ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9623, 31 March 1917, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

J C. WILLIAMSON’S COMEDY SEASON. ’’Seven Keys to Baldpate, ’ the first production by the J. C. Williamson Farce Comedy Company at the Grand Opera House next Saturday night, is a story dramatised by George M. Cohan, from the novel of the same name, written by Earl Derr Biggers. The cast is a lengthy one, and includes amongst its characters a novelist, a newspaper woman, a hermit, a women blackmailer, a crooked politician, a millionaire railway president, and the chief of police. These characters could, bo dressed into many stories, all more or less hackneyed, but their placing in this piece is said to be altogether original and unexpected. Tho scene of the play is a summer hotel on the top of a mountain in the depth of winter, which in itself is a place where unusual things might be expected to occur. Other features that would be likely to play a part in a hackneyed story also appear in the most form. They include a ghost, a roll of notes worth 200,0U0d01, a murder, and a bet of aOOOdol. These are the ingredients of the play, but it is mixing of them that provides a first-class mystery. Mr Robert Grcig, who has been entrusted with the New Zealand production, has, it is said, taken every care to cram all the thrills and laughter that the script ’affords into three’ hours of stage traffic. Associated with Mr Greig will be\ Miss Beatrice Holloway, who is without doubt one of the most brilliant comediennes the Australian stage has yet produced. Wellington playgoers will remember her delightful impersonations when she toured the Dominion as "leading lady” with Mr Fred Niblo in “Get-Eick-Quick Wallingford.” Besides being an actress of exceptional ability, Miss Holloway has a magnetic and pleasing persousdity. For the interpretation of the distinct types of characters created by the author of "Seven Keys to Baldpate," it was necessary to procure suitable artists. With this end in view the J. C. Williamson manage, ment has got together what is regarded as one of the finest companies that has over been sent to the Dominion. A special matinee will be given on Easter Monday. The box plans will open at the Bristol next Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock.

HIS MAJESTY'S. Good houses continue to be the rmo at the popular vaudeville house, where a galaxy of artists keep up the reputation of His Majesty’s. Ray and Gray divert the audience with light comedy, gparkling song, and fantastic dance; Fred Arthur, the “shabby genteel comedian,’’ is a Dickensian type and a rare mimic of human beings who think they can sing and act, but who can’t; Brill and Hemsley reappear, and prove more popular than ever in their extravaganza “The Knut, the Girl, and the Egg (or chicken)." Billy Brown is a droll comedian who does the coon business to a nicety. The Le Qrohs are a remarkable pair of contortionists, who assume the most startling postures and walk in weird uncanny ways unknown to the average man and woman. Their turn took on immensely. George Grotty, the Revue Star, shone brightly and twinkled merrily. Madame Alverna and M. 'Jean Laerte discoursed sweet music of high class. Armitage and Hine are side-splitting comedians who keep the house in a roar, and Scott Gibson, the kilted laugh-raiser, went down like a drop of "Scotch." The De Baker's (Living Models maintained their reputation, for artistic posing. THE NORWOODS TO-NIGHT. There is no doubt of Professor Norwood's popularity and his hold on. the public mind as an entertainer. This was shown in a convincing fashion in tho Grand Opera House on his last visit,'when he showed to large audiences nightly. The Professor’s specialty is hypnotism, and in his hands, per- medium of subjects, the subtle influence is used to provide a variety of merry entertainment. And his efforts were so successful that the audience had few respites in which to gain its breath after each spasm of laughter. The antics of the subjects at the will of the Professor, their expressions on realising their positions, often of the most ludicrous nature, and their bolt for cover, produced uproarious, laughter. The Professor himself is undoubtedly a clever and vereaile entertainer, and is the possessor of a personality that carries his audiences with him. And he is the centre around whom his subjects move, and at his will do a hundred and one things, ridiculous and otherwise, but mfostly ridiculous, that provide an evening crammed full of innocent enjoyment. CROWN THEATRE. This afternoon and again to-night a new programme will be presented at the Crown Theatre, headed by a spectacular drama called “How Heroes are Made." It is said to include some improssive battle scenes, 'A varied range of good supporting films makes up the new bill. For the special benefit of the children an extra picture will .be screened at-the matinee. Commencing next week the Grown programmes will bo changed twice weekly. ■•'PRUDENCE THE PIRATE." An instalment of bright fun which rapidly becomes turned into what could have been awful tragedy is brought down in “Prudence the Pirate, the Bathe Gold Rooster drama screening at tho King’s to-day-. Prudence, daintily delineated by Gladys Huletto, leaves Miss Mincem’s Academy “finished, - and goes home to “all the family she. owns 1 , a prim aunt and an uncle who has nearly been nagged To. death, prudence upsets the calm of this : household in quick time, and after much manoeuvring is actually afloat in “The Bucket of Blood," a schooner she has managed to hire and man-with a scratch crew. She declines to fall in with her societystruck aunt’s plans of marrying her to wealthy young Astorbilt, ’ but she finds later on; when in danger of her life, that his effimancy conceals some fine pluck. CLARA KIMBALL YOUNG. As in “The Common Law,” Clara Kimball Poung in “The Dark Silence" is at first seen in many studio scenes. She plays the role of an art student who goes to Paris to complete her art course. She is exquisite in these scenes, but her wonderful beauty is no less apparent tin the garb of a Red Cross nurse. The. hospital scenes hero are done”'in 'realistic fashion, and must

bars been taken at the front.' ; However, “The Dark Silence,” with its war scenes, never impresses you as a war story, the thread of romance is too strong. • Potography, is unexcelled, settings rich, and Glara Kimball Young s personality dominates every minute of the play. If you have become tired from seeing pictures with the similarity of plot and circumstances, this it is said, is an opportunity to refresh your mind with something new. The picture opens at the Empress this morning;

NAVY COMEDY COMPANY. The public. of Wellington are going to be entertained to a novel performance by tbe Musical Comedy Company of the Royal Navy. The proceeds arc in aid of the Navy league. The entertainment to ail intents and purposes is naval,. and has been performed, in Bombay with success, In addition, the company will be assisted by well-known New Zealand artists. Tickets are on sale throughout the city, and the performers leave it to tho public to do the rest. Mr Val, Atkinson, who is well known in musical circles in New Zealand, is general manager and producer, and an artistic success is anticipated. Attention is called to tho advertisement in this issue regarding the starting time of the performance. EVERYBODY'S.' Ao abduct a parson from, his bathrnb and carry him, off, to assist in a marriage ceremony seems a daring proceeding, but this is nothing to tho other .whirlwind efforts of Douglas Pairbanks in "The Matrimaniac,” a - new Triangle play commencing at Everybody's tOrday. It is. little wonder that the two of them, are taken for escaped lunatics, and the train officials wire ahead for officers. The picture is described as a rollicking romance full of lightning surprises and clever athletic feats performed in the Fairbanks way. Miss Billie, Mnrko_ commences in "Hidden Fires" a new instalment of Gloria's Romance on. this programme.