ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15889, 9 April 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

t± » , ~ PIDBIER-HALL COMPANY, The satirical humour of Oscar Wilde permeates both plot and dialogue in " Lady Windermere's Fan." This sustains a lightness of atmosphere which prevents the somewhat sordid nature of tho dramatic sido from exercising too serious an influence upon the spectator. At the 6amo time tho day of the wordy play— and this is one—is disappearing. Smart conversation appeals far less to a modern gathering of theatregoers than action, and nowadays tho piece under notice would be accounted stronger were the former lessened and the latter increased. There is, of course, no denying the cleverness of the writing and of the character-draw-ing, and the revival of " Lady Windermere's Fan" must necessarily prove interesting, if only as a reminder of the days when its type was very much the vogue. The Plimmer-Hall Dramatic Company produced the play, as its first change of programme, last "night, at His Majesty's Theatre. The audience was not a large one, a fact that was disappointing, considering tho announced intention of the company to devote its profits from the present tour to the Belgian Relief Fund. That the performance was appreciated was proved by the hearty nature of the applause. .Miss Beatrice „ Day invested the rule of Mrs. Erlynne, the divorcee, who is the pivot of the story, with the distinction it usually achieves in artistic hands. Miss Ena Shanahan, as Lady Windermere, displayed a listless ness of manner which rendered her conception a little colourless. The impression was gained, however, that the young artist could easily improve upon her present im- - personation. Mr. Winter Hal] as Lord Windermere, and Mr. Harry Plimmer as Lord Darlington, played with artistic effect. Mr. H. W. Varna did good character work as Tuppy. and tho remaining roles were satisfactorily filled. A feature of the evening was the excellent interlude music provided by Mrs. Winter Hall and Miss Rima Young. " Lady Windermere's Fan" will be reeated to-night, when members of the awn Tennis Association will be present. " A Message from Mars" is to be revived to-morrow, and the initial performance will be given at a matinee. This piece will be staged for a few nights next week. Monday night has been set apart as a military night.

MR. JOSEPH BLASCHECK. A number of new monologues and recitations wero given bv Mr. Joseph Blascheck in the concert chamber of the Town Hall last evening. The performance was as bright and entertaining as the ones that have preceded it, and both Mr. Blascheck and his talented partner. Miss AJyce Austin, were heartily applauded by ■ a large audience. In his character sketch, " How We Saved the Barge," the entertainer was particularly good, but he scored his greatest success in " The Country J.P., ' a number given by request. "The Little Red Ribbon," and " It's Not For Me," were other items which found favour with the audience. In bis Shakesperean recitations, Mr. Blascheck was equally good, notably in Hamlet's " Soliloquy." With Miss Austin, he scored a decided • success in "Tho World Went Very Well Then," in which a very old man is brought under the spell of ragtime. ■ Patriotic items were in evidence, Mr. Blascheck reciting, with considerable effect " The • Day," ' and Miss Austin singing " The Marseillaise " and " Your King and Country Need You," the latter a recruiting song. Miss Austin sang several songs and established herself as a great favourite with her audience. She was also warmly applauded for her pianoforte items. To-night a request programme will be given. OPERA HOUSE. The current programme at the Opera House was successfully repeated last night, and there was also a' good attendano at the matinee. The chief attraction is the musical revue, " This is the Life," and it has been responsible for record business' during the week. The usual matinee and evening performances will be given to-day. ; PRINCESS THEATRE. The programmes shown al the Princess Theatre recently have proved most popular, and the new series of films introduced yesterday were no exception to the rule, lor large audiences attended all the sessions. The chief item is an excep- • tionally powerful drama, entitled, /'Trinkets of Tragedy," , which has a strong vein of mystery attached to it. The picture is splendidly produced and altogether is an excellent piece of photography. The exciting scenes which occur appealed to the audiences, and they expressed their approval of the film in no unstinted manner. "The Cycle of Adversity" is another fine dramatic picture, which was greatly appreciated and loudly applauded. " The Warwick Gazette " contains some excellent war pictures, and these were very well received. There are three good comedy films, and they created a great deal of laughter. QUEEN'S THEATRE. In consequence of the success that has attended* the pictorial dramatisation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's well-known story, " A Study in Scarlet," the management of the Queen's Theatre has decided to screen it for the rest of the week. It is a fine production, and Sherlock Holmes and his friend, Dr. Watson, are seen solving one of the most interesting pro* blems that the author has constructed. The large audiences that assembled yesterday were quite as appreciative as those that viewed the picture previously, and it was followed with great attention.. The rest of the programme is entirelv new, ana includes some really fine pictures from the front. One shows the enemy being gradually pushed back to their own country, despite the strong resistance they are making against the allies. There are also several good topical items, and the comedy section is particularly well represented. GRAFTON THEATRE. In the place of " The Trey o' Hearts" a new picture was screened at the Grafton Theatre last night. The film, which is entitled "A Man For a' That," takes its inspiration from Burns's famous poem. It is a picture of great charm, and was favourably received by last night's patrons. "On the Danube" is an excellent scenic film, which was loudly applauded. A number of fine comic items help to make; up a really good projgramme. On 'Monday a further instalment of "The Trey o Hearts" will be screened. GRAND THEATRE. The splendid programme which is being presented at the Grand Theatre this week has attracted large audiences, and yesterday the theatre was again well patronised. '"The Barrier of Flames," an excellent drama, heads the programme, and it provides enough excitement for all. There are many stirring scenes in this picture, and the portion showing a dog rescuing & child from a burning building was applauded. "The Terror of Night" is also a very interesting picture, and shows what happened to a material ghost when ho encountered a fearless lady reporter. The comedy items, "Wild West Love, Oil and Grease," created roars of laughter. Altogether, tho programma was heartily appreciated. KING GEORGE THEATRE. Another splendid series of films was introduced at the King George Theatre yesterday, when a complete change was made. The principal item is entitled "The Poor Relation," a great drama which cannot fail to interest patrons. John Sterrett, junior partner in the firm * of John Faye, deserts his wife and children, and they are looked after by Noah I) Vale, an inventor. Later Sterrett steals §§ the plans of a machine invented by Vale. |g|* Subsequently his wife discovers the theft m . ted the plans are restored to their owner.'

Another good item is entitled "All For Business. It shows that too close attention to one's work blinds a man to other things in life which are worth while, and fatal consequences ensue. Thero are a couple of comic items which create great merriment. Altogether the programme is an excellent one. GLOBE THEATRE, "The Royal Slave," the fourth series of the "Adventures of Kathlyn," is tho star attraction ai the Globe Theatre this week and it is proving extremely popular judging by the large audiences that have visited this theatre. It is a most interesting picture and enchains the attention throughout its production. "Jim's Vindication" is a splendid drama' which deals "ith a robbery. The latest war special and the comedy items are excellent. KING'S THEATRE. " Hushing tho Scandal," an interesting comedy, humorous in the extreme, is one of the chief pictures at the King's Theatre. The artist featured in this picture is Sid Chaplin, well known to most picture patrons. Included in a 'strong programme are: "Cascades of Devon, scenic, " Baby's Ride," drama, " Five Bob Rebellion," novelty, "Off the Deputy's Hands," drama, " Double Elopement," comedy, and a fine series of war pictures. LYRIC THEATRE. At the Lvric and West End Theatres there were large attendances last night to witness the production of the special film, " The Eagle's Mate," screened in six reels.