ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16205, 15 April 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

A bright entertainment was given by tho Royal Strollers at His Majesty's Theatre last night. It will be repeated again this evening, when tho Strollers' season in Auckland will close. The leading item on tho programme is "Tho Ragtime Choral Society." the best of all the Strollers' burlesques. Tho other items show talent and careful training on tho pare of the artists.

WAR PLAY "UNDER FTRE." At His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night next J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will present for the first time in New Zealand the remarkable war play by Roi Cooper Mcgruo "Under Fire," with Julius Knight and Miss Lizette Parkes in the principal parts. " Under Fire " is described as a powerful three-act drama, dealing with the first phase of the war. As a living film of dramatic happenings it is said to accomplish its purpose admirably, providing a succession of thrills, aided by novel stage effects and contrivances, backed up by an excellent cast. Tho German spy is inevitable in any war plot, and this time he is Henry Streetman (Boyd Irwin), a despicable creature, who has married the governess, Ethel Willoughby (Lizefte Parkes), in Sir George Wagstaffo's ! (Herbert Leigh) family, conveniently foigetting that he has already a wife and children in the Fatherland. This would not have happened had Captain Larry Redmond of the Irish Horse (Julius Knight), had the courage to propose to the young lady. The trio are' next met with in a small inn at Brussels, at the time of the occupation of the Germans. Streetman, who holds high rank in their army, orders tho innkeeper to bo shot 'for something ho is supposed to have done, and he, in turn, is killed by the innkeeper's daughter. Tho British trenches at night, with an extraordinary starspangled sky, are the scene of the story's denouement. Captain Redmond, who, as a British secret service agent, has been at work as an officer in tho German ranks, reaches the trenches, and, although wounded by a shell explosion, is able, through the telephone to headquarters, to expose the enemy's plans for the advance on Paris. The last scene gives the interior of a shelled church in France. The season is for seven nights, with a special matinee on Easter Monday. The box plans for the season will open at Wildman and Arey's next Tuesday morning.

OPERA HOUSE. A bright programme was submitted to patrons at the Opera House last evening. Belle and Betty, who have come direct from the Palace Theatre, London, gave an exhibition of national dances. Fred Maguire contributed songs, which were delivered with good tone. Bates and Wades, comedy acrobats, gave an exhibition of physical skill. A display of his skill as a ventriloquist made Carlton Max popular, while Sydney Bach's sketch, entitled "Mrs. James," was cleverly executed. Several other items were given.

KING GEORGE THEATRE. The Southern Cross Photo Plays, an Auckland firm, has produced its first picture, which is called "The Test." It is from a story written by Mr. Wm. Satchell, an Aucklander. The management of the King George Theatre has secured the film, and will show it for the first time on Monday. Jim Brent, a young farmer, falls in love with Grace Lester, the daughter &{ a neighbouring settler. Miles Weston, a young man who has been turned out of his home on account of bad behaviou - , one day happens to rescuo Grace from tho attack of a tramp. He thus obtains an introduction to the girl and her family. A picnic is arranged in his honour, and Jim Brent is invited. At the picnic Jim and Grace wander off. Grace's mother is anxious when they do not return after some time, but tho father is confident that Jim is too good'a bushman to get lost, and assures his wife that he has found another way out of the bush. The party accordingly set off for home. Weston, however, who is now also in love with Grace, waits behind, and, filling his pockets with the remains of the food, sets out to search tho bush. He finds the couple, but in his efforts to retrace his steps leads them deeper into the jungle. The party finally recognise that they are hopelessly lost, and settle down to await the arrival of a rescue party. There is no food for them except that brought by Miles Weston. Tho last morsel is eaten, but not before Grace has discovered Miles's self-sacrifice in refraining -from having any food himself. Accordingly her love for Jim is overshadowed by that for the other man. At this time Jim finds a packet of food which had been lost. With inherent selfishness he says nothing about this to the others, but satisfying his own hunger hides what food remains, secretly visiting the place when ho is hungry. On the last of these visits hp Is discovered by Weston, whose suspicions had been aroused. Miles finally succumbs, and with his dying breath denounces Jim before the girl. She, with tho dead man in her arms, adds her reproaches. When a rescue party finally arrives it finds that Jim is the only survivor of the party.

LYRIC THEATRE. A quaint drama, illustrating the life of the middle ages, is being screened at the Lyric Theatre for the last time this evening. It is entitled. "The Goose Girl," and it tells the storv of a princess whey, when a child, is stolen by a gipsy. Her place is taken by a girl of inferior birth. The end of the "story is very romantic.

PRINCESS THEATRE. A new programme will he screened at the Princess Theatre to-day. "' The High Road" is the principal item. It is a drama of five acts, featuring the Metro " players.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Wine. Women, and Song" is the leading picture on the present programme at the Queen's Theatre. It is the story of a young man who tame into a fortune. He determined to have as good a time as possible, with the result that he soon lost all his money. The end of the story is dramatically told.

SPECIAL MATINEE. A matinee will be held at His Majesty's Theatre this afternoon in aid of the funds for th" equipment of a children's hospital, as a memorial to the soldiers of the Dominion who 1 ive fallen in the war. The •Royal Strollers" will supply half the programme. This talented band of artists lias firmly established itself in public favour. Several artists from the Fuller vaudeville circuit will contribute items of a varied nature. Miss L. McKenzie and Miss Eileen Ualgleish, pupils of Miss Daphne Knight, will also participate. This combination should result in a pleasing entertainment, and the promoters anticipate a large attendance. PALACE THEATRE. " Helen's Babies," a comedy, is being shown at the Palace Theatre. It tells the story of two small boys who are left in charge of a bachelor uncle. The boys soon get out of control, and the pranks they play on their uncle are very amusing, especially as they are typical of small boys.

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. \ 1 An entire change of programme will be i screened at the Grafton Theatre to-day. "Little Mademoiselle" is the principal picture. The leading part is played by Vivian Martin. ! " The Dead Man's Keys," a powerful drama, is being shown at the Globe Theatre. 1 "Helen's Babies" a light comedy. I heads the programme at the Grand Theatre. I Everybody's and the King's Theatres are showing an Eastern drama entitled " The Arab/ the film of which is 6000 ft long.