ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9248, 15 January 1916, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

J. C. WILLIAMSON ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY. Commeiieia*} at cue uiauu upora House on Frmay evening nc-xc ■>■ C. Williamson, Ltd., will inaugurate a season 01 comic opera and musical plays.- _ The coming of so famous an organisation as ilia iioyal Comic Opera Company, muot at all times be- chronicled as a notable icviical event. In tne present case- /», deal wore tlian the ordinary interest is attached owing to the generous natme of tho attractions offered. . Luring a season of fourteen nights no.fewer than six ccm'ic operas and musical comedies win bo presetted. The' inclusion of _.. s " c li popular favourites as'"Our Miss Gibbs, "Paul Jones," "The Quaker Girl, and "Ma Mie Rosette," together with the two new operas "Gipsy Love" and ine Dancing Mistress" (both of which will be seen tor the first time here) presents | possibilities in a'musical way quite out of the common. /'Gipsy Love, _ wnicli ccire.s with the reputation of being another "Merry Widow," will be given for the first three nights • to be followed by. [ "Our Miss Gibbs" (three nights), Paul Jones" (one ni?h£), "The Quaker Girl, "Ma Mie Rosette" and "The -D?™ 1 "'"' Mistress" (two nights each and in the "order named). The company interpreting the opera will bo tho same as wasrecentlv go successful in Melbourne ami Sydney", comprising such well-known artists as Messrs Leslie Holland, Roginahl Roberts, Phil Smith,- -Claude Bantocu Charles Albert, John Ralston, Lie* I Shortland. Alfred Andrew, and.: Misses Minnie Love, Ethel Benetto, Mrs George Lauri, Maggie Moore and Florence Young. Miss Ethel Cndman, a dist tiwrnished English soprano, and Mr Derek Hudson, a new English baritone will make first appearances here. company numbers over 100 members an' includes a grand opera orchestra under the direction of Mr Starry Bnj^° n - a *" a complete corps de ballet. The bn:,plans for the fiTst seven nights will bJ opened at the Bristol on Wednesday morning next. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There was a large attendance, at His Majesty's.. Theatre last evening, -when tha bright and varied current programme was again presented, ■ lae original comedy slack-wire act by cotlinger and Reynolds evoked prolongea applause. Miss Alice Pierce was encored for her clever imitations of .theatrical celebrities, The American tramp musician, Mr George Wheeler, provided a clever turn, and was Heartily applauded. Miss Betty- Bruce (English comedienne), the Astelles (acrobajts and. -balancers), Misses Amy Murphy .and Nellie Black, Armstrong and Howarth, aid; wara Lear, who have become favourites at this house of entertainment, also met with approval. The programme -will be repeated this evening, and-there will be the usual matinee this afternoon. On Monday evening there will bo a change of programme, when several new artists will maktT their first appearance. 'thSThngu • There will be a matinee at the King s Theatre this afternoon at 2.30, when "The Shulamite," the big feature pictui., by the London Film Company, togetkei with an excellent supporting pru*rammu> will be screened. Many who have been unabje to gain admittance during tht week will no doubt take this opportunity of seeing tho picture. The programmt vill be screened for the last time -in Wellington to-night at the usual time, and seats may be reserved* at the BristoPiano Company till noon, after that at the. King's Theatre. For Monau.. evening next the programme promises -u oe of aii. -unusually interesting nature, with two "star" offerings from 'leading -American- companies. Anita Stewari and Earie Williams; two -of th» "most; popular of cinema artists,.'will be seem in a Broadway success entitled* "Thv Awakening," a otrong drama of contrasts depicting .Many phases of New York life both . among the "J"ir huaidiect" and the "four million"—the sooial and slum life of the city bein;; eleverly interwoven. The other "feature" film is by the Thanhouser Coigpany'and stars Florence La Badie in a» impressive dramatic play entitled "Reincarnation," a film described as beinis of unusual and powerful treatment with an engrossing story. .The other pictures to be shown comprise two ..smart ana original comedies, an'interesting "Pathe Gazette" and a military film, "How the French Coast is Guarded." . THE-EMPRESS. The current programme will be screen. ed this evening for the last time. The schedule 'for next week will have as the maia a drama in three, reels entitled "The First Commandment.'? This is. the .first of a remarkable set of ten features which have lately been, produced by the Kalem Co., and which are based upoi the Commandments. The story shows throughout many powerfullyacted situations how a giant of the financial' world, who lived only for the warship of the god of gold, is eventually ruined in the battle:of competition, ana. is taken to the home oik tha son whom no had east-aside in the race for wealth. As he sits-beside his .children in the church on Sunday, happier than, he has been for years, realises the; significance: of the preacher's test, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me," The stars are Tom-Moore' and Marguerite Courtot-—two of the, screen's most gifted exponents. The .supporting films .will include '" "Constantinople' (G'aumont scenic), "Man of the Woods" (a comedy in the beautiful Path© -colour); "The Topical Budget," and the ...' Vitagraph laughter-maker "Booble's Baby.'' EVERYBODY'STHEATRE.

The current programme at Everybody's has several pictures worthy of. favourable comment, notably a melodramatic feature, "A Battle of Wits," also "Salor nika,'" and two good comedies in "Jimmie on the Job" and . "The. Jink of Jenks." The whole series will finish to. night. -Oh' Monday'the new bill will contain, another chapter of.that sensational drama, "The Million Dollar Mystery," which has now only a. few more numbers to go. In this episode, "Trapped by the Flames," a masked ball is one of- the-big scenes. The Black-Hun-, dred cause a. disturbance, during which an explosion occurs and wrecks the building. " After desperate efforts, Norton manages to save Florence from the flames. Thus ends the eighteenth part of this serial--story. An amusing comedy is Vitagraph's "Honeymoon Pact, which tells how promises in the' early stages of married life were broken. An interesting scenic study, especially at the present period, ia "In the Heart of B- —«t." "The Gaumont -Graphic' is full of scenes from the war zones. Other good pictures are "Love's Way,' a splendid story of a mans redemption, and "Never Again/' a most amusing comedy. The - orchestra, under the baton of Mr Herbert, Bloy, discourses sweet music to each subject.