ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16213, 26 April 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE WAR PLAY, "UNDER FIRE.* Tin; realties of the present war art forcibly brought home to one, with thel interest and picturesqueness of a very successful play, by the melodrama " Under Fire," which is being presented this week at His Majesty's Theatre by the William-* son Dramatic Company. The hero of tho story, whose part is taken by Juliua Knight, Is a British secret service agent holding a commission in the German Army. Ho is represented as being tho person who first advised the retreat, upon Paris. All phases of the war are cleverly portrayed. The brutality of the Germans, the work of tho British, thyir relaxation, and their fortitude, are forcibly described. One of the scenes depicts a British trench, under fire, with observation officers *nd others carrying out their perilous duties in the wcinity. Suddenly a shell explodes in front of the trench, wounding the hero of the pay. Another scene shows the interior of a field hospital, formerly a French church. 'Many other phase* of the war are strikingly represented. The soldiers taking part in the play are New Zealanders who have returned from lha front. OPERA HOUSE. The weekly change of programme at the) Opera House last evening was up to tho usual high standard. McConnell and Austin gave an exhibition of acrobatic cycling, Miss Amy Murphy, accompanied by a violin, rendered a solo, which was appreciated. An amusing display of his powers as a ventriloquist, was given by Lawrence Johnson. Bailey's posing dogs! again proved popular. There were many other popular items. KING'S THEATRE. How the firm belief of a giri in hep sweetheart is instrumental in changing him from a coward to a hero is pleasingly yet excitingly told in "The Lamb," the drama which heads the programme at the King's Picture Theatre. Douglas Fairbank and Seena Owen take the leading parts, and their acting is excellent. THE LYRIC. A humorous blending of tho ancient and] the modern is delightfully portrayed in "Niobe," a comedy featuring Hazel Dawn, which is being screened at tho Lyric Theatre this week. Mr. Peter Dunn, a highly-respected citizen, has a statue oP . Niobe, the Goddess of Tears, placed in his home. Ono day ho falls asleep and drearr.3 that the atue comes to life. Mr. Dunn finds himstlf in a delicate and amusing position in having to explain to his wife and other members of his household the presence of the woman in the house. The closing scene of the dream is very dramatic. Tho principal supporting it era is a drama entit'ed " Tho Good in tho Worst of Us." KING GEORGE THEATRE. The evils of gossip and scandal that ar«( ever with us have suggested tho production of the film " Scandal," or " Life in Suburbia," a powerful and novel drama, which is being screened at the King George Theatre this week. The picture throughout is full of exciting action. Iti describes two tragedies, ono featuring a divorce and the other a murder. It _is claimed that the drama will have a wide influence in checking the pernicious evil of gossip. The supporting items include two parts of the continuation of "Tha Black Box," a drama; "Bill's Plumbers and Plumber's Bill," a comedy. s ' ~~ GRAND THEATRE. An exciting story of the war is contained in " Convict Lyndon's Escape," -which forms the chief attraction at the Grand Theatre this week. The title role is taken by Charles Rock. Then are many dramatic incidents in the story. The taautiea of Lake Lucerne and tho splendour of its surroundings are portrayed in a charming! scenic study. The Topical Budget- contains a number of interesting pictures from tin various theatres of war. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. An excellent series of pictures is being) screened at Everybody's Theatre this week. Chief among them is "The Lamb," a story which is of absorbing interest and replete with sensational incidents- ■ A! coward's regeneration forms the theme ofi the story. It is told in tho form of a fable and its manner of production give 3 tho picture an added charm. The many famous colleges of Oxford are illustrated in a fine series of views, in which objects of historic interest are shown. An up-to-date edition of the Pathe Gazette is in* eluded in the programme. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The ever-popular comedian, Charlie Chaplin, appears again at tho Queen's Theatre this week, ill "Charlie in tha Bank," which, judging by the merriment it causes, is quite up to the usual standard of Chaplin pictures. Charlie obtains a position as janitor in a large city bank. He falls asleep during working hours, and dreams of many strange adventures mi which he figures as the principal participant The dramatic portion of the programme is supplied by "Souls Aflame." GLOBE THEATRE. A pathetic drama relating how a littla slum girl died for tho sake of her beMH factor is contained in " Lil 0' London,'* which is being shown at the Globe Theatre this week. The supporting subjects include a novel wild animal comedy, "Joe Martin Turns 'Em Loose." Astonishing and amusing results follow the liberation, of the wild animals of a menagerie by Joe, an ourang out&ng. A dramatic study, " The Phantom Thief," a comedy entitled "The New Waiter," and a copy of the latest Pathe Gazette, complete the pro-. gramme. PRINCESS THEATRE. The current programme at the Princess" Theatre is comprised of an interesting series of pictures embracing a wide variety of subjects. The chief dramatic study is " The Heart of a Painted Woman," in which Madame Olgi Petrova appears in the title role. It is the story of a woman who, left to her own devices by a false lover, sinks lower and lower in the human scale. She has still a remembrance of a better life, however, and sho resolves to effect a reformation. Her regeneration, despite all temptations, is told in a graphic manner. There aro other excellent supporting subjects. GRAFTON THEATRE. An adaptation of Paul Armstrong's play, " The Renegade," occupies pride of place on the current programme at, the Grafton Theatre. Miss Alice Brady take:-, the leading part in the picture which is entitled "The Lure of Woman." Katie O'Day, the heroine, is wooed by Sleeping Wolf, an educated Indian, and Captain Lane, whom she favours. Incensed by his failure to win her the Indian and his tribe attack the ranch owned by the girl's parents. Captain Lane and his troops, however, frustrate their plans.