AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 99, 28 April 1922, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

» THE MIKADO. The always popular "Mikado** was oace against presented to an Auckland audience last evening, and played in such a manaer • that all the old jokes took on new lire. and were met with mjhhling laughter. The love lorn Nanki Poo was played bathe young tenor. Mr. Herbert itrowne. : whose pleasing voice and stage manner lifted the part well. Miss Patti Uussell made a dainty Yum Yum. The many-sided character Pooh Bah was filled hy Mr. Victor Prince with a great deal of humour. As the Lord nigh Excutioner. Mr. Charles "cVorkman ably maintained his high reputation, and in the last solo his voice was heard to much advantage. Thp thankless parr of Katisha. the slighted and jealous Iftdy of the court, was taken by Miss Molly Tyrell iv a most capable manner. As the Mikado of Japan. Mr. Jack Kittson ably carried out the difficult role, wearing his gorgeous robes with becoming dignity, and giving the music of the part iv a manner that called forth warm applause. The splendid manner in which he gave the songs shon-ed the advance that hail been made 1» his art since last iv Auckland. A word of praise should be given to the chorus. which was evcpllently trained and whose singing;, especially the oneniug chorus, was strong and tuneful. This evening "The Chocolate Soldier" will be staged. ELLA SHIELDS' RETURN. Mr. Harry G. Musgrove will again introduce Mi.s.s Ella Shields and her company to an Auckland audience next Monday night. Since this talented little lady was last in this city she has successfully toured the Dominion, mid in all the larger cities has hud to make returu visits, so great has been her popularity. Miss Ella Shields is supported by a company of line artists. Mr. and Miss Till have become great favourites, and caused much controversy, with their musical mental act. Miss Con Moreni, Cahill and Brooks. Topo Uaiko. Maurice Sterndale will all he seen in good numbers, while Miss Shields will be seen in new impersonations. The box plans are at Lewis R. Eady aud Son, Ltd. NATIONAL THEATRE. With "Doctor Jim," a Universal photoplay, and "The Man of Stone," from the Seiznick stuaios. as the two principal pictures the National Theatre to-day provides an attractive entertainment. Frank Mayo •has the title role in -Doctor .Jim." aad plays as a man who has a nice lictle wile, nut is apt ro forget her—„:• so she thicks. She responds to the advances ot the cap-'t.-iin on a ship they are travelling by, an,t Doctor Jim. her husband, tinds it necessary to drop his suave professional manner and rake to rough-aml-ttiiiiole strife, not altogether to get her back, but ro stop, her "from straying too tar away. There is a plentitude of exciting business in the picture, and the mode ot set ring, commencing with ballroom scenes and then going on to the broad ocean, is a great enhancement of the story interest. As for "Man of Stone," Conway Tearle has the leading role, playing the part of a man who has wooed and lost and who goes away to at primitive place aud there has the pleasure of being wooed himself. The film ia> au entrancing study of the ways of man, and in its final scenes, with the shifciug sands of the desert for their background, the. struggle of two women is most interestingly portrayed. Both these pictures have been described as first-rankers. They comnieneeU at midday to-day. aud it now remains to see whether patrons of the .National will support this description. THE HIPPODROME THEATRE. Theila Bara is a vampire again in her latest success for Fox, but she became an unwilling one for the purposes of the story, in which patrons of the Hippodrome Theatre may see her to-day in her thirtyfifth big part as a dazzling and fascinating woman. Briefly, the story of "IVhen •Men Desire" concerns a laxity of law regarding marriage and kindred things, for a foreign Government want a larger population in the country. A young American miss finds herself in the country without obvious means of getting out again, and so for her own protection against the men who move In her own social circle she has Ito act the role of vampire. Intensely absorbing is the story of how vhe playst off one against the other, favouring -none and yet leaving all with memories of her "bright eyes. Naturally euch a part could not well have fallen to a woman more titled for the game than Theda -Bara. and ,it is said That her work in this picture is of a high standard Indeed. In addition ro the actual action, there is a wealth of lavish settings aud costuming that adds piquancy and charm to the picture. • The j'Hippodrome is showing "When Men ' Desire*- now, and with ir there is a t varied selection of other subjects, including "Smiles aire Trumps.'* which is a typical American fast-action romance, with Maurice Flynti, as the hero. THE STRAND THEATRE. CJ-arile Chaplin is here In a different role *lt the Strand 10-dny. for he comes upon the screen with all his frivolous impedimenta as rhe father-mother-guide-protector-tutor-friend of a sturdy little youngster whom he picks up as n squawking habe. and ■brings up to the age of iboyhood, u-sijiig him as a willing helper in several illegal enterprises. The film is "The Kid." which took Chaplin a year to make, and, while is contains events of the description that have made Chaplin's fame, ir holds also a series of thrills of anohter variety altogeiher. "The Kid" s-hows Chaplin in a new role, ami there is no entertainment lost by the slight alteration. •BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. There, was a crowded nnd highly interested audience iv the Town Kail last evening to hear the splendid programme of music prepared by the Bohemian Orchestra for its initial concert of the ninth seasonSome 7<> executants attended, and it was manifest from the beginning that the players were well prepared. The various parts were executed In a style evidencing careful study. The ensem-ole was good, .phrasing received generous attention. studiously observed were the degrees of tone, rhythm and accent plnved an important part in the scheme, whilst just intonation, sure release, attack, anil suitable tempo were other commendable features of the programme. Strings produced a satisfying quality of tone, played with breadth in the sustained .passages, keot together In the florid flights and intricate measures, nnd marked the syncopations and dotted intervals. The bassoons made a reliable aud prominent foundation for the other members of the same family. Conspicuously successful were the wood winds, whilst trombones. comets, nnd horns ••horded well In concerted passages. Violas executed the inner music with distinction whilst in ensemble, solo, and cadenza valuable aid was lent by the Vellos, and the tympani -was in the practiced hands or Mr. (J. 13. Plummer. The concert commenced with Verdi's "r.-i Forza del Destlno" overture, which was given with telling effoet: spec:3l!v noticeable was the tuneful (-hording by the brass chorus, strings swept over the raold scales with fluency and speed, clarinet" sang its solo delightfully and the Transitions were capably achieved. The second movement from Tsehaikowsky's sixth symphony, wrltren in the unusual rhythm of live bears in rhe bar, was given in a sympatihatic style. The melody of song and'half dance Was very carefully unfolded. Much of tbe melody content fell to the lor of "cellos and wood winds, these executants delivered the curves of melody and dialogue iv musicianly fashion, strings in the sustained degree's nnd tuneful phrases, performed with breadth of tone, and executed the disfurbed rhrthmic measures and flowing quaver. chromatic and diatonic intervals in a pre else and intelligent style, whilst brasses In detached and prSlonged notes vrere always dependable. The charmingly orchestrated Suite de Ballet "La Source." by Delibes. gave nuieh dainty and graceful playing to the executants, of which full aJvuutage was raken. Litolff's 'aMaximliian Robespierre/ was -graphically rendered, rhe ellmaxes were well worked out, and the descriptive playing of the different sections made it easy to understand the meaning of •the music. l.lszt's third "Nocturne" was gracefully iphrased aud expressively delivered, whilst-attractive performances were secured of several airs from Sulllvan'x "Pirates of Penzance.'* Miss Dora Judsoa made a decidedly marked success in her presentment of the three movements of Schumann's pianoforte Concerto in A minor, She gave a brilliant and ingenious reading of the Allegro, marking its chords, arpeggios, scales and sequential parts with ciitlhctaness and. firmness of touch and admirable use of the pedals, whilst her cantabile was songful and of delightful tone quality. The motive of the cadenza was execute'!. with expression, the strlngendos were fnll of force and power and weighty were rhe octaves in the bns-. Gracefully "played was the -Intermezzo.'' and a brilll'n:Teaniiig was obtained nf : , pan ~f the "Allegro Vivace." The a'-companiin.-nt bathe orchestra was generally praiseworrhv. At its conclusion the gifted pianist was warmly recalled. Miss Lois Evaus was heartily encored after her successful singing of Meyerbeer's "Roberto." a similar cotnSliment "being bestowed upon Mr. J. T. lbson at the close of his tasteful rendering of Ireland's "Sea Fever" and AUitsens **arhe liut* Mayer." *Mr Colin Moston ably conducted. Miss Whrtelaw led tbe orchestra.URd, Ur, Cral Xtr-vsey accomiiflnled.

THE PRINCESS THEATRE. -3 I "Over the Hill" will continue at the ■ ■ Princess Theatre lor yet another week, and ' it is safe to say that the capaeirv atteu- • dances iinnur tie unusually loan- scjsoa of 'this "beautiful Fo-a masterpiece will be ' repeated. The deep, true pathos of this = wonderful picture has a powerful effect Ui>"!* an au,ilt:aces. and Lhe clt-v.-r ac.i ■ natural comedy that comes repestedlv into = the story has the effect of enhancing 'be avuolo ,-harming study. The musical enter- • taiumeut presented "at the Princess -.vi-'i r each screening of "Over rhe Hal- Is i j itself a first-rate attraction. r I TUB TIVOLI THEATRE. 5 ; Pleasurable entertainment is provided a: s rhe Tivoli agstu this week wirh ihc ,-lianje - of bill, whicji re-introduces IVa.air Hr*! 5 in a mirthful roinai-ce of th,- -%■>,- tha, 1 s swiftly hears away dull <-are. ami "puts lv - Its place the light luug-L -r .-. '1 merry' ■" heart. '-Rent Free" Is the ~,;,- ~; ih.s -* light ami somewhur fantastic —j'ujc t, but •" :u least it will present a scheme wnerehy j those suffering from house--h'-riaue. ;.-■ ■'.. 1 j vlded rhey arc happv-gn-luckv cnou-h ~ give n a cr ta!. wiii gain sonit-tliimr. • v,-u •' ;" 1: he -merely an attack of rheumatls c. ' A young artist is unable to meet tne <le- ' mac-is ~:' u u ire.re landlady, -oh.' aoe--len ro the roof and is l-icka-c out. [-"lift!:,- ---• a spare room in a caretaker's house a way • up amongst the star.*, he gives this a rri:'l. - : Here complications ensue. f.,r :.e falls .1 ' love with a lady or the roof-tops, a eharrn- , i"ac young thing wirh eyes like stars, wuo lives in a teat on top of the tiies. There ore. many highly diverting incidents, and - 1 the plot finishes with a dispensation of 1 i'rovidence that enables the young lovers .! to pay their rent for ever -urterwurds. The 1 ' story itself Is light, and Its production is s 1 very good indeed. --Kent "Free," together I j with the excellent music and rhe well ' j helected secondary films, makes a good eu- > j tci-talnmenr. j THE LYRIC THEATRE. I Douglas Fairbanks will be the vigorous ' [hero of "The Mark nf Zorro." a Mm taut will come upon the screen at the New 1 -Lyric Theatre to-morrow, replacing "I'oily- , -anna." In which Mary I'ickford plays t.i- . - night for the last time here in Auckland. j This .picture, adapted for screen purposes: r i"rom a thrilling novel "The Curse of Capl- | strano," gives very attractive material to j assist Fairbanks in his acting of tire '■ major role. Double identity is a great: f , feature of the -work of the mysterious - : Zorro. a niau who acts in private life as a ' weak-wilied. chuckling imbecile, but in ' secret is a most energetic factor for good :! in the community. He is a .-Spanish noble, • and in tbe cisuimo of mediaeval times - Fairbanks makes a most picturesque figure ' ' with his -black mask and steed, as he ever - leaves rhe rnysrerious "Z." the mark of ' Zorro. upon tne face of his victim. The story is well-told, with humour in it as well as a romantic element of mystery and more '• than one thrill: while the settings and ' general stage effecTs arc most picturesque. : To-morrow at the Lyril this film begins its ; j season. TIIK QCEENVS THEATRE. 1 , Ar the Queen's to-day and this evening ; I "Cecilia of rhe 'Pink Roses" is sure to nti tract attention. It is « neiznick film than lis deservedly placed at the head of the • ■ programme, arid It is based upon a most l , interesting, story. A girl whe by her i . courage and fearlessness supports lier i. father and -brother, an access of wealth. :- -arid the brother treadiug the path of dis- ■ 1 sipatlou. a lover to the girl, and his iuter- ; Terence with the brother's idleness, all these - scenes in sequence make the film g,»od. ■ 'Supporting films and the musical accom- - ; panimentas complete the entertainment. i THE GRAND THEATRE. j At the Grand Norma Talmadge is ro bo seen in her rele as the wife in "The Sign- ' ion the Door." and In support of this dra--1 -matlc film comes a and complete • i series of pictures depicting tbe marriage i !of Princess Mary to Viscount Lasccllcs. In- - deed, it is to be questioned whether this - film of the marriage'ls not the biggest fea--1 . ture. 'However, that remains for patrons -1 to decide. Another chapter of the "Tar--1 ' zan*" serial is also 'being shown, and the - . usual orchestral music accompanies all the <■ films. t . j AJHTtSESSJEHTS GTJIE3. t HIS MAJESTY'S—"Tne Chocolate Soldl-rr.*---3 OPERA HOUSE —Fuller's Vaudeville. r PICTURE THEATRES. 1 THE NATIONAL —Frank Mayo in "Dr. Jim" c and Conway Tearle iv -ihc Man ot i Stone.*' f THE HIPPODROME —Therta rtsra in "Wlien 0 -\leii Desire" .and. Maurice rlynn in f "Smiles are Trumps." s THE STRANO—diaries Chaplin in "Tne c Kid." a THE TlVOLl—Wallace Reid in "Kent 1 j Free." - THE PRINCESS—"Over the Hill." - THE QUEEN'S —Marlon Da.ics in "Cecllra 1 ot the Pink Roses." THE NEW LYRIC—Doug-las lairbanks tn "The Murk of Zorro." EVERYBODY'S—VioIa Dana in "Tne Match Breaker." - THE GRAND- Norma Talmadge in" "The • Sign on the Door." " THE BROADWAY —"Reputation." - THE WEST END—Olive Thomas in "Tbe r Flapper." 1 THE EMPRESS—"Heart of the Hills." •I THE BRITANNIA—"Out ot tile Siorm."