ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PLIMMER-HALL SEASON.

Tin: Pliramer-Hall Company will open (heir eeason in aid of the Belgian Fund to-night at His Majesty's Theatre. The company comprises some of the best known artists iii Australasia. The initial production will be Isaac Henderson's "The Mummy and the Humming Bird," and i; has been described as a play thai grips, and is of absorbing interest. The mounting and dressing is said to be of the highest order. As previously announced, the tour is under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor, and he lias intimated his intention of being present at the performance on Tuesday night. To-night's proceedings will be opened by Mr. Arthur Myers, Ml', who will deliver a speech appropriate to the occasion. The Auckland City Hand will give selections in front of the theatre to-night, and will render the National Anthems of the allies previous to the raising of the curtain. Several theatre lights have been arranged. There is to be a grand military night. Several of the diffi rent sports committees are arranging to Ivid theatre parties during the season. There will be a special holiday matinee on Monday next, commencing at two o'clock. HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT. A highly-attractive programme of picture?, sung, and stoiy was given it His Majesty'.» Theatre yesterday afternconand last evening. The attendance was very law. A film, The Power of the Cross,'"' v;,s the principal item, and was watched m['.i .lose attention. By permission of the Royal Pantomime Company, Miss Porothy Drew and Miss Elsie ' Nicolas san.' a number of songs, which were greatly appreciated. A patriotic address written bv the Rev. W. (',. Monckton was delivered by M Thomas Harris. The recitation wis illustrated by a splendid collection of war views. STEPHENSONI.INLEY COMPANY. The musical extravaganza, "The Jam o' I a tiny," was staged by the Stephenson I.inley Company at " His Majesty's 'theatre on Thursday evening. The production was an entire success, and afforded a bright evening's amusement to th" large audience present. The company will conclude its successful season by giving a second edition of "Humpty Dumpty" at a matinee to-day. New songs, dances, marches, ballets, and , topical and patriotic numbers are to be introduced The bos plan for the matinee will tie on view to-day at Coleman's. OPERA HOUSE. The excellent vaudeville entertainment presented at the Opera House last evening was greatly enjoyed by a large audience. There will be the usual two performances to-day. PALACE THEATRE. The ever-popular villain, Zigomar, reappeared at the Palace Theatre on Thursday, in the film, " Zigomar and the Eelskin" The management of the theatre has secured a series of Zigomar films, «nd, accordingly, patrons may look forward to several more of these exciting pictures. On the lighter side of the programme mere appeared a comedy entitled, "The Chicken Shakers," which proved well up to the standard. The programme will be repeated to-day. GRAFTON' THEATRE. The Grafton Theatre was crowded last evening, when a weil-arransrcd musical and picture programme was given. The chief picture screened was " The Power of the Cross." It was a most appropriate subject for the occasion, and was watched with keen interest. A series of excellent ; war pictures wis screened, depicting the British troops in France. ' Stress of Cir cumstances' was a powerful dramatic ; study full of human interest. The vocal part of the programme was contributed by Miss Miriam Russell and Mr. Abel Rowe. Both were well received. The Grafton orchestra, under Mr. J. Ewart, jun.. added much to the success of the programme, and the vocalists bad the benefit of a full orchestral accompaniment. The successful picture programme which has been screened during the last few evenings will be repeated this afternoon and evening. On Monday there will be a change of programme, which will include the second episode of the serial story, "The Trey o' Hearts." GLOBE THEATRE. The exciting adventures of Kathlyn were dealt with further at the Globe Theatre on Thursday, much to the enjoyment of large audiences. Each instalment of this serial film is complete in itself, bo that if one is unlucky enough to miss one section the interest in the remainder of the story is not affected. The latest war special is full of new and interesting matter concerning the doings at. the front. A specially attractive series of pictures was shown yesterday, Good Friday. i. ■ QUEEN'S THEATRE. A glorious story of daring deeds upon the field of battle was unfolded at the Queen's Theatre on Thursday, when a stirring film, entitled "The V.C.," was screened for the first time. Among the other pictures shown was a particularly bright comedy-drama, entitled, " White Lies,' which blended laughter and tears in an irresistibly appealing manner. Another diverting romedv shown for the first time was one under the title of "Foolish Mr Dingle." A specially-selected programme- was screened yesterday throughout the afternoon and evening. Thursday's comprehensive programme will be repeated to-day. KING GEORGE THEATRE. The famous American stage comedy, " Divorcons," created an unusual amount of interest when it was shown at the King George Theatre on Thursday. Added interest was given to the picture by the fact that Miss Mabel Norma.nd was to bo seen in the principal role. 'The picture, which was in three parts, proved one of the most amusing seen in Auckland for 6ome time past. Another good film was "A Fallen Idol," a drama founded on Collier's own version of his famous Roval Academy picture. The programme, width includes a good war topical, will be shown again today. KING'S THEATRE. This week's programme of pictures at the King's Theatre has proved to be decidediy popular, a large number of patrons being present again last evening- " London by Day and Night" is an exceptionally interesting series of views of the greatest < ity in the world. All sides of j London life are depicted, the film being very finely photographed. The supporting programme is one of great strength, ami includes a splendid comedy, entitled " Fatv's Wine Party." Another popular" filn. features Maurice Cofitello in Bella's Elopement." A series of the latest war pit '.uri-s is also screened. ORGAN RECITAL, An organ recital was given by Mr. Maughan" Barnet: at the Town Hall last evening, before an audience of about 500 people. Mr. Barnett was assisted by Miss Mina Caldow, who sang a number of solos. Several selections were played bv the organist in a masterly manner. Tn»«io included Chopin's "Funeral March." Dubois's "In Paradisum," Guilmant's " Funeral March and Hymn of Seraphs," Arcadeldt's "Ave Maria," and Mailly's " Fantasie Dramatique." The selections were received with unmistakable appreciation. "He Was Despised." the wellkno.vn solo from Handel's Messiah," was artistically rendered by Miss Caldow, who has a powerful and pleasing contralto voice. The organ accompaniment added to

the effectiveness of the contribution. The singer had to respond to an imperative recall. Gounod's " 0 Divine Redeemer," and Liddle's " Abide With Me," were also contributed by Miss Caldow, and for each she received an encore. On the evening of Easter Monday a popular programme of organ music will be played at the Town Hall by Mr. Barnett. Several 6olos will be sung by Miss Caldow. JOSEPH BLASCHECK. Mr. Joseph Blaschcek, whose season of 12 nights opens at the Town Hall on Easter Monday, has just completed a very successful tour of Australia. Mr. Biascheck will present his "society snapshots," a programme of humour and music, which always draws large audiences to the Queen's Hall, London, during his annual six weeks' season there. His audiences are kept in the highest good humour during the 2£ hours' performance. Miss Alyce Austin, who accompanies Mr. Blascheck on his tour of tho Dominion, is said to be the possessor of a charming soprano voice. The box plan for the two weeks and day sales will bo at The Goldfinch System office, Wyndham Street, during to-day. Day sales are at deal's. PRINCESS THEATRE. An exciting drama, entitled, "Tho Right of Way," was tho feature of tho change of programme screened at the Princess Theatre on Thursday. The plot of the picture proved most interesting and, a fact which pleased the audience considerably, it did not go outside the range of the possible. The programme was particularly strong on the humorous side, included in it being " The Terrible Two on the Twist" and "Express Messenger," both of them being highly diverting. A series of appropriate matter was screened yesterday. Thursday's programme will be repeated to-day. LYRIC THEATRE. Patrons of the Lyric and West End Theatres last night' had tho same programme screened for their benefit as has been showing nil the week, with the exception that " A Tale of Two Cities'' was substituted for some of the :omic films. To-day will be screened for the last time, "My Friend from India," which is a' really splendid comedy, quite in a class' by itself. There will be the usual matinee this afternoon. GRAND THEATRE. Tho programme being shown at the Grand Theatre includes soveral specially good pictures. Chief among these is a drama entitled, "The Price of Silence." This picture abounds in powerful situations, while in addition the work of the various characters is of a particularly high standard. The management has had the good fortune to secure a more than usually interesting war topical film- Chie" among the laughter-producing films is 'When Dreams Come True," in which Ford Sterling and Miss Mabel Normand take the principal parts. A speciallyselected programme was shown yesterday before large audiences. To-day will be the last opportunity of seeing the current programme. ROYAL SKATING RINK. There were good attendances at the Royal Skating Rink on Thursday and yesterday. The rink will be open to-day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.