ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9174, 14 October 1915, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

J. c WILLIAMSON’S NEW MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON,"The Girl in the Taxi." which will he produced by the J. C. Williamson new musical comedy company at the Grand Opera House next Saturday evening, is. says the Auckland Herald, of the raciest kind, allied with particularly tuneful music, tho whole presented in a setting of sparkle, colour and animation Few modern musical plays -possets rile electrical gaiety that characterises th ! s one. The first act is amusing,, the second brings on paroxysms of mirth, and the third can scarcely be heard, so loud and continuous is the laughter it causes. So intensely funny are the situations, so smart the dialogue, and so ingenious the surprises which lift the farce along upon its merry way, that the onlooker is left almost breathless in tho end. . • Seldom has an Auckland audience shown such empha.ic signs of enjoyment. At times they rocked with laughter so long and so pronoui.eed as ‘to stay tlie action of the piece- . . . Mach of the credit for the diversion was due to the performers. They constitute . one' of the _ best' allround combination of comedians, comediennes, singers and dancers the i> illiamson firm has sent to New Zealand. The piece is handsomely staged and costumed. and its musical n umbers numerous." Tn© second production. High Jinks." will be presented on Friday, October 22nd, for four nights.' This piece is fall of fun, and abounds _in light tuneful music. The idea of High Jinks". is to keep things, going all the time. There are three acts in the-play, which is of “The Belle of New York type, and each of them furnishes scenea of musical frivolity and good _ humour, and provides many mirthful situations. The final, production, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, October 27th and 28th, will be the latest London Gaiety success, "The Girl on the Film.” Tho box plans for the season of 11 nights will be opened at the Bristol this morning at 9 o’clock- ' HIS MAJESTY’S. A demonstrative audience attended His Majesty’s Theatre last night, when tho very entertaining vaudeville programme submitted was warmly appreciated. Pollard and Jackson, operatic duettists of a high standard, contributed several bright numbers which evoked loud applause. Miss Louie Duggan’s strong soprano voice was heard to great advantage in “Rose of My Heart.” The clever and amusing antics of McConnell and Austinp'the "bicycle fiends," created much diversion. Mr Leonard,-Notion, tho popular musical comedian, was in great demand, and had to respond to several, recalls, while other enjoyable numbers were contributed by Lew Hoffman (comedy hat juggler), Nat Hanley, Edonbury, Arthur Douglas, and Rowley and Tointon. The same programme-ivill bo repeated this evening.

' .THE KING’S. The. "feature” film jit \tho King’s Theatre this week is commanding attention for its originality and many extremely' humorous situations. The title. "Her Shuttered, Idol," refers to the foolish infatuation of a romantic girl for a big uncouth blacksmith, for whom she re j ects her lover. '• Her cute old uncle; who has ■ learned the ways' of women by studying insects, shatters her idol by exposing his terrible luck 'of manners and the brutal uncouthness of her modern cave-man. Throughout the story of 4000 ft thrilling adventure runs hand iri hand with broad farce, and the .attention of tho audience is held fast- Tire, balance; of -the programme is also excellent. “His Jungle Sweetheart," a Selig animal drama, is a-’ thrilling story with a fine heart interest, and the “Cartoons in a Laundry" are clever and original,'.as well as amusing. The Path© "Gazette" is ,-ofi more than ordinary interest, .and a couple of beautiful scenic studies are also included in a splendid programme. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol Piano Depot- i

1 NEPTUNE’S DAUGHTER.' The season of Annette Kollerman is ■‘Neptune’s Daughter" -is nearing the close of' its third consecutive week at tiie People’s Picture Palace, and only three more nights remain in which to view this delightful romance of, the sea. The great: success of "Nqptune’s Daughter’’ is undoubtedly- due to the fact that it is away from the. beaten path and that every incident is novel. Then again, it gives a ‘wonderful opportunity of seeing Annette Kellerman, the diving Venus, as she is called,,in her own natural elem.ent. This- popular Australian artist, who has won a world-wide reputation for her aquatic feats, is certainly a veritable mermaid if ever there was one, and appears as much at home in. tho water as on land.: The box plans, for the closing nights are at the Bristol. • ■

/DAMON, AND PYTHIAS. ' The second tig feature film brought io this country by the Frederic Shipman tlntei-pri'ses’*- is. entitled Damon and Pvthias," ami will be given its first screening in New Zealand at the - People s Picture Palace next Monday. .This pliotofllav-'is" said to be full of striking and dramatic! scenes, showing the : destruction of- Grecian cities; battles on land and sea, .chariot races and stadium games, while ' ttio struggle in the heart of 'Pythias' between his love for his 'sweetheart, Calnnljie, and his love for ii s friend, Damon, forms the heart-in-terest of the play. In the lighter scenes lovely Grecian ‘ maids, clad m snowy robes, dance happily in gardens filled with flowers and fruit. Then come the sterner scents, the terrific battles, the triumphant return of Pythias, and .1 ust as ho* marries his sweetheart the great test, of friendship and his response thereto. The play is in five parts, and is the woik of the same company who produced "Neptune’s Daughter.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. _ "The Enemies.” a stirring story of the sea by the Vitagraph Company, continues to attract thronged assemblages at the Empress continuous pictures. The play is convinoingly interpreted, and many of the scenes are taken on an actual sailing ship at sea. Phere are many interesting happenings depicted in “Tim Topical Budget." Th© supplementary subjects are of an enjoyable charjmt'er. "The Enemies" wall be .shown again to-day and to-night.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. ‘“Whom the Gods would Destroy," an uncommonly attractive American “feature” "drama by the Lubm Company, is a prominent item of the current bill at Everybody’s Theatre. The story shows how an unscrupulous* city magnate poisons ‘his, partner in order to get rid of him for personal gain. Th© fourth epi-. sode of “The Million Dollar Mystery” ti exciting and realistic, and develops a startling climax. "Merely a Married Man” (Keystone comedy) and “Gamnont Graphic" aro entertaining studies.

HERBERT BROOKS. A notable engagement by the Puller vaudeville proprietary is that of Mr Herbert Brooks, -who is described as "The Man of Mystery.” Performances of most illusionists have a sameness, but Herbert Bracks is said to stand apart, lie commences with a card manipulation which is stated to leave the audience in a state of wondermentThe crowning feature b in his trunk trick. He is securely fastened in a steel trunk which is covered by a canvas and leather case, which is in turn bound by ropes. The box and he are placed in a closed cabict. mid in a few moments Brooks makes his appearance^

This artist will make .his Wellington debut at His Majesty’s Theatie on Monday evening next.

COLLEGE GLEE CLUB CONCERT. An excellent musical - programme- is in hand for the Victoria , UniversityCollege- Glee Club’s concert to-morrow-evening. It includes glees 1 and part songs by the members, and solos by the ' well-known 'Wellington artists. Misses G. Watkins and E. Smith and Mr Hamilton Hodges.- This concert, which will be held in the college gymnasium, deserves every support, the proceeds beiug devoted to the hospital ship iuDu»