AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 236, 6 October 1930, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE. Tlie screen version of the famous novel, "Lummox" was presented to a packed house at the National Theatre on Saturday evening. The story was specially adapted for the screen by the authoress, Miss Fanny Hurst, and the picture was produced by Herbert Brenon, who made "Beau Geste" and "Sorrell and Son." The theme revolves round the self-sacrifice of a servant girl, into whose life much sorrow is brought by a visionary poet. Lummox's child is adopted by wealthy people, but through the medium of' "Sillie White," a slowthinlcing servant, Lummox is enabled to follow the life of her son. How Lummox hears her son, who has become a famous pianist, playing at a recital, without the musician knowing of her existence, provides a dramatic climax to her life of unhappiness. Miss Winifred Westover, who plays the part of Lummox, might have stepped straight out of the book on to the screen. She has the spirituality so vital to the character, the naivete and the racial background. She is the mother of a young son and only an actress who has had a son could give such a faithful interpretation of Miss Hurst's heroine. Miss Westover is, in addition, an exceptionally fine actress, and her voice fits the character of Lummox ideally. Miss Westover, who had been in retirement for some years, emerged from her private life and contested against 100 Hollywood and New York stars for the coveted role. Ben Lyon gives a polished portrayal as the visionay poet. This is his first big part since he played the lead in the air spectacle, "Hell's Angels" and this is the greatest acting opportunity in his successful stage and screen career. Torben Meyer gives a great study of "Sillie White" and! William Collier, junior, and Edna Murphy give splendid characterisations. The picture, as the result of constant rehearsing, is line perfect ; and is one of the most notable films seen in Auckland for some time. The supporting programme provides an excellent background for the main features, consisting ft it does, of a comedy, "Pick 'Em Up," and an Aesop Eable cartoon, "Tuning In." LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. The Town Hall concert chamber was packed on Saturday evening on the occasion of the final presentation, by the Little Theatre Society, of "Jane Clegg" j Mr. St. John Ervine's famous play. After j the final curtain the two ladies in the cast, Miss Mona Wallbank and Mrs. Hovey received a number of bouquets. Isabel Henderson and Jim Grevatt, the clever children who had played Jennie and Johnnie Clegg, were also the recipients of gifts. Mr. Kenneth Brampton, the producer, expressed his gratification at the manner in which the play had been received. It was not an easy one to produce and had required gentle treatment. The members of the cast had mastered it, however, in only 12 rehearsals. He considered their performance the best yet given by amateurs in New Zealand. "TUTANKHAMEN." 9 t 1 The Auckland Amateur Operatic ' -Society will give the final presentation ■ of "Tutankhamen" in His Majesty's 1 Theatre this evening. The revived musi--5 cal play achieved great success. First 1 presented in 1923, its popularity was 3 then assured and although the music has been revised and the plot altered ' slightly, the original freshness of the ' play has not been disturbed. Among the many vocal numbers is the duet be--1 tween Princess Neplieret, played by Miss " Veda Nelson and Seti, Mr. Ernest Snell. r There are spectacular dance ensembles I and the singing of .the chorus leaves nok thing to be desired. t MUNICIPAL CONCERTS. k The most important work submitted by the Municipal Band at its concert on Saturday evening in the Town Hall x was the Suite in E flat by the famous 1 English composer Gustav Hoist, whose music is distinctive, both in its idiom, co lour and rhythm. The Suite is modern 3 in construction and fresh in its concep--3 tion. Vividly attractive is "The 1 Chaconne." Its interesting treatment, 3 resourceful and modern instrumentation, ■ was distinctively pictured" by the bandsmen. Rich in timbre were the tones T emitted by the basses, and later the i other divisions followed in fitting r sequence, whilst the _ trombones _ lent 3 valuable assistance in the striking 1 climax secured at the close of the move- ! ment. The "Intermezzo," a movement r beating a spirit of restfulness and dis- \ playing orchestral technique of an unusual nature, received a presentment " reflecting its mystical character and ' artistic design. The "March," a move-. " ment quite out of the ordinary in its ; utterance and importance, was carefully ' handled. The crashing dissonances were well marked, whilst rich and sonorous were the tones in the big ensembles. The band also gave interesting performances of Wagner's overture to "Rienzi," Ewing's settings of popular themes, Strauss' "Valse," and excerpts from "The Belle of New York." Weber's Clarinet Concerto Op. 26 was admirably u played 'by Mr. E. Pheloung and the band. Pleasingly rendered items were also contributed by Miss Beryl Smith, Messrs. L. Harvey and Jackson and the Clarion Quartet. Miss E. Carr accompanied, and Mr. H. C. McLennan ably directed the instrumentalists. Last evening Mr. Maughan Barnett , gave the customary organ recital. He opened with a brilliant performance of Guilmant's "Grand Choeur," which dis- . played to fine effect the richness of the grand - organ. Merkel's "Sonata in & Minor" received a rendering displaying J to good effects its Maestoso, Adagio, • "Introduction and Fugue," tastefully r played was scene three from Wagner's 1 "Tannhauser," and suitable renderings i were given of solos by Bach, Hollins, < Thomas and Volkmann.

STELLA MURRAY CONCERTS. Auckland music lovers will welcome the news that Miss Stella Muiray, the famous New Zealand contralto, will give a concert in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. Miss Murray has made a great reputation for herself in England and on the Continent and is now paying a flying visit to her home country, where she proposes to give one concert in each of the four main centres. During her absence from New Zealand, Miss Murray has gained extensive concert singing expcrieiKV under Sir Henry Wood, and most of the leading English conductors. She has toured with Dame Nellie Melba, who has always taken a keen interest in her work. The programme on Wednesday will consist of works by Beethoven, Gluck, Purdell, Richard Strauss, Gounod, Hugo Wolf, Albert Mallinson and others. Mr. Cyril Towsey will act as accompanist. "HOLD EVERYTHING." The Broadway musical comedy success, "Hold Everything," will be initially presented at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening by Clem Dawe, the noted comedian, 'and the popular "Love Lies" company. "Hold Everything" recently achieved a striking success in Wellington. The approaching Auckland season is to be limited to five nights as Clem Dawe and the other artists in tho company are urgently required for a new production in Australia. There ara two acts in "Hold Everything," comprising nine scenes, These include a training camp, a gymnasium, a terraco garden, a roof garden and a boxing ring. There are 21 musical numbers, dances, ballets and specialities. HOLY NAME SOCIETY. A rally and concert, under the auspices of the Holy Name Society, will be held in the main Town Hall to-mor-row night. An attractive programme' has been arranged, and will include items by the following: Miss Kate Campion, Miss Sarah Stacpoole, Miss Ida Lockwood, Miss Jessie Smith, Mr. Roy Dormer, Mr. Albert Gibbons-Tay-lor, Mr. Charles 'Hayes, Mr. Alan McElwain; the Sacred Heart- College orchestra, the choir of St. Joseph's Convent, students of St. Mary's Convent, students of St. Peter's College and the New Zealand Four. During the evening Bishop Liston will present the prizes offered for an essay on the Holy Name Society. SKATING. Skating is achieving great popularity in Auckland and Roushworth Bros' rink in Kliyber Pass, is packed every session by eager enthusiasts of the sport. Skating has indeed become a craze and the crowds that pack the rink get their fill of thrills and enjoyment.