AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 35, 10 February 1920, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

MISS MURIEL STAHR. A large audience again gathered at His Majesty's Theatre last evening to Witness ihc J. C. Williamson production, The Silent Witness," in which Miss Muriel Starr takes the leading lole. Tliough her uisk Is not an easy one, she proves herself fully equal to tin- occasion, and, supported by a capable company, wins the enthusiastic applause of the iiinllcniT throughout. The .play will lie finally staged to-morrow evening, following wiich the comnany will stage the drama "Common Clay." wufoli, tiv reason of its unusual ending, provoked considerable controversy In Australia, in this play, too, Miss Muriel .Starr tafces the leading role. The play, which broke (U records in Sydney ami Melbourne, sliould attract crowded audiences here. 'KViERI'BODI"S THEATRE. Another capacity house was recorded at Everybody's Theatre last night, when the screen version of Maurice Maeterlinck's masterpiece, "The Blue Bird," was again ■presented. The tnie note of the book hue been struck In a wonderful manner, with n result tlmt the photoplay rcllccts the true sense of the allegory contained In the stage piny. The audience follows wirh delight the experiences of Mytyl and Tyltyl In search of the "blue bird of happiness," and a keen appreciation of the tnit.li of the moral Is realised when, after their search, the children return home to find the blue bird has been there all the time. Accompanying the screening of the photo-drama Hie orchestra, which lias been specially increased to comprise twenty instrumentalists, discourses 'Mendelssohn's swe°t Incidental music to "Midsummer Night's Dream." The rendering is particularly fine, ■being In fact an entertainment in itself. TOK NATIONAL TIIKATK-K. An unusual theme is that of "Why I Would Not Marry," screening at the National Theatre, and most novel its method of presentation. The idea of a women looking iitto the future by means of a crystal and there In a panorama viewing her probaiile life with certain suitors wbo aspire to her hand has heen followed out with sueccw. The problem of marriage Is prcsentfd in a new and vivid form, that constitutes a drama of interest. The additional attractions of the programme arc a Sunshine comedy, "Dabbling in Society. and appropriate topical films portraying leading events of the day. THE TIVOLI THEATRE. The attractive programme screening at the Tivoll continues to fill the theatre. 'First on the list of subjects is "The Test of Honour," a ■plrc/toplay which Introduces John ISnrrymore in the first dramatic role since "Humes." Tlic fiJm is intensely dramatic from the opening scene to the closing one. and holds the audience enthralled throughout. The plot is a very snitable one, and being interpreted by a good cast, Ilie result Is a production of a high stnndnid of etrcllcnce. A Mack Sennett Comeily. entitled "Up In Alf's Place," included in the programme, is very amusing, and is responsible for lunch hearty laughter. TH'K GLOBE THEATRE. The charm and artistry of >Xuzimova is in full evidence in "Out of tlie b'og," which takes pride of place at the Globe. The .photoplay Is adapted from the stage drama by lll.'Austin Adams, and tells of the storms of the human passions, present ing the theme In such a way as to appeal to the audience tit once. Additional films which are screened are in accord with the leading feature of Hie programme. TUB QtJHBN\S THBATKE. Mildred .Harris Chaplin Is very popular at ■the Queen's Theatre as the luminary of "The Doctor and the Volutin." With her appears True Jkranhnap whose clever actIng gains Its diic rewar i. The photo-play is one of interest, ami I based on the wellknown novel "K," uj 'Mary Roberts 'Itineliarl. The supporting '..uis of the programme are also very fi'ic. Till: LVRIC TJIiBATItE. Tlie mnin feature of the list of subjects screening ut the I ..rale Theatre Is "The -Neiv 3l.mii," a tale of ltussia and the anardilsts. Norma Ttilmailgc Is the delightful star, and proves us entertalnluff as ever. The (fifteenth episode of "The J.igbtnin;; Raiders" brings Ihc sorinl to a dramatic close. The first episode of "A Sinn of 'Might" gives early promise of the excellence ot the new serial.

OPEITA HOUSE. Patrons of Ilic Opera House arc presented this week with a programme brlmfnl of interest and divennon, endorsed in generous measure by yesterday's andieoces. There are reveral very attractive first ap)carancit-, prominent anion" tlicm being Miss Magglr- Foster, a yomiß violinist, whose miwlclunly skill and charm of personality took the largo audience by storm, jtul held it easily captive, while her. eloquent binv delighted ilie far. The •.wutant played a nuaiher nf pieces, whirl, di.-pLycd her artistic nhllityto the call' sin- swung her'music into a tripping Miiw.-k-iou (if aii> fr.iin ■•ilniiii.- Iμ." The house parted with lut reluctantly. La Hello -Marie, hilled :i> a scu.-.llional balaticInt; trapeze ankle, is all that she claims, the most nervy act* .-ivn hero for a lon;,' j time, and withal tarried through wltli It grace awl apparen: ra-p mat miirht almost deceive nne at times as in it.-: μ-idtiy lrizar.l. An eieollent turn Is also provided by the L'barlcbert liros. and Harry, who keep the audience apis with interest while they perforni a «ncce*lnn of acrobatic ami tumbling feats of an iiuciiuimonly clever and daring nature. The remainder (if an enjoyable first half was tilled by tin- Falvey Sisters anil the comedy work of Miss Daisy ■llarcourt. Another screaming piece of burlesque by the I'aul Stanhope Iteviie company, cnlltled "Down On The Farm," lUled in the second part with roars of laughter, and sent the aiullenec home in great good humour. THE STRAND ninUTHK. Tta .Biifjlsh prtxliKilun, "UlufMtng n Wife." is proving very acceptable tit the Strand Theatre. The i>lot is typically English, and ingenious in Us construction. 'I'lirniiL'liont the Him there are many delightful scenes which earn- trie audience easily and pleasantly to a dramatic close. An allstar cast includes Owen Hans and Isobel Elsom, popular artists of the. Kndish stage. A comedy film of the programme is very amusing and diverting. TIIB • I'lti NCRSS TILE AT RE. "The Two Bride?." screening at Ihe Princess, pleases the most critical. The theme Is treated in a manner that places it on a. high plane of cxttllenco. Bai-li scene has been cleverly contrived, witii a result that the production as a whole is one of merit. Una Cavalieri, the intensely emotional actress is the leading member of the east. Her able interpretation is very pliaiing. THE GKAXD TBBATBB. The htidset of lilins screening at the Grand Theatre includes tin? comedy-dratna "Pecsry." The film coxitis ma"y lively incidents that mark it as one apart. BiUie IVtirkc, the well-kno«i. comedieuue is very captivating. William Desmond and Charles Itay are also very fine. THE WEST BSD TirBATRK. Ceraldine Karrar is the lciidlirg attrJction ,rt the West End Theatre. She is the principal in "I'hc T"urn of tile Wheel. TKR BIHTAX-VIA THISATICE. Two Fox features will be screened at the nritannla to-nii;ht. TMiese are "On the jump," starring George Walsh, and 'The Danger Zone." THB ARCADIA TUEATIH-:. "Happy Though Marrle.l," with Enid Bennett as the resigned wife, ■* ill be screened at the Arcadia Theatre to-ulsit.