ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15711, 11 September 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"NEVER SAY DIE."

There was another large and enthusiastic audience at His Majesty's Theatre last night, when " The Fortune Hunter" was presented for the last time. To-night Mr. Fred Niblo and Miss Josephine Cohan ■will present, for the first time to Auckland playgoers, the New York comedy success, "Never Say Die," which some people say is the best thing' that Mr. Niblo does. Like "The Fortune Hunter," the atmosphere of " Never Say Die," is clean and wholesome, and it possesses a love romance, but it is a much more humofous play than the opening piece. Master Fred Niblo has an important part to Play, and. a dog will also figure in the production. Only three performances can be given rif " Never Say Die, and on Tuesday and Wednesday next i the season will close with two renresenta- [ tions of "Officer 666."

OPERA HOUSE. That patrons of the Opera" House ara appreciating the current programme is shown by the large audiences attending nightly. Each item of a varied programme was received last night with much applause. he same programme will be repeated nightly until the close of the week, with the usual matinee to-morrow. "THE SMART SIT." Tlie popularity of Mr, Ec ward Branscombe's company, "The Smart Set," shows no sign of waning, and again last night the Town Hall concert chamber was well tilled by an audience which frequently demonstrated its approval of the programme in no uncertain manner. Of the several artists Mr. Harry de Rabeck and Miss Georgia Martin carried off the honours of the evening, but practically every item was enthusiastically encored. The tango dance by Mr. Walter George and Miss Martin proved to be exceedingly popular. The undoubted talent and varied humour of each individual member of the company should assure a successful season. HARRY LAUDER. The Scottish comedian, Harry Lauder, who makes his first appearance at His Majesty's Theatre on Thursday, September 17, has just terminated what is considered by the management to be the most successful tour ever known in the theatrical history of Australia. The company which is supporting him is composed of artists of high repute in England, America, and Europe, and several of them have been honoured by appearing before the late King Edward and the present King. The box plan for the four evening and two matinee performances is now open at Wildman and Arey's. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Ono of the greatest achievements in the photography of wild animals is a film secured by Mr. E. H. Monagri, and entitled, "Amid Raging Beasts," which was shown for the first time yesterday at the Queen's Theatre. The picture contains many exciting scenes and miraculous escapes, one of many sensational features being an attack by wild and hungry lions upon defenceless human beings. The film was obtained at the greatest personal risk: to the operator and his stiff, and represents a triumph of the photographic art. Large audiences attended every session at the theatre yesterday, and enthusiastic applause greeted the film throughout the day. The supporting programme is one of pronounced excellence; and contains the usual series of dramatic, topical, and comeciy films. KING GEORGE THEATRE. A meritorious series of films marked the change of programme yesterday at thai King George Theatre. " His Guilty Conscience," the chief drama, teiis the .story of a young man, who slips from the path, of rectitude, and is rescued by a man -who has himself been tested and found wanting. The drama is effectively treated and capably presented, and was* very favourably received by the large audiences yesterday. The dramatic section includes also. Who Was the Thief?" a thrilling detective story, and "A. Daring Getaway," a drama of the sensational variety. A beautiful scenic film describes " Casbah of Algeria," with- its picturesque scenery. J.he entertainment concludes with two hilarious comedies, " Willy and the Parachute, and " Tightwad Buys a Laundry," which were responsible for a great deal of merriment at all sessions yesterday.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The bi-weekly change of programme took place at the Princess Theatre yesterday. There were large audiences at each session, and the excellent programme was very much appreciated. Primroses,"- the chief picture, is a drama of intrinsic merit and compelling interest- The "Warwick Chronicle" supplies topical events from Europe and- Overseas countries m connection with war preparations. "For Her Brother's Sake," is an artistic production full of pathos and sentiment which never failed to appeal to patrons of the theatre. The comedy element is well sustained with "In a Hoss Country," and "The King That Wasn't," and the programme concludes with a very fine scenic film, portraying " Tlemcen and its Surroundings." GLOBE THEATRE. "The Substitute," a powerful and exciting drama, heads the new programme at the Globo Theatre. The story centres round Sergeant Peters, who falls into disgrace and is expelled from the army, but later retrieves himself by conspicuous bravery during an attack by Indians upon an ammunition train. A picture that is of unusual interest is one of the newlyacquired British possessions, "Samoa," and it includes the departure of the troops from Wellington. " Muscular Development, ' an instructive film, is followed by the usual "Top ; Budget," and the series is completed with several highly entertaining comedies ARMITAGE DRAMATIC COMPANY. The Araitage Dramatic Company produced the Irish play " Arrah-na-Pogue" at the Windsor Theatre last evening, a large audience being present. The same play will be staged bv t ie company tonight at the parish hall. Avondalc. ALHAMBRA THEATRE. A four-act. drama, over 'iOOOft in length, entitled "Lord Chumley," is proving to be an exceptional attraction at the Alhambra Theatre during the current weefc The many remarkable situations and stirring episodes, combined with good acting and sumptuous staging, together make up a film quite above the average. The supporting programme is a. good one, containing as it does a number of interesting pictures. NEWTON PICTURE THEATRE. " The Third Degree' takes premier place in a new and excellent series of films at the Newton Picture Theatre. The plot is taken from Charles Klein's renowned drama, and the acting and staging of the picture leave nothing to be desired. It is a story that compels the closest attention, and was heartily applauded by the large numbers of people who visited the. theatre yesterday. A strong supportingprogramme is also shown.

FUTURE ' ENTERTAINMENTS. "Antony and Cleopatra" is drawing large houses to the King's Theatre each, night this weeK. "Europe in Peace and War," is being shown this week at the Lyric and West End theatres.