ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8612, 24 December 1913, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S VAUDEVILLE. Visitors to town for too festive season, as well as residents here, axo well catered for as regards evening entertainment by the current programme of vaudeville at His Majesty's. Several artists give a conspicuous touch of brightness to the show. Leonard Willard and bis lady partner, for instance, are excellent in their humorous sketches, iiito which they introduce singing, dancing and acceptable '‘gags." Ragtime is provided by the Two Storys, whose turns are deservedly popular. The English typo of “variety” is well represented by St. George and Dayne, clever musical performers. Mr .Nell Cant has been heard to much advantage in Scotch ballads. and attractive tenor solos are given by Mr Maurice Chenowoth. Mourner, the athlete, is well worth seeing. Ills feats being both clever and neat. _ an interesting exposition of legerdemain is given nightly by Professor Lewie. The screening of the "Pathe Gazette" adds a welcome feature to the programme. “FROM MANGLE TO CEOSS." Commencing to-morrow evening! (Christmas bight) Biblical Biographs, Ltd., will present Kalom’e remarkable religious film “Prom Manger to Cross, An afternoon portrayal will bo given on Boxing Day in addition to tbe evening. The pictures, it is stated, were actually taken in the Holy Land, and immense care wae employed exactly to reproduce the incidents as they haxipened nineteen hundred years ago. The costumes and the scenes are said to be according to authority. All this ie. of course, interesting. But just as one does not pother about the scenery in a theatre if the drama is real and human, eo those witnessing these exhibitions will be tar more concerned with the people, witn Joseph and Mary, with Jesus and the disciples, with the Magdalene and_ the Pharisees, with Pilate and the priests, than with their houses or the clothing. On the whole the action is said to be extremely effective. Here and there the actors are just acting. But about Jesus Himself and Mary. His mother, there is always a touching and dignified actuality, and such incidents as the curing of the stricken with palsy or the raising of Lazarus are extremely well. done, ihe call to Peter and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee is striking. The healing and the preaching are both effectively presented. Tlie Last Supper, the trial by Pilate,' and the journey to the cross are all deeply affecting. For tbe rest it is the human scenes, the scenes in which the suffering man rather than the God is most in evidence, that are the most effective. Pilate is another figure that lives vividly on the screen. The quick turn of the crowd from adoration to hatred is stated to bo dramatically represented, and the treachery and r ®“ morse of Judas shown with their full force. The whole etorr is said to be made alive. Notwithstanding the heavy expenditure in securing this remarkable nlcture, the cost, it is claimed, being far in advance of anything yet paid for a single film, the prices of admission will be the same as is usual for this form of entertainment. The picture will be presented with grand organ and vocal accompaniment ana music carefully chosen to aid in creating that atmosphere of reverence which it is desirable should exist wherever the film is shown. The box pinns for Christmas Night and five succeeding nights, also for the afternoon portrayal on Boxing Day are now open at the Dresden. The arrangemets made for the sal© of tickets during the holidays ar© announced in our advertising columns, BLOCUTIONAEY EECITAL. At the concert chamber. Town Hall, on Thursday. Christmas Night, Mr JM. Clark, assisted by Wellington s best artists, will give “An Evening with the Poets.” Amongst those assisting are: Dr Norman Hales. Mrs Martin Williams Miss Cecil Haines and Miss Zita Chapman! A very pleasant evening mav be looked forward to. Reserved seats at the Dresden. THE KING’S THEATEB. "In the Bishop's Carriage," the “star" picture-drama of the present programme of the King’s Theatre, is proving a considerable attraction. The leading role is interpreted by Miss Mary Pickford, the talented young American nlayer who has achieved considerable lame for her natural talent and grace both in the “silent drama," and on the legitimate stage. There is aimther exceptionally fine subject on the list, the A.B. Company’s drama “The Madonna of the Storm.” This evening “In the Bishop’s Carriage" will be presented again. To-morrow (Christmas Day) there will be a special matinee programme, which will be repeated in the evening, includinp Pathe’s great pictorial representation, “The Birth, Life and Death of Christ, ’ which is described as a beautiful and artistic reproduction. The film is 3000 ft in length, and is said to disclose the sub lime narrative vividly and impressively. The King’s orchestra will accompany the screening with appropriate sacred musie. On Boxing Day a specially selected programme of pantomime pictures will be presented. The current series, headed by "In the Bishop’s Carriage, will be reintroduced on Boxing Night, and the customary matinee is announced for Saturday. THE EMPEESS THEATEE. Thronged attendances were the rule at yesterday’s sessions of the Empress ; Theatre pictures. "The Girl and the

Tiger," which is the chief * feature," i£ an exciting story of an Indian jungle. A real tiger hunting ox* pedition is introduced, and the splendour of Oriental luxuriousnees is displayed In views of a Eajah’s palace and groundsThe programme includes other dramatic films, with comic and scenic supporting studies. “The Girl and the Tiger ’ wlif bo shown for the last time, to-day and to-night. To-morrow (Christmas Day) a specially selected, series will bo shown,, commencing at 2 p.m. On Friday the. customary complete change of programme will be introduced. BRITANNIA THEATEB. Christmas week at the Britannia pi<y* ture theatre has brought crowded house® at all sessions. The programme is a particularly interesting one, and the com. tort and luxurious fittings of the theatre add much to the enjoyment of watching 1 the films- A touching love Story, “Turned Adrift," is the stair item- This is well supported by “The Girl Back East/* and other films, both topical ant* comical. A specially selected programme appropriate to the day will bo, screened on Christmas Day. commencing alt ifi p.m. _____ “WITHIN THE LAW." "Within the Law," the piece to .bv produced at the Opera House on Boring Night, under the banner of J. C. VVUiiauuaon, Ltd., comes to New /©aland heralded by very eulogistic criticisms < by the Australian press. Tho Evening News,** speaking of tho first production. j-n Sydney, says ,r Non© of those who sat in pleasant anticipation ever dreamed that the play and its players would raise them to tho highest pitch of enthusiasm that any Sydney audience has risen te for long years past. At the conclusion of each act the curtain rose repeatedly in answer to insistent calls, when the play was over intense excitement prevailed. It only subsided when Mist Muriel Starr and Mr Eric Mason had addressed the audience briefly and grate* fully" 'Within the Law la a. drama clear out. snappy, clever aod ontenswr human—and right through. Miss Muriel Starr is reported as being superb. Aa Eichard Gilder, Mr Enc .Maxon has won great popularity. Ho will be remember., cd by New Zealand play-goers as Ben ITnr Mt/w Mary Worth, os Aggie Lynch,, £ U £id to delightful performance. Tho company is due to arrive in Well--ington by the Maunganm to-day.