ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15658, 11 July 1914, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

A pabtt of' nearly 300 "old. boys" of secondary schools in New Zealand, who are gathered in Auckland for the annual reunion of the King's College Old Boys' Association, attended the performance at His Majesty's Theatre last evening of the pantomime, "Forty Thieves," and with the stimului) of their co-operation tho entertainment was given with, .unusual animation. Tho whole audience entered into the holiday spirit of the "old boys," while nearly ©very member of tho company wore favours in the King's ' College colours. Every chorus wangling. with' vigour -by the audience > the comedians made humorous tilts at well-known collegians, and the whole performance was enlivened by the unusual spirit of the evening. At its close, a striking demonstration of their appreciation was made by the "old boys." Maroon and orange ribbons were strung from the auditorium to the stage, a shower of violets was thrown from {he stalls, and cheers were very heartily given for the company. Before the curtain dropped for the hut time, stalls and stage joined hands and "Auld Lang Syno" was sung. .At the matinee this alternoon and the usual oveuing performance to-night the last; perlormauces of the pantomime will be given. "

"THE ARGYLE CASE." "The Argyi« Uise" is to be staged by the J. 0. Williamson, Ltd., management <it Hie Majesty's iheatre on Monday, jury iU, ana u very strong combination tit American, Engiish, ami Australian dramatic artists n<is ueen organised. When the curtain rises upon "The Argyle Caste" the minder oi John Argyle nas been a mystery tor many days; me police an bathed, and ".Never Sleep Kayton," Jieau ol the ivayton Detective Agency, has been called in to solve the problem. From the point at which lie enters tho room in wuick the crime was committed the audience are, ' it is said, held enthralled while they follow the exposition of detective methods— tracing of finger-prints, the sharp cross-examin-ation of witnesses-, and, above all, the use of that remarkable instrument, the dictograph, which has already brought many criminals to account in America.- The feature of the new dramif is that the mystery is carefully preserved till the end, suspicion of the crime falling upon various people in turn until 15 minutes before the fall of tho curtain. From America the Williamson management engaged Messrs Charles A. Millward and William Hanifan,. two leading New York artiste. Miss Maggie Moore has been engaged for the part of the black cook, and Alias Sylvia Bremer will make her first appearance here in the role of Mary Masuret. Only a few performances can be given of "The Argyle Case, for which the box plans will be opened at Wildmar, and Arev's on Thursday morning next at eight o'clock 4 queue will be formed from 7 a.m.

" THE DANDIES." "The Dandies" will make their initial bow in the concert chamber of the Town Hall to-night. The mission of " The Dandies" is to entertain and amuse and reports concerning the present company indicate that the members are remarkably successful in this respect. .To ensure success, diligent attention to the work in hand must bo considered an essential feature Constant rehearsal is described as the keynote of "The Dandies" success, the people who will appear this evening are said-to be extremely versatile. They sing well, dance acceptably,, and frisk around the stage in quite an unorthodox manner. The members of "The Dandies" are: Miss Ethel Walker, a lyric soprano; Miss Linda Bradford, a contralto; Miss Naomr McQuoin, a vivacious comedienne : Mr. Roland Henry,. Mr. Andrew Pace Mr. Harry Webster, ; and Mr. George Taylor, an excellent coniedv quartette Mr, David Lyle is said to be'the possessor of an excellent tenor voice, and Mr. Herbert, Brahms is the company's capable pianist. Mr Arthur Keighley, the stage manager and producer, has prepared an attractive hill of fare for the opening performance. The plan is nt Wfldman £??„ 3 and day sales are at F. Clears. .

OPERA HOUSE. Patrons of th Opera House will have their last chance to-day of witnessing the excellent current programme of vaudeville. The usual matinee and evening performances wiU be given. The comedy sketch, A Lost Boy/' is proving to be one of the most popular items ever shown at this house of entertainment.-

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

0 The Auckland Orchestral Society, under the conductorship of Mr. G A. Pagne will give its second concert of'the eleventh season in the Town Hall on Thursday S e^ ft „ a ! kowsk,8 fara "«s overture, 1812,", will be rendered by 100 performers, assisted by the full strength of the Samson Artillery Band. The programme is one which should appeal to all con-cert-goers, and a particularly enjoyable evening is assured. The soloists for the evening will be Mr. George E. Poore flautist, and Mr. Fred Bourke, baritone. ORGAN RECITAL. The programme of organ music to be played to-night in the Town Hall by Mr Maughan Barnett„ city organist, will include Bach's "Toccata in D Minor" ■Karg-ElertV "Sonatina," and Widows « Adagio, from the ■. Sixth Symphony Two very popular items, the " Barcarola " from "Tales of Hoffmann" and the "Storm Fantaisie," will also be played

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. "A Throne at Stake " Is proving to be the most popular item on the current programme of pictures at. the Alhambra Theatre. ; . Large audiences are witnessing "Antony and Cleopatra" at the Lyric Theatre. A very interesting programme of pictures will he provided for patrons of th© Arcadia Theatre to-day. The continuous pictures at the Newton Picture Palace are proving to be decidedlv popular. ' The special.feature at the West End Theatre is " Antony and Cleopatra," which is drawing full houses. , , Tho continuous pictures to be shown at the King George Theatre to-day include a very exciting drama, entitled "The : Staircase of Death. v

; "Bloodhounds of the North" is amongst the best of a good series of films Jbeing screened at the Queen's Theatre. The continuous pictures to be shown at the Globe Theatre to-day include " The Lighthouse in Darkness" and " The Butler's Secret," two' decidedly interesting films. ."■'■■ * ' r ■

A thrilling detective tale, entitled "Protea, the Second," is attracting large crowds to the King's Theatre. Many other good films are also being screened. . Several dramatic pictures of . great interest are included in the prolamine at the Princess , Theatre, the most popular being "The Raid of tho Red Marauders."