ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15715, 16 September 1914, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE,

'■ OFFICER 666.

There is an ample store r.f refresh,,* . n tertamment in "Officer 666 " which presented in His Majesty's' Theatre X" evening by the J. C. Williamson & Comedy Company a, -~ concluding £' ture of tho Auckland season.' Marked i, many of the charactcri.-tios of the ta't °' American fane, tho ,-ni-dv e V ren !!' by the embodiment, 01 a strong drama-" force, and the larpe audience was notori' invigorated by ,- f irrosistihle huW out also had its attention Keenly «, ' by tho many surprising incidents in <h» development of tho nor v. The. play stand* upon .-.» extremely fr,n foundation of improbabilities, but' '!' criticism on this -ore , s di>arm»d bv ti? navo admission of the final lines'£ such an eventful (-.en::i- could neverT found anywhere th.'m on the hjiw " 't? 9 introduction of fl ■■> nun).reus clement t the story has handicapped the • ..-„ lr ":„" cf the first act. 1,, , die animate," an™ brightness of tho later scenes more than compensate for the somewhat arisen* development of the plot. From the com menceinent of tho second act until th" final curtain, the story Li carried fron- , point to point with such startling speed I that t.he interest never wanes a'ain ■.„.'> j , '* -. ■* 11', dp-1 I almost every Jino :.s ;: provocation plaughter. The strry i- a tremendous com' plication of in whiel nearly all the principal people are succoi'. siyely involved, and again and again extricated only to become entangled la greater difficulties than before. The principal characters in th» story ars Travers Gladwin, a young millionaire, aud Alfred Milson, a picture thief, and in these parts Mr. Fred Niblo and Mr. Sydney Stirling more than justified the ' good opinions which they have already camel in the earlier productions. The. finer comedy work was brightly presented bv Mr. Niblo. bib presentation of the par'-, being a most satisfactory feature of the production. He was associated with Mr. Stirling in a striking scene at the beginning of the third act, in which the work of the two a.'tors was consistently restrained and effective. Th* character ot the picture thief was drawn with finn skill by Mr. Stirling, and he was given « very warm compliment by tho audience. Miss Josephine Cohan had not a particii larly exacting part, but she filled her rol* with the same ability that has marked her performances throughout the season. Mr. Robert Greig played the Officer 666, presenting the broader comedy most successfully. The other roles; were well filled, while the production of the piece was excellent. "Officer 666" will be repeated 'this evening, and this will be the final performance in New Zealand before the company returns to America.

t HARRY LAUDER. The coming to Auckland of Harry Lauder is causing a considerable amount of interest^even in these times, when war is the chief topic, but the fame of tlta Scotch comedian is so widespread that the public are looking forward to his arrival The movements of the British troops aro of special interest to Mr. and Mrs. Ladder, their only son is at the front with his regi —the Argyleshire and Sutherland Highlandersof which he is a lieutenant. This young lad just arrived in Adelaide to join his parents when he received a cable gram to rejoin his regiment immediately, and was thus prevented from accompanying' his father and mother on their Austra, lasian tour. The Auckland season, which commences to-morrow night at His Majesty's Theatre, is limited to /oar evening and two matinee performances, and Mr. Lauder will then sail for Sydney, en route for Canada, where is booked for M extended tour. The committee of to St. Andrew's Society last night completed arrangements for the reception to be tendered to Mr. Lauder on his arrival by ft* Main Trunk express to-morrow afternoon, when Mr. Murdoch McLean and members of the society will be present to welcome their countryman, and a pipe band -'jrijl escort him to his hotel. To-morrow mora, ing, at A. Eady and Company's. 5s tm .reserved seat tickets will be on sale, anil" box plan of reserved seats is now on view , at Wildman and Arey's.

"THE SMART SET."' " Another large audience was' attracted last evening by " The Smart Set" to the Town Hall concert chamber. The same programme will be submitted to-nigtt. . OPERA HOUSE. ( There -was a very large audience at th» Opera House last "night, and everyilea of the new programme was enthusiastically applauded. There will be a matins' this afternoon. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. A drama or unusual merit heads the current programme, at the Queen's Theatre. It is called " The Parasite." The story.u a bewildering blend of pathos, sentiment, and excitement, -which holds the attention of the audience' throughout. The support mg pictures are varied, novel, and satisfying, and the large numbers of patrons yesterday were unstinted in their applause. The Princess Theatre was visited by tSI usual crowds of picture yesterd?,** with whom tho attractive progratttE ß proved to be very popular. " The Mas Who Lied," the tale of an heroic sacrifice, is tie chief drama, and " Broncho Billy/ True Love" heads the comedy section. " The Ballet Dittcer," a drama of Intense power, and appealing pathos, i» being shown at the Kin? George Theatre, i'he plot is woiked out" in a natural and I convincing manner, and culminates wit.' the sensational murder of a faithless "V Dana. The rest of the programme is composed of scenic, educational, and comeo; ' ! pictures. ! '■ Absinthe," a drama, heads a men.*?' our and varied programme at the AlbansI bra Theatre I There wore large audiences a* '.he GioM Theatre yesterday, and the current series was very much appreciated. "«»<■■'■ Lions Escape" is the chief drama. i "The Airman's Bride," featuring * 'splendid aeroplane flight, i? the beet of an interesting series of films showing at ; tho Newton Pict.ire Theatre. ! The second instalment of the "Adventeres of Kathlyn ' is being shown at We Kir.g s Theatre. The chief attraction at the Lyric ana West Fnd Theatres i.; a drama entitle.-! "' The Heart of Midlothian."