ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16658, 1 October 1917, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE JUVENILES."

What promises to bo'an interesting and original entertainment is to be given by the Kaitaia Juvenile Players, assisted by the pupils of Miss Cecil Hall, in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening, This is the first appearance , in Auckland of these talented performers, who are said to give a quaint and wholly delightful programme. The company includes singers, comedians and dancers. Miss Hall's pupils are known for their dainty and graceful work, and a numbor of then' most successful dances will be given. Not the least important feature of the entertainment will be the drawing of tho Kaitaia art union, for which tickots have been sold in Auckland for several months. The proceeds of the concert are to bo devoted to the assistance of sailors' dependants. KING'S THEATRE. The weekly change of programme by tho Brandon-Cremer Dramatic Company attracted a very large attendance to the King's Theatre on Saturday night. The latest production, "Through tho Divorce Court," a telling melodrama, was greatly appreciated, the audience at times being l disposed to be enthusiastic. Tho divorce j court is the medium by which villainy endeavours to gain its ends. That it I nearly achieves its object, only to bo frustrated in a cleverly-workca-up climax, intensifies the interest. The drama was exceedingly well produced, special attention being paid to the scenic effects, some of which were much above the average. In the role of Lord Robert Pcnarth, an | English peer, Mr. Maurice Tuohv was a I manly figure, and acted well. His work was greatly appreciated by the audience. Miss Kathleen Arnold sustained the part of the heroine, Lady Dolores, in a charming manner, her interpretation at once enlisting the sympathies of the audience. Miss Mabel Hardinge's Lady Hilda Fitzmaurice, an ex-society beauty, was an able interpretation, a remark which also applies to Miss Biddie Hawthorne, who succeeded ! in extracting considerable humour from, tho part of Dinah, a negro maid. Little : Violet Milne was pleasing in a child role. , Guzmandi Mendoza, a Croolo, was portrayed with considerable success by Mr. Kenneth Carlisle. His conception of tho part was very meritorious. Mr. Frank Neil supplied the comedy element as Algy ' Fitzmaurice. He is a clever comedian, a ' fact recognised by patrons of tho King's Theatre, with whom he is deservedly I popular. Mr. William Coulter was an ' able assistant in a comedy part as Patsy ' Rafferty, a servant. Mr. Frajik Reis's interpretation of a King's Counsel, Mr. Edga Kenna as a lawyer, and Mr. George ( Henderson as Leon do Valdez, a Spaniard, , were other worthy portrayals. "Through 1 the Divorce Court" is an excellent enter- h tainment. I OPERA HOUSE. I] Bright and clever burlesques, as featured - by the Walter Johnston Musical Revue < Company, have caught the taste of theatre- i

goers in Auckland. The Opera House was crowded every night last weok by delighted audiences. • Indeed, on Sfiturday night the Bale of tickets was stopped at half-past seven. To-night, the special attraction will be a one-act burlesque, in three scenes, entitl«d"-"The Kissing Maid," I a piece said to be even bettor than " The Flirting Widow." Over thirty musical numbers will be rendered, while the ballet and chorus aro said to change no fewer than 14 times. Special features of the revue will be dancing specialties by Miss Lydia Came and company, a Parisian cabaret scene at midnight, and ft laughable skit on Charles Chaplin, the late John Bunny, and other uicturo artists. In addi- ' tion to tho Waller Johnston Company, Laurant, a mental oxpert and caligraphißt, and Taylor and McQuoin, a musical comedy duo, will make their first appearance, while Signor and Signora Mohnari will begin their last week at the Opera House. ORGAN RECITAL. Tho weekly organ, recital was given by Mr. Maughan Barnett to a large gathering in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. The first item was Wesley's "Choral Song and Fugue," a particularly striking composition, the opening chorda of the introduction showing the great range of the instrument. Two pleasing selections, "Pastorale" and Rubinstoin's popular "Toreador and Andaluse," were the next items. The "Miserere" scene from " Trovatore" was beautifully treated, tho gloomy atmosphere being admirably jonveyed. Mr. W. Gemmell was encored for his solos "Mother o' Mine" and "Tho Secret," and the recital concludedT with a spirited Fantaisia of American Airs. The iccompanist for the evening was Mr Leo Whittaker. SONS OF THE EMPIRE," The fine series of war pictures, "Sons if the Empire," will bo shown for the first :™„ at ♦»,„ TV.™ tr-ll iu:J :

i time at ( the lown Hall this evening. These pictures are being shown throughout Now Zealand by the Y.M.C.A. for tho purpose of adding to the funds for comforts for fighting men, both those who, are fit and well, ana those who are suffer--1 ing or recovering from wounds and sickI ness. Tho pictures cover a very wide j range of subjects. Thoy show the British • fleet in its present state of perpetual readiness for battle, and in this section reveal a number of interesting features. In the numerous reels descriptive of the battle-front practically every branch of the service is shown, and every arm— artillery, cavalry, infantry, flying corps, and engincors—is shown in its special activity. There is thus presented a mass j of detail too wide even to catalogue, and; 1 making up in the total a realistic depiction of the way an army fights to-day. ! In addition the spectator is given as com-,

Elete a picture as possible of an actual J battle, with its great bombardment, its ' curtain of fire, its advance, and its achievement in taking tho enemy's lines. Very striking pictures are those - of the aeroplanes, some of the films hav- . ing been taken from the machines, so (hat, : the spectator looks down upon the battle-' , field. Numerous pictures of the tanks arc also included. The box plan is at Wildman and Arey's. WEST END THEATRE. The Wcßt End Theatre has been thoroughly renovated, and is more than . ever an example of the comfort and eleg-' ance associated with the up-to-date picture house. The interior walls have been redecorated in pleasing shades, and the floors carpeted, the whole, coupled with some artistic electrical fittings, having a pretty effect. The new management has completed arrangements whereby only Paramount programmes will be screened. Although the releases of this firm have ' only been on the market a few months, they have rapidly come to tho front, a fact easily accounted for when it is stated that the corporation has at its command such companies and artists as the Famous Players, Lasky features, Mary Pickford, . Clara Kimball Young, Douglas Fair- [ banks, Billie Burke, Roscoo Arbuckle, and 1 the well-known producers, D. W. Griffiths, Thomas Ince, and Maok Bennett. The new aiTangement enables the West End management to present a well varied programme. On Saturday, when tho theatre ivas reopened under the present conditions, i very large house witnessed the best programme yet presented there. Tho prinjipal feature was a charming comedyIrama, "Miss George Washington," fearing Miss Marguerite Clarke, one of the nost popular of picture artists. It was a lelightful production, the favourite artist jeing seen at her best. Supporting subects comprised a highly-diverting comedy, i topical budget, and an educational lumber. The pleasure manifested by the mdience at this high-class entertainment Uigurs well for the success of the new irrangemont. The West End orchestra, jnder the direction of Miss P. Burke, •endored many appropriate selections durng the evening. TIVOLJ THEATRE. "Castles for Two," a delightful photo:iay of Irish life, was screened at the fivoli Theatre for the first time on Saturlay. This picture is of a simple but lppealing nature, and contains many jeautiful scenes. The story is woven •ound tho doings of an American heiress, vho hides her identity. Marie Doro, the pathetic little actress, who appeared ,o such advantage in " Oliver Twist," ippears as th/ heroine in "Castles 'or Two." He/ ' acting is attractive, hei acial exprcssio. a in particular being ex:ellent. In company with Miss Doro ii he well-Mown actor Elliott Dexterj who,

as an Irish landlord, is seen to great advantage. Tho special Irish selections played by, the Tivoli orchestra were greatly appreciated. The supporting programme includes a' number of well-selected pictures of both humorous and topical variety. This programme will be presented each evening during the present week, and should prove very popular with the patrons of the Tivoli Theatre. PRINCESS THEATRE. Some very fine pictures have been screened at the Princess Theatre, but it is an open question if any hitherto have equalled "The Duchess of Doubt," which is presented this week. It is • a happy change from the ultra-modern sensational drama, and is a bright original story, excellently told. The sconery is good, and a number of the dresses worn by Clover, the doubtful duchess, are notable creations. Tho story concerns an episode in the life of a poor working girl, Clover Ames, who yearns for a society life. She is left a large amount of money, and immediately purchases beautiful clothes, and goes to a fashionable society watering place, where she is considered a duchess travelling incognito. The numerous attempts of the other visitors to make her acquaintance are particularly amusing. A supporting picture of interest shows glimpses of native life in Costa Rica. In this film some remarkable views of a total eclipse of the sun are shown. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Tho Cost of Hatred," a sensational Paramount film, is oeing shown at tho Queon's Theatre this week. Tho two notable performers, Kathlyn Williams and Theo'dore Roberts, appear in the leading roles. Tiio story shows how a man tries I to. avenge the loss of his wife by persecuting tho son of the man who was responsible. A considerable part of tho action takes place on the Mexican desert, and a sensational pursuit of the principal characters by a band of enfuriated Mexicans is shown. The other films on the programme are all interesting. LYRIC THEATRE. 1 The large audience which was present at the Lyric Theatre on Saturday night found much of interest in the stirring picture "Envy," the first of "The Seven Deadly Sins." It ie a film of an unusual type, and tells of a country girl, Eve Leslie, who desires wealth and a high position in society. She attains her wishes,.but find? that riches are not conducive to happiness. Ann Murdoch appears in the chief characterisation, and gives a convincing performance as the girl tempted by riches. Other films of the series will be screened at regular intervals. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Splendid aotinz and an excellent plot are features of "Youth," a World drama which is being shown at Every-1 body's Theatre. The story deals with the j night clubs of Now York. A number of prominent actors appear in tho produc-1 tion, some of whom aro Carlyle Blackwell, Muriel Ostriche, and Juno Elvidge. The excellent mounting of the production is worthy of mention. Tho picture is a cine-

I matographic version of the renowned . Drnir Lane drama of the same name, > which ran for nearly a year at that , theatre and achieved a success equal to [ that attained by the sporting drama "The l Whip." ' I GRAND THEATRE. 1 1 A notable Triangle drama, " Blood Will '■ Tell," is being shown at tho Grand > Theatre this week. ' The hero is % cheer- ' ful boy, who cares little for a business 1 career. As a 'consequence he is disowned 1 by his father. He commences to .drift, and finally marries a chorus girl. Sho sets high ideals before him. Ho croea to ; work, and after a number of thrilling episodes he is restored to his former position in the family. William Desmond and Enid Markey appear with effect in the chief parts. "The Hidden Faco," the fourteenth chapter of " The Iron Claw," is also shown. . STRAND THEATRE. A series of powerful dramas, entitled, i"The Seven Deadly Sins," is to be shown at the Strand Theatre during the coming weeks. _ "Envy," the first part, which is now being shown, is a strong indictment of desire for riches. Ann Murdoch gives a remarkable performance as the ciivious country girl. Her work is at all times clever, and her emotional acting is never strained. A particularly good Keystone comedy, " Maggie's First False Stop," is also being shown. GLOBE THEATRE. The programme being nhown at the I Globe Theatre this week is in aid of the, Ponsonby Trumpet Band. The chief pic- 1 ture is " Tho Battle Cry of Peace," a ' I film dealing with a German invasion of America, i