ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9618, 26 March 1917, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Variety patrons will have no dimculty in recalling the sensation caused by the Five Marvellous Manchurians when they appeared hero some months ago under the Fuller banner. Ihis act, up to that time, held the premier position in the list of Fuller bookings, but recently Mr Ben J- Fuller discovered a quite as wonderful, if not more wonderful attraction in the Le Orohs, who will make their initial appearance at His Majesty's Theatre this evening. The Be Grohs are three in number, one lady and two gentlemen, and it is Impossible to attempt to describe these astounding performances in detail. Suffice to say that the American, Continental, and British press have been unanimous in heralding this act as one of the greatest-marvels yet seen in the amusement world. Of them the New York “Life” has the following to say:—“Le Grohs held the spectators breathless while they performed seemingly impassible feats with the utmost ease. The neatness with which a succession of acrobatic and contortionists acts was presented was ono of the main features of a remarkable, not to say astounding, turn. The presentation aroused the huge audience to prolonged applause.” The 1 Chicago Tribune” also waxes enthusiastic in ‘she following statement: —“At the conclusion of the Le Grohs’s act, which act opens up a new epoch in the acrobatic world, the audience rose en masse and cheered the talented trio to the echo.” The star act will be preceded by a big bill of supporting artists. Armitage and Hine, the Slavey and the Ginger,” are announced for a welcome reappearance, and this gifted comedy couple require no introduction to Wellington. George Grotty, the well-known London revuo comedian. Be Baker’s Living Models, Ray and Gray, pablerologists, Brull and Hemsley, sketch artists (the male member of this trio Is one of the finest dude comedians over seen here), Fred ArEliur, “Shabby ' Genteel,” bcott Gibson, Scottish comedian, Alvcrnaand Laerte, Belgian musical duo, and last, but not least, Billy Brown, the fine coloured eccentric, will complete a brilliant coterie of vaudeville stellar features.

THE KING’S. The leadanc: film being shown at the King's Picture Theatre is the story of Spartacus, the renowned leader of the slaves’ revolt in the days of early Rome. This is a magnificent •picture, spectacular and historic, ana mounted with a wealth of colour ana detail seldom surpassed. The acting is splendid throughout, and the whole series is a wonderful revelation of the life of bygone days when Rome was mistress of the world. Bpartacus Is brought a slave to Rome from Thrace, along with his sister, and is added to the ranks of the gladiators. His sister becomes an attendant on the daughter of the Consul Crassns, who becomes enamoured of Spartacus. The latter makes a name for himself in the arena, and is goaded to revolt. He makes for the Apennines, where thousands join the ranks of the revolutionaries. Hemmed in by the Roman legions, he contrives to save his army and defeats Crassns, whom he saves for his daughter’s sake. Spartacus has made an enemy in the gladiatorial ranks, who murders CrassUs and contrives to have Spartacus blamed for the deed. ■ However, the machinations of the villain are revealed, and in the place of Spartacus he is thrown to the lions. Poetic justice—so often missing in real life —is meted out, and all ends well. This is a picture of Roman life which all should see. It is a magnificent pageant of early Rome, and the spectacles of triumphant troops marching through the city, the fighting in the arena, the battles between the slaves and the Roman soldiers are grand in eyery_ respect- “How Ambrose Got His Rise" is an amusing picture of Western life, which makes a pleasant contrast to tho leading film.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The large audiences at the Empress Theatre on Saturday greatly appreciated the fine film-drama “The Madness of Helen,” featuring the beautiful and charming motion-picture actress Miss Ethel Clayton, and that finished actor, Mr Carlyle Blackwell. The well-work-ed-out plot is strongly sensational. An untoward fate places the heroine in a cruelly false position; and, deprived of her reason by a motor accident, she can do nothing to right the wrong. Her twin sister, however, cares tenderly for her, in spite of appearances being so terribly against her ; and finally, after many strange happenings, all ends happily for the two sisters and those they - love. The Topical Budget shows, amongst other interesting items, a New Zealand y. A.S.C. football match “somewhere in France,” with Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and Sir Thomas Mackenzie looking on; and great mirth was provoked by the "Vim Comedy” “The Honeymoon Oar,” with its pretty heroine, its very much in love hero, wiho is quite an amateur chauffeur, the prim chaperon, the down-at-heels “hobo,” and the very smart police sheriff.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Big audiences were attracted by the very excellent change of programme at Everybody’s Theatre on Saturday. The gazette of topical film-paragraphs was, as usual, most interesting, and the Triangle Fine Arts success. “The Microscopic Mystery,” full of stirring incident, and with a pleasing love story running through it, was followed with the keenest interest. The motion pictures of minute insects and of bacilli cultures are wonderfully well photographed, and admirably screened. One has to see them to believe that such things are possible; and the skilful manner in which an innocent girl is saved from a charge of murder by the means of the microscope is not only very thrilling as drama, but a liberal education from the scientific point of view. Last, but not least, the charm, the beauty, and the very fine acting of Miss Billy Burke, in chapter V—“The Gathering Storm” —of "Gloria’s Romance,” greatly delighted the audiences. Each chapter is a story in itself, and all go to build' up a play replete with stirring incident and by no means lacking in romantic interest. CROWN THEATRE. One of the finest William Fox photo-<plays ever seen in Wellington was shown at the Crown Theatre for the first time on Saturday. The picture. which is entitled “Ambition,” is said to be one of the film triumphs of Mme. Bertha Kalich, who takes the leading role.. She is supported by a talented English actor, Mr Kenneth Hunter. With its enthralling plot, telling of love and political intrigue, the powerful cast portraying the story, and its gorgeous mountings, the film touches the high-water mark in picturedom. The story is of