ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16550, 28 May 1917, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

, «, ; /HIS .. MAJESTY'S THEATRE. i The farce comedy " Seven Keys to Bald- j pate," was again ? successfully staged at ; His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday eve- i ning. Tho play is one of the best pre- ? '' scnted in' Auckland for some time, and : the audiences which have been present at each performance have been enthusiastic in the reception they have given it. The success of the play lies not only in its ex- ' citing mystery, but also in the splendid 1 manner in which the climax is concealed until the closing stages. It is very doubt--1 ful whether one member of the audience has even the slightest conception of the ' ending until the curtain has risen for the ' last act. • Seven Keys to Baldpate " will ' be staged for the last time to-morrow ' evening. " Another comedy, "A Pair of Sixes," " will be produced on Wednesday and the 5 two following evenings. This piece atI tracted very largo audiences in Sydney > and Melbourne, and in both cities the t, critics declared it to be a better, fuunier, and a much better constructed play than the majority of American comedies which ] 3 have been seen in the Commonwealth. j ? It is of the same typo as " Potash and Perlmutter," without the "Yiddish" element. The first act of " A Pair of Sixes," , it is said, simply bristles with keen shafts of wit which appeal to the lovers of subtle '' comedy. There is another commendable ' feature about "A Pair of Sixes:" it is ' similar to others of the same character J from America, in being absolutely free , from vulgarity. Three performances only can bo given of A Pair of Sixes," and 8 I the season will close on Saturday and , Monday with two representations of " The Travelling Salesman." II "THE CROSS ROADS OF LIFE." n In spite of tho unpropitious weather tho '" King's Theatre was filled in all parts on I Saturday evening, when the Brandon - <l ■ Cremer Dramatic Company produced " The ,r I Cross Roads of Life.' The present com- ' pany has continued the,success achieved \ by it predecessor, and deservedly so. In 1 its latest production the company scored '" an instantaneous success, the audience demonstrating its approval in no uncertain c i manner. Tho drama is replete with novel J' ! and exciting situations, and gives excel- .• j lent scope for acting ability. The artists l ' engaged make the most of that opportu- '? nity. Bright and sparkling throughout, the drama is remarkable for a number of attractive scenes, especially a vision effect at the conclusion of the third act. As Helen Peighton, who, by a series of misfortunes, has become separated from her husband, Miss Clarice Warner gave an artistic performance, displaying considerable ability. She played the part quietly, and at the outset secured the sympathy ™ of the audience. Miss Beatrice Esmond r i was a convincing adventuress, while Mis 3 >h Stella Gray, as Elsie Peighton, gave a

pleasing performance. In the part of a. maid. Miss Mabel Gower was afforded a few opportunities to display her ability, of which she made the most. Miss Eileen Dalgleish, a New York paper girl, displayed talent, as did also little Violet Milne, who portrayed a mountain child. Mr. Ronald Riley, as Walter -Peighton, made the part by his excellent acting, while Mr. Kenneth Carlisle was a capable villain. Wholesome comedy was provided by Mr. Fred Coane in the part of Monte Krass, a "greenhorn." This artist is a clever comedian, and his appearance is always welcomed by the audience. Mr. Frank Reis, who stage-managed the piece in a capable manner, gave an excellent study as a good-hearted Jew. Mr. Charles Archer, the "bad man's" assailant; Mr. Ernest Yandell, an army officer; and Mr. Harold Hill, a New York policeman, were capable exponents of their respective parts. Other characters were ably sustained by members of the cast. Attractive numbers wero rendered* by an excellent orchestra. "The Cross Roads of Life" will be repeated throughout the week. " A Girl's Good Luck" will?be presented next Saturday. OPERA HOUSE. Some attractive novelties are promised in the change of programme at the Opera House this evening. Further selections from a well-chosen repertoire of songs will be presented by firenor Antonio Molinari, including numbers from "La Tosca," and "La Traviata." In conjunction with Signorina Molinari, several patriotic duets will be given while the signor's English offering will be tho vocal number, " Because." Newcomers include Armitago and Hine, comedians, with some original sketches, McQuoin and Taylor, humorists, tho Philmers, eccentric wirewalkers and dancers, and Duranto, the Chinese musician. ORGAN RECITAL. ' There was a large audience at the Town Hall on Saturday evening, when the city organist, Mr. Maughan Harnett, gave a l recital on the organ. -The initial item was Smart's " Grand Solemn March," and it was succeeded by an intermezzo, by ' Benard Johnson. Both numbers were greatly appreciated. An exceedingly pleasi ing item was "Theme in F," by Faulkes, while "Suite Gothique," by Boellmann, was very warmly applauded by the audience. , The overture, " Mignon," by Thomas, was , expressively flayed, Mr. Barnett s concluding number being a fantaisio from the music of "Carmen." The organist gave a. great deal of pleasure to his listeners by his fine and tasteful playing. Mr. J. Wallace Atkinson sang Gounod s ' Sh« Alone Charmeth My Sadness,' and Flymouth Hoe," by Stanford. Mr. Leo hit taker played the accompaniments. RED CRIISS CONCERT. a „* ~.. mvoii Kv a. number ol

A concert was given ny a nunurei « vounc girls of Mount Eden district in the St. Barnabas's Hall, on Saturday eve- * nine before a large audience. The pro- i gramme included dancing, singing, and g elocutionary items. A feature of the pro- j gramme was a dialogue representing tho j story of the war, in which about 10 girls took part. Miss Isabello Lorigan, who is g only five years of age, delighted tho audi- ( ence with her dancing, for which she was c enthusiastically recalled. During the evening home-made sweets were offered for , sale. The proceeds from the entertain- r merit will go to assist tho Red Cross ] Funds. \ TIVOLI THEATRE. 1 Although the management of tho Tivoh 1 Theatre was unable to secure the new ( programme for Saturday, tho theatre was 1 well filled at both sossious, and the danc- i ing film "Tho Quest of Life" was again i enthusiastically received. The Famous- I Players Lasky production to be screened ' at tho Tivoli for tho first time this eve- < niiu' is a photo-play entitled " Unprotec- > ted." The leading part is taken by the popular actress Blanche Sweet, in the part ] of a girl, Barbara King, who after her 1 parents' death goes to live with her uncle, ; Rufiis Jamison, whose nature is devoid of all kindness and love. Barbara > offers as a gift to her uncle her father's last work, a small marble statue, but he refuses'it. She takes it to an exhibition, where it is recognised by Governor Carroll and his son Gordon, as tho work of Rufus King, a dear old friend. It is here that Gordon and Barbara meet and a friendship begins that quickly ripens into love. The many intensely dramatic situations which follow her committal to a prison camp, lead up to a stirring climax, in which she is res- .. cued by her lover. The' supporting pro- , gramme includes a number of enjoyable . and varied items. 1 STRAND THEATRE. Many striking and original scenes are - depicted in " Jim Bludso," the principal t attraction screened at the Strand Theatre 3 on Saturday before a largo and en- > thusiastic " audience. The story is • adapted from John Hay's well-known , poem of Mississippi River life, and • several incidents of tho American Civil War have been interwoven into it. Wilfred Lucas, always a firm favourite with a pitcure theatre audience, takes the lead--0 I ing part and sustains it in a manner quite 0j to the liking of everyone. Billie Burke " is also seen in another chapter of the '• serial picture, "Gloria's Romance." e EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. , That the now programme was quite to the popular taste Was shown by the large audience* which attended at each session in at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday. s. With the eyes of the world _ centred on Russia at', the present - time, ,it was only "■} . './' • "...J" "';;•-;,;.-:.; f ■'': .

natural that "The Dancer's Peril,., a drama written round life in Russia, should arouse considerable .interest.' The plot is a thrilling one, and as it mifolds there are a number .of intense and highly dramatic situations. Perhaps the most sensational scene m that in which Alice Brady, who takes the part of the heroine, clears her mother from a charge of killing -aißussian nobleman. The dancing shown ill.the picture is especially fine, and the Russian ballet is quite equal to anything seen.at any of the great dancing saloons of Europe. ' LYRIC THEATREThe new programme at the Lyric Theatre on Saturday was most interesting and enjoyable. The prin- j cipal picture, Little Miss Hap- ! pines?,' 1 was enthusiastically received, j by the large and appreciative audience. • The success of the picture" is due, to a j very large extent, to the brilliant acting j of June Caprice, the 17-year-old actress, i who plays tho title role. This is only i Miss Caprice's second appearance in moving pictures. A more natural actress or ' moro pleasing manner is hard to imagine,' and her winning smile quickly finds its way to the hearts of those who witness the picture. The excellent settings and beautiful scenery greatly increase the interest, in the story, which is in itself unusually pleasing. One of the most prominent characters in tba picture is a charming baby, three months old. Harry Hilliard, the popular William Fox player, takes a leading position, and his capable acting and clever characterisation of his part is most commendable. Taken all round this picture must be considered a marked success, and during the week should prove most attractive to the large number of patrons of this theatre. PRINCESS THEATRE. Tho ever-popular players, Harold Lockwood and May Alison, once again delighted the large audiences at the Princess Theatre on Saturday, when they were seen in the Metro production, "The Promise." Besides the interesting story and , the beautiful scenery that are usual in L Metro pictures, the picture contains a continuity of action that is so essential. , Tho picture is a picturisation of James B. , Hendrix's popular novel, and the story in [ animated form has even greater entertain- , ing powers. The plot is unusually en--1 thralling. The story is woven around , the timber milling industry, and this t work, in all its phases, is admirably de 1 picted. Contrasted with the work of . felling the great pine trees, a football i match, and a stirring boxing match are . tho scenes of metropolitan gaiety and the life of society in the centre of a large city [ QUEEN'S THEATRE. , An attractive programme of pictures was presented at the Queen's Theatre for r the first time on Saturday. The pnnci- , pal feature is an Art Film Company's production of more than usual merit, entitled, "My Country First," in which the / principal part is taken by a competent i young actor, Tom Terris. The picture 3 is capably portrayed throughout, and cona tains a plot of more than usual interest. fn_- _i ,1„„1„ in o mncf nlMsintr and

The story deals in a most pleasing aim ' capable manner with the adventures of a young chemist named Draper, who is engaged in an attempt to compound a wonderful explosive, which he intends to sell to the United States Government. A false friend of Draper's informs a band of international spies of the young man s intentions, with the result that every j effort is .made by them to frustrate his plans. Tke manner in which they manage to have him accused of murder, and the ; way in which he escapes from prison, form a number of intensely dramatic incidents which lead up to a thrilling climax. GRAND THEATRE. [ The new programme at the Grand Theatre on Saturday was witnessed by large audiences at all sessions. Love's | . Toll." the leading picture, proved to be ( exceptionally good, and was fully up to . the standard set at this popular house of i amusement. There is a pretty love story running through the picture, and Rosetta | Price, the heroine, has a remarkable series I of adventures. An exceptionally fine scene shows an American hotel with roof icegardens. There is a strong supporting programme. ' WEST END THEATRE, i "The Princess of the Dark" is the i principal picture in the new programme- , screened at the West End Theatre, and i it was witnessed by a large audience on . Saturday. A further episode in the serial [ photo-play, " Gloria's Romance," was also ) screened. I GLOBE THEATRE. i With two such popular film favourites as ' Robert Warwick and Clara Kimball Young . appearing in pictures at the same theatre, • it was only to be expected that the Globe 1 Theatre would be crowded on Saturday, and such proved to be the ase. The former was seen in "The Dollar Mark," a fine type of drama, and tho latter in 1 " The Foolish Virgin." i ROYAL ROLLER RINK. 1 The Royal Albert Hall was reopened as 1 a skating rink on Saturday. The floor is 1 in excellent condition and was patronised 0 by a large number of skaters. ;; =====