AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 41, 17 February 1920, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "Commoa Clay" was finally presented by .1. l\ Willuuuson's Company lit His Majesty's Theatre last night. This evening the company produces "Three Faces East," a war drama of unusual interest A feature of the play will be a number of beautiful dresses which Miss Muriel Starr will have occasion to wear iv the role of a woman striving to outwit certain The box plan for the season ot three nights is now on view at Wildman. und Arey's. WILLIAMSON GRAND OPERA. The young Australian prima Uouna, Amy Castles, who will play Marguerite iv the opening production of the J. C. Williamson grand opera season, on Saturday uext. made her tirst uuiUlic appearawo In Melbourne iv ISOil, and went to ■Paris to study with Marches! and Bouhy, subsequently giviivc concerts in Loudou with great success. 'loiter she returned to Australia, and was engaged by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to appear witb the nrau's grand opera company, him! her success iv operatic roles carried out the predictions made at the outset of her career, that a bright future awaited lier in this sphere. One of : duction is stated to be the tirst iippearance in Auckland of Ralph Errolle, from the Metropolitan Opera, New York. Mr. Errolle is said to be a lyric tenor of unusual personality, vocal ciiarm, and acting ability, and has won a high place on the grand opera stage -by his performance of the title role in "Faust." Alfredo Valentl. the basso, who will appear as Mephistopheles. is of Italian descent, and was a fellow-student of John M-cCormuck at Milan, and toured with Uie workl-famous tenor for some time. Other notable artists inolnde Carl ■Formes, Virtorle Lois, Gertrnde Johnson. Patti Russell, Thelina Carter, Leah Myers, Strelia Wilson. Fred Collier, Browning Mummery and Tom Minogue. Features of the production will he a chorus of fifty, and a full grand operatic orchestra directed l>y Gnstave Slapoffski. The programme for the first seven nights also includes "Tales of Hoffman" (for the first time in AnefcUinill, on Monday, "Lα Roherae" on Tuesday, "Lucia Dl Laminermoor" on Wednesday. "Madame Butterfly" on Thursday. "Onvalleria Jlustlcana" and "I Pagliaccl" on Friday, and "La Tosca" on Satnrday. The box plans are now open at Wildmnn and Arey's. THE NATIONAL THEATRE. "The Liiir," screening at the .National Theatre, provesto be very entertaining. Miss Virginia Pearson gives a splendid rendering of the role assigned her. She In cast as the young wife who is accused of having alien blood in her veins. The purpose of the play Is to sho-w how she repudiates the nnjust statement. Victor Sutherland in the leading man. In addition to this ".Miss A<iventnre" is screened. givos a convincing portrayal of a happy care-free frlrl. In a fishing village on the Pacific Coast.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A change of programme ivill be effected at Everybody's Theatre this evening, when "M'Liae" will be presented. The film is based on the well-known story of Bret Harte, and telle of a young girl who liven a care-free life in an insignificant mining' town. A change comes Into the life of "M'Liss" when a schoolmaster comes to the district. A romance springs up which has finally a happy ending. The role of "M'Lisß" is played by the versatile actress Mary Plekford. OPERA HOUSE. In Hie change or programme submitted at Fuller's OiK-ra House last night, a bright and breezy programme of vaudeville and* revue comedy was presented to Che audience, with Miss Celia ..Uav-fc, a songstress of die relliied older, who has a alight touch of the soubrette, providing a turn that is quite new to regular patrous. Her repertory runs "from serio-comic to light opera, and a pleasing voice and personality are combined with a nice touch on the piano to make an appeal that the audience responded to spontaneously. Ability to get a line tone Irom the violin was displayed again by Mixs Maggie Foster, in popular -airs. In a turn (hat was greatly helped aud enhanced by the artistic accompaniment aud (hording provided by Mr. E. J. Burkes orchestra. Tlie vivacious vocal harmonising of the Falvey Sisters; the high-class head and hand balancing and tumbling of the Churh-bert Bros.; and the daring trapeze balancing uf La Kelle Marie were accorded Individual receptions which were well merited and indicated that the public fully endorsed the management's view that week. Mr. Paul Stanhope linn iuadc Ills "Spike Murphy'- almost a public institution, and in "Vanity Fair" the versatile ■Spike, aud all his satellites demonstrated their undoubted ability to shift a grouch, even though they might not be up to specification in shifting a pi:ii:o aud an imaginary pint of beer. The setting of the revue is rather familiar, but it w:ib furnished anew with songs and specllities that were euter'tflining and amusing.

Tn general, the programme is one to be commended, aud it will be put before Opera House jmtrons uiglitlv during the week, and at the usual Wednesday and' Saturday mntlirees. THE TIV.OLI TUBATIKE. Tlie role in which 'William S. Hart appears in "The Poppy Girl's Husband," Mr. Hart's versatility is, however, equal to the occasion, Willi the result he has given an excellent rendering of the part. The film \d based upon a story that appeared ill serial form in the "Red Book" magazine. Throughout the play there are many stirring iui'ldenu that hold the audience interested to the last. THE PRINCESS THEATHE. Signer Preboui ilannou, the Danish tenor, again .-.aug at the Princess Theatre Inst cveuliig before mi appreciative audience. Signor Hausuus rendering of 'losti's ••Uoud-liyi; ,, was very line, wiile 'hirt second number, "La Lhjniia c Mobile"' (Verdi), was enthusiastically received. Sijrnor 'Hanson has a powerful voice that easily tills the th.ratre. lie will repeat the numbers this evening. The plctorlai programme will also be screened. The Men," an absorbing drama starring MkiH Enid Bennett, the talented Australian actress. TUB GLOBE THQATRE. The niin version of Marie Corelli'e novel "The Treasure of lleuvtii" hi verj , popular been personally supervieed by iliau corelll, aud the cast ispeciully chosen. The result Is that a flrsl-cidss production lias been obtained. Marie Corelli'e aptitude lor line writing Is iuodlued Iα tlie 111 mio porting llut ol nlm» ore butli interesting luid educatiug. XUti -STBAJsD THEATRE. "Tlie City of Comrades," screening nt the Strand Theatre, is a pronumiced euccetts. Tool Moore la the- leiiUlng tiuiu, uud player tie role of Frank Melbirry, a burglox, who in driven to crime by hunger He meets Hegiiia Barry, and theiicefurth reforms Scene follows scene teause wltli flrji niutti' incident up to a happy conclusion. Seeaia Owen plays the part of tlie young wuman Regina Barry. The lighter side of the programme is .shown in an amusing comedy "ilaida, ilorc Maids, and TUJS QUEIINS TiTK«Tn.m "Silent S-treugtn" i≤ the headliner at the Queeii'b 'i'Utai'Lre. TLe play is a touching romance of the rugged mountains and the turbulent, but beautiful, rivers of the back utterly different in character and temperament, who are at loggerheads because of a girl, w-bo has come into chelr lives. The manner in which the difficulty in overcome is the subject of the nlin. 'IlllK iLX'BIC TIiEATItE. Jack ■I'iekford ivas again un undoubted success at the Lyric Theatre last evening when ho appeared In "Bill Apperson'e Boy," a charming picture of rustic lire in a hill country, in this Urn he is cast as the "boy," and in playing his part gives full evidence of his abilities. Other strong lmparsnnatlons arp also given by Jtiwsel Simpson as Bill Apperson, the father, and by G-loria Hope as .Martha Vnrnton, the girl In the case. The programme includes the second episode or "A Man of Might." THE GRAND THEATRE. r>. W. Griffith's stupendous production. "Intolerance." attracts many to the Grand Theatre. The film is an Immense work, and takes thp audience back through the years when nncleut Babylon flourished and up again to the present dny. Included in the programme is the closing episode of the serial, "The Lightning Raiders " and the opening episode of "A Man of Might." THE ARCADIA THEATRE. Dorothy Glsh is the attraction at the Arcadia Theatre. She is the star in the comedy-drama. "Boots." THE BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Riders of the Purple Sage" will again be screened at the Britannia Theatre this evening. William Farnutn is the star performer. THE EMPRESS THEATRIC. "The Leopard's Bride" is the title of the main feature at the Empress this evening. THE WEST END THEATRE. The final screening of "The New Moon." the West End Theatre this evening. "Joan of the Woods." starring June Elvldge, will lead the list to-morrow. VARIETY CONCERT. A variety concert by Mr. ,T. P. Crawford's Company, "The Joy-Makers," will he given at St. .Tames' Hall. Wellinetou Street, on Wednesday and Thursday evening neit. The programme will include Silvia Mnudc in a series of rartime dances. Shorty Franks will combine song and patter in a comedy turn, while Adalr iuid his dummy Coster Joe will contribute ■with a display of ventriloquism. Trocardio will render a number of classical violin selections. Miss Noni Cowie will sing various well-known melodies. The star performance of the entertainment will be a number of spiritualistic feats and sensational escapes by Louis Crawford.