ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9607, 13 March 1917, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S,

A complete change of programme by Fullers’ Vaudeville Company resulted in a thronged audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. The Victor Princo Revue Company figured in a rollicking Hibernian musical farce, “A Bit of Irish/’ which, judging by the amount of applause evoked, is the most popular contribution yet presented by that company. As usual Mr Prince and Miss Lilian Colons© were responsible for the bulk of the comedy work, and Mr Charles Zoh again proved himself an incomaparably amusing “Dago,” his vocal efforts being in big demand. Miss Dorothy Hastings, Messrs George Shan at, Yorke Gray, and Rawdon Blandford added lustre to the performance, whilst the dances by the ballet were excellent. In the second half of tiro programme Air Yorke Gray’s “Fox Trot” amateur dancing competition advanced a stage, three couples opening the campaign. The winners were to bo judged by the amount of applause, but so evenly were favours bestowed that a tie resulted between Miss Lorna Snow and Air Percy Oughton, and Aliss Eleather Marshall and Air Harry Brown. Aliss Bona Winstanlcy was severely handicapped by a partner who had not undergone sufficient preparation, but she danced with a skill superior to the others. Another trio of couples will compete this evening. The Rosie Rifle Co. gave a brilliant exhibition of sharpshooting, the lady’s feats being equal to anything hitherto seen locally. A novel dramatic and statuary posing act by Aliss Alarie St. George and Air Ernest St. George made an instantaneous “hit." Alsace, the cultured musician, gave with masterly effect two violin solos, a ’cello item, and a selection on the Alsaccphone. Air Alark Erickson, a descriptive vocalist, made a favourable impression on the occasion of his first appearance. The contralto vocalisations by Alarjoric Alwyu, and the “turn” by Billy .Mann, black-faccd comedian, were highly acceptable.

FLORENCE ROCKWELL SEASON What promises to prove an exceptionally fine dramatic treat is the coming of Miss Florence Rockwell, Mr Frank Harvey, and a picked dramatic company, under the direction of J. C. Williamson. Ltd. Miss Rockwell is an emotional actress of recognised high position, and one c£ Unfortunate few who have been successful both on the legitimate stage and the cinema screen. Miss Rockwell, although making her first appeaanco here as an actress of the spoken word, will doubtless be well remembered as

tho heroine nf several high-grade moving pictures. For some years she has been in the first flight of America’s emotional actresses. Miss Rockwell will be seen here first in Max Maroin’s powerful play, “The House of Glass, in which she will sustain, the big acting part of Margaret Case, tiny playing of which succeeded in keeping Tic Candler Street Theatre in Now Von; full for ove r eighteen months. AMs; Rockwell has been described as “Nature's artist,” possessing in an unusual degree that rare dramatic Hypnotism that infallibly gets over the footl'ghts and into the hearts and sympathy of an audience. In Australia recently -Miss Rockwell was accepted unchallenged as the most consummate artist remembered within a decade. “The House of Glass” will be played for tin; first four nights, and will lie followed hy Vv. 'Somerset Maugham's fine play, “The Land ot i’romise,” and George Broadfaiirst's great drama, “The Law of Tie Land.” The company that will support the principals include such sterling artists as Messrs Boyd Irwin, Arthur Styan, Arthur Greenaway, Leslie Victor, Charles Brown, Leonard Stephens, William Lockhart, and Misses Gertrude Boswell, Stella Payter, Maggie Knight, Ro.se Rooney, and Mr Arfhui Scanlon. In brief, the story of “The House of Glass” is as follows; A false ly accused girl breaks her parole when released, from gaol. Her relentless pursuit by tho law, and the tragedy and despair that threatens her years afterwards, when she lias gained happiness and forgetfulness, provide material, it is said, more powerful and compelling than any that has beer, written since “Within Tic Law.” The box plans for tho nine nights’ season will be opened at the Bristol on Friday morning next, at "9 o’clock. The season will commence at the Grand Opera House on Tuesday next, with t!ie performance of “The House of Glass.”

THE KING’S.

Afademoiselle Valkyrien is the feature player of “Hidden \ alley,” a five-reel Rathe Gold Rooster screen drama made by the Tbanhouser Company. The important scenes take place in South Africa, and suggest the tales of adventure of which Rider Haggard has been so prolific an author. “Hidden Valley’ has the necessary ingredients to make a palatable story. There are savage tribes, a manly hero, a captive white girl, a;._ a mysterious temp'e that is her prison house, ifdlle Valkyrien has splendid opportunity for the display of her faultless form and terpsichorean abilities in sonic of the weird native dances, and the whole picture is well carried out. The supporting pictures include a Triangle comedy called “Never Again,” which stars the wellknown American stage comedian, William Collier.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE,

Hasheesh, tho Indian drug which has such dreadful effects, is tho mainstay of the dope-ridden outcast which tho hero becomes in “The Beggar of CHvjiporc,” the fine Triangle play of tho Indian Mutiny now showing at Everybody's. Tho name part is played by H. B. Warner, who made his name here in such pictures as “Tho Raiders” and ‘The Bartered Bride.” In the slow transformation from a smart army surgeon to a wretched dope-fiend, be is described as giving a woudoiful displav of talent. Biliie Burke ill “Perilous Love,” the third story of Gloria’s Romance has a more dramatic role than in the preceding stones. The programme is proving o popular one.

CROWN THEATRE,

The thrilling William Fox drama, “Tho Man of Sorrow,” greatly delighted the largo audience at the Crown Theatre last night. The plot of tho photo-play, which is founded on _ tho groat stage success, “Hoodm.-m Blind,'’ is wonderfully well worked out, and gripped the onlookers from start to finish. In the title role William Farnum, the popular motion-picture actor, .scores a big success, the part giving him an opportunity to display to tho full his undoubted tragic powers. Tho cast as a whole is a veiy .strong one, and the play, which is hy no means all tragedy—the comic relief is not wanting, and a vein of romantic interest runs throughout—should have a good run. Among the supporting films are “Britannia’s Budget,” a war series including pictures of the greatest of all naval battles, the battle of Jutland; “Her Sacrifice,” a pleasing photodrama ;and “Moustaches and Bombs,” a side-splitting comedy. Air E. Ball, the musical director, also deserves a meed of praise tor the very excellent programme of music submitted.