ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16437, 13 January 1917, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

tfWHAT HAPPENED TO JONES."Loyebs of wholesome farce comedy are to* t» well catered for during tho George Wiltoughby season of seven nights, which start* at His Majesty's Theatre to-night, ■when: that popular comedian will present "What Happened ,to Jones." Many people have already seen this farce, with < Mr. Willoughby as the irrepressible bagman, whs travels for a hymn-book house, and sella playing cards as a side line, but none yet in the Dominion have witnessed it a3 a musical production. Special permission was granted Mr. Willoughby by the 'author, Geo. H. Broadhurst, to make the transposition, and the result has been •most successful; special songs and dances having teen written- and arranged to fit in with the dialogue. Mr. Willoughby has gathered together a combination of players who can do full justice to words, songs, and dances, from the leading theatres of England, Australia, and America. In all there are ten vocal numbers, consisting of the following:—"! Am Not Complaining," sung by Mr. Albert. 33 Ebenezer; "Off to tho Fight," sung by Frank Brooks, as Richard Hethcrlcy, and Mr. Arthur Albert; " Why Not Get-a Girl," George Willoughby, as Jones, Arthur Albert, and Frank Brooks; "Good Resolutions." Mr. Willoughby; "When Priscilla Tries to Reach High," Miss June Addell' and Mr. Willoughby; "Everyday- 1 Love Just a Little Bit More, Miss Edna Beaton; " You Made Life Worth While," Frank Brooks; "The Haunting Melody," Miss Addell, as Cissy; burlesque, "Trovatore," Mr. Willoughby and Miss Florence Faning, as Alvina; " Order Wedding Bells for Two," George Willoughby, Frank Brooks and Edna Beaton, as Marjorie Goodly. The box plan for the season is at Wildman and Arey's, but after noon to-day it will be: at Coleman's His Majesty's Arcade. " What Happened to Jones' will be played for four nights only, and will be ' followed for three nights by " Why Smith Left Home," which is now also a musical farce, with Mr. Willoughby as John Smith',

• GRAND OPERA COMPANY. The reception given to the Gonsalea Opera Company at the close of its season in His Majesty's Theatre last evening was most enthusiastic. The theatre was crowded, and the company's interpretation of Bizet's "Carmen" elicited the most, cordial demonstrations of appreciation. The farewell performance will be given by the company in the Town Hall this evening, when all the principal artists, the 'chorus and the orchestra will co-operate in a concert programme, comprising the characteristic features of their repertoire. Such a company of artists has never before assembled on a concert platform in Auckland, and it will,probably be long before another opportunity is afforded of hearing such a combination as Signorinas , Gousaiai Ross, Visoni, arid Signers Cap- :' pelli, Balboni, Seamuzzi, Fillippini, and Lois, with the orchestra of 24 members. They' came not with credentials from v , foreign lands to. recommend them, but have ' earned, their.'laurels, by the magnificent work ihey have done in the city within the kit three- weeks. The box plan will be .lifWildman and Arey's to-day till 12.3) p.in., and afterwards at Coleman's, tobacconist :-' t[: ■;■ 'V KING'S THEATRE. '$ ' ' At the matinee at the King's .Theatre this afternoon the Brandon-Cremer Dra- " matic Company will produce for the first time ' Mr.' Albert Newcombe'a four, act the Service of Love." The '%'■ .author 'spent 25 years in China, 'and has founded an entertaining story on a certain phased' celestial character. This deals . with the love of a Chinese nurse for a European boy who has been placed in her chargei How she educates him, and pro-, teetu him from the machinations of a company of? villains, forms the-basis of the plot. The leading parte have been assigned Messrs. Maurice ¥ Toohy, Frank ' Neil, - Edga Kenna, Frank Reis, and the Misuses Kathleen Arnold, Mabel Hardinge, \ Alice* Eeade, and Biddie Hawthorne. • ~h> New -; scenery and' dresses have been • prepared for the presentation of the piece, ■ '•'■ winch • should make a strong appeal "to lovers of melodrama. . ,<■..,.. I ;!ij \ OPERA HOUSE. W? There" will be the usual matinee at the i Opera House this afternoon. The vaude- . villa programme offered this week is par* '.'•*/ ticnlarly, good, and many first-class turns are* presented. On Monday evening several v artists ; heir to Auckland, audiences will ~ make the? first appearance. ■g.':> i i ■" -■■■< ";"J ||fp|sf THEATRE. ; Tha feature film in the sew programme '' - ati the Lyrio Theatre to-night is a Triangle ■ production, "The Return of Draw Egan."' W. S. Harts Miss Louise Glaum, and Mliß Marjorio Wilson art:' cast in the - leading roles, and "the picture generally is ;in keeping with the standard of ex- }\ cellence which macks the Triangle plays. story- tells how "Draw" Egan, a M$ notorious bandit of New' Mexico, has W come to the end of hisi tether, and a reXf. ward is but far Mm dead or alive. While he is -conoidering .running away, he chances ; " across Mat Buektos, a leading citizen of "Yellow Dog." This town is infested : ;■; with bad men, and Bnckton is impressed '' p with the. deftness ci."Draw" Egan'a revolver work, and offers him the job of **■ cleaning out "Yellow Dog." "Draw" .'• Egsn makes a clean job .tidying the noisy town, and-asserts his manhood and makes good. In the same programme is a E-ystone comedy, "The Surf Girl," whim introduces all the novel situations, ■•' charming girls, and humorous incidents ...that art a feature of this company's b releases.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The principal attraction on the new programme to be screened at the Princess Theatre to-day is a Metro drama, "The . Light of Happiness/' with Viola Dana in the leading character. In this picture Edward Earle will bo seen in the prominent, part of Lowell Tan Oraen, a wealthy young man. who is blind. Mr. Earle has learned the Braille system of reading raised characters, in order to give reality to the scenes in which he is sight* less. The estate of Grey Towers, belonging lo Van Orden, is contrasted in "The Light of Happiness" with the humble home of little Juno MuUins—Tangletop. Most, of Tanglotop's happiness has to come from the mystical land of make- ' believe. Her neighbour, Mollie Dean, is •• not allowed -to associate with her. Mollie cite" gets a glimpse of fairyland by going to C iy Tbwes to deliver eggs. There she t-.es Lowell, and a great bond is built up between the two. The drama leads to a fitting climax. The supporting programme will include a new Metro travelogue, and another Drew comedy, "System is Everything." WEST END THEATRE, . i The dramatic photo-play, '" The Eye of the Night, will be screened at the West - End Theatre this evening. The plot deals with the sacrifice made by an old light- 1 house-keeper, and the various incidents in the man's life make an interesting • story. A sensational feature of the production is a bombing attack from aeroplanes. Several new pictures will be in support of the main attrac- * -"lion. ———————— i TIVOU THEATRE. :■' , The principal attraction at the Tivoli T-..-.-, Theatre to-day is a sensational photo-play, ?/• " Mr. Grex,' of Monte Carlo." The scenes f.i, ; are laid in the great resort, and several v>-./international diplomats arrange a meeting to be held there. Into this storm centre comes ; Richard Lane, a; forceful young , • American millionaire, blissfully unaware of ; international complications, secret service activities, and hidden diplomacy. He meet* Ki3,old 2 friend Lord Huntersley. :; "Mr. Qttx," seeing I them together, decides that ' Lane is Lord Huniersley's spy, and : has; bin watched." In the meantime Lane sees {JpSU ;' fall*" violently in love jiilli^lg ■/ ~" ■_•

Ores," the Grand Duchess Fedora, who has been taken to Monte Carlo by her father as a blind. Lane is unable to obtain an introduction to the beautiful girl, but finally hears that she is to dine that night at La Turbie, a mountain resort. The story develops rapidly into a dramatic climax. The supporting programme has been selected for its general all-round excellence. STRAND THEATRE. Billy Burke in " Peggy " is tho leading picture in the new programme at the Strand Theatre to-day. When Peggy, an orphan heiress of America, came dashing through the littlo mountain hamlet of Woodkirk, Scotland, in her automobile one Sunday morning, sho created a solvation among the church-goers. Her uncle, Andrew Cameron, seriously disapproved of Peggy and her automobile. Andrew and the Rev. Donald Bruce, a young minister, came upon Peggy tho next" day, while she was under her machine making repairs. Ordered out by her uncle, the girl was seen to be wearing overalls. Andrew was shocked, and sent the girl to the house. Sho winked at the minister, which almost took his breath away. On another occasion Peggy, in male attire, entered the village inn and whisked glasses of liquor while tho village drunkard was looking elsewhere. He was convinced that an evil spirit was "spiriting away spirits, and left the place in haste. Billic Burke's clothes in " Peggy" promise to be a revelation, and a small mountain oi trunks was needed to convey the many artistio models of the modistes of Now York and Paris to the studios near Los Angeles, where the play was filmed. The supporting programme will contain several films of interest. - KING GEORGE THEATRE. The current programme at the King George Theatre will be screened for the last time to-day. Next Monday the leading attraction will be "The bins of the Parents," a dramatic picture play in five reels. It is represented in the plot that Laura, a beautiful young woman who has been deserted by the man she loved, is picked up in ; a street of New York by the Reverend Bradley, who takes her to bis home, where he subsequently proposes and ifl. accepted by Laura, who, however, conceals her-past. Nineteen years later Aline, their daughter, is about to become engaged to Walter Jordan, a wealthy young society man. But a tragic occurrence affecting Laura's past causes her the utmost mental'. agony, and in a most emotionally dramatic scene the unhappy Laura becomes temporarily demented. The scenes which follow lead to a fino climax. A new supporting programme will also be screened. ' QUEEN'S . THEATRE. The leading attraction at the Queen's Theatre to-day will. be a Mutual production, "The Wasted Years," with the popular player, Crane Wilbur, in the leading role. The story is intensely dramatic, and the many stirring incidents are pictured with a faithfulness of detail which marks the releases of the Mutual Company. In tho same programmo is the nth episode of the serial drama "The Mysteries of Myra," and the gang is shown in a new endeavour to secure the fortune of the charming young heroine. A Topical Budget, and another page or two from John Bull's Sketch Book, will also be screened. The whole programme is a meritorious selection of good pictures. GLOBE THEATRE. "The Rail Rider" will be screened for the first time at the Globe Theatre to-day. Briefly, the story is &a follows Jim Lewis, engineer on the railway, is delegated by his fellows to protest against the tyranny of Barker, the railroad president. Arriving in New York he calls at Barker's home> where he becomes enraptured with Mildred, the daughter, and, invited to spend the- evening, forgets his mission. Nuxt morning he calls at the company's office just as it is discovered that the general manager has absconded with valuable securities. He turns detective and, after some exciting adventures, captures his man and returns with the money. The surmorting programme will be up to the standard of pictures screened at' this .

. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "La Boheme" i» the principal attraction at Everybody's Theatre to-day. The film version follows closely the lines of the opera, and tells how Rudolph Durandin goes to the Latin Quarter in Paris, having quarrelled with bis rich uncle over his madness. for a literary career. There he meets Mimi, a flower-maker, and in no time they are deeply in love. The uncle learns of Rudolph's infatuation, and writes to Mimi, explaining that she will ruin the Srang man's life, and Mimi deserts him. udolph thinks that Mimi has followed the ways of the Latin Quarter and gone to live with another lover. A great ball takes place, and during its progress, Mimi, almost dead from exposure, finds herself in the courtyard. She is discovered by one of the students. Mimi eventually dies with the realisation that. Rudolph has always loved her. The supporting programme will contain several new pictures. : GRAND THEATRE. At th j Grand Theatre to-day the Wild i West drama, " The Return of Draw Egan," will be presented for the first time. It is a istory of life on the frontier, with W. & Hunt in the leading part. He is supported by a clever company of actors, and, in conjunction with picturesque scenery and fidelity of character, the picture should make a strong'appeal to patrons, j In tiie same programme is a Keystone comedy, "The Surf Girl," which is reputed to be something fresh and novel in the moving picture line. The supporting programme will cover a wide range of subjects. EMPRESS THEATRE. A five-reel Ivan "feature" photo-play, "Should a Woman Divorce V is to bo introduced for the first time in Auckland at the Empress Theatre by Messrs. W. G. and, P. H. Williams, next Monday. This production is described as a modern society drama. The central figure is Grace Roberts, a beautiful young girl attending college ( at Chicago, where she I meets Dr. Franklin, and soon falls in love ! with him. Franklin is infatuated with \ Grace, but owing to his sight being affected he hesitates to propose. Edward Smith, a wealthy cattle dealer, becomes attracted by Grace, and she consents to marry hlra, much to the disappointment of Franklin. A pathetio incident ensues which provides a stirring climax to the story. • A supporting programme of merit will be screened in conjunction with the leading attraction. PALACE THEATRE. The principal picture to be shown at the Palace Theatre to-day will show Charlie Chaplin in "The Count." Tho supporting programme includes a beautiful Vitagraph drama, entitled, " Tho Making Over of Geoffrey Manning,", in which Harry Morey takes the leading part. I