ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10087, 28 September 1918, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR." The J. C. Williamson Dramatic Company again presented the great mystery play "Xhe Thirteenth Chair" before a crowded audience at the Grand Opera Bouso last evening. This production lb most unconventional in construction, ad keeps the interest of all keyed up to the highest pitch. The theme possesses intense dramatic force, but there are several comedy scenes that compel the heartiest laughter. Local playgoers are fortunate tin being able to witness tiie oeriormance of Miss Margaret Wycherly, the American actress, in her original role of Rosalie la Grange. There is a powerful supporting cast headed by Mr Brmslev Shaw, who gives a sterling interpretation of the part of the American detective, who solves the mystery of a double murder. Mr Shaw impersonated this character in New York. Among the novel features of the piece is the representation of a ispiritualis-tic! ripoance. •The Thirteenth will be repeated for two more nights. KATHLENE MACDONELL FAREWELL. Playgoers will remember with pleasure the recent appearances of Miss Kathlene MacDoneil in Wellington. It will doubtless prove a further source of delight that this' popular artiste will play a farewell season at the Grand Opera House, commencing Friday next. This arrangement is, in a great measure due to the extraordinarry solicitations of local theatregoers, the J. C. Williamson management having been the recipients of numbers of requests, all embodying the desire to see Miss MacDoneil once again in some of her most striking and popular impersonations. To this end an extra season or iive nights is announced, during jhich will be presented "Outcast, ' ' Daddy Long Legs," "The Cinderella Man." and •Romance." '"Outcast" is underlined for 'Friday «ind Saturday next, the other for one performance each. As before, Mr Charles Waldron will be artistically associated with Miss ilacDonell in each of the plays, p the principals being supported by the same clever company that appeared previously. Special interest is sure to be centred in "Outcast," a particularly strrong and powerful play that created a marked impression on the occasion of its one production on a former visit of iliss MacDoneil. The box plans will be opened at the Bristol on Wednesday morning next. HIS MAJESTY'S. Crowded houses have been attracted to <lis Majesty's Theatre this week and have appreciated to the full the brigiu ontertainment provided by Brail _ and IXemslev in their ,delightiul sketch Fun ;n a Music Shop." The Mumoal Earoe Company scores in "Murtty*s Elopement." There will be the usual matinee this afternoon. ENGLISH PIERROTS. A new programme will be presented by the English Pierrots at the Town Hail Tonight which will be repeated on Monday next and three fallowing .nights. This will positively terminate their season in the Dominion, the company being duel to leave for Australia at an •ar.lv date. The box plan for the last four nights opens at the Bristol on Monday. The plan arrangements for this dav are:—At Bristol till noon, after 5 at Town Hall, or 'phone 65. Reserves bv 'phone are not retained after dieing of curtain. THE KING'S. ' The programme at the King's for the coming week promises to be unusually attractive. It consists of three separate features, for whioh, however, no increase in prices is to be made. Nazimova. in "Revelation," who has already been charming Wellington audiences during the past week, will have place of honour and well deserves a second week's run. The "Motion Picture," speaking of her amazing acting and personality says : "The oritics have been eagerly lookingg for one artist who would embody everything that the art of the silent drama should have. The search is over. In Nazimova we have beauty, we have depth of emotionalism never depicted before, and we have art with such little touches of finesse that Bhe unconsciously stands alone." To see her is to be convinced that this is underpraise rathor than over-praise. A second feature of the programme will be the charming Triangle drama, "Shoes that Danced," in which Pauline Starke proves as delightful as ever, and is ably supported by Wallace McDonald. It is an idyll of the underworld and a story of delicate beauty. In addition the third episode of the serial, "The Fatal King," will be shown. It is entitled, "Borrowed Identity."

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The leading attraction at Everybody's Theatre to-day is a brilliant comedy drama entitled "The Wild Cat," with Miss Jackie Saunders in the lead. Miss Saunders is a well-known screen player, and is equally capable of playing strongly dramatic or light comedy roles. In "The Wild Cat" she has a part exactl suited to her. The wilful, headstrong girl, sometimes a demure young lady, at times a wild tomboy up to all sorts of pranks, a reckless, harum-scarum, a badtempered child, a frightened woman, and finally a loveable girl. She is the modern development of Kathenne, oi Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew, and the story might almost be termed an up-to-date version of that play. The picture has been splendidly produced and the photography is perfect. Additional items will include a very fine Paths coloured subject. EMPRESS. Roy Stewart is the star of the virile Western drama "One Shot Ross, "which is a Triangle film now screening at the Empress, while the heroines part is taken by Josie Sedgwick, who proves to be a very pleasant heroine indeed. There is plenty of excitement in the story, and some doughty combats. ''One Shot" decides to return to civilisation, but on. his way the coach is stuck up and robbed. He is injured, and is nursed. by Mary Sheridan, whose father is kiUed by the outlaws. "One Shot" decides to bring the oulprits to justice, and for that purpose he feigns to have lost his mind. When he has found the evidence he need? he proceeds to act, and is just « time to save Mary from the hands of the outlaw leader. In the reckoning which follows there are many dramatic situations, and the whole picture is done in a convincing style, with fine out-door /settings. There is a pleasant love theme and the picture ends with ' One Shot and Mary as the happiest couple in the world. The picture should add to- the fame of Roy Stewart as a portrayer oi Western character. OAPTELLI. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening at the Grand Opera House Oappelii, the famous Italian operatic tenor, will appear and the very great impression which he made on his previous, visit to Wellington should ensure him a heartv welcome. It is said that the _receptions accorded throughout the Dominion to Cappelli are unprecedented anc the enthusiasm displayed has been remarkable. In Auckland Cappelli hat eiven no fewer than six concerts and or the first of his two farewell concerts the "New Zealand Herald" said i— The reappearance of! Signor Cappelli and hie musical associates was the occasion tor a remarkable displar of enthusiasm from a crowded and delighted audience. Double and! even treble encores .were the order of the evening, this being not only the experience of the principal, but o; the ether members of the company. For the three concerts to be given ir, Wellington special programmes will be submitted and each of th* artists will contribute new items. Mr. John Amadio. the brilliant flautist- will make his reappearance, also Signor Lucien Cewroni. the favourite Basso, and Mr Harold Whittle, the accompanist. Miss Natilina McCallum, a young soprano, who will make her first appearance in Wellington, comes with <a splendid reputation. The box plans for the three concerts will be opened) a* the Bristol this morning. THE QUEEN'S THEATRE. A two feature programme of excellent merit is being screened at the Queen's Theatre this week. First place is given to William Farnum, the pre-eminent star, in a tale of the sea, entitled "Battle of Hearts." Mr Farnum impersonates with his usual masterly skill the part of "a man of iron determination," a character which is well suited to his particular talents. The second feature stars Velaska Suratt in "The Straight Way," a play with a plot of great human interest. In the leading role Miss Suratt adds further laurels to her already illustrious career. SUNDAY CONCERT. The principal item *o be given hy the Wellington Professional Orchestra at His Majesty's to-morrow evening will be Schuberfs beautiful "Unfinished Symphony." The mingled grandeur and pathos of this work must ever provoke discontent at its fragmentary character, nevertheless, music-lovers must be thankful for even these fragments, which reveal so much of the riches and resource of the composer's nern-j. Other items to be given are Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance Maroh." the "March of the Little Leaden Soldiers," Grieg's '/Wedding Day." "Melody in F, r and the Overture "Endure to Conquer." Mr H. Mosohini will conduct.