AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 133, 7 June 1926, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"IRENE." Colleen Moore's. latest picture for First Xational, "Irene," is attracting crowded and enthusiastic audiences to the Xational and Lyric Theatres. The 'picture represents superb entertainment from beginning to end, and is undoubtedly the best offering Miss Moore has given to the screen. It is even greater I than "Sally," and that is saying a j great deal. There is a wealth of fun in "Irene"' from beginning to end. The | film scintillates with happiness and seems all too short. It has been produced with a lavish and generous hand, and the various scenes are shown amidst a wealth of colour and beauty. The big spot in the offering is the "Fashion Parade of the Four Seasons," a glorious spectacle such as is seen rarely, even in the most expensive films. Against a j brilliant background scores of beautiful girls in delightful frocks, walk before the audience, and in them all Colleen Moore (who has become the leader of tlie show) stands out, a radiant figure. The whole parade is filmed in natural colours and it is impossible to describe adequately the sheer beauty of tbe sequences. Supporting Miss Moore are Lloyd Hughes and Charlie Murray, popular comedian. A special prologue is featured, in which Miss Dorothy Davis is the soloist. "SIZE THREE" "Size Three," the production for 1926 of the Auckland University students, will be staged at His Majesty's Theatre this evening and tomorrow evening. It is said that tlie play contains a wealth of good humour, and that the ballets, dancing, and chorus work, arranged by Isolde and Alexis, outclass anything given

in previous years. The principals are Miss Jean Robertson and Messrs. A. H. Fryer-Raisher, and W. G. Trevarthen, supported by an all-student company. The box plan is at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Lid. THE DON COSSACKS. The famous Don Cossack choir will arrive in Xew Zealand on June 15, and will open their season in the Auckland Town Hall. The Cossacks come in for a good* deal of attention upon their arrival in any British city. Attired in their picturesque military uniform, comprising dark tunic and red striped trousers, astrakan hats, and high Russian boots, they lend a striking note of colour to any city they visit. Xo choir ever had a more romantic beginning than that of the Don' Cossacks. All of its 36 members were officers in the Tzar's army, and after the revolution, they fought in the ranks of the White Army. Only five feet in height, Serge Jaroff, their conductor, stands like a pigmy in front of some of his giant countrymen, but how clear was his vision is indicated in the success that the choir achieved at the Albert Hall, London, when it gave its six hundredth concert, just on the eve of leaving for Australia. On that occasion over 8000 people farewelled the choir. When the choir give their first concert on Tuesday, June 15, at Auckland, revelations of startling tunefulness and symphony will be apparent. The choir usually begins with a gripping devotional quietude, and the heartfelt music of their choice is coloured with a high sincerity. The swells and stresses are made with irreproachable liqueseence and loveliness. Orthodox ideas of choralism, are scattered to the four winds of heaven, yet, amid all the tenderness and vividness of the work of these singers, the charm of good craftsmanship and of the fitting application of unusually rich means to the end in view are never lacking. A beautifully toned pianissimo of increditable softness, is the basis of their singing of sacred music. This music, like the traditional singing of it, has much j of intrinsic interest of tlie ritual and

practice of the Eastern ' branch of Christian activity, which perpetuates a curious charm of antique scale modes, ancient and beautiful cadences, and more than a glimmering of the _lory of paganism. The preferential plans at 10/6 are at Lewis R. Eady and Son. Ltd. Mr. E. J. Carroll has fixed the prices as low as possible, and reserves may be obtained for both tbe 7/(5 and 5/ sections on Tuesday next. OPERA HOUSE. Ye old time nigger minstrel show, with Linn Smith's jazz band included, proved a big attraction last week at the Opera House, and were spoken of as being the best novelty and most entertaining show seen for a long time. This week they again appear, but will give a complete change of programme, bringing in the old-time songs, gags, and dances. Linn Smith's band will be heard in the latest rag numbers. Con Moreni and his popular Sick Stocking Revue Company, will appear in a new show, "Oirls and Giggles," containing latest songs, dances and beautiful scenery. COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT. The complimentary concert which is to be tendered to Mr. John W. Ryan, the well-known singer, who is seriously ill. will take place in tlie Town Hall on Wednesday evening next. It is being arranged by the associated Savage and Orphans' Clubs, and the programme will be presented by practically every one of the leading artists in Auckland. Tickets are selling rapidly and reserves may be had at the E. and 1-. Piano Agency, Queen Street. j PAVLOVA'S FAREWELL.

There was an excellent house at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday, when Pavlova and her company concluded a successful season. The programme was a melange of the best of tlie famous dancer's item? during her Auckland visit, including "The Fairy Doll," '"Autumn Leaves," and an excellent selection of divertissements, of which one of the most notable was the "''Gavotte Pavlova."

FOR JASPER. A charity ball, which promises to he exceptionally gay. will take place this evening at the Dixieland Cabaret, Point Chevalier. Tlie proceeds will be handed to the Rev. Jasper Calder for his City ; Mission. Dancing will continue until j 1 a.m.. and items will lie given by i members of the famous "'Jasper's Limited." There will be a host of novelties and the latest and best in jazz will be provided by the Internationals. ; TOWN HALL ORGAN RECITAL. A judiciously-selected programme, of music, especially written for the organ, was presented by Mr. Edgar Randal at last night's recital in the Town Hall. There was a moderate attendance. Hollo- , way's four movements from his interest- ; ing suite "Ancienne" was handled in , masterly fashion, as were" also the three . delightful sections of Alex. Guilmant's , "Second Sonata in D. Major Opus 50." Parry's two choral preludes "Eventide" and "St. Cross" were tastefully rendered, ' and the registering of Dudley Buck's "At Evening" delightfully suited this delicately-written number. Other effec- ' tively delivered solos were Lemare'a "Pastorale in E," Wolstenholme's "The Question" and "Answer," and Dubois' ! "Postlude in D. Major." GRAMMAR CONCERT. * ■ A concert in aid of the funds of the ; Grammar Schools Old Boys' Club will be ; held in Scots Hall to-morrow evening. A i very select and varied programme has • been drawn up, and includes humour by j Mr. Finlayson, and legerdemain by Mr. i R. G. Sellar. Miss Mavis Grevatt -will j play two harp solos. The other artists are Miss Laura Stone, Miss Mina Kronfeld, Miss Lloyd, and Messrs. Jaß. Hutton, X. E. Watson, and A. G. Fogerty. The accompanists will be Mrs. Robertson and Mrs. Jas. Hutton. AN EVENING WITH SHERIDAN. "An Evening with Richard Brinsley Sheridan" will be given in connection with the Grafton library winter course to-morrow night. AMUSEMENTS GUIDE. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE—" Size Three." OPERA ROUSE —Revue and Vaudeville. PICTURE THEATRES. NATIONAL and LYRIC —Colleen Moore iB " Irene." MAJESTIC—LiIIian and Dorothy Gish In " Romola," and Prologue. STRAND—Buster Keaton in " Seven Chances," " The Bushwhackers," and Miss Christina Ormiston. PRINCESS—AIice Joyce in " Mannequin." TIVOLI and EVERYBODY'S—Bessie Love in " New Brooms," " The Shinlngr Adventure," and Shingle Contest. HIPPODROME—Buck Jones ln " The Cowboy and the Countess," and Vaudeville. QUEEN'S—Richard Dix in " The Call of th« Canyon " and " The Silent Stranger." GRAND—" Never the Twain Shall Meet." RIALTO—Betty Compson in " The Pony I Express," and " The Sporting Venus." i REGENT—" The Pony Express " and i " Joanna." CAPITOL—" The Snob " and . " Rugged Waters." WEST END—" The Mad Dancer." EMPRESS —" Nellie, the Beautiful Cloalc I Model." I BRITANNIA—" Phantom of the Opera." ! \