AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 113, 12 May 1920, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE. "Kose of the West," a gripping film of life in the Canadian wilds, is a popular item of the programme at the National Theatre. The story contained In the photo.-play commands the attention of the audience to the last. Madlaine Traverse, the popular star, is the principal. She is supported by a well-chosen cast. Of a lighter nature Is "Be A Little Sport," a comedy drama, featuring Albert Ray and Elinor Fair. The film is an amusing presentation of certain difficulties that come to pass through a matrimonial entanglement. : TIVOLI THEATRE. Pride of place amongst the list of films at the Tlvoli Theatre is given to "The Avalanche," a screen version of the book of the same name by the famous novelist. Gertrude Atherton. The theme of this photo.play is an acceptable one, and Is presented in a manner that-leaves nothing to be desired. The photography and the scene settings are also of a -high order. Elsie Ferguson, who is described as a leading beauty of the screen, assumes the leading role, and her interpretation also justifies her title as a foremost actress. The other films are of a pleasing nature. The musical programme rendered by the orchestra is most enjoyable. PRINCESS THEATRE. The varied programme of song, dance, and pictures is attracting many to the Princess Theatre this week. The Kiwi Entertainers, who have appeared in Auckland before this, occupy the latter portion or the programme. They are Been in a number of entertaining Items. Their novel I feature, "Bran Pie," enjoys considerable popularity. The various artists of the troupe are undoubtedly clever and acquit themselves well in the numerous items The pictorial portion of the programme contains a strong dramatic. film. "Rose of ;the River," Introducing Lila Lee. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The entertaining programme at Everybody's Theatre this week is resulting in gratifying houses. Action Is the keynote of the comedy-drama "Greased Lightning," which takes foremost place amongst the list of films. The execution of the plot and the scenery effects fully justify the title. The leading artists of a favourable cast are Wanda Hawley and Charles Ray. "Back stage, which is Included in the programme. Is an amusing comedy in which Roscoe Arbuckle comes to light In a new series of whimsicalities. LYRIC THEATRE. A forceful gtory of a man's sacrifice is that of "The Grey Horizon," which is proving so popular. The film Is* a Ha worth production, featuring Sessue* Hayakawa, whose name as a tragedian Is well founded. The plot is a strong one, containing many gripping incidents. The element of love has been finely Introduced Jnto the picture. The serial "A Man of Might" has a still further interesting development in episode 14. which is Included in the programme. "THE ROTTERS." The comedy of a respectable family as provided by the Allan Wilkle Company in "The Botters" again provided an enthusiastic audience with a couple of hours' laugh- . ter at His Majesty's Theatre last night. One after another the family skeletons were dragged out and rattled to the satirical smiles of the world until the smug hypocrisy of the "Clugston", respectability was swept away in gusts of laughter "The Rotters" will be repeated to-night, and will be followed by another of H. F. Maltby's comedy-dramas, "The Temporary Gentleman." STRAND THEATRE. A truly wonderful record is that of Shackelton's Expedition as preserved in the film, "In the Grip of the Polar Pack-ice " Taken under extreme difficulties, it is indeed a triumph of photography. The film deals at length with the adventures of the intrepid explorer and his little party. The Polar regions are shown in their full beauty and grandeur. The spectator beholds the large tracts of ice and snow which stretches far away to the South Pole. Th« animal life of the Antarctic hae also been portrayed, and is the subject of an interesting series of pictures. A sad incident In the film Is the crushing of the Endurance by the pack-ice. She is abandoned by the party, who have to live for months on a huge floating iceberg. Mr. George Dean gives a clear account of .various incidents In the film, in the course of its screening. Altogether the picture is of immense value educationally, as well as affording an insight to some extent of the almost Insuperable difficulties with which Polar explorers have to contend. • QUEEN'S THEATRE. "My Lady's Dress" Is the leading attraction of an interesting series of films. The photoplay is based upon the English etage success of the same name. The idea of the play has been cleverly executed, and a powerful film has resulted. Gladys Cooper, a well-known figure on the English stage, plays in the leading role with decided success. GRAND THEATRE. The amusing adventures of the Hayseeds family is related in a film, the third of a series. The title of the present film is "The Hayseeds at the Backblock Show." The thirteenth episode of "A Man of Might" is Included .in the programme. OPERA HOUSE. The vaudeville programme of 'international artiste is drawing capacity houses at FnlTer'B Opera House. The items are bdth varied and entertaining. " PAOLA AND FRANOESCA." There was a crowded audience at the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night, to ■listen to the tragic story of IFxancesca, the young person who took the wrong turning, with fatal effects to several of her acquaintances. An additional appeal to public support was made by the fact that the performance was given in aid of tne Richmond Road Children's Home, an insti'tutlori which ia doing a very commendable work in Auckland. The recital of Stephen Phillips' work, which is so popular with amateur organisations, '■w.as given Tinder the direction of 'Mrs. C. C. Foreyth, with Mr. W. Crowther as stage manager. In the opening marriage scenes some of the cast struck too subdued a note, which robbed the later tragedy of some of Its force by way of contrast. This is. however, generally the case with an amateur reading, and when the performers got warmed up to their work a high standard of merit was reached. Mrs. iForsyth was excellent, and Mrs. Patrick Cole as iFrancesca gave a well-thought out interpretation of the parti 'Mr. H. Hcmus, as the ancient spouse, had mos-t of the burden to carry among the men, and Sir. TV. H. Graham, as companion in guQt of the unlucky young .woman, also Tiad an onerous part. The rest of the cast was also well chosen, tboxe taking part being Misses V. Wallace, M. Stutobs, <J. Jones, B. 'Mynott, M. Parson, F. C. Kernohan. G. Ross, Messrs. jj. A. iFanlkes. W. Manning, C. McCaUum, G. Jackson, B. <H. .Simeoe, and G. H. Wyse. It had been intended that an orchestra should provide incidental music, tout illness compelled this to be cut out. NATALIXA iMcCALLCM'S CONCERT. Despite ttie Inclement weather there was a large audience in the Victoria Theatre, JJevonport, on Tuesday evening, when a complimentary concert was given to itlss Natallna McCaUum, the young Devonport soprano, prior to her leaving for Sydney. During the interval 'Mr. FT. S. W. iKine. Mayor of Devonport, 'wished Miss !McCallum every success on behalf of the .residents of iier home town, and mentioned that Mr. Henri Verbnigghen. of the New South Wales orchestra, ha<l desired Miss 'McCallum to join the Sydney Conxervntorluiu. It was to wish her boa. voyage that tbe concert was being held. 'He reminded his hearers tha-t Miss 'McCallum had been chosen from all the Dominion to sing before the Prince of Wales at the concert at Wanganui recently, and his Royal Highness had expressed his pleasure with her contribution to the proI gramme.

'Miss MeCallnm, who bore a heavy sTiare of the programme, received a very cordial reception. Her voice is parti<"*ilarly resonant, combined with purity of Intonation. and her enunciation is admirable In the lilting "Se Saran -Rose" <Arditl) she greatly pleased her hearers, and responded to a reeaJl. In the duet with Mr. 'Simpson, "A. Xight in Venice," tne singers had to respond to «n encore. 'Bishop's "Lo,« iHere the Gentle Lark," with flute obligate toy Mr. iJeorge Hoffman, received a charming rpn-dprinff. as also did ehe request number •Mia Piccirella," which Miss McCaUmn seems to have made especially her own. The sentimental touch In Toetl's "Goodbye," which closed her part of the programme, was so well appreciated that the artist had to respond to a recall and gave a spirited rendering of Montague PhlHin*' "Weka." Mr. (P. G. Bourk" U a wittknown Shore favourite, and his Items " Vorrel " and Aylward'e "Beloved It Is Morn, showed him to be In flne voice and he responded to the usnal encore demand. Mr. Jas Simpson, -who has a pleasing tenor, pve "Mountain Lovers" a nd "An EvenIng Song, and acceded to a demand for more. Air. Tom Harris' elocutionary Items! both grave and gay, make a pleasing break, and as one of his-encore numbers he gave a humorous song, which' deiiirhted the audience. (Mr. X«o Wblttaker folfflled I the duties of accompanist la Us tuual plewdag and effideat uuuumk. ™^T

WINTER BNTBBT«rXVrBNT. ILEYS' INSTITUTE SERIES. The series of winter entertainments held under the auspices of the iLeys Institute, was inaugurated last Bight, the prorramme being in the bands of the Auckland Orphans' Club. Despite the unlnvirtaic weaitJher conditions there iras a lane attendance, and the audlenoe nt rewarded with excellent music. Tie Orphans' orchestra, under the baton of Mr. <i. V. Cater, gave a fine rendering of the opening overture "Barber of Seville," and after an encore Mr. R. Dellow mane two soloa in his accomplished style, ilr. E. Dennes* tenor notes won much favour In his rendering of "Under The Lantern." The S.Z. Vocal Quartet <Messrs. B. Dellow, A. Asrbury. E. Pegg and R. C. Nixon) followed, and* after earning hearty applause in "Beauty's Eyes," they again won approval in "Cornfields Melody." The contagions humour of Mr. A. OHlntz provided a merry; diversion, and then the orchestra delighted the audience with tbe overture -Swanee River." 'Mr. R. Nixon followed with a solo and wag encored. The quartet rave a humorous number, while 'Mr. L. Echlen's baritone was heard To advantage in -lßlow. Blow, Ye Wintry Winds." A splendid programme was brought to a dose with two suites by the orchestra. Mr. Cyril Towsey was an excellent accompanist. THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. »i- T ,h e English.Pierrots commence a season at the Town Hall on Saturday next This season s novelties include a ladles' orchestra—an instrumental uuartet of four artists—the merits of which have been highly commented on by the Australian Press and public durins their 65 weeks' ISfJS »> n. rth and Melbourne, where the English Pierrots were more popular than any previous season during their organisation, extending over i 7 days. The box plans- are open at Wlldman and Arey's. GLOBE. THEATRE. r Th rf .. He P wortn production, "Annie Lawrie. . is meeting with pronounced success at the Globe Theatre. The film Iβ based upon incidents suggested by the words of the Scottish song. Alma Taylor appears In the leading role. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Theda Bare will again appear tale evenIng In the Fox feature, \'Dn Barry." A comedy, "Wild Waves and Women," Is included in the programme.