ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9094, 13 July 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Owing to the non-arrival of the Main Trunk, ijrain yesterday, the appearance of new artists at His Majesty’s .Theatre last’ evening , was perforce postponed. However, the suddeu,play of circumstance did not disconcert the Fuller iartists at present jin town, and they, with the assistance! of a couple of moving pictures, put on an excellent programme. Val and Lottie Newman appeared in a new and enjoyable skit, which produced roars of laughter, and insistent demands for more of their work. The wonderfullyclever child contortionist. Little Verlie, made herself more popular than, ever with some more creepy tricks, and Miss Dorothy Harris secured another triumph Jn her ragtime numbers. Blnffo, the ingenious, also contributed an uproarious twenty' minutes' diversion. The now artiste will positively -appear to-night. They are Nellie Kolle, a male impersonator; Tozart, lightning sketch artist; Madame Marion, billed as "a daughter of Prratcius.y’ and ■■ the Two EHodesbury’s. When it became known to the manage-., ment that the express would not reach Wellington in time to allow of these artists appearing, an announcement was made that those who suffered disappointment thereby could, on application, have their money returned at the box office. A number availed themselves of the offer.

THE- KING’S THEATRE. The delay ■ of the Main Trunk train prevented the new programme, headed by •‘Good-bye, Summer," from being screened at the King’s Theatre last evening. The management, however, proved equal to the occasion, and at brief notice provided a substitute , programme, which was eminently satisfactory. A liberti concession was also granted to last evening's patrons, - who will: be permitted to see this eveningV change of programme without any charge. The “feature" of the new series will be "Good-bye, Summer,’’ described as a superb study-sug-gested by Paolo Tosti’s song “Good-bye. According to the plot a wife .bestows ail her affections upon her husband, who is quite indifferent to her devotion. Longing for' summer to enter her iife.i the wire pines in perpetual winter. Yet one day a little stranger arrives and brings the golden glow of spring and bears a message of love which dissipates the gloomy i winter that has overcast the woman’s life. Glad'songs of summer aro hoard, and all is punshine and happiness. During the screening of the him Tosti’s beautiful song is sung so that it harmonises with the sombre sadness of the play. The supporting items will include “Making Eifles” (industrial), “Love in Armour” (Keystone comedy), and "Pathe’s War Gazette.",

EVERYBODY’S PICTUEES. An exceptionally meritorious selection of films forms the programme which, had its initial presentation at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, afternoon. The chief attraction vis an emotional drama entitled “Where is My Wandering Boy Tonight?” The plot, written round incidents suggested by the song from which it gets its name, is admirably conceived, and the story is well arranged, perfectly acted and 1 full of interest. A mother, son, and wife are separated by the events of long years. The heart-broken mother is singing the sad notes of the ballad in the streets to gain her daily bread,- when she is heard by a wealthy woman. Tha latter, seeing the score of the song written by the son, recognises the name and writing of her lost husband. She fills the place of the Good Samaritan and takes the old lady into her home. She borrows the song for herself, and sings it at-a reception. Outside in the cold, a thin, drawn face hears the voice and recognises the song he wrote many years before. He eventually returns to the home, and the three are'reunited. At the nightly sessions the song itself will be song by Miss Kitty Blaney during the screening of the film. "The Girl oh the Trestle,’’ a railway drama full of breath-stealing situations, is intensely interesting, while the “Pathe War Gazette" is rich with graphic - depictions from the firing line. The amusing absurdities of Mabel Normaud. Fatty, and Ford Sterling, in “That Little Band of Gold,” are responsible for screams of laughter. The same programme, will be screened at all sessions to-day and to-night. ■

MACMAHON’S THEATRE. The second chapter of "The Master Key,” now showing at MacMahon’s Theatre, opens out the big serial in. a highly sensational way, and leaves the story in a delightfully tantalising form for its continuance. The programme is distinctly strong in drama, for in addition to the serial, “Ann, the Blacksmith” is a'powerful story of a woman's heroism and devotion to duty. ."In the" Yale of Sorrow,” is a pathetic domestic interlude, and "The Lure of the Green Table”-is a gambling tragedy, of much force and

strong interest. Two good comedies are included in the programme—"Love and Water," a humorous ' Charlie Chaplin 'parody, and "Ham. the Iceman,” a kitchen extravaganza of an intensely diverting character. , Owing to the dislocation of the Main Trunk service' yesterday, the "Topical Gazette” was not shown, but it will .be included in the alfoactive programme to-day. THE EMPRESS. "New Zealand’s Soldiers, Heroes of the Dardanelles,” is the title ,of the "star” film screened with the mew programme at the'Empress continuous pictures yesterday. The subject depicts the New Zealanders on their route march from Trentham, their embarkation, at Wellington, their huge camp practically in the. shadow of the Pyramids, and finally a charming vista, "The Watch on the Nile." . The latter shows a New Zealand sentry in the foreground keeping guard'on the' banks of the Nile, while in the background stand the Pyramids—a setting which is distinctly effective. Life in the camp at Mena ‘is viewed with all its detail, and a charge by the moulded infantry is one of the leading spectacles. Selig’s latest wild animal drama, "The Leopard's Foundling," presents 'Kathlyn Williams in a, characteristic role. ' It' is represented in the plot that » little child be-' comes lost in the jungle, and is fostered by a pair of leopards. Several years later the former child has grown into a beautiful young woman, who is tracked and captured, by a hunter. ' The story ends in the conventional' way. Charles Murray, one of the leading Keystone comedians, takes the part of a tramp in "From . Patches to Plenty.’! He finds a brief bag full of money and valuable bends, and, before his career is cut short by the arm of the law, has a most riotous and giddy jollification. In the "Topical Budget” perhaps the most; important section is that devoted to scenes of the German air raids on Ipswich, which is rivalled .by a glimpse of the heroic Canadians, the story of whose valour at Tprea will prove imperishable. Worthy of mention also are “The Moonshine Maid and the Man” (Vita, drama), and "Maloolg. from Paloona” (llartin comedy). The theatre was crowded yesterday, day and night.

, EICKAEDS' TIVOLI FOLLIES, : 'Following on a scries of successes in the Australian centres, - Mr Hugh; D. Mclntosh is bringing over with /hah to New Zealand a combination of leading vaudeville known as the Tivoli Follies. .The Wellington season opens at the Grand Opera House on Monday next. The. Follies’ programmes are said to be very happily varied by clever vaudeville specialties and a big revue. Of the performers, such names as Jack Cannot, Prank Greene, and Vera Pearce, formerly associated with musical comedy, will -bp happily remembered here. Other English and American artists will make their first appearance. Mr Mclntosh has also secured 1 Mr Robert Parker, the baritone; for the New'Zealand tour. There is also a full ballet of twenty-two, and a specially imported orchestra. The box plana will be on view at The Bristol Piano Co; on Thursday.