AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1917, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The ilnal performance of "The House of Olass" was given last evening at His Majesty's. "The Land of Promise," a play I famous both iv England nod America, will : be presented this evening. It is from the : facile pen of William Somerset Maughaum, ■ the author of "Lady Frederick" and othel - successful plays. Its plot and structure ia i entirely different to "The House of Glass." ; This delightful and exceptionally strong • best English play that has been written ■ since tbu war began. There is an uncotn--1 uiouly strong interest in the characterisa- ■ tions in this important piece. It affords ex- : ceptional chances lor both Miss l.'lorenea i Hock well and Mr. Prank Harvey, besides I having well-written parts for a lengthy cast. i In the production of two such outstanding ; successes, as "The Land of Promise" and . "The Law of the Land," the J. C. Williamsou tirm are offering playgoers a rare oppor- ; tunit.v lo witness the latest dramatic sue- . cesses interpreted by an artist in the person i ) of-Miss Hockw.-11, second to none, with the . support of probably the best dramatic . organisation in Australia. Mr. Maughaum s is a doctor, and was at the front shortly . after the war broke out. It is interesting 1 to learn that the latter portion of the play . was written within sound of the German . suns. It is said to be entirely delightful, • full of bustle and excitement, powerful in I plot and stirring in action. Miss Rockwell • plays Sorali Marsh and Mr. Frank Harvey . lh<- part of Prank Taylor. "The Land of , rrouiise" will be played for three nights, and will.be followed on Wednesday next by 1 "The Law <>f the Laud" for the Inst three , nights of the season. • OI'KKA HOUSE. Quite an interesting vaudeville perfor- > muii.-e is in currency at Fuller's Opera i House. To-night will witness its nual singing, Ihe whole prolamine being ■' cuauseu ou Monday evening. I KING'S TUEATRK. , A big melodramatic subject, classed as i "The I'atal Wedding," will come up lor the i 1 approval of Kings Theatre patrons this ] evening, 'l'lic play is being presented by r special arrangement with the J. L. YVilliaiuI huh Coiupauy, Ltd., and iv it Miss Uertle f t'remer, who plays mc part of "TUe Little t Mother," will lunke Uer debut beiore an i Auckland audience. KL.VG GKUKGE ON MONDAY. It was an aurbitlous effort on the part of the Fox I'Mni Corporation to attempt nieiiL, but oue that has amply proven us astounding success, to iuu-oduce Miss TJieda ISani to interpret the Kair Maid oi \erousi. 'I'hal they were fully jucruned in their choice speaks volumes for the producing .stair, aud for die versatility of ■lli»s iiara, wlio lias . portrayed on the Screen perhaps every huinau eunJttou, and is now placed In the role of tile young maiden in the mighty tragedy of "Komeo and Juliet." H Us more than passing interest that auaches itself to a Mm of Luis type, uitli iu< elaboration oi statins and Wilms. Many of -the interior sets are on -a truly magnificent scale, while the costumes have been chosiio 'With care and attention. The famous balcony scene has been well staged, and the acting between Ikmieo (Harry HUliard) and Juliet (Theda Hiixu) In this piirticular incident is very tine. It will be remembered that Juliet, standing on her balcony, um-wn.sciouci of being overheard, and full of the new passlo.a to which the night's adventure has given birth, .alls upon her lover with a lamous phrase. "0 komeo, Komeo; wherefore art them, .Romeo?" atid he climbs the orchard wall and answers her. "Alac, there in more peril In your eye than twenty swords." when she fears that her kinsmen, the Cupuletn. may lintl him, a Montague, ou their threshold. "Do you look but kindly upon mc." he continues, "and 1 am proof against their enmity."' These passages | perhaps sum up better than any the depth ! and iH-auty of love thiat existed be't-weeu I Romeo and Juliet: a love no deep that wiien the enforced barrier of separation mini' between them, both preferred reunion in death rather than that the one I should live on without the other. Some I of the hitter scones are strikingly effec- '. lire. Tht-da Bum uses her histrionic talent to grerrt success as Juliet, when, after having consented to wed Count I'aris, she receives from the friar a phial that will make her UfeleMS for f.>rty-two hours. Ami ho it happens the wedding cheer servi-s for a sad hurfcU feast: the bridal liymius are changed to sullnn dirges: the sprightly instruments to melancholy bells; and the flowers that should have stre-wn her path now nerve to grace her tomb. Komeo. at Mantua. learns of Julia's supposed denlh. and hasten* to get a last glimpse of his beloved. Then the tragic finale. She awakes just too late to save h€»r lover's life, and then—the ilnjrpcr mrlttly raised and Julia falling lifeless across the dead body of Romeo—a tragic end to a beautiful love idyll. PRINCESS THEATRE. A live-act .Metro wonder-play opening at the I'rin.-ess tht; afternoon hears the title "Vjiafty." In It chat most bewitching of stars. Miss Knuny Wehlen, takes the big part. Misw Wehlen is recognised as one of the most beautiful and correctly dressed women iv the world, ami In the which she goes in the part of a clothesmud girl, she has the most ample opportunities to display the very latest In gowns and wraps. This big piny is appearing to-day for the first time in the Dominion ami the incidents in the life of lMiyllis Lord, a model in an exWuriive establishment for fashionable women's -apparel. hiavn a thrilling, gripping interest to all. A •wonderfully strong cant, amazingly beauaction that would draw fervid exclamations from a stone are a. .-ompuuinients of this Him, which is followed by a most select assortment of powerful subjects, the wJiole the programme l.einpr set off to the utmost advantage by the best of ninsic. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The rnanaginneiit of tlie ynewi's Theatre has little to I'.vtrti from any competitor of i the art of procuring the. best possvble : pU-tures. The story that comes lipou the screen at thin iiicture house to-day is a recent release from the fnnious Mutual studios, and lieturs the hetiding "The Ixx>i«ird's Uride." In the picture Miss Mary Ciibson plays a very prominent role. T.he plot Ls novel and orifdnal in its theme. and both action and stage-ry are of a high rank. "WHERE ARE MY OHIIjDREN?" 'Cha N.Z. Him censor's prohibiting the i ailmissiou of childre-u under the age of i eighteen years to the picture presentation ! of "Where Arc 'My -Children?" wUi.-h is to be shown under the direction of Mr E. J. Carroll at the Lyric Theatre, commencing at the matinee to-day, is not Indicative of there being anything iv the picture that is likely to ofl'emi the susceptibilities, but simply that he considers the subjti.-l . beyond their understnuding. The Him k. I naturally, very direct In its treatment or a theme mrt usually discussed publicly, stud the management say, why not? Why should sex problems that lusUllously alTcHt the health of our women and the lives of out bairns not be diseuc-isedY '"Let There be light" is a soumi Biblical precept. Tbe screen has decided power. It would certainly be Impossible t» treat this subject on the stage with the same telliii-' effect. "Where Are My Children V is acted by a company sikh-jhllj- ch-oseu by t.he auHioreris. It is s-aid to be true to "type in every characterisation, with the outstanding figure or Tyrone Power looming •through it like Nemesis. The story is fT!im«l in luxurious snrrounclings, which mokes the leseon all the more strikins. showing that idleness and the perpetual searc'li for pleasure go hand in hnnd with the shirking of maternity. The success of its mission is evidenced by the widespread Interest it is creating. Tie earnestness of its purpose cannot be d-enied. Intending patron* would <i<> well to book their seats at Burkey's. Queen Street. GRAND THEATRE. A Charlie Chaplin screamer is due tn appear on fur Onind screen this afternoon Under the nom-de-pfnme of '-The Vncnbor.d," Charlie nets into all sons of mischief, to tbe accompaniment of the uproarious laughter of the onlookers. WEST END TUEATRK. "The Kcmalo of the .Species" is eomltis at the West Knd this day. Excellent supporting items follow. ALEXANDRA THEATRE. A fine entertainment, will lie presented before patrons of the Alexandra Thearre this evening. The feature drama of the programme will l>e "The Reward." I'AI.ACK THEATRE. "Arsenc Lupin" has already created a stir in the city. It will be on view from to-day tili Wednesday evening at the popular l'alace Theatre.

GLOBE THEATRE. Clara Klmbnll Yonns is appearing at the Glolie In the leading part of the aim "The lUse of Susan." Excellent supports follow. TIVOLI THEATRE. To-day's change of programme at the Tivoli picture entertainment brings prominently before the public view the Famous Players-La sky Mini "The Storm." The picture is said to lie a bis dramatic: subject; it is in five startling acts, and Miss Blanche Sweet is at the head of the rast. LYRIC THEATRE. ,K The J jyrlc arreeD - fro,u this afternoon throughout next week, will be taken up with the unspooliuff of the bt s Universal ■r, U ,' "Where Are My Children?" This fine feature is ably screened has a startling pl,,t. is cleverly arte.l, and hands n graphrc warnins asalnst the evils of race suicide. STRAND THEATRE. The double event at the Strand to-day includes William S. Hart, that big actor of lug Western parts, in tb P ri ,i e ~f ~ harassed newspaper editor. The picture is entitled Truthful rnlliver," and describes the exceedingly active measures that had to be taken to run a "erciok" nut of town The other heudliner is another chapter of "Gloria's Homance." KVERYBOIIVS THKATRE Kitty Oordon plays at Kverjbod.Vg to day in "\ cr.,. the Mwlium." An all-round excellent photo-play.