ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10084, 24 September 1918, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR" TO-NIGHT AT 8 O’CLOCK. To-night there will appear at the Grand Opera House one of the greatest dramatic stars, ever brought to the Dominion, when J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will introduce to Wellington theatregoers Miss Margaret Wycherly, in the zenith of her New York fame, and with the play that was responsible for her renown -"Tho Thirteenth Chair." Miss Wycherly, in her original role of Rosalie la Grange, is stated to give, a marvellous piece-of character work. Nothing to equal it has been seen in Australasia, according to critics |in Sydney, since Cyril Maude appeared in "Grumpy. ' As a spiritualist medium sbe transforms herself from r a smart attractive young woman "into an did, wrinkled, cunning creature. There is- not the slightest similarity in voice, gesture ,or appearance. In ■ "The Thirteenth Chair" there is a murder, committed in the most mysterious mariner, which keeps the audience spellbound and . guessing until right up to within a few minutes of the fall of the final curtain. Withln a locked room sit the guests of Roscoe Crosby. All in the darkness thirteen are engaged in a spiritualistic seancoThey sit in a circle clasping hands, and while the medium' is bound hand and foot to her chair, one of the guests asks who killed his friend Spencer, Lee. She is about to answer when there is a scream, the lights arc turned on* and the tioner is found dead with a knife wound in his back, just as Spencer Lee was dis-, covered, and as in that crime again, the-knife is missing. ' It is desired that the audience and critics alike will favour the management, by keeping a silent tongue concerning . the solution of the mysteryj which! of course, is revealed, to them at the final curtain. Tim cast for this production, includes Mr -Brinsley Shaw, the noted' American star _ actor, who was specially engaged by the firm in Americar-for ‘the part -of- the--polios inspector, Tim Donohue, and a combination of dramatic artists wnich is claimed by the Williamson management to be the strongest', ever sent, to-the Dominion in any one play, including as it does such artists as' Lizette Parkes, Ethel Morrison, Naheye‘ : Stewart.’ Tien Hogue, Maisie Carte, Gaston Mcryale; (specially ;i pri , for thin production), Sydney Stirling, Leslie Victor; lan- MacLaren, Thomas Sidnby/Carlelon Stuaxt, Rawcion BlandldHrU'raiik'^- AHanby- and" Harry Paulton. The bobs plans are at tup Bristol. THE'ENGLISH PIERROTS. The band of popular entertainers,, ibe EnglishtPierrots. continues to attract' appreciative houses to. the concert chamber; Town Hall. Mr Louis Langley, and Miss Elsa Langley sing'charmingly. Mr Leslie Austin won great applause in "Every Girl- -is Doing, her BitA .Mms BiHie Wilson, was equally successful in “Would You (Miss Me?" Among other • popular contributors are Messrs Roy Cook, W. Pr Turner and Charles Lawrence. The performance will be repeated this evening. • EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. If two people go out. once together and are seen by a hundred 'different people they are accused of -having been out together a liumdredv different , times. This is largely what in the Ivan super-feature “Babbling Tongues" now, screening at. Everybody’s. , The cast-is headed t>y James Morrison and Grace Valentine, whose acting, is' marked by much .power. antL.drftihayo. appeal The setting is unusually lavish and luxurious, and the effect of the film is heightened considerably by the ekquisite-photo-graphy. In addition is shown the Pathe Gazette, which contains an interesting budget of war subjects. ' - ■ - .ARTCEAFT THEATRE.. Screening at the Art-craft Theatre is a picture of- rare dramatic power in which William S. Hart is starring.-. This production, which is entitled • vv elves ox the Rail” deals with life: in. the Another picture of hisrh' merit 13 .‘"Barbary Sheep 39 featuring Elsie Ferguson. It relate* a story of the Arabian, desert from Robert Hichens's novel of >tbe Same name.

THE QUEEN'S THEATRE. - A double’ feature programme of entertaining ‘ qualities is being screened at the Queen’s Theatre this week. “Bearing lions and Wedding Bells, a Very amusing comedy coupled with June Caprice in - A Modern: Cinderella,", are the chief items in a programme which is finding grjat favour., ■ ■

KING’S THEATRE. ' She proposed to use her own son tot the purpose of ruining a prominent statesman even though it meant wrecking the boy’s whole life. And the reward she looked for was merely a few thousand dollars. Would her mother love awaken in time? This is the theme of "A Soul in Trust." the stirring triangle drama now screening continue ously at the King’s. The play is full of pathos and abounds in tens© dramatic situations. Belle Bennett and Barney Sherry are seen at their very best in theprincipal roles, and the whole cast is particularly strong. _ Supporting item* include the second episode of "The Fata) Ring," entitled "Crushing Walls." The adventures in this episode are thrilling in the extreme. RETURN OF THE FAMOUS TENOR CAPPELLI. The announcement made in this issu* that. Signor Cappelli, the famous Italian operatic tenor, is returning to Welling. ten and will give three concerts in th. Grand Opera House on October Ist, 2na and 3rd, will no doubt be much appro ciated by the largo number of peopu who heard him on his previous visit The tour, which is now in its conolud ing stage is regarded as probably the most successful concert tour ever record' ed in the Dominion, and certainly n«’ singer, of recent years has met with such receptions as has Oappelli. The artists supporting Cappelli have met with equal success and it is said that the company is the strongest musical combination which has ever toured the Dominion, John Amadio is a flautist of the very first rank and his numbers are alway* popular. Lucien Cesaroni, the basso, jumped quickly into popularity and he has been the recipient of many flattering notices from,the various critics. Since the company was her© last Miss Tvatilina McCallum, a young soprano of very high repute, has been associated with the other supporting artists and the press of the north speaks in the highest terms of hci fresh young voice. The artistry ol Harold Whittle, the accompanist, has everywhere been acknowledged and his presence at the piano adds much to tha enjoyment of. the concerts. The bon plans for the three concerts to be given in Wellington open at the Bristol or Saturday morning."' EMPRESS. * He went West to forget the old -lova and there he found the new. But again the old love crossed his path. Which was it to be? Tae story Is well told in the Vitagraph-drama “The Tenderfoot,’ 1 now screening at the Empress, with Wil. liaiii Duncan and Carol Hoiloway in the dead. It is a Western story, and as such it can be depended on to have a full supply of ■ thrills. -There jis one flgW in it whiedi certainly, stands out 03 ( very realistic piece -of work. '