ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10088, 30 September 1918, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE’i THXBTEBNTiH CH'AIE.’’ • “The cThir’te6nth’' , '<Jhair,'' ’.that peculiar drama which as ’ admixture of American 4etacy-ye;"iictron:;-and .-fake - ,spjxi,tnalism, drew' ai :fulli house -on Saturday night. There particularevidence of .'the audience being unduly thrilled, aiicT if any were curious to know who killed-the’two victims of a particularly 'piild. and soft-spoken artist they seemed to keep their curiosity well under control. Indeed, .the drama is a purely American’ product, and- would be an acquired ,tacte. in these southern dominions’. ’ Still' it'-- is-drily' fair to ’ say that the--play, although representing phases of life .Unknown 16 Shakespeare, unlike most rdf 'the -piaster's works,, conforms; to E.tho vpunities.".- The piece will be; repeated' fdrithd hist'' time tonight.. .’. y ?. This will .be .Miss. Wycherleys last appearance in, Wellington, as. after the present tour, she is to leave ’ immediately for New York to .appear in her husband's near play,’. ~ ’

VAUDEVILLE 1 AT HIS' MAJESTY’S. His Majesty's Theatre, ’the very popular local home' "of Vaudeville Company,; was crowded id capacity on Saturday afternoon and evening, when Tom Haverly’s Eevue Company, ’staged "Murphy’s Elopement" for the last time, and supdi-y artists -upon the vaudeville half of- the bill closed -their Wellington seasons, amongst whom may be rymtioned c 'Mtrude Courtney and Mr-"C,” who completed their eleventh' week in ’WeillThis evohiiig lthe Haverly Company ill enter upon, their eighth week, of success with n new vehicle of fun—" Murphy Marooned/’ which, if report b’e’fiue, has even TWlfpedeoessors heaten"in' point of laugh-jiroducing. .As the title, implies, the scenery' and general setting of the piece is upon a South Sea Island where the pretty chorus-girls are disguised’ as natives in the approved "revusioal”. manner. The score of interpolated hall a da and ballets are stated to be both,,pretty and bizarre.. The’ principal male parts will be interpreted by Messrs ■ Haverly, J. P. O’Neill, Billy Moloney, and ’ Beg. Moore, ..while ' the female . characters will 'be..sustained by Misses Stewart, Dormer, Lloyd, Warner, and the now well-known “Kewpie Kids." In the Vaudeville portion of the bill there will be several vaudeville headliners, chief ; of whom will . .be ■ Brull and Hemsley a' reappearance' after a lengthy absence of that "‘very ' talented musical comedy couple who were engaged for the Fuller firm .direct from the famoris;;. London, Palladium. Mr Hemsley's -dance . eccentricities v ill form a feature, of,'their act,- which will take the form of acmusical, burlesque, in whioh.'.they are .-well known to be in-' imitable. Boy Bonhami the astonishing juvenile; contortionist, will be retained for ano'ther. Cremer and Arnold will bo’sipn" in ahqthor, of'their comedy playlets, •• entitled .-"Freddy•••the Sport.” Gale und'-Sndie,'hi . a/.complete change of programme’,’ will’ qoniplote • what'; appears to be an entertaining'bill, ■which will be presented .nightly throughout ■ the week, and at the customary Saturday matinee. THE' .EhteLlSH ' PIERROTS. After an enforced retirement for three nights,, .duo to the prevailing influetfza',~thoAßngnsh“ Pierrots once again made merry, at the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday night. It was noticeable, howevevr, that Miss Elsie Hossly'n and Mr Turner were missing, and this was explained by the fact thac the two artists mentioned are still victims of the malady. In spite of these drawbacks the company fully maintained its splendid reputation and in the circumstances the repetition of so many old items could be excused. As usual Miss Elsa Langley was the prime favourite. Her. mannerisms in that .delightful number, “ 'E Kissed Oi Once,” were quaint and fascinating, and she was distinctly lovable in a dainty lullaby. With Miss Billie Wilson she sang ■'Crinoline," . a number that served to show the versatility of both artists. Miss Wilson scored heavily in two “kiddy" songs, and the audience insisted on a further encore. Mr David Lyle was in excellent voice. He imparted great feeling into “On with the Motley,” ‘from “Pagliacci,” and , sang another number ip a manner that stamps him ns a very fine tenor indeed. Mr .Boy Cooke gave a spirited rendering of that fine song “The Trumpeter." and was equally satisfying in “Till the Sands of -the. Desert Grow .Cold." The rollicking song “Galloping Dick", was well suited to the voice of Mr .Louis Mitchell, who also contributed a pleasing little monologue. Mr. Charles Lawrence provided humour at the piano in his own inimitable style,' his numbers in-'

eluding .' "Scones'' and an I 'appealing in'oRaiogueV Miss 'Eima Young’* artistic powers were .-in, (Cdloridge-Tayldr). Of “tfie co’nQer r iteuia the most popular, proved IoVSoT “Shut the Dpof," by Miss Langley, and_ Messrs IffHfeCrr' and 'HItifIUBBL. 3dr'i‘.i&dg*ley 'anA.-Sfr Austin weroy nasociatedAfriv. a melodßnfk duet ■ ontjt^pd,.; “Great". BigWorld,”< 'one-of- ; -t'h'e• -best 1 efforts of ', these ' two artists to date.C-'Otner, cohcWthdl numbers,were' “Bang. the,.Brum," "Taking , a Moving PieUirod' “Georgia." “Rival 'Singers.", aild “Tho Barber’s Shop" The last 'four ‘ nights of the Pierrots are announced; ■ 'EMPRESS THEATRE.' wt ~ A gripping story of Western life'was", shown at the Empress Theatre on Saturday in the Triangle feature drama, “One I Shot Ross.’’ The story pulsates -with ■ life, and some stirring scenes are ■ to be seen on the screen! ’ ■“One'" ,, Bhot Ross,” the central figure in the story,'is a remarkable .character. His, sobriquet comes from the fact that his trigger finger _ is . sure and Certain. He never has to give a second shot, as it would mean only a , waste of good lead and powder. Tho j great portrayer of Wild AVest-charac-ters, Roy Stewart, takes this role, end Josie, Sodgwicjj r js..seen as as the heroine, Mary Sheridan. “One Shot’’ meets Mary when he has,been seriously wounded by a band of .outlaws, who haivq.-fdsp killed Mary’g father. “One Shot”., is! 'nursed back' 1 to good health again, and sets about ihe big job of' bringing,, the outlaws,' to injustice!; i How he does this and’ wins' honour and'a!-wife forms-tho theme of an'engrossing story* There are-some wonderful fighting scenes, Hnd' the rugged grandeur of tho West is seen in all its beauty. There is a strong supporting programme, ’including a ludicrous Autograph comedy,.and all‘interesting Topical Gazette. Tho incidental music is excellent THE AETCRAFT.THEATRE! At the Artcraft Theatre on" Saturday “The Honour of his House’’ was screened, featuring the prominent Japanese actor, Sessue Hayakawa. Florence Vidor as Lora, the wife of Count'• lip Onato(Sessue Hayakawa), plays her part with that fidelity which is the-chief characteristic of great actors an dp antressfw.,- The story is great, because Tt'tells of sacrifice and suffering that accompanies sacrifice, made in'ordef td r bring happiness to another. Hayakawa, with- true dramatic instinct, draws" a - picture that is pt once, ennobling and pathetic; he'has realised to the full the power and beauty of his role, , and passes .through the different . stages with a calm confidence. Lora, a beautiful outcast, becomes -the'-wife of a Japanese-. Count . named Ito , Onato. The picture'has a tragic termination 1 by the death of the Japanese husband, who yields his life in order to save that of his wife,.- Another picture--" Sunshine Nan”—starring Ann Pennington was also shown. This photo-play is original and amusing. 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 AVilliam Parnum, the pre-eminent star, in a tale of ,the ,sea, entitled “Battle of HeprW." Mr I’arnura impersonates with his usual masterly skill the pairt 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 A Fay,” a play with a plot of great iuyuan, interest. In the leading role Miss Suratt adds further laurels to-her already illustrious career. “REVELATION.” Tho triple bill at, tho King’s Theatre on Saturday drew and delighted large audiences. Anzimova, a new star of tho sqrcen, and a star of the'first magnitude, too, played with .wonderful : verve, vivacity, and versatility the complete role of- the heroine in’tlid Great Metro picture, “Revelation.” Appearing first as a Paris cabaret-dancer,' then as mi ar-. List’s model, posing most naturally ts a wild Bacchante, she is next seon as the. Madonna in the beautiful legend, “Tho Madonna of tho Roses,” and finally, figures—this time in real life—as a Red Cross nurse, all pure, womanly, wild-end 'rebellious no longer. How tins' miracle —for miracle it is—was worked the play very clearly show's. It also shows how oven tho Apache, dying bravely for France and freedom can redeem, his sadly mis-spont past. “The Shoos that’ Danced” is a romance of the New* Sorb underworld, abounding in dramatic

'situations full of thrills, and showing

;,UW a eiri's pure, self-sacrificing love can win the.,man she., loves .from a life of .crime. /‘Pauline S&nke.'. very, ably enacts Hie tluVgiri, Rhoda Regan, while that of the man. “The'.Harmony Lad,” is admirably 'supported by AVallace -Mo- ' Donald; >A r Very excellent,, programme is .'completed.-,.:by ; * “Borrowed-Identity,” the -very stir-ring-*. third episode of the powerful aerial',drama, “The Fatal Ring.” Vho programme 'will be repeated . each afternoon v..,and evening ..till; Saturday -next. ’ /, -

> , THREE FAREWELL CONCERTS. .VTlwj "fivgtibf Vhp thtee farewell concerts to-be givetf,by'Cft-ppijlli,.'thO, famous ItaliatKOperntio.tenor/,will take place at the ■G'raiidi'.',Opefa : ; Hdihse! to-morrow night, .uieTjudging by .the heavy booking which was'done on: Saturday morning a very large audience will s bq“present to greet the gifted i singer. All who heard Cappelli on his. previous ■ visit will' appreciate his return,, and as these will be positively hfs farewell; appearances in New Zealand'no one should, miss, the opportunity of hearing"Cappelli,' who is regarded as one of„ the, world’s greatest tenors. Special progi”ammes~w-ill be submitted at each of the three concerts, and from his extensive "'repertoire Cappelli has selected many new numbers, including “I .Shall''Behold Her,". from Verdi’s “The Mashed Ball,” AVrdi’s “Bo Charm-ing’her-Voice," “I Lombardi,” “Nearing . the End of Life” (Boito), and “Celeste ■Aida” (Verdi), which will, bp his principal.numbers to-morrow night. Mr Johu Amadio. the brilliant flautist,, will no, douiit’reppive-»a very hearty welcome on his. reappearance, as he is undoubtedly one of the most popular artsts who have visited the Dominion. Lucien Cesaroni, the fine : basso,, is -an established favourite throughout the-country. Much interest is being evinced in the appearance of Miss Nataliua MoCaUumr'the young soprano .who comes with a very .high reputation.- Slio has received most flattering notices in Christchurch and Auckland., Mr Harold AA’hittlo, who is acknowledged to be the finest accompanist in Australasia to-day, returns with the company, and his presence at the piano adds much to the enjoyment of the concerts. ‘Tlie box plans for the three ccn ! certs 'are now open at the Bristol, and intending patrons are advised to secure thei-r seats-without delay. ‘ "' EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.' , . The' chief attraction of the ,new pro* gramme submitted at Everybody’s A atro on Saturday was “The Wild Cat,” an enjoyable comedyrdrama with Miss Jackie Saunders in the principal role. The only child of - a wealthy stockbroker, Bcthesda is spoiled and petted so that she becomes, thoroughly waywardp" although a good-natured girlish romp, tier tomboy escapades- are the worry, of hen parents. When an eligible. -though'foppish, young man comes to court her, Bcthesda bribes, a small boy to push her suitor into .a, garden pond. Eventually a successful young mining engineer is a guest of her par-, ents, and falls in love with the tomboy. She is not enamoured of him. and proceeds to disgust him by her madcap pranks. Undismayed, the new suitor, with the secret co-operation Of Bethesda’s father, <}lans to put into effect the method which finally cured Katherine, of Shakespeare's “Taming of the Shrew.” Vile kidnaps the" girl, and, accompanied by his.sister,... disguised as a ruffian, he lakes’ his captive, to his ..londa'-...£hack.-,iji-.ihc_,iuountains. Thera ho imposes all kinds of hardships upon -tho- girLd-and .-after -a. .whilo arranges '.fpt’'liOh.ajn'; attack"' by desperadoes who -are--merely-his employees. ,AVhen they arc about to lynch tho suitor, Bcthesda realises her love, for him and begs tor his life,' The-; ruse • works successfully, and the end is as charming as it is expected. The supporting films include a fine travel subject ’depicting seals and - pelicans in their native haunts off the Californian- coast, -a, capital comedy “Backward Sons and Forward Daugh- . tßrsJ’aand- a' topical..budget. St Mary’s Bazaar at the Town Hall .will- be -"resumed- this evening. The bazaar ‘ was - closed ' down on Saturday evening, 'as it. .was, felt that no obstacle should Be placed'in'tho way of the en--joymci\t_of., .the, soldlexA in thcii- Saturday 'evening dance's; This evening an at* Tractive,..programme has been arranged, A~fiTst-clnss -orchestra' will bo in attend-ance;-,and- a .splendid,feature of the evening will be a poi dance by Miss Edwards a most skilful exponent of the fine old Maori dance. All the fun of the fair, will be in full swing again. On Saturday''next 'a' floral fete and garden party will bo hold at flic Oriental Bay Kiosk'. A treasure hunt will form part of the afternoon’s entertainment. The Queen competition has reached an interesting stage, the constant reshuffling of positions and margins speaking well for the interest which the' comnetikion is ■’arousing. A present the Hostel Queen leads, with the Altar Society Queenjrunning up, and tho Hibernian Queen in third placfta