AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 155, 3 July 1931, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

TO-NIGHT'S CHANGES.

'"Charlie Chan Carries Down," Earl Derr Bigger's thrilling story of ths Chinese detective who tracks down a mysterious murderer, opens a season at the Civic Theatre this evening. "Warner Oland fills the leading role, and Johi» Garrick, Marguerite Churchill and Margery White fill the supporting cast. An engrossing Sherlock Holmes drama, "The Sleeping Cardinal," is now screening at the Regent Theatre. Arthur Wontner, noted English actor, appears as Holmes, and Norman McKiunell as the criminal Moriarty. The English settings are excellent. Clara Bow scores another comedy triumph in "Her Wedding Night," the main attraction at the National Theatre. "The Avenger," starring Buck Jones, is also being shown. "Let's Go Native," now screening at the London Theatre, is a musical comedy of the South Sea Islands, with Jeannette Mac Donald, James Hall and Jack Oakie in the leading roles. TIVOLI AND RIALTO. The story of a diver who, while searching for pearls off a South Sea island, is captured by the barbaric natives and worshipped as a deity by them, is unfolded in "The Sea God," which heads the current programme at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. Richard Arlen plays the part of a young adventurer, who is the rival of a villainous trader for the love of a charming girl (Fay Wray). The reported discovery of pearls off a neighbouring island sets them off on the same quest, and there are many thrilling episodes before a happy ending is reached. STUDENTS' PRESENTATIONS. Students of the Auckland Training College set a high standard in entertainment at Scots Hall last evening, when they presented two excellent dramas to a large and very enthusiastic audience. Both presentations, although of two totally different classes, were well within the capabilities of the students, whose acting was conspicuously good. There were only three in the cast of "Mr. Sampson," by Charles Lee, and the success of the sketch was accomplished by the ability of the actors to play their parts naturally. The story concerned a joint offer of marriage made to two maiden sisters by a rather blunt and uncouth man. He left it in their hands to settle who would marry him. The basis of the sketch was the effect the proposal had on their hitherto peaceful lives. As the demure spinster, Miss Joan Maxwell had a difficult part, but she dealt very effectively with several soliloquies. The humour was provided by Miss Marjorie Rowe in the role of the hard-headed sister, and Mr. George Budd upheld the part of the stolid Mr. Sampson commendably. Although of a more ambitious nature, the second performance was eminently successful. "Cleopatra" was a perfect burlesque, transferring as it did the tragedy of grand opera to a college setting. The predominant note was humour, but the singing, which included a number of well known operatic airs, was of the best. The dances introduced by principals and chorus were also of a very high order. The members of the cast consisted of male students, the songs having been written for men's voices. The principals were Mr. K. Potter, whose portrayal of a modern Cleopatra was excellent; Mr. W. M. Brown,- who was one of her lovers and also a most realistic ghost; and Mr. Iv. Reid, Mr. Ji Baron and Mr. I. Boagey as other of her. admirers. There were nearly 40 students in the chorus, and almost every number earned an enthusiastic encore.' . !"Mi\ Sampson" was produced -by Mr.- J.- W. Shaw and "Cleopatra" by- Mr. H. Hollinrake. The proceeds are to be devoted to a fund for continuing the employment? of men on the college grounds. ENTERTAINMENT AT HOSPITAL. The Neville Carlsen Revue Company give an excellent programme of songs, dances and . monologues to patients in ward 5 of the Auckland Mental Hospital last evening. The performers were: Madame S. Paskell, Mesdames G. Davies and Z. de Rose,. Misses Joan Tucker, Lorna Skinner, Zoe Madigan, Marjorie Pearson, Mavis Ward and Nora Wallace, and Messrs.'Rex Hart, P. Wright, J. D. Rose, G. Davies, R. Rushen, E. Parkinson, R. Skinner and Neville Carlsen. COMMUNITY SINGING. The popular . -community singing gatherings will be ■ continued at the Lewis Eady' Hall tTiis" evening. "Uncle Tom," of IZR, will be song leader, and will be assisted in special numbers by the IZR Choir. SACRED CONCERT. Choirs in the Avondale Methodist circuit combined to give a sacred concert in the Glen Eden public hall last evening, in- -aid of the circuit debt liquidation fund. Jamoneau's cantata, "Saviour of Men," Gounod's "The Heavens Proclaim," and Mozart's "Glorious Is Thy Name," were excellently sung. The principal vocalists were:— Mesdames .Drummond, White, Misses Linfoot, White, Woods, Messrs. Barnes, Astley, Forster, Harris, Waring, Smith. Mr. Dimery conducted, and Mrs. Tatton was the accompanist at the organ. The Rev. A. Mcßean presided.