ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8810, 13 August 1914, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

“NEVER SAY DIE.” The second of the Fred Niblo comedies attracted a largo audience to the Grand Opera House last night. “Never Say Die” is a worthy successor to “The Fortune Hunter ’; it is even more amusing, though somewhat lighter in plot. The story concerns a rich young American, resident in London, and, on the word of his medical advisers, under practical sentence of death. Believing that he will die within the month Dionysius Woodbury marries his artist friend’s sweetheart with the laudable intention of leaving her a weil-providcd-for widow. Immediately after tho ceremony the bride departs for Russia, the artist for Italy (his expenses are paid by Woodbury) and the bridegroom enters on a last long spree. This, strange to say, has the effect of a perfect cure, and the return of his wife finds him in excellent health. Not knowing that his wife, formerly Violet Stevenson, loves him, he hires a detective to gather evidence for a divorce. A French dancer, La Cigale, the fiancee of Woodbury’s cook, agrees to dine alone with him, and entertaining denouements follow. The greater -part of Act 11. is concerned with the efforts of the too zealous detective to discover his client in a compromising situation, and, without ever going beyond the bounds of good, taste, the comedy l continually brought down the house. In the end, through tho intervention of Griggs, a model valet, complications vanish, and husband and wife are united. The managerial promise of “an evening of unbroken laughter”' is more than fulfilled. Mr Fred Niblo as Dionysius Woodbury, of course dominates all three scenes. His breezy manner, fine onuniciation and pleasant adaptation to circumstances make Dionysius Woodbury as great a success as the part of “Nothamiol Duncan” in “Tire Fortune Hunter.” It may be mentioned in passing that Mr Niblo gives an inimitable exhibition of the correct way in which a society man should sit on a pin without displaying undue emotion. Fred Junior, as tho boy unstairs, .is a chip of the old block, and bids fair to equal his father in histrionic art, Woodbury’s two medical advisers, Virgie Galesby, M-P-, whose humour is of the type generally known as Scotch, and Sir John Morense, M.D., are excellently played by Messrs Edwin Lester and Bobert Greig respectively. They impart a rollicking’touch to the proceedings that is distinctly invigorating. Private detective Gibbs (Mr, John do Lacy), Vercbesi, a French’ chef (Mr Maurice Dudley) and tho manservant Griggs (Mr Sydney Stirling) all deserve more than a word of praise. The artist, Hector Walters (Ronald Byram) has not much to do, but does it passably. Miss Josephine Cohan, as Violet, supplies the sentimental element well, and is sympathetic and appealing. The mother, the Hon. Mrs Stevenson, is, played by Miss Marian Marcus-Clarke and La Cigale, the volatile French dancer, gets the necessary vivacity from Miss Enid Bennett’s interpretation. “Never Say Die” will bo played tonight and to-morrow night, after which it will give place to. ‘'Officer 666.” PATRIOTIC FUND MATINEE. On Saturday afternoon, at the Grand Opera House, the combined forces ot the J. O. Williamson-Fred Niblo Comedy Company, Messrs Fuller-Bren-nan’s Vaudeville Company, and E. Bransoombo’s Smart Sot, will present a programme ’.of much drawing power for the benefit of the patriotic fund. This is regarded as sure to'meet with enthusiastic ■ response from the general public, not only because the entertainment promised is worth far more than the admission money, but because every shilling spent upon a ticket is helping the cause of Empire in this time' el trouble. Mr Fred Niblo, the popular comedian, and the J. C. Williamson Comedy Co., will give an act . from the intensely amusing comedy, .“Never Say Die,” and Mr, Niblo will also contribute one of his inimitable monologues tor which he is so famous throughout America. . Miss Daisy Jerome and the r uilerBrennan vaudeville artists will give of their best, and their best is, worth going miles to see. • ■ Mr Edward Bransoombo’s Smart bet will add to the galaxy of talent combining in the good cause, and contribute some of their most popular items, including the new territorial camp song, “Britons All,” by Mr Ernest Parkes. During the afternoon the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) and the Minister for Defence (the Hon. James Allen) will deliver brief patriotic speeches. , Tickets are to he had at the Grand Opera House ’ and Empire Cigar Divans, most of the leading hotels and tea-rooms, and many Wellington ladies have them for sale. HIS MAJESTY’S. - The vivacity of Miss Daisy Jerome has been a magnetic feature at His Majesty’s this week, and genuine pleasure has resulted from her bright and humorous contributions. Acrobatics and trick cycling are the specialities of Sebastian Mernl and his Yip Yaps, and in the same department the Hartley Wonders justify their name. The whistling by La, Mart, and the miscellaneous musical items by Stewart and Lorraine, the Clarke Brothers, and others- provoke hearty applause, and tho patter artists are quite acceptable. There will be a repetition of. the programme this evening. THE KING’S THEATRE. Conspicuous on last night’s programme, of the King’s Theatre were two films of special interest at the present time, “Boys of the Bulldog Breed” and “New Zealand s Own Soldiers.” The screenings aroused much enthusiasm. The last-named film will show to-night preparations for departure, march through Wellington, and embarkation. Vita-graphs star picture play “When Iron and Steel Meet,” “featuring Maurice Costello, is full of merit, while many other good subjects are also shown. ’ EVERYBODY’S PICTURES. Last evening’s sessions at the Opera House were crowded, and much enthusiasm was displayed over the screening of “Boys of the Bulldog Breed” and “New Zealand s Own Soldiers,” showing the march through the streets and the embarkation on the troopships. “His Guiding Star,” a Patbccolor drama on a nno scale, and the supporting subjects,, particularly a very interesting Pathe Gazette, wore ‘ all well received.