ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16849, 14 May 1918, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

Two exceptionally bright and versatile variety artists from America— Denny and Eddie Du-nigan—gained the favourable verdict of la,= night's large audience at the Opera House. Their interlude was one of clever fun, ragtime songs sung by experts, amusing exchanges, and jesting of an original character. Miss Denny is a winsome little lady, with a quaint way, and all the arts of the true comedienne. She has in addition pronounced talent as a pianiste. Her accompaniments to one or two rag-time duets sung with her partner were admirably done. Of these duets, " What Do You Want to Make Them Eyes at Me For?" familiar as it was to most of those in front, received a rendering so spirited and finished as to rejuvenate it. The item "brought an insistent encore. Mr. Dunigan's breezy style made him a general favourite, and his eccentric dancing added to his popularity. Also appearing for the first time were the Balancios, two athletes of ability, strength, and neatness, who were seen in several new feats, and who met with a cordial reception. Vesto and Julian presented an entertaining turn in which juggling was pleasantly • mingled with humorous "gagging," with an occasional song and dance to vary the proceedings. Private Bell was warmly welcomed on his reappearance, and sang two solos most sympathetically. De Car. the acrobatic waiter, again contributed to the first part of the programme, his act evoking hearty applause. The Walter Johnson Musical Revue players, resuscitated another old revue, The Kissing Maid." Patrons of the Opera House have become fairlv well resigned to these revivals, and good-naturedly sit them out week after week. It is none, the less high time that something fresh was presented. Miss Lola Hunt's songs were acceptable, and there were some diverting features. The moving picture burlesque would be better without Mr. Johnson's tiresome megaphone accompaniment. Mr. Les Wharton sang well, out not often ; enough. His " gagging" scene, with Mr. Gus. Franks, could well have been cut, and one of his songs substituted. The programme will be repeated nightly this week and at the usual matinees. TTVOLI THEATRE. Douglas Fairbanks appears at the Tivoli Theatre this week in an exciting comedydrama, " Wild and Woolly." He is seen as Jtr! Hillington, the son of Mollis Hiliington, a "railway king," of Arizona. __ A deputation from Arizona goes to New York to try to induce the "railway king" to construct some new lines in the Bitter Creek district. They discover Jeffs wild j idea of Western life and methods, and ! when they find that he is to be the i emissary to Bitter Creek to report on the I line they determine to transform their modern town into more what the hero [ appears to expect. Their deception almost ■ ends in a terrible tragedy. Steve, the j ranger of the Indian reservation, formu- ! lates a plan to massacre the women and ! children of the Western town. However, ; Jeffs knowledge of horsemanship, shoot- ! ing and lassoing serves him in good stead, and he saves the situation. His daring rescue of Nell from the Indians, wins for ! him a Western bride after his own heart. I Other features of the programme are a I Paramount Gazette and a "Klever ' Komedy," entitled "Toothaches and [ Heartaches."

PRINCESS THEATRE. A gripping film, entitled " Womanhood," is shown at the Princess Theatre this week. The title does not convey an idea of the nature of the film until it is seen; then it is realised that a better could not be found. *' Womanhood" is not usuallycoupled with battle and murder, with espionage and treachery. Yet all these are combined in this' example of the cinematographer's- art. A realistic Zeppelin raid bring? home the horrors of German kultur. The flight of a terrified populace before a ruthless enemy >s admirably portrayed. Other films are shown. NATIONAL, THEATRE. Miss Theda Bara, said to be one of America's finest emotional actresses, is appearing at the National Theatre this week in a film adaptation of Victor Hugo's famous novel, " The Hunchback of Notre Dame." It is entitled ''The Darling of Paris" and deals interestingly with the life of Paris in the seventeenth century. Other films are shown. OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS. Margarita Fischer is at the Grand Theatre in' "The Butterfly Girl," while Charlie Chaplin appears in "The Cure." Ethel Barrymore. in "An American Widow," is to be seen at the Queen's Theatre. The fifteenth and last episode of " The Neglected Wife" is also shown. Earle Williams and Grace Darmond appear in " la the Balance," at Everybody's Theatre. "The Promise," with Harold Lockwood and May Alison in the leading parts, is shown at The G'obe. Douglas Fairbanks is the chief attraction at the Strand Theatre this week in "American Aristocracy."