AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16884, 12 July 1920, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

; THEATRE ROYAL. "THE SLEEPING BEAUTY." Pantomime i - generally *;pon" a.= an annual *reat ioi- the -a' ?Kov- to which the elders profto ;.o. as it were, under mild protest, but onS which, ail thi j same, they Ec-erctiy <-njoy. a really good ; pnr.tomimc ca"n prove unalloyod enjoyment to oid and younz alike is by ' "The Siesping Beauty," which was i.rascr.Vj to absolutely packed houses ai the Theatre Koyjl or. -Saturday a-f'ernoon rvnd evenine. '"The Sleeping Beauty'' is he.id and shoulders. ! airl a large part of the u-unk. sbive -the. i other pantomime.? tha.t Messrs J. C. William- ■ so T i have presented for man;.- Inter- ! prctcd by a strong caf-t. and briiliantiy staged. ! it. is. a pfodnction which fuily merits tiie j abnormal booking which lias, been j for the season. A freshness, is | lent to i*. by the 'pc'- that, most its.prin- : i:::ii- are xf;,lo New Zealand, no mat- | r ;:v." good a flame, a jirincipal boy, or a principal sri;T may bo, when oije-sc-es the, .-Mne oid and the ?..me old styies, time alter time, on? can almost guess what is coming r.e:<t, and th? enjoyment padls scmewhat in co!-..?eq"uence, even though the jerformance may bo a meritorious One. Practically all the stars in "The Sleeping Beauty" arc newoiccis. For instance, there is the dame. Marriott Edgar. One has become, eo used to. Arthur Sfinnt. -Jach Cannot, and Harry I'hvdora in the character, of Dame*th.i.t a AVilliiimson pantomime icem* ..stran?e w-i'h-out one or another of thorn, but it is really a kiiid of relief to have an artist li" : M- Marriott Edgar in the role.' Hi? "methods :«rc distinctly diuevenr from ihoeo.of the better-kiiow-n <Uimes. , Unlike Mr Stig.uit, for oxttrple. he i? •>, partwalnr'.y quiet comcdiiin. Far the- first t'-!i minnlo.". or so that he is cu the €t-)ge, the midk-uce can lrardly make up its mind whether h.- is going to lve n fcuccess or a t-amr 11-rifnt ; t,y, but Jiis quiet humour, J, l : 1 npi rcn'Jy ef/oiriefls acting, and his undoubted talent soon assert themse-Lve;-, a!.'.! he must bo wrifcicn <lown as one of the. most impressi\e dames Mtssrs. Williamson have yet ir,trodxiced to us. The principal boy, Miss Yv'inifrcd Homa. is mother newcomer. Po««SK?»e-i of a line &ta.gc presence, a pleasing style, and a 'juite ueceptable. voice when she does not venture into the !: I'-]i-'-r octave-s, she, became an instant favourite on Saturday. The r,rincipal girl b a dainty little American actrcss. Miss Eve Lynn, .who is eertainiy a -pantomime "girl" to her finger-tips. Like Mies Roma, there is plenty of dash about her style, and' she has a very nice voie? too, though eho al?o is inclined to 'b.r a trifle husky in the uppermost notes. To her accomplishments aho adds that of an unusual sifP.euse, her happy blending of singing and whistling that any •vatidcvillo siffleur might envy, Heine: a decided novelty, which, went very well with the audience. The piece is particularly strong in comedy, most o." which is supplied by tw6 very finished Er.slijh pantomime "knock-about" comedian", the Egbert Bros., who are veaily mast,era of their "art. They have a- big evening's work to get through, for they are 011 the- stage during the greater p.-.rt- of the time, but their every word and every movement is ■ productive of hilarious laughter. Nothing lr.ore funny than their "psperhangers' " scene, for instance, cotil-.l be wished for, while their "Eastern musicians' " speciality, their gelling burlesque, their "preparing for a concert." and their "profiteers' " turn were the- lest word in clever fooling. Addc-d to their talent a.s eemediar.fi, tho.y are remarkablo acrobats, a:nusing patter artists, and dancers, .and quite passable singers—for comedians—and their clean humour was a big factor in the success of the production. They worked in perfect accord with the dame and with "Kins: Pompos," in which character all praise must be gi-ran to Mr George Wc'ch, who made euch a• great hit some time ago as ihe "drunken conductor" in tho "Tivoli Follite." Mr Welch's role is, in itself, a poor one. Probably that was why it was given to him, as he makes tho most of it, and besides doing what is wanted of him in supplying a necessary foil for the other comedians, he "gets away" with many laugh 3 for himself. Dainty and clever Miss Ma,ggie Dickenson proves- herself a moro cjiptiva'tiusr dancer than ever. S'ha has a number of solo dances, and her grace, elegance, and lightness of foot are indeed v a treat to behold. Sho is without doubt the best danscusa now appearing under the Williamson management, while one of her numbers enable* her to prove that ah© ha<? quite an ecceptable voice. Perhaps in the near future we may have an opportunity of seeing h«£ with a. speaking part, as Miss Elliott has ulready had in musical eomdv. . Mr Sidney Culver is again Miss Dickenson's partner, and acquits' himself well, though, perhaps, not quite so. energetically js formerly. Other good parts are filled by Miss Adelaide Leater, an Irish comedienne; Miss Margaret Sutcliffe, an actres.% who should be impressive in drama ; Miss Mione Stewart the • clever daughter of the popular Mr "Dick" .Stewart, of the man-jgcrill side of the' "big firm"; and, Mr Herbert I#eigb.' a capable character actor. Tho pantomime is really magnificently produced, eome of tho stag© effects being very fine indeed. The brijliant lighting effects of the finale of the first act. and the Jazz finale of the eecond -act, aTe veritable masterpieces, while all through the spectacular strength is particularly noticeable. The various baJHts are arranged with a masterly touch, and such ecene-3 as the dance , of the rabbits, - tho pigeons,. and the oivfe , in the forest glade, the .windmill scene, the lanjp shades ballet, the ballet of the flowers, and the big. finale scenes are triumphs of the producers' r,rt. A feature of the performance is the .cleverness" of the juvenile ballet, amongst whom one. might single out Miss Connio Hobbs as a tiny tot who ehould find herself amongst the , stars .in . years to come. Perhaps the weakest part of the whole pantomime is the music. Though tuneful, there are few outstanding xumbera amongst" the songs, few catchy melodies- that will remain after the piece" itself is ten. However, some of the songs arc moro than, justified by the singers. Miss Lynn and Miss Roma in particular making the most of the material available,' while Miss Margot Lester's sweet but' not over-strong voice i« heard to . advantage iri her, eolo in the "Cloud Scene." a very epeotacalar stage effect in itself. Needless to say, the dressing of tho chorus is gorgeous, and there can bo ■little doubt that "The Slec-oing Beauty" is the nan torn im-e triumph of the »ea6on." "To-niglvt' "The Sleeping Beauty" will again be staged. The second matinee will bfl given on Wednesday. GERTRUDE JOTJNSONi'S FAREWELL. - The announcement that Miss Gertrudo Johnson, tho popular operatic soprano, is to give a farewell concert in the Choral Hall on Thursday evening, should be of more than ' ordinary interest to music lovers. Miss Johnson's success in grand opera has been meteoric. The brilliant showing she •mado when she was hero recently witn the J. C. Williamson Opera Company is well remembered. Her work in "Lucia di Lainmermoor" ar.d "Rigoletto" ' raised her to great heights in public esteem. An Australian critic, writing • of her performances in the former in Sydney, said:—-"I write r.ow after a performance o£ 'Lucia.' with the memory of one of the greatest- triumphs I have seen in Australia. The triumph was m&de by Gertrude Jolinson, whose singingas 'Lucia,' especially in the mad. scene, drove the pa-cked audience half crazy with joy and excitement. Opening well in ber aria and scenes ' in tho first act, her voice was beautiful, and her execution and technique faultless. She also showed strong dramatic instinct, putting fresh life into tho old -bones of tho opera, and making a triumph in the mad scene histrionically and vocally." Mr Horace Hunt, already an accomplished pianist when, he left for England and Europe before the outbreak %f the _ war, has returned even better equipped . musically bv reason of the experience ho gained. In the Buhlcben -orison camp, where he was interned with other British civilian prisoners of war, Mr Hunt -wrote incidental musio for tho camp performances of a dramatised version of the Miori legend "Hinemoa." The box plans will open at Tho Bristol tomorrow. FULLER'S, OPERA HOUSE. Tonight will sec the beginning of the farewell week of the Wulter George Sunshine Players. . This popular company will revivo for their last.night 3 that popular musical comedy, "In Sunny Japan." This is one ot their favourite productions, and a good wind up to a successful season is anticipated. A first appearance will bo made by a new exponent of the occult arts, Princes.s Hysteria. This lttdy, who is a Hindu, is said to be wonderfully well versed in the scicnco of mind-reading. Lee and Smith are other newcomers, who will be seen m a varied, jazz ofTering. The Two Fishers will appear in their novel contortionist features, and that brilliant entertainer, George Rose, will enter upon the last nighta of his season here. Seate may now be reserved at-The Bristol. EVERYBODY'S. THEATRE. Undoubtedly tho finest picture to look at is ono that" has the clement of mystery about it. "Tho Teeth of tho Tiger," an cxtraordihajr Paramount-Artcraft special production, which is tho star attraction at Everybody's Theatre this wook. has this fascinating "element developed in an unusual and powerful faattioii, and is accoro?ugly claimed to be one of the greatest attractions of the year. But "Tho Teeth of the Tiger" i is not a mystery story only. It will win success for many other reasons. The cast ia canable, the settings are splendid, and the ; direction, perfect. Everyorfe likes a good de- : tctive story, ajid that's just what "The Teeth of the Tiger' is. The picture deals with thfe further adventures of "Arsene Lupin,the hero immortalised in fiction by Maurice le Blam-. It is one of his more recent atorics, and tells of the adventures of Lupin while masquerading under the name of Paul Sernine in America. David Powell is seen si

Lunin. He is hy Mnrsrwritc Coiirtnt. Mvvtje Stedir.nn, and Tom pie S.ixo. Bos ides this I>i~ attraction there is a stronT supr-or'-insr prcisrjTr.m?. wHch "' n: !3ie?t Parimour.t-Artcr.ift_ cmiiedy. "'A "Widow bv Proxy/' that ds»iiiv 'iUI-a urtrow. ilarsuerite Clark. As :■? hinted br ibo title. Mi» Clark poses a? a widow friend o: in r - cas® ot cmo'^ncj. Complication? l>cr nw.l uo wiw. € Im> fall? in love nor brother, or.d tnoy aro i" r.o manner smoothed nut wl»r. th«> supposed dc.ifl l::-sband r"turr.« from war and meet« s'l-ai! jpr Of his "W'dow or Traxy i-. on? of Marsru-rito Olar-iV finr«* cwaet" i-ai Kvervijodv's "Select ' Orcnertru a-' cntiwly Kevr rroeiamme ot ««•> 'a!c=( jnwiral s~WHions. KeForyea WAV !v. boowd at The r«rifto!. or by phou- ; ii:r- 4«". ' J LIDKIITY THEATRE. | Tarit'.l and exceedingly interesting w*is t'w r,ew 'iVrjsramme- fcrccncd at the Lir-cri;-* I'heats'" on Saturday. The principal item on the V ; i! wa« "Prudorcc or. Broadway, .1 eom'pdv-drama featuring Olive Thomas who is claimed to l»c the prettiest jjirl -a Atncrit-3. "Fniderce on Hrnaiwa> ,» the talc of a demurc httlc Puritan ;ind hc-r (u;- ■ jn<rs OH the "great white way, and it u- ■ brimful ot comedy. rocro i« a lon. t-.oip running through the. plot, i.'.i.., as . .. t~ „„„Wd, tho "little -rev aovc anions as l'TOdcnce is called, carries oft aniillianair= matrimonial pr-~- v ul .""! lU 'f 01 " Tiie mounting and costuming ci oic r-lioto-p'ay arc excellent, and alto.'clh.-r 1. io a tho'rou-h!v entertaining; picture. A,so on the i> a ficrcaminj comecy ot )r.i»•understandill p* entitled "Fosey Ambrose, a cinema travel series. beautifully coloured, <£- pictinß scenes in Annum, -a i at— Gazette, and topical lmd-et, ana a scenic ject, "Aero?", the Great Salt La.ie. J ftC orchestra, under tho direction ot Kennedy Black, played n. propraninia oi niusi; t-iil ccuif. including an overture, '-"•ay X.-3 • ■ bv Jlavdon Wood. and Miss Eleanor MeKeiizic," who is tbo possessor o! a »ympalbe.:c contralto voice, sans thrco. soups, In an Oid-iashioucd Town," "Until, ' and ' Ivecp on Hopin'." --erv charmingly. The same programme will be continued until ncx. Katurda- At the "Wednesday matinee there wi.l be'rousic by the full orchestra, and Miss McIvcnzie will ;ing. QUEEN'S THKATHK. Tho bill presented at tho Queen's Theatre 011 Saturday was of the calibre tßat is iisiial at th) 3 theatre. The big feature! »va; an English Broadweat production entitled "ACwH'hlor of Eve," which features the i"oremo3t English oercru artist of the day, Violet Ilopson. "A I")ausrhter of Evo" is a drt'.ma of the-.lamp of the "finest English productions -.vc have seuti in this city. It is hoautiiully lnomited, and the photography is c;:cc!lent. The star is supported by a bi? cast, -which includes Stewart Koine. * The stirring serial "Liberty" etso appeared on the tho third chapter having been reached. 31'arie Wiilca.inp and Eddie Polo, the da-redevil ortars, appear in the principal roles. I-i addition there \va> a two-reel comedy entitled "Spaced and Iced." v.hic.h created a furore of merriment, a'Pathe News, 'and n Qucen'a Pictorial .Budget.. An added attraction for to-day is l "A G-amGler's Soul, - ' <1. strcruious drajua of "Western life, featuring William S. Hart, who is supported by three noted beauties of the screen, viz:, Sylvia Bremer. Alma. Reubens, and Mildred Harris (Mrs Charles Chaplin). STRAND THEATRE. j - Tom Mix, tho good-looking Western ath- J lete. has a part well suited to his abilities in "The Wilderness Trail," a drama of love and many perils, which was the chief attraction on the new bill presented, at the Strand Continuous Pictures on Saturday. • "The "Wilderness Trail" is a story of the Hudson Bay region, the land of measureless snow, where the law is a remote tiling. In tie course of the picture Tom Mix end his Korte Tony perform some amazing feats, and tho strong! love-interest running through tho play aleo hclp3 to make it a notable production. "The "Wilderness Trail" is tho best Mix play to date. Aho on the program mo was a delightful comedy entitled "Chicken a la Cabaret," presenting a. liost of Sunshine beauties in a Sun&hin© play. of the happiest description, a Fox World's News, containing many instructive and amusing items, a topical gazette, a. funny cartoon series, end "11.8. H. and the Renown." The same programme will be continued this week. GRAND THEATRE. A complete change of programme was made at the Grand Theatro on Saturday, when, "Tho Miracle Man" gavo place to "Tho Grey j Wolf's Ghost," a sensational story featuring 1 H. B. Warner in a tTcrul' ioTe. "Tho Grey Wolf's Ghost" is. founded on Bret Harte's famous story of a, man who played a lone hand in the great Sonth-West. It is a etory of romance, adventure,. and daring; and is in every way a notable production. The-re ivaa a big supporting programme, including the usual topical, and scenic subjects. To-day the programme will be augmented by "The Mind the Pairft Girl," «, remarkable photoplay adapted from Sir Arthur Pinerc-'s play of the same name. The picture version has been made by tho First National Company, and Anita, Stewart is featured in what is said to be her greatest success' to date. CRYSTAL PALACE. | _ A new double star programme of merit will j be presented at tho Crystal I'alaco to-da.y. The principal "feature is "The Home Town Girl," iu which Vivian M;irtin and Bnlph | Graves are the leading characters. It is | tlie story of a girl with courage and s-piril. [ Neil Fanshawe (Vivian Martin) selects from | her many admirers John Stanley' (Ralph ( Graves), a clerk in n soda water establishment, ii.r/1 she inspires him to -s»ek a wirier and more- ambitious sphere. He iinds this in the business of JjlJaby and Co., dcaiers in art antiques, New I'urk. On the ooint of an advance he loses at cards .--liO belonging ; to the company. He disappears in-order to avoid, exposure. Nell obtains employment by iie company, and begins a for her swoathcait. She traces him in tho soda water establishment, and impresses Jellaby with tho theory that John is honc-st. She f alters when she finds-that lio has lied,but her' great heart is compassionate, . and she forgive him and reinstates him in both his position and her affection. The second feature is "The Midnight Trail," in which William Ru3s-jll has the and his chief support is Francella Billington. Eufisell has the part of an amateur Sherlock Holmes, -.vho stts out to recover stolen jewels, and he has m>uiy adventures and much excitement before lie succeeds in his quest. The supporting films nle Episode- 7of "The Grey Seal," "Sweodie tho .Swatter" (comedy),' "Tho En?tier's Frame Up" (drama), and a Topical Budget.