AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 196, 17 August 1920, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

'• THE SLEEPING BEAUTY." The pantomime continues to draw crowded houses at His 'Majesty's Theatre. A matinee performance will be given on Wednesday afternoon. NATIONAL THEATRE. "William Itusse33, tbe versatile Fox star, plays In the principal role In the photo.drama "Shod With Fire." The film Is a breezy story of Western life on the plains, and In a little mining town. The programme also provides excellent supports, while the orchestra contributes with pleasing music. TIVOLI THEATRE. I.lllam Glsh nnd Robert Harron. the popular Griffith artists, are the stars in the delightful photo.-drama "True Lore Susie." which Is proving so wide an attraction this week. The theme of the film ls a simple one, but It nevertheless strikes a deep note. An attractive budget of secondary Alms ls . also screened. OPERA lIOUSE. The vaudeville portion of the new programme presented at Fuller's Opera House last night was almost an all-star offering. Two artists, male and female, appearing under the uame of "The Fishers," made their debut here in one of the most artis-tically-staged contortion aud acrobatic acts put on for some time. Some of their backbending stunts are marvellous, and they Introduce the act In a novel fashion by a most realistic crocodile display. Another new and excellent turn is that of "La .lose aud La -Hose." artists who specialise In lofty woilf on the horizontal bar and trapeze. Wish Wynne charmed the audience with more characterisations from her etxensive repertoire. The Rev. iFrauk Gorman, with his melodious ballads, humorous stories and genial personality, repeated the successes of former weeks, wh'.'le Lee ami Smith gave another of their jazz productions. The revue staged by Walter George's Sunshine Players was a revival-of "My Gipsy Maid." This programme will be repeated nightly and at the usual Wednesday and Saturday matinees during the week. GRAND THEATRE. The leading feature of the current programme Is "The Hoodlum." a comedy-drama starring Mary Pickford. The second episode of -The Mystery of 13" is included in the supporting list.

EVERYBODY'S TQEATRE. Large audiences are the rule during the screening of the photo.-drama "The Grim Game." Houdini. the famous magician and "handcuff king." is seen in the remarkable leading role, which he portrays to signal advantage. The supporting films included in the programme are of an excellent order, and full of merit. PRINCESS THEATRE. The programme being presented this week is of a most satisfying cast. Undcuhtedlv the chief attraction is Mr. .lames Schoneld, the Canadian tenor, who is heard in a number of vocal items which he renders with charm and ability. The leading film is "Crooked. Straight." a tense photo.-drama, starring Charles Ray. STRAXD THEATRE. Larry Semon. a comedian of the first rank, is the rent re of Interest in the comedy production "The Grocery Clerk." "The First Law." the dramatic feature of theprogramme, is a powerful photo.-play. starring Irene Castle, the famous dansense and actress. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The headliner of the attractive programme screening this week is "The Honour System." a striking photo.-play in which Gladys Broekwell plays iv the role of the heroine. Her portrayal In this film is full of merit. LYRIC THEATRE. Doris Kenyon. the talented, versatile actress, offers a telling portrayal In "The Bandbox." which takes pride of place among the hlms of the programme. The third episode of "The -Mystery of 3 3" brings the serial to v further exciting stage. ARCADIA THEATRE. "Girls." starring Marguerite Clark, will be featured this evening. PARNEL» THEATRE. Viola Dana is the star in "The Microbe " screening to-night. EMPRESS THEATRE. The double programme presents "The She Ilevil and "One of the Finest." BRITANNIA THEATRE. ... " Tl 'P Love That Dares." with Madlalne to™}'". 6 US """' Star ' Wl " be scree °ed ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY. The patriotic St. Andrew's Society of Auckland celebrated ihe anniversary ot hir Walter Scott's birthday last eveniu" in the concert chamber of the"Town Hall. Mr. J. ua. Meunle, the president, made suitable reference to the geniui. of the famous novelist, aud Scotch songs were sung by Mrs. Cyril Towsey, Mr. Hubert Carter, Mr. Oba.. -Hunter, nnd the pupils of Miss Bernice &an_ord danced a Highland Fling to the piping of' Piper LMacdonahl. Mrs. \eave played the accompaniments admirably. Every item was encored.

I-or Love of Appiu" was the title of a cleverly-written play in one act which lilled the second part of the programme. Much interest was centred in the piece, as It was the work of a local, writer, Mr. Alan E. Mulgan, and was 3>eing produced for the llrst time. The theme of the playlet was the immigrant's love of the old Land. There are four characters —Mrs. Buchan, the Cockney wife; Angus Buchnn. the crofter who hate, make way fur deer; a neighbouring King Country settler named Stringer, whose opening conversation with Mrs. Buchan lets the audience luto the past history of the household; and the Stranger, the" bibulous tramp, who turns out to he the Laird's son. Miss Phyllis Boult as the commonsense Cockney, who has no patience with che Imverlngs of the Highland race, was consistently good. She has the faculty so rare ainoug amateurs of kuowlng what to do when she is not talking. Mr. George Warren, who produced the play, was 'the ■hero, aud ga ,-c a perfectly admirable study of a hard-headed Scot, with that odd strain of seiitiuientalism which seems to hauut the race. Mr. A. Vivian Hunt was uncommonly good In the not easy part of the broken-down gentleman. -Mr. F. iE. de Ouerrier had a small part as the neighbour, but it 3ays the foundation of the aftersentlmeiit of the story, and of this he had a nice appreciation. At the close the author was called for, and was heartily applauded.