ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10206, 17 February 1919, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

WORLD'S GREATEST CONCERT STAR, j Mile. Antonia Dolores, the celebrated French, soprano, will make her only cppearances here in the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening next ana again on Monday, the 24th. Wednesday, the 26th, and Friday, the 28th instants, With now programmes for each concertMile. Dolores possesses her refined art proof against the march of years. Thus in Sydney at her recent concert there, to -use the words, of the critic of the Sydney "Daily Telegraph," she is still the most delightful of all artists, "whose singing makes an unmistakable appeal. The art by which the voice is produced and the keen sensibility which endows the music with its real life, are as genuine as ever, and the result is that these concerts will be classed amongst the events of a notable season." Mile. Dolores's comprehensive outlook and breadth of style are amply indicated. The range of music with which she endows her programme embraces eighteenth century English ballads of the days of Linley, operatic arias, modern music, and, even some of the later masters. In articulation and control of breathing sl-e is singularly successful. Another oritic wrote—" There cannot bB anything more delicately expressive than her rendering of the Irish" and Scottish folk songs, irresistible in their charm, aneUin' ihe 'meaning with wiiich their spirit is interpreted." Seats can be booked at the .Bristol Piano Company from Wednesday., country patrons may reserve by post or telephone." HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The popularity of the Walter George revue at His Majesty's Theatre shows no sign of abatement, and in the change of programme to bo submitted this evening by the Fuller proprietary this vorsatilo combination will stage the third of their series of musical comedies, entitled "The Grand Hotel." The new piece Is stated to be one of tUe strongest in the company's repertoire, and is replete with high-class voealism and an abundance of healthy humour. The principals, including Mr George, Misses Matrin, Milner, Geery and Shannon, Mr George Storey, and other talented members of the oast, have all been provided with suitable parts. A special feature will be made of the cfcicerted numbers by a quartette, consisting of Mossrs George, Haining, Hawthorne, and Leslie, whilst the ballerina.B will be under tho capable leadership of Miss Polly McLaren. New scenery and unique lighting effects will enhance what pro. raises to be a- pleasing entertainment. The vaudeville section of the proramme will be reinforced by the inclusion of tho Klentos, a novelty balancing act, who are" making their New Zealand debut. Murfayne, the well-known xylo. phonist, has been engaged for a farewell season' prior to his return to England. Jones and Raihe, the favourite entertainers, will reappear in a new oomedy. The ever-popular Courtenays will furnish new topicalities. The last nights are of Mr Fred Bluett, tho successful comedian. With such on array of attractions a continuance of good business should be assured. The programme will be repeated nightly during the week and at the customary Saturday matinee. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Winston Churchill is well and favourably known as a writer of fiction, and his books have been very widely read throughout the English-speaking world. Perhaps his best-known work is "The Crisis," which deals in interesting faunion with -a phase of the American Civil War. This, story has been adapted to the screen, and the production was shown for tho first tame at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday. .; Thomas Santcshi, who scored such a big success in "The Gaidon of Allah," has the leading role, and he is capably supported by Bessie FJyton (as Virginia Carvel). Tho story is probably already very well known. It follows, history very closely, and a good - insight is gained into the conditions obtaining in America in the days of Abraham Lincoln. The book deals very, realistically with incidents of the Civil War, and these translated to the screen are made even more vivid,- The aoting throughout is excellent, and there are sorAe particularly fino characterisations of figures well-known in history. The picture is produced in the elaborate manner usually associated with the Selig Company,, some remarkable scenic effects having been 6eoured. In short, the picture is one of the best of its kind that has been seen in Wellington for some considerable time. Supporting the star are a number of first-class subjects, including an (amusing comedy, "The Champion," whioh features the ever-popular Charles Chaplin.

"THE REASON WHY." In addition to their ever-popular pictorial bills of fare, tho enterprising management of the King's Theatre are row featuring very admirable concert programmes. The augmented orchestra, x.nder tho able conduetorship of Mr L. D. Austin, not only renders with finish end spirit the incidental music, but also contributes special orchestral selections, While on Saturday an attractive proTarume of songs was submitted by the Cadzow Musical Trio. Mr W. B. Cadzow, tho Scots tenor, was heard to greaf advantage in "The March of the Cameron Men," and "Sally Horner Round the Corner," and in, response to a. hearty encore he gave "The Low-backed Car." Miss Efße Cadzow sang Very sweetly and feelingly. "Robin Adair/' giving as on encore "There are Fairies at the Bottom of our Garden," and she was also well heard in' the duet; "Oh! Wert Thou in the Cold Blast," with Mr Cadzow. Mme. Cadzow acted as aeoompaniste. The picture brogramiiie, also, .was specially full and .varied, including, besides the great feature, Reason Why," a dramatised version of Miss Elinor Clyn's daring novel of the same name, the mirth-provoking comedy, ''His Thankless Job," a further episode of the thrilling romantic serial, "The Fatal Ring," the latest "Pathe Ne\\%" and a fine educational film ''Surgery at the Zoo." rt Th6 Reason Why," is superbly staged and mounted i and the beautiful, graceful, and charming photo-play actress, Miss Clara Kimball Young, who is starred as the heroine, wears some most fascinating dresses designed by the celebrated Parisian costumiere, "Lucille,' who, by the way, is Elinor Glyn's sister. The problem play follows closely the novel en which is based. Dramatic and romaritic situations abound, and the unfolding of the plot of this masterpiece of passionate emotion, was followed with the keenest interest by large, audiences on Saturday. The full triple programme, pictures, songs, and orchestral items will be repeated each evening; during the . ivcek, a%d full orchestral inatinees are to be given on Wednesday and Saturday THE, EMPRESS THEATRE. Another story of the West is unfolded in "The Devil Dodger," ecreened en Saturday at the Empress Theatre. The Rev, Ingraham, a young clergyman, worn, out by his arduous work in a small town called Hillvale, is ordered by his to take a trip to the wild region of Arizona. After travelling for many hours he arrives at a village on the edge of tM desert, and seeing the moral degeneration of the people, decides to bring into their hearts the love of God. This proves no small task, and a serious obstacle is "Silent Scott," who is said to have a "gun hand." The religious enthusiasm of the yoning parson is unbounded; and though his first Bunday service is attended only by a few, he never loses hope. After a month his financial condition becomes precarious, and, unable to pay his board, he prays that death may overtake him. There lives also in the village a pretty girl called "Fluffy," whose parents are unknown. . Almosf instinctively her little feet led' her,^'towards the danoe hall, and at> the time of the story she, who, is greatly (admired, is enamoured of "Silent Scott," the proprietor of the dance hall. Curiosity leads her into, the room on Sunday ,moraing, where the service is being held. She is attracted by, the religious: piety of the young man; there is something in him that hitherto she had not observed in any of her male companions. Word ' that "Fluffy" is attending the religious eervice reaches the ear of tho proprietor of the" dance hall, and he determines to put a stop to her advances towards religion. Complications arise, despair "smites ■ the soul of the parson, and the story moves on to an unexpected climax. The last -sceneWin* which "Fluffy.' and-h.ei; l -loier,.,aj;e placing .flowers on the,',gra*e of,the..Rev. Ingraham., is at onciKtouching and,.beautiful. A comedy of no mean order is also shown. In this'" film Fatty Arbr,ckle plays the part of a pretty, fascinating, but plump youngsdamsel, whose only fault is that ehe has-', acquired pugilistic habits and never loses an opportunity to display them. A film dealing with local occurrences, and a topical budget showing some of the principal events of the day, complete' the programme.