence belongs to Mr William . Anderson's American -Musical Burlesque Company, in "A Day at the Races." This is a bright and capable enough company, but burlesque of a typical American brand such as A Day at the Races," is scarcely satisfying enough for the grand opening of a leading theatre. At least, that is what some of Saturday's audience seemed to reckon. -They expected something more substantial for so important an occasion. _ American burlesque is too light and airy to fulfil such fond expectation. * * * * "A Day at the Races" is rather a thin excuse for the laughable tomfoolery of Bert Le Blanc and Paul Stanhope, a couple of clever comedians. These two masquerading respectively as Louis Gloom, a Hebrew with a fund of moftensive humour, and Mike Joy. a corpulent Irish-American with pantaloons hoisted half-mast high, monopolised the stage for fully three parts of the performance. They have little or nothing to do with the plot, and what this alleged plot lacks, it is for them to fill in. In this they succeed. The whole theme of A Day at the Races" is supplied by John Tomroy, a racecourse manager, and his accomplice, Ethel Strathmore, # who endeavour to get at Billy McGuinness, a, jockey in a certain race. But Billy is resolute. He rides to win in a four-horse event, and he passes the post first in full view of the audience. His-next event is the Matrimonial Stakes, in which he carries off the scheming Tomroy s daughter as first prize. And that is the whole theme spread over nearly three hours, .excepting for one rather generous interval. '*- * * * From the moment the burlesquing Louis Gloom, the Hebrew, and Mike Joy his Irish cousin, arrive on the race* course the play is in their hands. are at once provided with pickpockets licenses for the lawn, and they make every use of these and all the other opportunities they get. Bert Le Blanc s impersonation of a stage Jew is one of the best things in the performance. It is free from all allusions likely to' offend, and for that reason alone it is a refreshing study. His duet with Mike Joy, "How they Kiss," a skit on how the Dunedin and Wellington and Sydney and other girls kiss, scored one of the "hits of the evening. Less prominent and only occasionally in the picture were Dave Nowlin as John Tomroy, whose stock phrase, "I'm naturally rerfmed. I am," somewhat palled towards the finish, Harry. Burgess, as an elongated version of an American private detective, who tried to conceal his identity in all sorts of ridiculous 1 disguises, Miss Elaine Ravenberg, as Ethel Strathmore, lifted up a sweet and tuneful voice in one or two ditties, and also indicated that she was perhaps capable of better "things. and Miss Teddy Martin made a vivacious Mamie Tomroy. Notable amongst the musical numbers were those rendered by Mr. Carlton Chase, the possessor of a resonant baritone voice, and by the Grafters' Quartette, a harmonising male chorus. There were only two scenes. The second scene, depicting Coney Island at night, was a splendid spectacle. * # # ♦ "A Dav at the Races" ends with tonight's (Friday's) performance. To-mor-row night Mr. Anderson's American Burlesque Company will submit "The

Grafters," the second string to its bow. This piece ran for three consecutive months in both Sydney and Melbourne,so it should easily stand a four nights' run in Wellington. It is described as an irresistible musical scream, and _ in Australia was the company's opening production. The last three nights of the present season will be devoted to "Dream City," a musical travesty. And to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon the company will give the first of its Tango Teas. * * * * Maud Allan Coming:. The Maud Allan-Cherniavsky season commences at the Grand Opera House on Monday evening, the 27th inst. The coming of the famous classical dancer, together with the talented Cherniavsky Trio, should provide a rare treat. Their season is limited to one week only, and the plane are now awaiting your inspection at the Dresden. * ! * * # No reference to the Cherniavsky Trio would be complete _ without some mention of Jan Cherniavsky, the redoubtable voung pianist of the family. If not a genius, Jan is one of those.: virtuosos whose playing has some of the strange power and divinity discoverable in the work of the greatest musicians. Like 1 his brothers, he was born at Odessa. He gave his first public recital at seven, and, to the surprise of the critics and the delight of his relations, played Chopin with an ease and freedom quite unexpected in one so young. « « # * The Empress Pictures. The Empress Theatre has been doing its fair whack towards entertaining the vast multitude during the holidays with its usual choice assortment of the latest in moving picturedonu The first programme this week contained some half-dozen items. In the popular photo-plav line were three dramas, of which "The Wedding Gown" and "A Florida Romance" bore a very strong resemblance. Strangely enough, they were produced bv different companies, the former by the A.B. Company and the letter by the Lubin Company". Both were about some sweet young thins, who leaves her quiet country home, and incidentally a love-sick swain, to snend a holiday with a city relation. And in each case the said damsel, after sundry interesting adventures in the city, returns safe and sound to the boy she left behind her. "His Last Fisht" was a Vitagranh drama with a stirring scene

showing how an ex-pugilist in the crew of the Sea Wolf knocks out his skipper and his shipmates single-handed. "The Call of the Footlights" was an Edison absurdity, hut laughable withal, and "Quarrying at Portland," and one or two other movies, supplemented the bill, and all was enhanced by the playing of the Empress orchestra. * * * * A powerful draw at the Empress just now is "The Yellow Jack," a detective yarn with an exciting chase to finish it. "The Eclair Journal," a Cochin China scenic, and other films complete the programme. * * * * Clever Juggling:. The Juggling Normans cut most ice on the Brennan-Fuller vaudeville bill at His Majesty's this week. They are five in number, and they hurl brightly-hued Indian clubs at one another at breakneck speed. One of their most astounding feats was for four of them to stand in a line at one side of the stage, whence they hurled their clubs as expeditiously as they could despatch them at the fifth Norman at the opposite side of the stage, and he retaliated by tossing the clubs back again just as quickly. It is a really clever turn, and fully deserved the loud applause it evoked. Other topnotchers were Woodward and Page, who mixed trick cycling with comedy and music. Biff and De Armo also supplied a mixture, this time of acrobatics and music. The hand-balancing of Biff was something out of the ordinary. The "Dupre Brothers, a couple of youths from America, also made their debut. Thev sang a couple of popular niusic-hall ditties, and were only moderately succe*ful. Best of the others were Mantell's Marionettes. and Graham, who nre in their third or fourth week and still going strong, the Lee-Chandler Girls, and Moran and Cahill, duettists. • * * * # A Worthy Benefit. An attractive programme has been arranged for the benefit concert to be given in the Town Hall next Tuesday evening by> the Pvoval Wellington Choral Society in aid .of the sufferers by the Upper Hutt explosion. The Choral Society itself will sing the following choruses : "Cast Thy Burden" (unaccompanied 1 ) from "Elijah," "The Angelus." from "Maritana," and "The Glory of the Lord" and the "Hallelujah" chorus from' "The Messiah." Miss Mina Caldow is also taking part, contributing "Jean." "The "Little Daniozel,' and the reoit. and aria from "Samson 'and "^elilah,"

"0 Love from Thy Power." Mr. Hamilton Hodges will sing "The' Heroes*" Death," specially written by Mr. Christian Hellemann, and "Tangi," one of" Mr. Alfred Hill's compositions. Also assisting are Mr. Waldemar Eiby, a newtenor, Mr. E. B. Gilchrist, violin, Mr. W. H. Bowman, New Zealand's champion oornettist, who will play "The Lost - Chord" with organ accompaniment. Mr.. Hellemann will preside at the organ, - and Mr. Frank Amsden will conductThe box plan is at the Dresden. *** * . The King's. The "Napoleon" film has been the great draw at the King's this week* and" along with it must fairly be bracketed "His Majesty the Baby," which in itaparticular line beats all local records. His Majesty can't be more than a year " old, and his unstudied antics tickle tne house into ripples of laughter. ""Napoleon'' is a kinematograph triumph. Austerlitz, the disastrous Russian campaign, and Waterloo, are pourtrayed' even more vividly than Gettysbtirgwas some months ago. and that is saying' a great deal. The pictures were taken on the actual battlefields, and they are crowded with troops, both mounted and foot, in apparent action. The whole thing could hardfr be more realistic. Beyond these "star" films the supportingpictures are numerous,, varied, and interesting. On Monday night next the great Pathecolour drama, "Honesty," in 4000 ft of superb photography, will be shown for the first time here. Thi& screen play was acted for the camera by leading French artists from the ComedieFrancaise, including the three principalswho created such a fine impression in "King of the Air." * * * * "The Power of the Cross." The New Theatre has been gathering in its fair share of the 1 public's sixpencesand threepences this week with "Behind the Scenes," a Clarendon drama from stage-life, .'Torpedo Fish!" an interesting piscatorial study in natural colours, and a number of other films. The. Special attraction now being screened is "The Broken Sword," a big Nordisk production with, some stirring features. And in store for next Monday is "The Power of the Cross," the story of a young minister who marries a young woman addicted to bibulous habits ana then redeems her. In his soul-saving crusade he has some, highly adventurous experiences, amongst them having to stand a charge for murder. This will be supported with several other pictures. * * # * "The War Correspondents." "When the Earth Trembled," the prevailing attraction at the People's Picture Palace at the beginning of the week, supplied electric shocks in plenty for all and sundry. Next Monday's feature will be "The War Correspondents," adapted from the recent Balkan War. This is the story -of a couple of war correspondents depicted amidst much powder and smoke. Amongst thrilling spasms are the blowing up of a battleship, the fall of an aeroplane struck by a shell, and the destruction of a railway train when crossing a viaduct and plunged into a river. Supplementary pictures will also be screened. * * * * Skating at the Olympia. Much interest is being evinced in the dancing competitions on skates at the popular Olympia Rink in Vivian-street. The Couples' Musical Squares last week presented an animated competition, some 25 couples taking part. The first prize was carried off by Miss R. Shaddick and Mr. A. McCleary. Last nignt, us the Free Lance' was • going to press, a ladies' two-step competition was proceeding. To-riight's special attraction is a comical hockey match. Apart from.

these extras, the Olympia is being liberally patronised by skating enthusiasts, who all speak well of the excellent floor, floor. * * * * Miss Helen Gard'ner, of Dunedin, the 0 Mimosa San in the Wellington Amateurs' performance of "The Geisha," has been engaged by the Royal Wellington Choral Society to sing the title part in its production of "Maritana" next month. Miss Gard'ner, I have already mentioned, has also been secured by the local amateurs again for "Paul Jones." the next piece.

Appearing- with George Willoughby'a -New Dramatic Company, who are presenting "Uncle T<ka's Cabin" throughout New Zealand, . are four full-blooded negroes, the Era Comedy Four, univer.sitv educated coloured gentlemen, • who nightly render some of the genuine old -American plantation time songs, incidental to the plantation scene in the drama, and their harmonising is described as a vocal- treat out of the ordinary. A fine mdle quartette, the New York Jubilee -Singers/ in sacred songs and melodies, .and the National Duo, in specialty numbers, also appeal*. * * * * Charles JB. Westmacott, who has beenmanaging for Oscar'' Asche in South Africa, speaks, very glowing]- of the .-success of "The Glad Eye" in that try. With the exception of about two," all the members of the company will leave for Australasia about June to pro-; duce ' 'The Glad Eye," "The Real Thing,'? "The Chaperon," ana 'Who's the Lady," under the direction of Beaumont Smith and Louis Meyer. , * * * "Say that I am coming back in two years''time, and less if possible"—such were the parting words of Mr. Paul Dufault, the Canadian tenor, when leaving Dunedin the other day. New Zealand will hope to see him .within the two -years. „ * * * * Miss Helen Gard'ner, of Dunedin, who, as 0 Mimosa San, was one of the successes in the Wellington Amateurs production of "The Geisha" at the end of last year, has been engaged for "Paul -Jones,"' the next- performance. * * * * . £>o great is the success of "Who's the Lady?" in London, that flying matinees are being given each week by the London Company at Brighton, Eastbourne, and other places within a radius of a hundred and fifty miles. This is- in addition to two matinees weekly in London. * ' * . * * The old Opera House, for so long the chief playhouse! of' Wellington, has been •secured by a company for a long term at a high rental, • and on May. 14th will reopen as a continuous picture theatre, at popular rates i>f admission. ' The interior of Hhe building is_ to be praetically -demolished and rehabilitated in accordance with the plans of Mr. Chatfield,, "the architect of the original building, thousands of pounds are to be spent on the alterations, and it is claimed that, when finished," the theatre will be the •finest film palace in the Dominion. The stalls floor is to be lowered, all obstructions femoved, and the plans disclose that the line of sight will be perfect from eyery seat. The seating will he of the latest pattern and most comfortable character." • A complete new electric plant will .be installed inside and out, ancV'.a novel introduction, and a commendable one, is a scheme of shaded lights, which will enable patrons to see and find seats while the picture is screening. The . facade of_ the theatre is to be remodelled and brilliantly illuminated. Decorations of the, artistic order will be carried out bv Mr. Geo. Coulter, who has come from Sydney for the purpose. The 'licensed seating capacity of the-OperaHouse is 1500. ' • * - * ' When the Red Dandies end their present season at St. Kilda, George Morgan, the dancer and light comedian, of the company, intends taking a trip to England. Morgan is a native of Melbourne, and this will be his first excursion out into the world. His many New Zealand friends will wish him well. * , '* * * Little Willie Percy, who 'is now in America, has written to Australia describing his visit to the moving picture studios of the Thanhouser Company, at New Rochelle, - New York. The. Thanhouser Company at. once' recognised m Mr. Percy the popular Australian come- . dian, and foresaw great picture possibilities. In 20 minutes one of their scenario, writers had planned out a comedy picture dealing with, his experiences since starting on his journey from Australia until arriving- at New York, and this was called "Percy's First Holiday.' The film is. being shown in Sydney at present. * * * * # Mrs. J. H. Lohr, mother of -Marie Lohr, and long known to the stage as Miss Kate' Bishop, was recently appearing in a revival of "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" in London. Miss Bishop was the original Violet Melrose in "Our Boys." ■ * * * * London papers are making a good deal - of fuss of a prodigy named Solomon, who strikes a piano with something approaching genius. He is only in his teens, but recently he gave an orchestral concert at the Queen's Hall, London, where a large and delighted audience bestowed on him the ' loudest applause at its command. Subsequently £e appeared before the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family, and delighted the juv-

enile members of the King's Family by playing "The Teddy Bear's Frolic" withgreat cleverness. * * * * Quite a lot of people, writes a London correspondent to a Sydney paper, are going to be disappointed with Harry Lauder in Australia. They are of two classes- —first, those curious -folk who seem always to be put a great reputation; and, second, • those patrons of the music hall who like their humour coarse, full-flavoured, loud-voiced. You will have no shrieking of cheap witticisms from Lauder; no Vshouting of his joke for fear" it should) miscarry, no red-nosed vulgarity. "On the contrary, you will come upon that rare thing, a fine artist. If he had not been a comedian, Lauder would Still have been a great ballad singer. He is that, too—as you will hear some night when he comes down to the footlights and sings, unaccompanied, "Mary of Argyle." * * * *. ~ •Mischa Elman, the world-famed Russian violinist, will sail from San Francisco for Australia on May sth by the Sonoma. His Australasian tour will open in Melbourne on May 30th. Although Elman _ is barely twenty-two, he is one of the highest-priced instrumentalists in the world.