ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10169, 26 July 1924, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

El IS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

" PONJOLA." "Ponjola" is a word full of meanin" in the hinterland of Rhodesia, lo the natives it is something to be feared; to the white man it spells ruination. It is the South African native name for an intoxicating liquor, and it is said that all who fall into its toils are doomed. The subject was treated in a novel by Cynthia Stockley, and it is this story which has been transferred to the screen and will be shown at ±lis Majesty's Theatre for the last time to-night. The picture is remarkable for the clever acting of Anna M- misson in a difficult part. In addition there will be screened the first chapter of 'The Steel Trail, ; a serial film which will open a 16-wfeks engagement at this theatre. William Duncan, the star of "The Steel Trail, was one of the first motion picture stars to appear in the continued drama. The serial king produces Ins own productions, and, if experience counts tor anything, the latest Universal chapterplay may be considered perfect screen entertainment.

"RIDERS UP." Universale latest all-star picture, "Riders Up," to be shown at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday and Tuesday nights, was adapted from the story "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," by Gerald Beaumont. It is a story of race-track life, and the hero is a tout. Persons familiar with the manner of men who make a living by disposing of information concerning racehorses have said that the story is one of the most natural human interest stories ever told of race-track activities. The picture was filmed in lia Juana. Real races and many real track and stable attaches were shown as atmosphere. Creighton Hale, George Cooper, Robert Brower, Kate Price, and Edith York© are in the cast. The story is that of a youth who drifted on to the race track after saying good-bye to his widowed mother and his sister in a little New England village. They believed him engaged in a big business venture, and are waiting anxiously for him to keep his ottmade promise to come home. Finally he has a lucky day, and prepares to keep his promise, but the plight of an aged friend convinces him that he is justified in once more postponing the visit.

CHAUTAUQUA PERFORMANCE.

THE JUGOSLAV ORCHESTRA. A novelty in music will be provided at the Theatre Royal on Monday night, when the Jugo-Slav Orchestra will make its appearance, and render the third programme of the Chautauqua Company. ' The story of the way m which the people of Jugo-Slavia preserved thenold civilisation and arts through long centuries of oppression and subjection is intensely interesting and romantic. When the Turks invaded Europe in the 15th century, overcame all resistance and swept forward into Europe, even up to the gates of Vienna. The ancient culture and civilisation was suppressed but the spirit of the people was not destroyed. For 500 years the history, religion, and tradition ol the race were cherished and nourished, *and passed on from generation to veneration in folk lore, song and story. The day of their defeat and subjection was kept in remembrance for all the long period of their bondage, as a day of consecration and dedication to their lost liberties. The Montenegrins at the present time wear a picturesque peasant costume of tight fitting jacket with elaborate braiding, fancy coloured vest, white trousers and top boots, and the Kosova cap, which is a small round brimless cap with a scarlet crown, gold lace at one side, and black band. The scarlet crown represents the bloody field of Kosova, the gold lace the fragment of the pec;ple who got away to the mountains and would never yield, while the black band is a symbol of mourning for the lost liberties of the people. It was on Kosova Day, June 18, 1914, when the people were arranging to carry out their annual service of commemoration and re-dedication, that the Archduke Ferdinant of Austria visited Sarajevo to outrage their feelings. He was assassinated, and the Great War started, which involved New Zealand as well as the rest of the world. These are the people who, in the new nation of Jugo-Slavia, have now recovered their lost liberties, secured with the purchase price of their own and New Zealand's blood, and it is representatives of these people who are now visiting us with their music, songs, and stories, under the auspices of the Australian Chautauqua Company.