Plays-Players-Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 102, 4 May 1929, Page 24

Plays-Players-Pictures

THE SHOWS. Town Hall— Orgari Kecilal, every Sunday, 5.30 p.m. Symphony Orchestra. 2nd May. Victoria College Extravaganza, 4th, Uth, and "til May. Concert Chamber— Chamber Jlusie Players, Oili May. Opera House— "The Tatsy." in season. Sir Harry -Lauder. IStli May. "The Wrecker," 24th May. His Majesty's— Kevue. Kegent—Vaudeville and l'icturcs. De Luxe Theatre—Pictures. Paramount Theatre—Pictures. King's Theatre—Pictures. Attcraft Theatre—Pictures. Our Theatre^—Pictures. Shortt's Theatre^—Pictures. Strand Theatre^—Pictures. Britannia Theatre—Pictures. Queen's Theatre—Pictures. Princess Theatre^ —Pictures. Kilblrnio Kinema —Pictures. There were 65 members present at the first rehearsal of "Miss Hook of Holland" by the New Plymouth Operatic Society. Mr. Francis Cornwall is music director. The ; construction of the New Majestic Theatre in Christchurch for John Fuller and Sons, Ltd., is proceeding by leaps and bounds.

The Auckland University students will present their musical farce, "The King of Kawau," at St. James Theatre, Auckland, on ISth May. The New Plymouth Operatic Society lias purchased the scenery i'or "Sliss Hook of Holland" fiom the Danncvirke Society. Rehearsal' began this week, under the guidance of Mr. Theo. Trczise. . Nat Phillips is still to the fore at the Fullers' Empire Theatre, Brisbane, where his "Whirligigs" Revue is attracting large crowds nightly. A number of one-act plays arc in rehearsal by members of the Canterbury College Drama Society. They include "The Twelve-pound Look," "The Man in the Bowler Hat," "The Philosophy of Butterbiggins," "The Locked Chest," and "The Tragedy of Two Sisters."

"Ging TJp" was presented by the Chtistchurch Operatic Society at Christchurch last week. Mrs. Hulnie (Eva Moore) is producer. In the company are George Titchencr (one of the original Bed Dandies) and Mr. I<\ J. Easther (one of the original Diggers). Last -week saw the last performance of the George Ward Revue Company at the St. James Theatre, Sydney. This company has severed its connection with Fullers' for an indefinite period. Included in the cast were Bert le Blanc, Phyllis dv Barry, Vernon Sellars, Kathleen "Ward, Patsy Hill, and oilier wellknown personalities. Of Dorothy Brunton, the Australian girl who is playing lead in "The White Canielia," at the Gaiety, a London paper says:—"Thc.ro is a, delightful heroine in Miss Dorothy Brunton, who, beginning a trifle nervously, went on to conquer her audience with acting coquettish and contemptuous, according to tho moment, and some first-rate vocalism." Loon Gordon's own play, "The Ghost Upstairs," ran only a fortnight iv Melbourne. Mr. Gordon will now appear at Perth in "Tho Trial of Mary Dugan," "The Plying Squad," "Scandal," and "White Cargo." "Hiccups" will lie (lie title of the Canterbury College Revue, to be presented in the Municipal Concert Hall next Week. A bright programme will include three special farces—"Omelette," by the students of Rollcston House, "Hell," by those of College House, and one by tho women students. The Auckland Operatic Society records a great profit from last year, totalling a net £.052, of which &3SI was derived from "The Belle of New York." Mr. A. W. Gillies, formerly of Hawera, is one of the vice-presidents.

The thrilling play "The Wrecker" follows at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, close on the heels of "The Patsy." The local season opens on 2-ith May. Theatregoers are due for one of the biggest thrills of the day in the presentation of this sensational railway drama, for there are innovations in the way of stagecraft that will provide audiences with much that will mystify. liars and eyes will be intrigued by the genius of tho electricians who arc in charge of the mechanical contrivances for adding realism to the sensational story. The romantic talc of the railway is to be interpreted by a good cast, including Miss Josephine Wilson (a Williamson importation), Misses Noellc Sonning, Helen Saintsbury, Ivy Sparrow, and Mildren Nicholl; Messrs. Clayton Green, Arthur Young, Frank Morrison, Guy Kouth, George Willoughby, Victor Fitzherbert, Norman Lee, Reginald Collins (stage manager).

Mr. Lance Craig, a recent arrival to Hawkes Bay, has been appointed conductor of the Napier Choral Society (says the "Telegraph"). He is a musician to his finger tips and has been associated as a conductor with choral societies, orchestras, and male voice choirs for many years. He is an accomplished pianist and organist, also the possessor of a very fine baritone voice, and has appeared as soloist for many societies and concerts throughout the Dominion. He had wonderful success for many years with the Wanganui Male Voice Choir, of which ho was the conductor.

More than 350,000 people paid nearly £80,000 to see "Young "Woodley" during its rua of 425 performances in London. Maurice Moscovitcli has been'telling London that it is no use sending to Australia celebrated actors who are oldish and in need of a trip. Australians are used to the best. "Our Miss Gibbs" will bo produced by the Wellington Operatic Society at the end of May. Tlio following is the cast: The Hon. llughio, Mr. If, X Pope; Earl of St. Ivcs, Barton Ginger; Timothy Gibbs, W. J. M'Keon; Slithers, Doug. Stark; Lord Eynsford, ttay Kemp; Mr. Toplady, W." Jameson; Mr. Beavis, D. Alexander; Miss Gibbs, .Toyce "Woodward; Lady Thanet, Pauline Shofclander; Madam Jeanne, Mrs. E. Mcavs; Duchess of Minster, Miss K. Exton. Mr. Ilarison Cook is producer. The British Women's Symphony Orchestra, now under the conductorsliip of Malcolm Sargent, is a body of players mostly from the leading colleges of music, who are all good musicians and good executants. The orchestra is not quite true to name, for sonic of the orass instruments have to be entrusted yi f»en, but'they arc only a small num- "?-?, ana, as a matter of fact, the appearance of the orchestra on the platform gives the quite unusual spectacle of some 70 instrumentalists of the other sex. The "Lido Lady" Company, headed by Elsie Prince and Billy Leonard, is neariug the end of its season at the St. James Theatre, Sydney, where it will be succeeded by "Baby Cyclone." "Lido Lady" will move on to Melbourne. The British motion picture "Dawn." which is unquestionable the most discussed film in the world to-day, has captured the Press and public of Mel-bourne-to an extent rarely achieved by a, screen production. The "Argus," the "Sun," the "Age," and (he "Horald" are unanimous in proclaiming the picture to be something out of. Ihe beaten track—something worth while. The "Age" describes the effect nf the film on the vast, audience as being remarkable. Tho "Argus" wrote, ns follows: "The genius of Sybil Tliorudike has a great deal lo do with the success of 'Dawn'—if Nurse Cavcll hail been represented in anything up-

proaching the ordinary way of fho picture screened, the results would have been unworthy of her, but, in this case a great actress has lived the character rather than acted it. Very wisely there has been no attempt to turn the incident into an orthodox screen drama—in that case even tho events as they were, or could have been, are simply and straightforwardly represented, the beautiful simplicity "of tho representation adds to its charm, and in all parts of the picture Miss Thorndiko's work was most remarkable. In its naturalness there- has been nothing like it on the Melbourne screen before." The "Sun" classes tho film as one of the best pictures thjf ''as ever reached Melbourne. The "Herald" says "Dawn" is the greatest indictment "of war ever screened; it is a plain unvarnished story with no bitterness whatsoever.

In view of the fact that every novel that Warner Fabian has ever written has been successfully produced on the screen, the announcement that an option has been pur-chased on his next novel before it has even been written is one of the greatest tributes ever paid to an author by the moving pieturo industry. . The tentative title agreed upon is "Flaming Daughters." "Alias Jimmy Valentine" has been one of the most successful plays on the stage. For over a generation, young and old alike have laughed and cried over the- story of tho dashing young crook who outwits the police forces of half a dozen cities, only to give himself away at last by cracking tho safe :u which is imprisoned tho sister of the girl he loves. Now the story has been made into a film. The picture has William Haines as the star and Lionel Barrymore and Karl Dane also in the cast. In "Show People," Marion Davics undertakes to show her vast legion of admirers how a girl "breaks into the movies." Eight through the gamut of a screen endeavour, from the small apartment environment of an "extra" to the temperament, prestige, and Beverly Hills mansion of a star, she holds tho interest.

The young Mexican girl Glanche Adele, who after a long struggle to become a star is to bo featured opposite William Freshman in "Mar/ AVas Juove," was born in Mexico in 190S Upon finishing her education she went to England and became the pupil of the Fay Compton School of Dramatic Art. Her struggle to stardom was not without disappointments. "Show Boat" will have its world premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Miami. Al Jolson'a talking and singing production is shortly to be released in Now Zealand. Jolsou is the most famous and popular entertainer in America. Little- Davy Lee, a child find if ever there was one, gives a breathtaking performance as "Sonny Boy," and provides a splendid foil to Jolson P in ni BChf PiC f tU u eS in- °Jle year with ]oa<3s T ? g h n vtho m 1S Prob«Wy a record. It is held by Sue Carol, who has been fvT'dV eadillg ro!o in "Gii!s G°"c The specially-prepared sound accompaniment devised by Hugo Bieseniield, ±amous_composer and conductor, will bo a feature of the presentation of "The Lady of the Pavements," another coming attraction of United Artists Tho synchronised musical score includes the Irving Berlin theme-song, "Where Is.the Song of Songs for M c ?» sung by Lupez Vclez, lieroiuc of the filnf Mcna" and "At the Dance," both popular numbers, arc also sung by Miss Vclez. _ borne of the most dramatic scenes m the picture arc presented' wit!, a dialogue featuring the principal play.

"Shiraz," produced at Agra ami Jiapur, is a story of the Taj Mahal, and pivots on the tragic life of tho bcautitul Mumt-az, for whoso tomb the Tai Mahal was built by her husband The production is named after the unfortunate Shiraz, who was blinded by (lie Shah ou the completion of the desidi"ig of the Taj Mahal in order thatV should neither design nor build another, flic narrative is full of real Indian colour and entirely acted by Indian artists, tho star being the Hindu actress Seta Devi. Mr. Victor Pears assistant director, was the only Englishman or European concerned in the making of tho film.

l>ascd on tho very successful stage play by Edgar Wallace, "The Terror" is an extremely uncanny mystery thriller, niado more effective than tho stage version by the wider scope of tho seemc possibilities of the screen The lorror" runs its gruesome course in an ancient English mansion, where a group of people, crooks, hysterical spiritualistic mediums, and crazy folks, seek hidden treasure and try vainly by Hn . usual methods, including spiritualistic Phenomena, to s <,\ vo the mystery of the hideous cloaked fiend who liauuts the house, casually bearing fresh victims atter every new visitation to his underground torture- chamber. f,? h°Joll^'?B Parns™p]> >s taken ?J/Sm-! C o? "ey "Sund:'y News":White Shadows in the South Seas' belongs to the small company of screen classics—tho few pictures in fifteen years production since D. W Griffith set the standard, which are remembered for some greatness in conception and execution _ The strength of "White bhadows" is enhanced by superb acting. It has life in a naturally beautim' ?o "lnS- Ph°tograp.,ed by a camera master. There are wonderful underwater scenes, too, of pearl divers and the monstrous life under the sea It wi bo remembered long for its daring truth and lovely beauty." ''The Hungarian Rhapsody" is as brilliant and beautiful a thin-; as has yet been achieved in motion pictures Piccadilly," Arnold Bennett's story of night hfe in the West End of Lotion and Limehousc, is now enjoyinc tremendous success in U, c , hw^ J England and of the Continent. Tho clover handling of the Oriental players its lavish staging and mounting, its fas' cinating dances, startling climax and nuale aro some of the ouisfcaruliji- f ea t arcs of the film. Gilda GrayA?^ May Wong, Jameson Thomas, and Cyr Richards have the principal' parts. Xho title of Janet G.-mior's n «uDutch picture '■ Christina" was elmscn out of international deference While it was being produced a Holland nieure man was asked to send a j ls fc of ypical Dutch nam.3. This came with tho information that tho name "Chris tma" was both the most typical and popular and it was accordingly affixed 10 I-JIC IIJJJI. .'-T| rahT?- Y l]r°*' S "Ow ni-vstciT film/ The Third Eye," is a story of intrigue and also deals with life backstage. Television is used as the basis for the story. A British masterpiece in motion picture production that is causing quite a stir m film circles in England, France and Germany is "The Silent House," which reproduces the engrossing story of the popular novel of that title. The London "Daily Mail" writes of it as a "picture that challenges the stage."