ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16309, 16 August 1916, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

SHAKESPEREAN SEASON.

"TWELFTH NIGHT."

Much is'being done to popularise Shakegpere by Mr. Allan Wilkie and his company at His Majesty's Theatre, with the result that theatregoers, as well as students of the great bard's works, .ire bestowing upon them a sustained and generous patronage. Last night, when the third play in the repertoire, " Twelfth Night." was presented for the first time, there was again a numerous attendance, and the performance found much favour. It is apparent that Mr. Wilkie has not only studied his Shakespere, but has also learned how the majority of the people like to have Shakespere played. Thus, if it be tragedy he presents, he creates as tragic an atmosphere as may be feasible. If it be drama which he submits, he sets up as dramatic an atmosphere as he can. And when, by way of a change from the heavier type of play. he stages comedy, then it is laughter that his production seeks to provoke. In each j class of stage-interpretation Mr. Wilkie , is thorough. He gives full measure, and leaves it to his audience to decide for themselves whether or not they prefer art and art only, or effect for effect's sake. "Twelfth Night," old-fashioned though its comedy may be, is mirthprovoking farce in the hands of a company like this, whose members throw themselves whole-heartedly into a representation which lacks nothing in boisterousness. Every jest is made to tell, and every comedy scene is an interlude of unrestrained merriment for the spectators. Apart from this phase, the poetic and romantic episodes are well contrasted, and enacted with sincerity, none of the expressive lines, clothing some of the bard's most exquisite thoughts, being delivered without due regaid for their dignity and their beauty of sentiment. Mr. Wilkie once more gives evidence of his versatility in the role of Malvolio. His conception of this noted mountain of conceit, this '• affected ass." who so easily falls to the mischievous joke, which is played upon him. is in every sense excellent. The absurd airs and graces and exaggerated stmt of the vain steward are artistically burlesqued, and there is subtlety and histrionic ability in the actor's depiction of Malvolio's demeanour under degradation, and the quick resumption of all his former assurance and mannerism on being graciously r«tored to his lady's favour - . Miss Frediswyde Hunter-Watts has done nothing more pleasing during the season so far than in the role of Viola. Her work in this part is characterised by many fine points. She has temperament and personality, and both are revealed in this delightful study. Everyone in front last night was impressed by, and, more than that, appreciative of, her quite charming impersonation. As Sir Toby Belch Mr. John Cave excels himself, his grotesque comedv causing roars of laughter. He is especially droll in the tipsy scenes and the great garden scene. Miss Elwyn Harvey, as Maria, is likewise most, admirably cast, her merry practical joking being carried out with infectious zest. Mr. Walter Hunt's Orsino is convincing and earnest, and his elocution excellent. and the same remarks apply to Mr. David Belbridge, as Sebastian. Mr. Henry Dore, as the effeminate fop, Sir Andrew, assists capably in the merry-making. Mr. Fred Kehoe, as the jester, plays consistently well, and his songs are very agreeably rendered. Miss Valentine Sydney's Olivia is, perhaps, a trifle too cold, even for Shakespere's "marble-breasted" maid. "Twelfth Night" will be repeated tonight and to-morrow night, and will be followed on Friday and Saturday nights by "Romeo and Juliet."

OPERA HOUSE. | Victor Prince's Musical Revue Company is in its third week at the Opera House, and its latest revue, " Oh, What Fan," j was much appreciated by the large audi- j ence which attended the theatre last night., In addition to the revue, several [ variety artists are responsible for much wholesome amusement, especially the I turn provided by " The Merriuns," which j is an entertainment in itself. < THE DANDIES. The box plan for the Dandies' season in the Town Hall concert chamber, commencing on Saturday evening next, opens at Wildman and Arey's this morning. LYRIC THEATRE. The high standard of entertainment • provided by the management of the Lyric Theatre is •well-sustained in the programme which is being screened this week. "The Green Swamp," featuring! Miss Bessie Barriscale, who has gained j considerable prominence in photo-play during recent months, is the feature film, j and it is a drama which at once commands the attention of the audience. The story ! has mainly to do with the jealousy of a, | woman, who, owing to her unreasonable i attitude towards her husband, came near | to wrecking a home. Great discrimina- i tion and care were paid to the settings, which are most appropriate, while the | photography is an asset in keeping with I the excellent acting of the cast engaged, j Scenic, humorous, and educational subjects are also screened. PRINCESS THEATRE. The success achieved by Miss Clara Kimball Young in Hearts in Exile and "Trilby" is eclipsed by her portrayal of Camille in the picture of that name. It is an adaptation of Alexandre IJumas's famous novel, and the success of the film version is evidenced in the large number of patrons that have attended at the Princess Theatre since its initial screening on Saturday. The story is too well known to need" recapitulation, but special mention may be made of the setting and photograp'hv of the production, which is from the studios of the World nlm "John Pellet's vi™ "' s a come which is well worth while, and, in addition, a number of ex-; cellent supporting subjects are included in the programme. KING GEORGE THEATRE. The number of artists who have gained world-wide popularity in the moving picture world has received a worthy addition in the advent of Madame Sarah Bernhardt, who recently made her debut in the .Cinema studios. The first release features this well-known artist, is now being screened at the King George Theatre, and is entitled " Jeanne Dore." It is the film ,?'; of Tristan Bernard's popular play, and Madame Bernhardt's portrayal of the anguish-stricken wife and mother, whose nusband is a gambler, and her son a degenerate, is a remarkablv fine piece of j or . k / Briefly, the storv" opens with the aeatn, by suicide, of Robert Dore, a ruined gambler. The wife and infant son awl ll destitute to fight life's battles, ua the son early embarks upon a career « crime How he goes from bad to ° rf *> culminating in the murder of his xZ\\l° T which crime he is banged, proforV,, material for a Picture, which, "£ Hie all-round excellence of the acting aione, would be difficult to surpass. Supporting subjects are also screened. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. StS { L popular v '"tagraph artists, Anita *£*¥* . and Earle Williams, are por- & ™ a film entitled SiM °? a Pv» .l' jat P rese nt being screened at SWsTheatrfr **> picture, which • gently was awarded the first prize in a -'' Yort- w contest promoted by the New '-'"»*. *?" nf? Sun > is an original, wellentwt.- dTama and provides excellent o" wJ ment - Ifc deals *"«> *« question ; girl wh„ ?' and portraTS the life of a srfrit M " afflict with the gambling »Hnfc inherited from her mother. In few fife:-.

portrayal of the girl. Miss Stewart is responsible for much fine acting, especially - in the last scene, where she is fatally _ shot in a gambling saloon. Considerable ' amusement is provided by a Triangle x ■ Keystone comedv, "A Bath-house ' Blunder." A scenic film and the Topical I Gazette conclude the entertainment. ' j f ~ I QUEEN'S THEATRE. ! I Another large audience was present at i L the Queen's Theatre last night to witness j i the screening of the Russian drama. "The Kiss of Hate,"' the latest Metro, release. , The story has to do with the power which can be wielded by an unscrupulous prelect of police. Noteworthy features of the . picture, which never fails to retain the | . interest, are the inclusion of some scenes ! I from Siberia and some realistic effects, not j i the least of which is' the massacre of a | number of Jews. Miss Ethel Barrymore j | and Mr. Hooker Cliffc are in the principal I ! roles, to which they do full justice. Sup- I [porting films well up to the average . standard are also screened. ' I KING'S THEATRE. " The Sins of the Mothers," attracted _ another large audience to the King's I Theatre last night. It is a ViUtgraph pro- | duction, featuring Anita Stewart and ' Earle Williams, and is well up to the ' standard previous productions of that company. The acting of the two principals is excellent, as also aje the photography and the setting. " A Bath House. Blunder," a Triangle Keystone picture, is a highly diverting comedy, while the Ganmont Graphic, containing the latest news of the world, and a scenic conclude an excellent entertainment. GLOBE THEATRE. "Sons of Satan," the story of which was written by William Le Quex. continues to attract large audiences to the Globe Theatre. Sensationalism is what was aimed at -by the producers, and it must be admitted that they have succeeded in their endeavour. The story deals with the life of, one who engages in crime, and his many desperate undertakings are vividly portrayed. An unusually good comedy entitled " The Great Pearl Tangle " is also screened, together with other films. GRAND THEATRE. The Triangle Keystone, galaxy of artists are. seen at their best in'the company's latest release, "My Valet," which *is being screened at the Grand Theatre. j Briefly, the picture shows how, after a _ i young man has rescued a lady from I danger, it is discovered that in their j younger days they were engaged. A note i is sent to the gentleman, reminding him ! of this, but he receives the information ; with alarm, not knowing who the lady is. i Complications arise, and the many i humorous situations which occur form the j rucleus of a picture which provided much. j amusement to the crowds which attended the theatre yesterday. An excellent dramatic study. "By the Governor's Orders," and a scenic entitled " Ashville, South Caroline," concludes the entertainment. GRAFTON THEATRE. "The Kiss of Hate," a Metro, producI tion, featuring Miss Ethel rT&rrymore and | Mr. H. Cooper Cliffe, is the principal picture in the current programme at the Graf--1 ton Theatre. The story is laid in Russia. I and deals with the persecution of Jews )by a ruthless and villainous prefect of ' police. Among the many realistic acenes I by which the picture is distinguished, is ■ one of a massacre of Hebrews, at the instance of the prefect. In addition to the I dr£jrj*tic element, enjoyment is provided by the inclusion of some remarkable views lof Siberia. Suffice it to say that the exi eellence of the 'essentials of the picture | are not whit inferior to the acting, which ,is excellent. Among the supporting subjects, of special merit is a comedy entitled i "At the Count of Ten," featuring Mr. i and Mrs. Sidney Drew.