ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9999, 17 June 1918, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

| VAUDEVILLE AT HIS MAJESTY’S. | Like Tennyson's “Brook,” tho stipI ply of new acts to the Fullers’ local | vaudeville headquarters seems to “go on for ever.” To-night an entire change of programme will be presented j when a favourite amongst Now Zealand variety patrons in the person of | Mr Carlton Max, a very versatile ven- ; triloquist, will make a welcome roap- ; pearance after a lengthy absence, i Since his last appearance in this city this artist has appeared on many programmes in divers parts of the earth, ■ notably South Afrca, Great Britain, America and some of the belligerent : countries. The Vivians, a pair cf tal- ! cnted juveniles who made'their first bow in this city on Saturday, and at once found great favour, will bo in- : eluded in to-night’s programme. The Trio Classique, which, comprises two members_of the original family of Musical Kennedy#, ami Miss Hoy Atlelle, : will bo seen and heard in a new programme of musical classics. Coco, She , and It will present their novelty act, ■ introducing the sensational up and i down head slide. F.OJB. and, his daintv partner, the Five Lcwvna, those popular lit do urientafl girls, Franki Lank and Alice, and Mandeno’s Dogs will complete what should be an entertaining evening. Several now acts are announced for to-morrow night’s bill. “PANTHEA.” Was she justified in yielding her own honour to save her husband’s lifo? Having sold her soul to save his life, was alio to lose his love? Such are the daring problems which “Panthea,” tho forcible and realistic Solzwick photo-drama, screened at tho King's ; Theatre ..on . Saturday.,, sets ..put to answer. Norma Tolmadgo, a beautiful and talented young actress, appears in the title role, and enacts tho somewhat thankless part of the heroine with undoubted charm and great histrionic power. The play, which, opening in revolutionary Russia, includes- a vivid portrayal of a gallant fresoue by British coastguards from a burning ship, tho arrest-of the heroine in Paris on a false charge of murder, and her banishment with her English husband to Siberia, abounds in incident and intense dramatic situations; and, for tho answers to the problems above stated—well, tho solutions suggested by tho playwright, in fairness to him, should bo seen in tho play itself. The drama is superbly staged and mounted, tho oast all round is a strong one, and tho unfolding of tho plot was followed by largo audiences with the keenest interest. The scones in Russia and Siberia are particularly well presented, as also are the scenes at Sir Henry Moydaunt’s house, where Panthea finds refugo after the shipwreck. Abundant comic relief is afforded by “The Widow’s Might,” an unusually vreUstagodl and well-acted faroo, while the Gaumont Graphic gives o. very interesting selection of topical “filmphotogrnpbfl” on the events of the day. The programme will ho screened continuously each afternoon and evening till Saturday next. EMPRESS THEATRE. Tho powerful World feature, “Tho Cross Bearer,” screened at the Empress Theatre oij SfotuiidayS. deplctsUu a most realistic manner tho '“battle-field of Europe,” after the German invader laid waste tho principal cities and desecrated the churches of that country. Cardinal Moroior is tho central figure. Tho part of Lianne, tho Cardinal’s ward, is taken hy Jeanno Eagles and Montague Lovo in tho role of tho courageous prelate is almost perfect. Tho themo is ono cf lovo. A Belgian officer on activo service is in love with Lianne. A Gorman commander is likewise enamoured of tho sweet girl, but the Cardinal resorts to every possible moans to keep his ward from the grasp of the commander. Eventually, disguised as a refugee, tho young Belgian officer passes through tho German lines, and in tho doad of night is married to Lianne. Later tho German commander, by a plot ho had devised, creates a misundemtandiirg between the newly-married couple. This barrier to their mutual affection is subsequently removed hy tho Cardinal. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. It would bo putting it very mildly to say that there js a “great storyintorest” in “Fanatics,” tho Triangle feature now screening at Everybody’s. Tangled up together in this picture are a siren, a wife who trusts a faithless husband, an honest man, the forces of labour which ho directs, and a big scheme of revenge that all falls through. As Lola Monroo, Olga Groy makes a very good siren. J. Barney Sherry is at hf s best in the role of Nicholas Eyre, the great steel magnate. Eyre is a capitalist, who lias tho interests of his workers at heart; hut the men and women in his factory aro led against him by people who aspire only to a private, personal revenge, for wrongs they fancy ho ha s inflicted upon them. Mary Lathrop, a lofing and devoted wife, makes oil sorts of sacrifices to help her unfaithful husband. The siren, Lola, has infatuated tho husband, and. ono night, when ho goes to her, ho finds her with another man. A struggle ensues, and Lathrop is killed, kola. and her lover take Lathrop’s body to a park and place it in a position

so that everybody concludes “it is a clear case of suicide.’’ Mary Lathrop, too. is led to beliovo that her husband has suicided, and gets the idea that it is Nicholas Eyre who has driven, him to his death. The widow deoide s to encompass the doom of Eyre, and to this end she joins a band of fanatics who, in their turn, incite Labom trouble in the workshops. • But the capitalist. is warned—and in a queer way. He arrives at the mills in time to pacify the workers, and the whole trouble recoil s on Mary’s head. It is not till later that the widow discovers how faithless her husband had been and actually how he had met his death. Then there is a grand reconciliation, and the romance that has been hidden throughout so much of the story, breaks out afresh. “fanatics’’ is a fascinating picture, in live parts, and it has some very fine settings. The charming effects of the costuming in many of the scenes warrant especial notice. Also on the programme is the third episode of “T’ Mystery of the Double Cross,’’ entitled “An Hour to Live.” Pathe Preres have produced this picture in a masterly fashion, and Mollie King’s acting is superb. An excellent Topical “Gazette” completes the bill which will be continued throughout the week. ENGLISH PIERROTS. Late-comers at the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday night had to be. content with standing room. The programme was of the brightest yet presented by the English Pierrots and included several favourite items. ; An outstanding feature was a burlesque entitled “The Vicar’s Daughter,” in which Mr Charles Lawrence took a prominent part. The same programme yill be repeated for three more nights. THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Thera were crowded attendances at the Paramount Theatre, Cmtrtenay place, at all day and evening sessions, on Saturday when the stirring Artcraft feature filnij “The Hungry Heart,” was introduced with the new programme. This is a superbly-mounted domestic drama in which Pauline Frederick takes the leading part. The plot has t<j do with the temptation of a young wife whose husband neglects her. The man is so absorbed in Ms chemical studies that ho forgets his wife until trouble it brought about through another man taking his place. Tinacting is convincing, and the interest is well maintained throughout. Episode 10 of the serial “Who is Number One?” and a Burton Holmes Travelogue, depicting strange scenes in the Philippine Islands, complete the programme. - BENEFIT CONCERT AND DANCE. The Quartermaster’s staff at Trontham Camp hold a very successful concert and dance in the Town Hall, Upper i.utt, on Thursday, June ISth, in aid of tho widow of the late Corpora; Troward. In spij-e of the wet night tho hall was well filled and those present were aniply repaid for turning out in such weather. The programme submitted was arrang’d by the Misses Nicholas, and wag of a very high order, every number receiving a well-deserved encore. Dancing was indulged in from 10 o’clock till midnight, the music being supplied by tile Trentham Camp Band, with Miss Mclnnos at the piano. Supper arrangements were in the capable bauds of Mo.sdarnes Mabey and Douglas. Q.M.S. J. Reid acted as organising secretary and treasurer and much credit is due to him for the success of the entertainment. The following artists contributed to the programme;—Hisses Phulinc Browne, Doris Clarke, Falkncr, Fmm, D. Harrison, L. Nicholas and Jean 'Nicholas, Messrs Albert Russell, Perry and Pickett. Miss Jean Nicholas was the official accompanist.

Mr Malini will leave on Wednesday next for the South Island. The public will have another opportunity to see the wondofrul sleight-of-hand artist between July 20th and 27th next, in the concert chamber of the Town Hall. This will be his last performance before departing for the United States.