AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16766, 7 August 1916, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

PRINCESS THEATRE. As usual, the Prinoess Theatre was tho rendezvous ot numerous Satuiday atternoon and evening pleasure seekers, ihe beating capacity being fully tested at both i>ei-iorm-anoca. The management lias decided that the popularity of last week's entertainments w-araarits the retention of the bulk of the artista, and their strength, will bo reinlorced by tho well-reputfid duo of English society entertainers —KmgtJey and Gralmm. They spccialiso in singing, tho unusual calibre of the'ir voices hauling distinction to tlio comedy, which forms the cssenco of their act. Northern critics speak most h'ghly of them, and they have proved an infallible draw throughout New Zealand. The La Tours, whoso unique novelty has c<in&e<l CTCiit diversion to large audiences during the week, will draw lurther upon tiie resources at their command; and, indeed, vvhilo tho poisomiel of tho company remain unchanged (except as indicated), it will bo really a new show tins evening. HAYWARD£r PICTURES AND KING EDWARD THEATRE. Daring tho performance on Saturday evening the manager of tho Octagon Theatre announced that he had been able to make further arrangements whereby the beautiful picture of Pope Pins X and tho Vatican would bo retained at both tho Octagon and King Edward Theatres till Wednesday evening. This was on account of tlio crowds who had been turned away. In addition to the big special production an entirely new programme will bo presented, headed by " Tho Chalice of Courage," at onoe a great scenic film, depicting the grand, wild, and beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountains, and an intensely interesting film drama, dealing with file in the gold-mining oamps ot the Groat NorthWest. The plaj, written by Cyrus 'iownfend Brady, abounds in sensational incidents, including that of tho brave rescue of tho heroine by a mountain recluse as sho is being swept down tho canyon by the rain-swollen river. How ho comes to bo a recluse, how her people give her up for deed, and eho and the rociuse aio 6nowed up for three montlis in his hut oil tho mountain, and finally how como vindication and lovo, and a happy ending, is told in masterly stylo.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. There were exceiiont attendances at the Queen's Theatre on Saturday. Today, from noon, too London Film Company, which produced "My Old Dutch," and " Prisoner of Zenda," presents Edna ilugrath and a star cast in a capital picot "Booties' Baby," uio Hovel by John Strange Winter. Tha picture i>nows how Gilchrist, an unpopular captain in the 179 th Regiment, mames and then deserts his wile, who iinaLly has to take a situation as companion. i'ho wife lca\ es licr baby, about lour years old, at her hubband's barracks. Tho husband finds the baby and wishing to havo nothing to do with it, ho putb it in a room belonging to another captain, who is a very popular fellow. 'Ine captain (Booties), failing lo find out whose the child is, adopts, it She is given the name of Mignon, and is tuado a pet of the regiment. Booties, on a visit home, meets Mignon's mother, and falls m love with her, but is disappointed in his love-making. ]n tho regimental races, however, Gilchrist has a bad tail, and eventually dies, confessing to Booties that Blignon is his daughter. Hearing of Gilchrist's death, his widow writes to Booties asking him to bring Mignon with lam. How Booties does so and hnds out who hi* loved one really is, and why she repulsed him while her husband was living, makes a soreen play which is somewhat out ot the ordinary. The supporting pictures are excellent.

PLAZA THEATRE. " The Grey Mask" attracted a largo and appreciative attendance on Saturday ovening to tho Plaza Theatre. Another big World' 6 Film, entitled " Body and Soul," will bo presented at all sefe&ioiis. to-day. This five act feature comes from the northern cities with a big reputation. The photography and staging are said to bo on a plane distinctly above the ordinary week-a-day picture play, while plot and players aro of a distinctively high order. It introduces a now screen player, Miss Florence Rocicwell, who has ohe reputation of being both beautiful and talented. The supporting pictures aro tho Litest '"Eclair Journal" (topical); "John Bull's bketeii Book" (cartoon), andl a second drama entitled "A Question of Heirs." 'lhe uieatre opens at 1 p.m. GRAND THEATRE . The leading pictude in the change of programme at the Grand Theatre is entitled "The Unwelcome Wife." The dramatist has here thought out a novel, if rather improbable stoiy. A wife goes insane, and is placed in an asylum, leaving her husband and iier little girl. Tho husband does not, however, long mourn his loss, as at the end of two years ho applies tor the annulment of his marriage, on tho ground of lus> wife's insanity. His petition is granted, and he marries again. Foolishly, as it turns out, the husband fails to inform the asylum authorities that he has taken another wife unto himself, and one can hardly imagine the shock with which he receives a letter from tho asylum, while presiding over a birthday party given to his young son, informing him that his "wife" has recovered her senses, and asking him to come and bung her home. The husband shows the letter to his lawful wife, and as it is submitted that, tho shock of at once informing the divorcee of her husband's remarriage may bring about a relapse, it is decided to bring her along. Certainly she doc 6 not get much encouragement Irom her former husband to stay when she does arrh c; but tho lawful wife, in a spirit of sacrifice, says she will leave the house with her boy. In pursuance of her resolve, the legal wife goes backwaids and forwards through the house, till at last the inevitable happens. The divorcee's little girl says the small boy is her brother "Eddie," and tho truth comes out. Of oourse, there is only one thing for the divorcee to do, and the dramatist's puipose being served —however crudely—she conveniently goes insane again—to the evident relief of her one-time husband. Some fino snow and forest views and other pictures complete the programme.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There were good attendances at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday. Tho big comedy-drama to be screened to-day should attract attention. The title role is taken by Victor Moore, tho man who is said to have caused more fun than any other man on the stage in America. It is said that if ever a man looks the breezy, good-natuped, cleanhearted Bowery boy, immortalised by Townsend, it is Victor Moore. Chimmie Fadden m search of a gold mine is the drollest

person imaginable Chimmie Fadden ftll through is s.tiil to bo screamingly funny, 110 learned d.ll ho knows about camping out from .1 book, and when lie attempts 1o pat his book knowledge mto practice ho is hardly successful. The producer, perhaps, achieved a masterstroke when ho clioso Victor Mooro for tho name part.

EMPIRE THEATRE. The Empire Theatre, like tho others, was crowded to tho doois on Saturday night, people being eithur kept waiting o r turned away. Tho programme, which is an intending one, will be shown again to-day. Tho chief film is a Metro drama entitled "Her Great Price," in which complicated situations aro straightened out to tho satisfaction of all conoerned. J. C. WILLIAJVKON'SI PANTOMIME TO-NIGHT. As would appear to be gciieially known, the curtain will use this evening at life Majesty's Theatre 011 the first presentation of J. C. Williamson's entirely now edition of "Mother Goose." Tho play commences at a quarter to eight, and tho management ■would esteem it a favour it patrons would bo seated before that hour. A leading Dominion critic writes of " Mother Goose'' as follows:—"Pantomime, rovue, burlesque, call it what you like, ' Mother Goose' is an unqualified great undertaking, that has been in preparation for tho best part of a year, and will givo employment and enjoyment to thousands for a year to come. In a pantomime musical numbers, ballets, specialties, choruses, and bcenery count, and as there are 60 of tlieso packed into tlireo hours, even dramatic gluttons should bo satisfied. Ono of tho leading ideas in tho staging has been to plea so tho discerning eyo by means of delicacy and harmony in the pageants and dressing. Tho ballets are all very beautiful, with perhaps a leaning towards tho exceedingly quaint and " nurses and toy f-oldiers," such a.s tho Copper, Silver Bank Notes, and Gold, the Wattle, Waratah, Shamrock, Thistle, and Rose, and tho richlycoloured Franco, Russia, Italy, and Great Biitain ballets. Mr Coleman and his assistants havo painted some charming scenca. A weird effect is caused in the darkened theatre by a little girl floating through it and taking up tho chorus of Miss do Venny'e song, and another is a map of Australia with chorus heads peeping through tho cities and helping tho solo singer. A turn that caused a good deal of 1 shuddering 5 was that of Ross and Falls, whoso specially hazardous table balancing caused a pitch of nervous excitement not often witnessed in a theatre." Expected to mako first appearances here aro Miss do Yenny, Albert Felino, Victor Kelly, whilo Miss Maud Fane has long ago established_ herself a warm favourite. Others in a particularly strong cast aro Misses Dorothy Firmin. Maggie Dickinson. Queenie laul. Ruby Davies, Messrs Rupert Darrell, George Smith, Charles Howard. THE TTVOLI FOLLIES. The Tivoli Follies were popular when in New Zealand last year, and now they aro to return here, opening at His Majesty's Theatre on August 16, under the personal direction of Hugh D. M'lntosh. The Follies this year is a much improved combination to the Follies of 1915. Head'd by Miss Vera Pearce, who has recently won beauty competitions in Melbourne and Sydney, tho Follies embrace such artists as Miss Thelma liayo (England's coppcr-topped musical comedy soubrette), the popular Jack Cannot, and a > reputed trio of comedians. Jean Keith, the classical child dancer, will bo seen in national dances, while on tho musical side an engagement of paramount importance is tho hrst appearance here of tho Brussels Concert Party, featuring Jacques 80l (the tenor from the Kursaal, Ostend). Ella Caspers, the girl with the voice of gold, will appear in. the Follies show, whilo tho English and American vaudeville acts will fill in tho opening portion of tho programme beforo the Follies tread the boards. In all there aro over 60 performers. Tho box plan is to open at the Bristol Piano Company's premises on Monday morning. _ Tho season will extend over six nights, with a special matineo on the Saturday.

HENRI FRENCH COMPANY. The Great Henri .French Company is announced to commence a short-season tour in Ota go, commencing- at Kaitangata this evening. The loading artist of the company, Henri French, is reported to be a versatile Frenchman, whose repertoire in many respects is quite unusual and meritorious. His turns comprise music and physical feats, chief of which is that with a umcycle. A keen sense of humour as an actor is an acquisition to his qualities as an entertainer. Ho has good supporting artists.

RECITAL POSTPONED. M. Paul Saldaigne's recital, which was to have been given to-night, has been again unavoidably postponed, as he is still suffering from a severe cold.

— Tho report comes from Rotterdam ttart the Germans are seriously discussing the establishment of communal feeding. The suggestion is tliat each community should, through chosen officials, undertake the entire feeding of tho people, doing- away altogether not only with private buying, but also with private cooking. Upder this scheme tho communal authority would havo tho right to confiscate all food at filed prices, assemble it at kitchens, and distribute it ready cooked to the people. There -would bo omo meal alike {or nch and poor