THE KING'S THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16902, 15 July 1918, Page 6

THE KING'S THEATRE.

The Merrymakers introduced a new style of entertainment on Saturday night, when they staged the yokel revue, "Fun in the Cornfields." Tliis occupied the whole of the first part of the evening. Mjbb Agnes Dixon was repeatedly encored for her singing of " Just a Little Love, a Little Kiss. Miss Connie Ogilvie was heard in a solo, and a trio consisting of Misses Hazel De Voin, Ivy Lockwood and Winnie Brier sang " Moonlight Bay." Miss Rachel Rice and Mr. Eddie Edmonds sang a duet, and the latter was responsible for much of the humour of the evening. The singing of the "Simple Melody" by Mr. F. Peroival, was much appreciated, as was also tho laughing song by Mr. J. Chatterton. The company also sang a number of choruses under the direction of Mr. William Pringlo. A number of new acts were introduced in the second half. Mr, Fred Pearson, the musical tramp, contributed selections on a number of different instruments, and Billy Rex was seen in eccentric dances. Percival and West., known as the ragtime duo, sang a medley 'of ragtime compositions, and were warmly applauded for their rendering of " A Perfect Day," in which their voice* blended admirably. The performance ended with a display of modern magio by Sigmah, billed its the white wizard. All bis tricks were cleanly performed, and in some oases quite bewildering. The revue will bo staged for the remainder of the week.

MUNICIPAL . ORGAN RECITAL. An organ recital was given by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, in tho Town Hall on Saturday evening. A carillon by Failkes, and impromptu by Lyon, followed by a rippling Toccata from Borowski's first suite, were excellent. Guilmant's Op. 25 provided threo pieces, which were charmingly played. Verdi's famous Miserere scene from " Trovatore" was _ much applauded, as was Phillip's "String of Pearls." Wely's "Pastorale" and Lemen's "Fanfare," completed the organ portion of the entertainment. The vocalist of the evening, Miss Lalla Knight, sang excellently Schira s "Sognai," and Martin's "St. Nicholas Day in the Morning." Mr. Leo. Whittaker was the accompanist. "BOX AND COX." A comedy, "Box and Cox," and a musical entertainment, will be presented to-morrow evening in the St. Barnabas Hall, Mount Eden, by the Eden Amateur Swimming Club, on the occasion of its prize-giving night. The Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. C. Hudson, will present orders for prizes to winners of the season's events. The St. Barnabas Dramatic Club will be in charge of the entertainment. . " THE VAGABONDS." The Vagabonds' entertainment, in aid of tho funds of the Navy League, will be given in the concert chamber of the Town Hal] this evening. Mr. Brookes, the popular baritone, who is connected with the Fuller circuit, will assist with the programme. STRAND THEATRE. Genuine humour is a feature of the Goldwyn production, The Floor Below." which is now heading the bill at the Strand Theatre. _ A girl with a lively sense of humour obtains a position in a newspaper office as a " copy girl." Sho does not realise that she is there to work, but indulges in all sorts of pranks to amuse her co-workers. The management put up with her nonsense for a while, but finally in desperation decide to dismiss her. However, by securing a ''scoop" for the paper she saves her position. As the "copy girl" Mabel Normaad imbues, the part

with fun and vivacity, and gives an .exceptionally realistic display of acting. Her adventures in securing this scoop ars extremely humorous. She finds her way into a young millionaire's settlement house and eventually into his home, where her behaviour causes anything but a good impression. But, in the end, she is able to show that the rich young man is being duped by his guests, It is -a powerful story well told. The staging is good and the photography excellent. TIVOLI THEATRE. Admirers of Mary Pickford are being given another chance of seeing their favourite in a photo-play at the Tivoli this week. The film is titled "A Romance of the Redwoods," It is a story of the golden days of California, wnm the diggings were in full swing and everybody was imbued with the gold fever, when all roads led to the goldfields and every man was a law unto himself; when the fortune-hunters had to travel in numbers to protect themselves from the bloodthirsty redskins who looked on the I travellers as legitimate prey to be robbed i and scalped as occasion offered. It was I in these days that Jenny Lawrence left I civilisation to join her uncle in the " far > West." It took a month of travelling amidst all sorts of dangers, and when she reached "Strawberry Flat" she was astounded to find her uncle had been killed by the redskins, and was being imI personated by an outlaw named Black ; Brown. As Jenny Lawrence, Mary Pick- ! ford acts with the power which has made I her fame. Th') other members of the ' cast include Elliot Dexter, Raymond , Hatton, Tully Marshall, Charles Olge, Walter Long, 'and Winter Hall. NATIONAL PICTURES. For charm of story and beauty of setting it would be hard to better " The I Sunset Trail," the chief picture showing jat the National Theatre this week. The i plot is refreshingly original, and there is '■ much pathos in the story. The pathetic i side is never overdone, and there is plenty of joy and brightness in the picture also, EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Alice Brady is the chief actress in " The Spurs of Sybil," now being shown at Everybody's Theatre. She takes the part of Sybil Drew, the "poor relation" of a rich aunt, who decides that she must go out to earn her own living. The plot is original and gives Miss Brady ample opportunities for displaying her talents as an emotional actress. It is a World Picture, produced by the chief actress's father, William A. Brady. Other excellent pictures, including a very humorous comedy, are shown, GLOBE THEATRE. "Britain Prepared," an interesting and educational film, is being shown at the Globe Theatre. It is the story in picture of Britain's wonderful achievement in preparing for war on sea and land. Life on board H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth li one of the feature parte of this film. The making of munitions and the work of the navy in the North Sea are other good features. Life on board a submarine is also depicted. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The Queen's Theatre is showing this week a film entitled " Little Red Decides." The story is unusual and humorous, and is well portrayed. Barbary Connolly and Jean Hersholt are the chief actors in this picture, which is noticeable for its beautiful photography. LYRIC THEATRE. The large audience present at the Lyric Theatre on Saturday night, showed by "the lavishnws of its applause how it appreciated the splendid acting of Alice Brady in the fascinating picture " The Spurs of Sybil." The story deals with the fife of a society butterfly, who shows thi world that she has more depth of nature than was dreamed of. PRINCESS THEATRE. The principal picture showing at the Princess Theatre, "An American Live Wire," is one of those brisk and up-to-date film stories that go to make a good entertainment. The production is full of thrilling scenes and of romantio incidents. I GRAND THEATRE. " Sylvia of the Secret Service," which is now being shown at the Grand Theatre, is a thrilling detective story, in which Mrs. Vernon Castle takes the leading role. The plot centres round the loss of a valuable diamond, which has to be taken to the English Crown. _ Soma, poses are introduced at the beginning of the film to enable Mrs. Castle to display her dresses.