ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9173, 13 October 1915, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE GIRL IN THE TAXI. ’ The Grand Opera House will be reopened next Saturday night, when the J. C. Williamson new English musical comedy company will present the successful musical comedy “The Girl the Taxi.” This musical play deals almost exclusively with the happenings at a ifamous French restaurant, where much genuine fun is infused into the doings and sayings of its habitues and employees. There are rich and gay costumes and handsome scenery, air employed to embellish a striking picture of social happenings at suppertime, where- not one wife alone, but Several wives, are concerned in the embrogUo of the play. “High Jinks, the second production, is a hilarious nightmare, and 'it furnishes scenes of much musical frivolity and light-heart-ed good humour, with many mirthful situations. The name of “High Jinks’’ serves the double purpose of describing the action of everybody concerned, whilst under the influence of the per- _ fume “High Jinks.This magical l scent has the effect of making any person who sniffs it amorously happy and demonstrative- The final production, which will be staged on Wednesday and Thursday, - October 27th and 28th, will be the latest London success, “The Girl on'-the Film.’’ This musical comedy is from the home of burlesque, the Loudon Gaiety. It is full of bright numbers, amusing scenes, and lively dances, which all go to contribute to the gaiety of the piece. The company, which has been specially selected, contains, with one or two exceptions, artists- whom Wellington audiences have not previously seen. The box plans for' the season of eleven nights will open at the Bristol to-morrow morning at 0 o’clock. “NEPTUNE’S DAUGHTER.” This wonderfully attractive photo-play has achieved a remarkable success in Wellington, and not without reason, for it is a romantic type. of picture, embodying, a versatility of incidents of unusual character seldom found in cinematographic studies. This production reveals Annette Kellerman, the famous Australian, as a woman of many parts—as an expert swimmer and diver, as an actress of Striking emotional qualities, as a dancer 'with a poetic conception of'her art, and as a skilful swordsman. Special opportunities have been -afforded- Miss Kellerman in the -course of a story in which interest never flags, to display her remarkable abilities as an aquatic export. One of the most delightful scenes in Ehe story is an exhibition of fancy diving by Miss ICeilerman- Daughter” may with . confidence bo recommended to all lovers of moving-picture art. The last four nights of the, season ere now announced. The plans are at the Bristol. ' ‘'DAHOrt AKD PYTHIAS.” The. story of "Damon, and Pythias l, has stood • out, for, ages as an example of the greatest , and truest friendship 'the world has, ever, known. The meeting of these two Grecian noblemen,- the first spark and growing of friendship into an eternal fire, has been used as the foundation of a remarkable play, entitled “Damon And which will. be seen here at the People s Picture Palace, following ‘ Neptune 8 Daughter.”. Otis Turner, tho wellknown American stage who-pi-oduced “Damon and “Pythias, spent two months and a half alone in re--sehroh for - architectural models andcostume designs for the presentation of this spectacle. Its five parts have been described by students of the period as 5 the most -perfect representations ever made of Grecian .'life-at this Time, 400 years B.C. The play is enacted by a superb caste of well-known American arUsts,, together with hundreds of supernumeraries. ,

THE KING’S THEATRE. , . "Her Shattered Idol," at the King’s Theatre, is a picture that will be sure to- command big business during tne week. A dramatic play with a strong, vein of originality, and fairly alive with Screamingly funny situations ae well.-os many thrilling episodes is refreshing. The hearty laughter that-is heard testifies to the appreciation of the extremely humorous situations that arise, and to the quaint American slang dettcrpress description*. When the “big stiff, to quote the film, does the "run-away , with the "near-bride,’’ the excitement as intense. and bolds the attention of the audience till the last flicker. , The acting is of high merit. Miss Mae Marsh outshining all her previous efforts, and she is ably supported by Robert Harron i. the "Bov,” and Elmo lancoln as Abe muscular blacksmith-idol. The .other pictures shown aro also well- up to the standard. . “His Jungle Swoetheart a Sslig animal drama, is a thnlhng drama with some fine leopards playing a Prominent part, and "The Cartoons tin a Laundry” are clever and original as well as amusing. The Paths Gazette is of more than ordinary interest, and includes the opening of a hospita! for New Zealand wounded soldiers by Loro Plunket and the High Commissioner., A couple of interesting: scenic studies are also included in a eplendr<l Soate may be reserved at the Bristol Piano deppt for any night of the season. ~ HIS MAJESTY’S. Well-selected and entertaining, the items on the vaudeville programme sented this week m His Majesty s Theatre, again had a cordial reception last evening. Miss Lonie Duggan, the Devonshire nightingale.’ was heard to advantage in several songs, and tjjc liberal applause bestowed upon her was well deserved. TolW Jackson, operatic duettists, scored a success, their “turn” proving distinctly PW lar - “ clever comedy not was provided by Lew Hoffman, a juggler of no mean ability. Leonard Nelson was a favourite, his songs quickly appealing to the audiento; ilrthur Dotfglas was estromcly entertaining in his Scotch specialities; O Connell and Austin gave an exhibition oftnok cycling. Included also on the bill are the Two Colliers, Edenhnry, Nat Hanley, and Rowley and Tointon. A repetition will be made to-night. " EVERYBODY’S PICTURES. . A thrilling Lubin drama entitled "Whom the Gods Destroy” is . the chief among a series of entertaining films which compose the current programme at Everybody’s Theatre. Hate, greed and intrigue admirably blended and skufully interwoven with a refreshing little romance provide the theme f or , a which has plenty of grip. A desperate and ingenious attempt by the -p la £ K Hundred” to obtain large sum of money connected with u.ne Million Dollar Mystery" .is introduced in the fourth episode, which is entitled “The Top Floor Flat.” This chapter abounds with breach-stealing situations. -"Merely a Married Man.” a Keystone comedy, is responsible for much amusemerit, while great interest is aroused by the "Gaumont Graphic. 3 ’ There will be a repetition throughout the day and evening. THE EMPRESS. ‘ There is a strong bill now showing at this house, and excellent business is reported. The" headliner is a powerful sea story of the kind written so well hr Jock London. Harry Morey and Edith Storey portray the leading roles, and the Vltagraph Company have produced the picture in their best style. The supporting features include a comedy entitled "How Mary Fixed It.” In this the favourite Mary Pickford is seen together with Owen Moore, who is fas is perhaps not generally known) her husband. The

departure of the Maori reinforcements from Auckland is depicted in a fine film showing the crowds and the farewell ceremonies, poi dance, etc., at the Town Hall. A very cleverly done set of cartoons are called "A Barnyard Mix-up,” and there is a new number of “The Topical Gazette,” containing much of interest concerning the war, including views of Italian crowds celebrating the victories over the Austrians, and the Bishop of London is seen addressing a large body of troops at St. Paul’s.

BAXTER BUCKLEY RECITAL. The farewell pianoforte recital to be given on Friday next at the Concert Chamber will be the sixteenth programme by this well-known artistMarch 1913, saw the inauguration of the series, since when over 200 pieces by composers of all nationalities over KlO of which were entirely new to Wellington—have been given. A further batch will be included on Friday. Mrs Woodward and Mr Frank Charlton are the vocalists, with Mrs Queree and Miss Hanify the! accompanists. Bookings are very encouraging at the Bristol-