AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 197, 20 August 1919, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

ALLAN WILKIB COMPANY. "Trilby," the melodrama made from <3u 'Maurier's well known novel, -wns played for the third time hy IMr. Allau -Wllkle and his company at His 'Majesty's Theatre last night. Mr. Wilkie as Svengali repeated his former successes, and Mlso Frediswyde Hunter-Watte In the name part shared tne. honours of the piece -with him. "Trirby" will be staged for three more nights, and will lie superseded ua Saturday by "The •Midnight Wedding." THE NATIONAL THEATRE. Miss Gladys ißrockwell and (Miss Peggy : Hyland are starred in .two entirely dissimilar films at the National Theatre this week. The. Urst-named is given aji opportunity for some vivid characterisations in "The Bird, of Prey." she makes her appearance as a leader of Mexican bandits, and her ascent into the ordinary life of a woman of society makes interesting watchin?. Miss Hylaml, in "Marriages are Made," Is the pretty heroine of a thrllllne secret service story. Music and su-pporte aire In accordance with the theatre's high standard. THE OPERA HOUSE. The current programme of vaudeville being shown at the Opera House this week is obviously to the taste of the numerous patrons. The first half of the programme Is taken up by an excellent series of vaudeville turns, the second part being filled by the revue company of "Mr. Bert I/a (Blanc, which provides an excellent, show. THE PRTNCESS THEATRE. The admirable acting of Mtss Dorothy Thilton. together with the delightful comedy art of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, 1r drawIng a large audience to the 'Princess Theatre every night during the flreefb. Miss Dalton'a vehicle,, "Vive I>a France," gives her every opportunity to show '.he tense emotionalism for which she is fumed. It is sad to think that we will have but few more comedies in which Mr. Sidney I>rew dellgnte us all. as Ihis admirable comedian wns n victim to the influenza epidemic In New York. THE TIVOLI THEATRE. It did not fall to the fortune of New Zeiilanders to see Douglas Futrlmnks when, with Patricia Coinage, he played in "He •I'omos Up Smiling" on Broadway, but he Is not difficult of access now at the Tlvoll Theatre in the pictured form. One American critic suld ( .f the performance: "Fairbanks romps through the part, and almost makes us overlook the very pood acting that he is doing. There la a lot of boy an;: girl love making in It that warms the twyart, and makes the serious element seem, by the way. In addition to this bright picture, the usual set of supporting aims Is uhown. THE LYRIC THEATRE. A dramatic utory of "the open spaces." niap,n!!lcently played, mounted, and produced—such is "The Hell Cat," in which Miss Goraldlno Farrair appears this week at the Lyric Theatre. There Li much colour and action In the piece, and the audiences like it. well. A supporting picture introduces 'Dongln* Fnlrbnnko In a breezy comedy. 'Double Trouble," which forms an excellent off-sot to the tense emotionalism of the first. There are excellent supporting films and music. THE STRAND THEATRE. "On Trial." at the Strand Theatre tills week, is an admirable example of the fare *ervod to the American public to-.lay. It is taken from a htahly successful play, which hnd a long Broadway run, and is admirably played, featuring such iH>rformera .is IWlmrn Castleton and the <-hild actress. Mnry McAllister. This excellent story is well supported, and an additional attraction Is the- appearance of the well-known Lyric Quartet in concerted numbers. THE QCEBVB THEATRE. Florence Ueed has the audiences at the Queen's Theatre entirely "Her Own Way" this week. Miss Reed's success ns a star of the legitimate stage enables her to brine all her technical resources to bear on an interpretation of this powerful play of Clyde Fitch. There are some excellent supporting films.' ' ■ • •* EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" has not yet beenn to lose interest with the young ,or old people, judging from the excellent audiences attending Everybody's Theatre. Miss Marguerite Clark is charming ns Eva and amusing ns Topsy, and Mr. Frank Losee has dignity as Uncle Tom. The picture Is well supported. THE GLOBE THEATRE. Thnt virile actor. Mr. William Russell, is seen In a complicated domestic story at the Globe Theatre this week. The picture is well-staged and excellently acted. The supporting films are also good. THE GRAND THEATRE. An excellent melodrama by Louis Joseph Vanrv, 'The Lone Wolf," is drawing lovers of sensation to the Grand Theatre. Hiss Florence Reed is the star of the film, and adds to the attractions of it very materially. A serial and a Chaplin comedy are also included. TOE BRITANNIA THEATRE. A dramatic and telling study of married life is given by Miss Gladys Brot-kwell in "The Strange Woman" for this week at the jP.ritannla Theatre. 'Hie picture is entlrely absorbing, and is enjoying a well-merited success. THIO WEST END THEATRE. Stately June Elvidge is the star in "A Woman of Redemption" being shown at the "West End Theatre this week, luteresting supports arc also showu. THE VICTORIA THEATRE. Tlio English beauty. Kitty Gordon. appears in a pathetic . Him. "The Divine Socrlflco," at the Victoria Theatre. . Miss Gordon Invests the picture with her alleompelling charm and incidentally wears some line gowns. THE EMPRESS TIIEATIiE. Beautiful Norma Talmadga is starring in ••(;h«>st» of Vcsterday" at the Empress Theatre. The picture gives this clever emotional star every opportunity. TOWSEY-M ITCH ELL CONCERT. In the Conceit Chamber of the Town Hull last evening, before, an appreciative patherlns of music lovers, a delightfulconcert was given by Mr. and Mrs. Cyril lowsey and Miss Winifred Mitchell assisted by IVnfessi.r Maxwell Walker and /■ ; N - Wri « ut - A Programme consisting of solos from t lie works of ancient and modern authors was submitted, and artistic readings wore given of the selections. As no encores were allowed, the performance terminated lit a reasonable hour, much to the satisfaction of th.ise wuo attended Beethoven's Krentzer Sonata No. » in \ Major Opus 17 received a reading by Mr Towscy and Miss Winifred Mitchell reflecting the highest credit on the cxecut-ints The performers displayed earnestness in their work, and played as though they were in thorough sympathy with their subject The ensemble was very good, and the admirable tone produced commanded attention. Miss Mitchell. In the vigorous passages, exhibited plenty of power and agreeable tone timbre, executed with precision nnd unerring finger the intricate measures of the Presto, played the melody of the Andante with (lowing cnntahiles executed the variations with distinctness, nnd o- av e n brilliant rendering of the Finale ".Mr Towsey artistically performed the delightful music assigned to the pianoforte. After this, interesting and enjoyable reading of a great classic the performers were wirmlv applaiided. Mrs. Tow.sry sang with fullness of voice and dramatic intensity Siintuzza's Kcena "Vol Io Sapete," from Mascagni's "Cnvnllcrla Hustlcuna," gave a delicate and finished performance of Halm's "L'Heure Exqulse," rendered Schubert's "The Young Nun" with tine effect, sang expressively in Hamilton Ilarty's •'The Sea Wrack," "and contributed with vocal freedom and nicely modulated voice Brahms' "in Summer Fields." Urooks , "Song of the Pilgrims " and Strauss' Serenade. At the termination of each set of solos the cantatrice was I heartily recalled, and during the evening I received several handsome floral tributes Miss Mitchell played with breadth, fullness of tone, and careful thought Bach's Ur for the G string, and supplied a violin obli»ato I effectively to Kahn's "Aye Maria." 1 Schumann's "Paplllons" Opus •> received a. j performance by Mr. Towsey expressing their ' full pulsating vitality. Delicately presented was No. 7. and charmingly unfolded was I the dance setting of No. s, whilst the I rhythmic rebound of No. 10 was carefully noted. The grandiose strain In G major I was displayed to fine purpose, and the rocking, swaying measures of the subsequent music and its delightful theme received adequate treatment. The rousing Polonaise No. 11 was delivered with decision and clearly detined rhythm, whilst the FlnaJe. with its grandfather's dance, long sustained pedal D anil church hell effects, was given with energy and nicely contrasted effect.

Professor Maxwell Walker pave an impressive recital of Rod hard's "Killed at the Ford." Mr. E. N. Wright, a teuor of premise, save with nice vocal ipiality Klgar's

"Pleading," and an expressive reading of Kahii'x "Are Maria." The pianoforte parts were sympathetically played by Mr. Cyril TuVTBQS.

THE ARCADIA THEATRE. 'Charming Billie Burke is entrancing Newton patrons with the comedy "In Fureuit of Polly" at the Arcadia Theatre. Mlsa Burkes charm has not abated one whit elnee ehe mude her screen debut. "THE TAMINQ OF THE SHREW." The Grafton Shakespeare 'Club gave a most successful rending oi "The Taming of the Shrew" at the Grafton Library last evening. There was , au excellent and an enthusiastic audience. The club must be congratulated on last night'e performonce, which introduced some of the younger and less experienced members of the club. A 'bewitching Kathairtna -wns Miss M. Wllocks, with a tierce temper, which, was subdued by Mr. W. H. Graham, who was admirable as -Petruchio. iMi39 A. Rudd was dainty and correctly negative as Blanca, while the fine speaking voice of Mr. Gainor Jacksou lifted hjs Lucentlo to the front rank. Miss M. 'Witmot-'Parsons had but little to do as a widow, but did It -well. Mr. Keesing clowned delightfully as Grumio, and smaller parts were taken by Mr. A. Outran! Horspool, Mr. J. Coe, 3lr. G. A. Collard, and Mr. G. 11. Hardley.