ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16040, 5 October 1915, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" HIGH JINKS." Thanks to the art of the producer, and to one or two other factors, the musical farce ' *' High Jink's " has been saved from premature demise and decorous burial. It. is American musical farce, and is really i remarkable example of what an expert producer can do with weak material. The libretto is never brilliant, and sometimes rubbishy. Alone, it would perish. Curiously enough, it I opens with the germ of an idea which might well have been cultivated. Had it been, a really funny " book" might have been produced. The author, having hit upon this whimsical idea—a philtreperfume, the first taste of which makes he who tastes it happy, the second making him happy-go-lucky—fails to make the best of his ■ opportunity, however, and resorts to old tricks to fill out his share of the work. As a result, a piece which opens with a fair promise of laughter does not come up to expectations, but falls to pieces, so far as the "book" is concerned. So much having been said, the production as a whole is deserving of praise. This not only beer use of what the producer has achieved, but by reason of at least two hauntingly pretty musical numbers and some excellent individual performances by the J. C. Williamson New English Musical Comedy Company, which staged the play last night for the first time at His Majesty Theatre, before a large audience. As a matter of fact, except when the action is delayed so that the plot may be verbally carried on, "High Jinks" is entertaining and amusing enough to allow its merits to overshadow its blemishes. During the songs concerted numbers, dances, and choruses especially, all is animation and gaiety. There is" much of a charming description to listen to, and a good deal in the way of colour for the eye to feast upon. Also the comedians of the combination see to it that there is cause for mirth.

Miss Dorothy Brunton, as Sylvia Dale, has a role in which she has to combine leading lady with soubrette. In the hotchpotch nature of the piece, with its thin plot, she is a radiant little figure. Her personality and her talent as an actress, her versatility, and her vocal charm are sources of delight. Miss Brunton helps materially to hit "High Jinks" out of the commonplace. Her solo, " Is This Lo*& at Last?" is one of the gems of the score, and she sings it in a manner which warrants the belief that she will go far in her profession. By contrast Miss Branton's song 'By the Sea" is a remarkable example of her resourcefulness. Again in the duet, " Not Now But Later," she is heard in the semi-serious vein, whilst in the dainty melody " The Bubble" she sings with much expression. Mr. C H. Workman, as Dick Wayne, has a difficult task. Now his part is comedy and anon drama. His own ability, however, comes to his rescue, and he has, moreover, the chance of revealing a gift for singing. His voice, a tenor of nice quality, is useful in the duets Mid ensembles, and to Mr. Workman's lot falls the rendering of the song, " High Jinks," than which few more tuneful or vivacious numbers have awakened the echoes of His Majesty's. • This is the infectious tune the audience comes away whistling. Inevitably, in a piece of this nature, the duty of the characters soon after the opening is to indulge in the frivolity of a revue. That being so, it will suffice to note that Messrs. Field Fisher, W. H. Rawlins, Paul Plunkett, and Alfred Frith are good in comedy roles. Miss Florence Vie, ~ handicapped by having to portray a vulgar type of woman, nevertheless sings well. Miss Daisy Yates dances admirably in a scena with an equally clever partner. Miss Queenie Paul, whose voice shows off well in the upper register, has one or two songs, and is concerned with Messrs. Workman and Fred. Maguire in a travesty of the trio from " Fanst," in ragtime. The piece, by the way, contains much of the latter type of music. The grouping and work of the fresh-voiced chorus in action songs and ensembles is excellent, and in many other" directions the art of Mr. Harry B. Burcher, the producer, is shown. A good orchestra, 'under Mr. Harry Burton's baton, plays the score most meritoriously. " High Jinks " will be repeated to-night and on two following nights.

* OPERA HOUSE.The Fuller-Brennan Vaudeville Company introduced an innovation to its patrons at the Opera House last night, when the initial presentation of the pantomime, '* Old Mother Hubbard," drew a large audience. The pantomime version of the time-honoured nursery story differs from the original, but it has the added attraction of being acceptable to adults as well as juveniles. " Old Mother Hubbard" is a theme not particularly rich in story, but the subject serves well the purpose of popular pantomime. The comedians have a very free hand, and scenic artists, and costumiers can be lavish in their colour, glitter, and general kaleidoscopic movement. Act I. is set at the home of the Hubbards. Mother Hubbard, her husband Archibald, and their charming daughter Bluebell, and Ponto, the dog. constitute this household of varied fortunes. News comes to the .ears bf Gammadelta, a mighty ruler, of the beauty of Bluebell, and he sends his emissary Hafiz to inform her that he has decided to wed her. The latter, however, has other views on the subject, being in love with Robin. The wily sultan, however, formulates a scheme to win his object. He arranges with Hafiz that a raffle shall be held in the village, and that the damsel securing the winning number shall have the honour of becoming his wife. Hafiz plots that Bluebell shall have the winning ticket, but at the last moment the latter exchanges the ticket with her mother. Complications ensue, and in the second act Pansy and and Archie Hubbard are well settled in the royal palace, Pansy having seized the crown. Meanwhile Robin discovers that he is the true ruler, Gammadelta being an impostor. All thus ends happily, and Bluebell and Robin are presumed to live happily ever afterwards. Messrs Will Raynor and James Gerald, in their respective parts of Archie and Pansy Hubbard, are a well-suited couple, and keep the ball of merriment spinning throughout the performance. Miss Carmen Coleman, as Sally Horner, the domestic attached to the Hubbard household, gives a capital impersonation of a pantomime slavey. The principal boy," Miss Essie Jennings in the role of Robin, is .an ardent and devoted swain, while Miss Rosie Coleman is a charming and dainty Bluebell. Gammadelta, the high and mighty ruler, in the hands of Mr. Richard Dunbar, is a well-sustained part, and Miss Ruby Raymond carries out her duties as Hafiz effectively. Mr. Rupert Green is Ponto, i the intelligent dog, in search of bones. _ Outstanding among the specialty items were the Serpentine Dance, by Miss Rubv Raymond, and the dancing of a Highland Fling by three girls in Highland costume. In addition to the pantomime, May Erne and He repeated their last week's offering of song and dance, with which they again quickly found favour. The entertainment will be repeated to-night. KING GEORGE THEATRE. Large attendances were recorded at the King George Theatre yesterday, when the 13th instalment of the serial, " The Master Key," was screened for the first time. The scene of the current episode is laid in India, and in arranging the picture a section of the City of Bombay was reproduced. This phase of the serial deals with the disappearance of the idol from the temple. Sepoys are used in the search for the missing figure. When it is found and opened the chart of "The Master Key " mine is found. The rivalry i between Wilkerson, Kane, and Smithers f continues. The plan is attain stolen, and falls into Wilkerson's hands. The picture has a true Oriental atmosphere, and the scenes in Hindoostan are faithfully de-

pitted. "A Question of Clothes" is the title of an amusing comedy, while the picture, " Earthquake on the Island of Sicily," is a picturesque scenic. Several other films are included in the programme. GRAFTON THEATRE. The chief attraction shown at the Grafton Theatre last night was a pictorial adaptation of Stuart White's novel, 'The Conjuror's House." The title of the picture was " The Call of the North." With a scene laid in the great North-west of America, the story deals with incidents enacted on a trading station. A factor. Galen- Albret, marries a trapper's daughter, and a rival named Rand causes | the factor to be jealous of a trapper ! named Stewart, who is sent on the I journey of death. Stewart's son grows '■ up and trades in defiance of the company j governed by the factor Albret. He in- j curs Albret's anger, and is condemned to death. The intervention of the factor's daughter and the confession of Rand that the factor's jealousy of Stewart's father was unfounded, are features which form a happy conclusion to a well-drawn plot. A fine selection of supporting films is included in a good programme. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The new programme shown at Everybody's Theatre yesterday was well received by the audience. The chief attraction was the screening of the fifth episode of the serial, " The Million Dollar Mystery." The chapter, which is entitled "At the Bottom of the Sea," is full of exciting incidents, including a lively chase in a motor-boat. A pretty scenic gives an excellent impression of Teheran, the capital of Persia. The Pathe Gazette contains many topical views of special interest to New Zealanders. A story of considerable dramatic merit is contained in the film, "The Midnight Limited." KING'S THEATRE. A change of programme of great excellence at the King's Theatre last night was headed by the fifth episode of "The Million Dollar Mystery." The story is founded upon the disappearance of a great sum of money, and the man in whose care it was placed. The current episode refers to a cunning scheme by a countess. The frantic efforts of a spy to hide a box containing important documents provides an interesting phase. The box, still unopened, is committed to the bottom of the sea. " The Redemption of the Jasons" is a touching drama. A delightful scenic study is provided in the picture, " Travelling in Norway." Besides these pictures there is the Pathe Gazette, "The Midnight Limited." " Teheran, Capital of Persia," and "The Home-coming of Henry." , QUEEN'S THEATRE. Charlie Chaplin in a most amusing comedy, " Charlie By the Sea," was the most popular item on the programme presented at the Queen's Theatre. Charlie's adventures at a seaside resort are screamingly funny. A star drama entitled, "The Return of Richard Neal," is an outstanding feature of an excellent supporting series. GLOBE THEATRE. Included in the fine selection of films shown at the Globe Theatre for the first time yesterday was a drama entitled "In the Blood." With the screening of the picture a remarkable story of heredity is revealed. The. theme deals with the struggles and temptations of a man against weaknesses which had been handed down to him from his father. His triumph over faults of nature and disposition forms ■ a fitting conclusion to an interesting story. i Billy Ritchie, a well-known comedian, is featured in the film; "The Fatal Note." In this item an insulted bridegroom is shown thirsting for blood. There is more j water spilled, however, than blood. Today the programme will be augmented bv a comedv entitled The Face on the Barroom Floor," featuring Chas. Chaplin. This film will be shown for three days only. PRINCESS THEATRE.

Admiring audiences witnessed the presentation of the photo-play, "'The Man of the Hour," at the Princess Theatre during yesterday. The film is an adaptation of the story told in (4"orge Broadhurst's book of the same name. The picture is in five parts, and the story is beautifully - portrayed and excellently acted. The well-known actor, Robert Warwick, takes a leading part. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. " Straight and Narrow Path" is the chief film at the Grand Theatre. Choice films comprise the programme now showing at the Scenic Railway Tours.