AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 221, 19 September 1927, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

NEW HIPPODROME THEATRE.

For those ■who are tired of the cinema, there is always a varied vaudeville entertainment at the New Hippodrome Theatre on Monday evenings. That which has | bween arranged for to-night is one of the best the management has presented for some time. The professional acta will include the appearance of Pat Tyran, contortionist; his turn is a very entertaining one. He "will feature a number entitled "The human monkey." Then there will be Rorrfcledge. an Italian acoordeon player, who will be heard in the latest classical and fox-trot pieces, Stan Wilson, "vagabond tramp baritone," and W. Calleman, tenor. Jack Higgins will be heard in several eflocutionary numbers, while others who will contribute to the bill of fare are Wilson Alexander, monolopuist, Fred Wood, entertainer, and Era Robeon, baritone. On the picture section of the entertainment, the chief number will be the screening of "Married Love," the picturisatdon of the well-read work by Dr. Marie Stopes. Dealing with one of the most important and most widely diacused problems of the day, racial progress, the film is one which is not only entertaining, but «li>o educational in the extreme. While the lesson taught in Dir. Stopes' book is the chief element of the film, a pleasing theme, which contains romance, pathos and humour in equal measure, has been used. Lillian Hall-Davis, who is wellknown all over Europe and the Continent as a celebrated stage actress, has the star role. She gives an excellent characterisation, while the members of her supporting oast are also strong. " CAMILLE." "Camille." What a subject for a picture —and what a picture. Norma Talmadge, one of the greatest artists in the screen world to-day, crowns a fine career with a triumph in her wonderful portrayal of .T'hc Lady of the Camellias," Alexander Dumas tragic story of a courtesan, a dazzling beauty. Last evening the First Isational film was given a special pre-view before it opens its Auckland season at ir?, Lj iic and Regent Theatres next rriday. It is a long time since such a fine picture was seen in -Auckland. All throngh the heart-breaking story there is one figure, dignified an austere, that stands out. Alice Talmadge has played many parts, but never has her artistry been so plainly shown. Lnhke most pictures, "Camille" is a film that will live; it will go down in American screen history as one of the finest productions made. And in screen history, the name of Camille will always be the name of .Norma Talmadge, who gives such a remarkable portrayal of the courtesan who had the Parisian nobilitv at her feet. Playing opposite Miss Talmadge is a new film star. He is Gilbert Koland, and he too, is an artist. IGNA2 FRIEDMAN. The Melbourne "Sun" said of Friedman's performance of an "All-Chopin" programme in that city on Augiwt 13: "The big stir was the Funeral March Sonata, in which the march itself was given a rolling resonance, its middle section almost vocal chastenase, its ending a suggestion of abiding peace— none of the cannon-claps by which Paderewski melo-dramatised it—nor did Friedman strive to dissipate its grave emotions in the subsequent movement." Friedman is recognised as the greatest living interpreter of Chopin's works, and is qualified for the task by racial affinity, and by a life's devotion to his art. The common endowment of human nature holds within itself a general understanding, but rare natures, in their special pro. clivities and peculiarly sensitive temperaments, can alone deal with its deeper aspects. A final opportunity will be given Auddanders to hear Friedman in an "AHChopin Programme" in .the Concert Chamber on Monday, September 26 should not be missed.

TOWN HALL CONCERTS. """ Owing to the inclement evening thexe "was not a large attendance at the Municipal Band performance on Saturday •night. A vigorous rendering of Marechal's "The Men of Mons" opened the programme, this -was followed by Ixraia Herald's notable overture to "Zampa," wttuch was played with warmth colouring, admirably displaying the elegance and vivacity of the music. Impetuosity and defined rhythm marked the unfolding of the Allegro; the hoWs in fortissimo were richly sustained in the Andante, and the descending passages in single notes and eighths were cleanly, expressed. The part-playing in the Pooo Piu Moto was distinctly executed, the following staccatos and sustained degrees were suitably presented, and the disturbed rhythms were well marked. Brilliantly delivered was the Gran Forza section; the wood-winds displayed clearness in the Lento part, whilst the brasses in the performance of the subsequent octave work made the notes shine evenly, and the wood-winds executed tie florid scale pasages with a clarity and precision admirably showing the florid nature of the music. Very creditably performed was Franz Liszt's Sixth Rhapsody, the cadensa was skilfully executed by the solo clarinettist, and brilliantly played was the Presto. Delibes' "\alse of the Dolls," "March of the Warriors" and "Hungarian Dance" were expressed in a manner charmingly displaying the melodic and harmonic intents of the music. Woodwinds, cornets, horns, baritones, euphoniums, trombones, E and B flat basses and tympani made the most of their chances in the many opportunities for ! display, and skilful work was exhibited by the wood-wind choir. The excerpts from Franz Lehar's "The Blue Mazurka" were given in a way which attractively presented the dainty harmonies and bewitching themes of the selection. Miss Maida Davison sang tastefully in Goring Thomas' "A Summer Night" and LoSir's "The Road Looking Forward," and Mr. H. Warburton gave pleasingly Tschaikowsky's "Tell Me Why" and Gartner's "Love is Mine." Brilliantly executed by Mr. H. C. McLennan was the piccolo sok>, "Through the Air," whilst dexterous treatment of the cadenza and a good tone were prominent features of the playing of Short's ''Emmett Lullaby" by Mr. F. Bowes. Mr. L. Whittaker tastefully sustained the pianoforte parts, and Mr. Christopher Smith suitably directed the concerted pieces.

An organ recital was given by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, last night, Arhen he gave attractive readingß of solos by Bach, Franck, HolKns, Lemare, Paderewski and Schubert.