ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17655, 12 February 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND THEATRE. The throe excellent dramas, “The First Commandment." "Chinese Vengeance," and “Under Oath," supported hy the splendid comedies “Jack Spratfs Parrott." "Bahloy’.s Baby,” and it very line Australian Gazette and cartoons, will he shown to-night for the last time, when there is sore to bo a big attendance. “MV OLD DUTCH."—MONDAY. The greatest picture event yet presented hero lakes place at the popular Grand Theatre on Monday, at 2.1 a, when that biggest of all him successes, “My Old Dutch," in eehOft of I.on-don Ideal Art him will he shown for the first time in Invercargill. The. season’ will he for three nights only. '.The management tried to secure it for six evenings, hill owing to heavy previous booking the Now Zealand Pictures Supplies Ltd. were unable io comply. So great has horn the success of “ily Old Dutch,” Hint several of the .Metropolitan houses have re-booked it for return later on. it is claimed that this splendid all-British production overshadows ail him plays that have preceded it. The big human story was built up from the notable song of the same title, which the great Albert Chevalier made world-famous. Chevalier is recognised as the most remarkable genius that ever walked the English stage. People thought him mad when lie suddenly reiinfiuished a star actor's position at Drury Dane to fight for fame sis a writer and singer of songs of that hitherto imexploited field the coster area of London’s East End. The man’s faith in himself was Justified, for lie and his songs simply bounded into popularity, until lie became the idol of the London public. Now comes the nows that he lias eclipsed all rivals in the film field by his wonderful acting before the camera. In "My Old Dutch” he reproduces his greatest coster creation, Joe Spudds. with lifelike realism. The New Zealand Times proclaims this impersonation to be “the crowning success of a career that has already won Immortal fame in the history of tlio British stage.” All press criticisms state that Chevalier and Florence Turner in this play present “the most marvellous acting ever seen on a screen. The charm of the drama lies in its simplicity and truth. Tender, pathetic scenes cominglo so with humorous incidents that occur naturally and arc not dragged in, that spectators are kept in a state bordering between tears and laughter.” “My Old Dutch” will he shown twice at evening sessions, and while it unfolds, Mr Charles Pierce, the popular tenor, will sing Chevalier’s beautiful song of that name. "Trapped by Flames," the 17th episode of “A Million Dollar Mystery,” will also be shown. Other good subjects will be “Never Again,” a big fun farce, and the latest Pathe Gazette. Patrons who desire to avoid flic crush at the pay box may reserve seats at the Theatre.

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. There was another crowded house last night at the Popular, when "Behind (ho Scenes” and "The Family Divided,” were again screened, and received with enthusiastic applause. The "Tale of a Tyre" again met with a great reception, being responsible for bursts of hearty laughter. Patrons are reminded that the final screening takes place to-night, and the programme is one, that no one, should miss. MONDAY NIGHT. Ttie programme to be submitted on Monday is certainly a record for length and subjects. Three brilliant film successes have been secured namely, "The Boss,” a 5-part drama, by The World 'Film Corporation, “A Heart of Snow,” a Cines production in 4 parts. This picture is taken amongst scenes of great splendour, and wonderful snowy mountain grandeur. It is a powerful story of the present war, and northern papers are lavish in their praise. The photography and acting are perfect, whilst the story is full of power and grip. “Russia's Mighty Army” is a superb military spectacle, dealing with every branch of military service in Russia. An outstanding feature of this production is the charge of the Cossacks, the finest horsemen on earth, their dare-devil and thrilling feats of horsemanship, excelling even the cowboys of America. There are other supporting subjects of groat merit, and record houses should greet such an excel- - programme.

DOROTHEA SPINNEY’S RECITALSANOTHER SUCCESS SCORED. Miss Dorothea Spinney scored another immense success last evening, when she gave Euripides' sorrowful classic "Th° Trojan ’Women.” The attendance was fairly largo, and the same genuine enthusiasm which made itself felt among her previous audiences, was plainly present last evening. “The Trojan Women” is, besides being the tragic story of the women of ill-fated Troy, an epic of the cruelly and barbarism which is always associated with war. The hellish fate which met the wives and sisters of the Trojan warriors bus been repeated in Belgium, Serbia, and Poland, and is likely to be repeated again before the guns in the present world war have ceased to speak. And Miss Spinney told of the horrors which the Trojan women suffered, as probably no other tragedienne could tell. Her voice, poise, and gestures adequately expressed the emotions of the women, and made the audience feel that they were witnessing, on the simple stage, the tragedy. She pictured the attack of the Greeks, the crumbling walls, the rushing hither and thither of countless throngs and the individual tragedies of the fall of Troy. Her performance last evening thrilled and gained for her many sincere admirers. Miss Spinney will give one more recital in Invercargill, and lovers of a really fine performance should not fail 'o hear her when it takes place.

Tv I THIN THE LAW COMPANY. This clever combination headed by Miss Hilda Herrington and Air Lionel Walsti will appear in the -Municipal Theatre on Wednesday, February 2.", rd, and Thursday, February 24th, presenting liv special arrangement with ,1. C. Williamson Ltd., the thrilling spy play “The Man Who Stayed at Homo’’ and the brightest of the recent comedies "Oot-Bich-Huick-Wallingford.” As most people arc apt to think “The Alan Who Stays at Home” in this case is not a shirker, although he is presented with a while feather for presumed pusillanimity, llq is in reality as great a hero as the man at the front. He has most important work to do at home, aml as lie cannot disclose liis special mission to his most ini imate friends, not even his sweetheart. lie suffers tiiuc.il embarrassment. He is very much misunderstood, hut lie has to go through Ins (ask without flinching or explanation of any kind, lie has to spy on the German spies. “Get - Bich-tju ick-Wal 1 ingford” to he staged on the second night is one of the most successful of the J. C. w. comedies. The comedy is wholesome right through, there isn’t a doubtful line in it. Every situation is clean good fun, the comedy is close to life, anil even if it is an exaggeration it, keeps within reasonable hounds of possibility, ihc old hardhead “boolis” arc humanised; eieryliody is glad they are not trimmed. Wallingford makes them money and people like lo watch folk mailing them money. There's nothing succeeds like success \ou know, and when one wins it and remains a good fellow it's pleasing to -vat el I him. If there's any moral to the play Mint's the one to lie drawn, and it’s a pretty healthy one at that. 'l’lli- Imx plan opens at The Bristol at 1(1 o'clock on Saturday morning n?\i, where seats may he res,.nod without extra cha rgc.