ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9172, 12 October 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S. A grca'., bright, breezy and varied programme was presenter! at IBs Majesty’s iast night. Both in quality and quantity the management gave lull measure, pressed down and running over. Louie Duggan's rich, clear and powerful voice was heard to great advantage in “Hose of My--Heart,” and she also sang very sweetly and archly “Only a Fisherman's" Daughter,” which was heartily and deservedly encored. _ Pollard - and Jackson, "opt-rati.'. duettists and har-moni-iers," scored a great success, Having twice to , respond to encores: and Leonard Nelson, “just a plain comedian, a singer of his own songs,” fairly broughtrdow.ii- the house with his *‘l followed her here, 1 followed her there” song and chorus. His slang drinking song ,“Oh! What, a .Difference in the. Morning,” was also, greatly appreciated; As. “Ikey McPherson," Arthur Douglas gave a very amusing impersonation of a Jew turned Highlander. His comic song "What -made me join the Sodjers” evoked roars of laughter, and as encores he gave very acceptably “Bonnie Mary of Argyle” aild“There’s a wee Hoose among tire Heather." .the last named without , accompaniment. Edenbury, “America’s foremost equilibrist," contributed a wonderful turn that went far, at all events, to justify the title; and Rowley and Tointon, lady and gentleman, both; proved, themselves among the most expert of clog dancers. -The lady of the partnership also rang well and danced the Highland fling in a stylo that greatly, delighted the spectators.. Lew Hoffman, “the ■ hat maniac,” gave a screamingly funny juggling turn, doing all possible tricks,’ and Artfully pretending to do a good many impossible ones with .hats and similar unpromising materials. .It was quite, refreshing to hear the children laugh out. loud ami clear at his funnyisms. As for, the “study on. wheels,” ,’by McConnell and, Austin,, this amazing Turn, has id .be seen to I bo believed; If: some of the tricks this" wonderful pair of .cyclists perform were screened at a .moving picture show, those' who had not seen- them actually performed would; declare, them lo be . “sheer fakes."’ "Even when seeing them performed one can scarce believe, ope’s eyes. Good , turns'were also contributed by the Two - :, Colliers, who-o dresses’,- • dances,, and-sdngs were-, greatly admired, - and by Nat Hanley, the clever pianist, songster, and sifflen-r. - - WILLIAMSON MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON. -• ’ • The box plans for" the eleven performances by ,i„ t\ . Williamson's-new., English musical comedy company, commencing, at ,the..: Grand ; Opera ; tHouse next Saturday night, will be opened at the Bristol on Thursday morning -at 9 o’clock. This company-, specially . organised by the’Williamson Arm, is said.jo be composed- of some of the finest " ar-, tists ever seen ill,the;colonies. They - will have an .opportunity of displaying Their ability here in three different musical., comedies, all of which bear the hull-mark of London approval. ,Thc first production will he “The. Girl in : the Taxi,” described ns a Parisian - .tioyelty ;iu three acts. What queer tan- ; gles take place in the development p£ ’ the plot are too good to be even hinted ' at, lest the pleasure of those who will see the musical comedy during the com- i ing week's should be spoiled by antici-, patioil. In Auckland the piece was played to overflowing..houses, so there can be no question as to its .brilliancy) and--attractiveness- •; ■ LAST KELLERMAN NIGHTS. . "Neptune's... Daughter;":,Abe.:.fir’stkand: only-- photo-play in t which Annette ICellerman hasrever appeared,, is - entering’ on its'last performances'at ,the, 'People's Picture Palace. .T,his,Vis;:-the onl/., opportunity given her" compatriots- of seeingthe’ famous‘Australian artist . who has; won world-wide, fame.'. That she should, perform' - marvellous - aquatic feats ' was, expected, but that she should also reveal, herself as a splendid actress, an expert swbrdsw6man, : ahd'a fascinating daricer,has. .been; .matter for ’surprise and com-, ment: - In her- Dance of the Morning. Glories, Miss Kellernuui gives a delight-, fully tresh and charming dance, while her pantomime dance at the ball: shows her as a clever loe-dancef. The; story of ; the play is,- due of .the; most charming of :romances, ’and . the sorrows' and joys, of King Neptune ■ and .his .... beautiful: daughter- -wilt- not - soon--be - foigotikn. The box plan is at the, Bristol. - ■ EVEIiVBODY’S PICTURES. The new bill presented at Everybody’s Thealie > yostciday was particularly; strong,., and a>ach-picture fully merited the hearty applause accorded it by a largo and appreciative audience. “Whom the Gods Would Destroy” is a highly emotional drama told in a bright, con-, vincing wav.:, Retribution of justice is the _ theme' bit 'the, ..story, ..-which, centres round- a mysterious - poisoning . tragedy.; Exciting and; thrilling ~ incidents Atra,, through the drama, holding the interest firmly. - The acting : and arranging. is splendidly carried out,, and the film ,is considered the best yet released; by the Lubm Company. • Sensationalism predominates in .the..fourth and Prcscut episode of the serial film The,,.Million Dollar Mysteiy.” This chapter is entitled “The Top Floor Hat and so exciting are its incidents Ajliat the interest aroused in preceding instalments remains unabated. The theme is carried "to a further stage, and the introduction oT~a veiidhioits "ImKT’e;~ by""the Black Hundred”-is the prelude ,to some hairraising situations. An important feature of the programme is-the, fine of subjects' contained in the- Gaumont Griipliic," while “Merely a Married Man” is- a comedy, by the Keystone Com-panv-lidiich is responsible for many .bursts ’of laughter.,. There will he, a repetition at all sessions to-day .and to-, night. ..... ■■■: - ■ - :

- - - THE EMPRESS THEATRE. A typical Jack London, sea yarn is embodied in the Vitagraph featuib drama “Enemies.” with thq new programme the Lmpicss coh tinuons pictures yesterday. The J>toiy has to do mainly with an vuiprinciplcd lawyer, Sargent, and a sea-captain Ma verlie. Sargent woos and betrays Minnie, the captain’s sister. Year? latei the captain conceives a plan of’ revenge.. He. engages a couple of heavy-tided brutes for mates, and has Sargent, the lawyer, ‘‘shanghaied” on to his ship. After enduring ’luucb. übuse and kiibCfc-ing about

at the hands of the mate, Sargent eventually receives a fatal blow. The captain, hitherto unrecognised by Sargent, now reveals bis identity to the dying man, whoso punishment seems complete. The plot is powerfully drawn and the subject is vividly portrayed. “The Top ical Budget" includes views of the Belgian artillery training for the front, a Beninese dog show in London, blind oarsmen racing, and other interesting episodes. Supplementary items embrace "Auckland's Send-off to the Second Maori Troops," “Making Bread in Persia" (Gaumont industrial), “A Barnyard Mixup” (Lubiu cartoon), and "How Mary Fixed It" (Imp comedy, with Mary Pickford in the “lead”). TllE GING'S THEATRE.

A comedy drama that provoked almost continuous laughter, the Majestic Company’s “feature” production, “Her Shattered idol,” is the premier attraction of the change of. programme introduced at the Kings .Theatre last evening. The humour is refreshingly original,- and the situations are irresistibly mirthful. The author proceeds to demonstrate that in these decadent days primal qualifications must give place'to those attributes which the veneer of modern civilisation has produced ; and rendered necessary. A wealthy- old professor has a niece who the old man hopes will marry her cousin, but she fancies that the herculean youug ( blacksmith of the village "is more hexideal than her puny, but worthy, suitor. The girl dreams of the prehistoric days, and in her vision the blacksmith is evolved into real hero through rescuing her from the dutches of a desperate and evil-lookin gstranger. On awakening the girl is more than ever fascinated by her dream hero, so when. he proposes elopement she agrees. The professor learns of their project, and with much sagacity arranges a scheme by which 1 the-girl will be cured of her fascination. He inter-, eepts his doping niece,,.and invites her to ’ bring the blacksmith' into the house as is guest for a month, at ; the. termina tion of which they can be married if they , desire to. do so.- The proiestor entertains a large number of .society people at a dance and slipper, which causes the,- girl’s idol to be shattered. The ~ blacksmith’s grotesque behaviour, and his uncouth old mother’s ill-manners, while provoking a source of ill-concealed mirth for the other guests .and the professor, awaken the, girl from’ her ■thraldom," With the result that she announces, her decision to break off the engagement* After a riotous” “scene” the blacksmith and his mother depart, and the girt roceeds to marry her, old lover. But the blacksmit hreturns'unexpectedly, and, a la Lochinvajv seizes-, the bride and, runs away with her, despite her franjmefforts to escape.: A desperate pursuit ensues; the; blacksmith with the bride in his grasp ape' i. na trap ..drawn by a galloping horse, .while thd lover and snicsts pnsue in motor-cars. ; "In the eiid the blacksmith is worsted and the first lover, secures ids wife. - - There an: also "Path© War Gazette,” with scenes. at: the opening of the Now Xealand'hospildl in England, “Cartoons in a .Laundry, - and othersi