AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17058, 1 February 1921, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

"IRENE." TO-NIGHT, AX THE THEATRE ROYAL. Commencing: to-nisrht at. the Theatre I.'oyal, Messrs J. ai.\f X. Tait wi'-l prc=ei.t their now ' Musical Comedy Company hi the record Ays- | traliau triumph, "Irene." This production has just concluded in Sydney (at the C:v tviion Theatre) a i-cvord run o; over 150 performances, and was only transferred from that theatre to the Dominion to make rooiii for the Christmas attraction. and_ it could easily have jun veil into the New "Irene" is by .the author of "Going Up, und )3 the most novel musical comf.lv ever staged in Australia. Ingenious mechanical aiiaugemcnts tnoviclo ewht action, while the scenic settings' and the frocking- are up to a very high, standard. The name of th« production is pronounced "lieen" to rhyme vith the Lvrics, and it de-.i.'e with the adventures of" ft little shop-girl. who. by tIK whim of ft millionaire, is lifted from tno •jntdgery of a department store .to the position of" a social butterfly. Miss l>orotny South, who has made pood in the name part, ha-, many Broadwnv successes to her credit, while Mr Chv3tor Clute, tho male. modiste, and Mr Thomas Pauncefonte, the inevitable •'Friend" in musical comedy, are two comedians of remit?. The Millionaire role sits lightly upon Mr Robert Jcv.-ett, while Miss Georgia, Harvey, an old friend, is entrusted with the low comedy rol<? of Mrs O'Dare (the mother of "Irene"). The cast'of principals is a large one, while the chortle matlo a reputation for themselves on the other 6ide, and again in Wellington "Irene 1 ' is voted the best ehow of its kind yet staged iu the Dominion. Tiie box plans for the season are at The Bristol, and day tale tickets obtainable at the Toy Cave. OPERA HOUSE. Something absolutely new in the revue line is "Egyptian Nights," which was presented for the firet time at the Opera House last night. The producer, Walter Johnson, is to bo congratulated upon the first-class, entertainment staged by him, and admirably presented by the taVnted members of Ben and John Fuller's new musical comedy company. There wero one or two distinct plots running through "Egyptian Nights" which added materially to its interest, as apart from the many tuneful melodies, attractive dances and well-balanoad choruses provided in the course of the piece. How the Pasha of Jabalpur took a new wife, how the wife was impersonated by a naval lieutenant, and how tli© aviators landed at the Pasha's palace, with infinite complications, was in soma very amusing scenes. The scenery was excellent, and the dressing attained a real Oriental glamour and gorgeousiies.3. As Shivers, an aviator, Kennedy Allen was responsible for much jneniment, and Dan, his pal, was well portrayed by the versatile Errest Crawford. " Arthur Hemslev was well cast as the Pasha, and a- good character portrayal was also given by Geors;ie de Lara, who appeared as Eatima, the Pasha's first wife. Dainty Daisy Yates acted and sang and danced with her usual appeal, in fact thi3 attractive little artiste is far ahead of .any other leading ltrly that has been 6een at the Opera House revues. She had an excellent duet to sing with Yorke Gray, entitled "You've Got Me Going, Going, Gone!" as well as a solo, "Arabian Moon," whicli furnished a .picturesque finale to the play. Yorke Gray had a great deal to do in "Egyptian Nights," and, as usual, did it all very capably. His Salome dunce made one i Tegret that more of his dancing is not j seen. The same, applied to hia otheT danc9, "The Bowl of Inspiration," an -unusual number in which he was assisted by Ivy McKay as Sorrow, Alice Nellis as Hate, and Miss Bowe as Joy. An Apache tango, given by Daisy Yatee and Jack MclCelliget, also made "Egyptian Nights" strong on. the terpsichorean side. Of the musical numbers "Jade Greon Maid," sung by Anita Green, "Vision of Salome" (Daphne Leigh), and "Alomu," (Daphne Leigh) were all effective, while "Loc-k mo in a. Harem," sung by Yorke Gray, was-a. good comedy number. , Jack McKelliget's voice was excellently placed in "Kismet." ■

On the vaudeville half of the programme Alberto, billed as a ga.y young deceiver in magical nonsense, presented an act that proved at once popular and clever. He demonstrated that as a magician he was of no ordinary calibre, at the aame time exposing to tho audience- the manner in which many of- his smartest tricks were accomplished. His flippant remarks evoked hearty laughter all through his aqt, and at the conclusion he was applauded to the echo. Vaudo and Verne, those excellent fun-niakers, sang nonsense songs and talked with their usua»l cleverness. Some racing gags and local and topical hits embraced in _ their patter created intense merriment. Without question these arista axe the premier "putteTologists on the Australasian stage. Hall and Menziea also had a reception which vouched (<Sr their popularity. Their act was. entitled "Slightly Mixed," aiid it -dealt with tome complications- ia & 'tea- shop. Mr Meiizies was good in tlie paxt of a comedy waiter. Eix, the pcpular cartoonist, pre-sented-.'an album of further pictures IJJ crayon, all of which well received, and 13® Wilfred played a wide selection of classical, operatic, tifld popular airs oil the xylophone. ' , , The same programme will, be repejtea tonight.

GREATEK CRYSTAL PALACE. Ko more appropriate film than tho Univer--sail Jewel feature, "The Great Air Bobbery,' could have been chosen to head the new prolamine at Greater Crystal Palace this week, lor, in view of the: successful inauguration yesterday of the* first -aerial mviil in the South Island of New Zealand—that 1 Ivtween Christchuroh and Timaru—everybody has a special renewed interest in aviation. "The Great Air Robbery" haa as it? principal incident the robbing of "the midnight mail for New York, and eo faithfully are all the details pictured that even the expert airman is lost in admiration. The tuning up of tho midnight mail makes an exceedingly striking picture, the bis flashlight playing whilst the airship is being got ready. The actual robbery of the ma-il,' thrilling though it is, fails short of the'tense sensationalism of the rescue of the heroine from the villain of tUie etory, who baa carried her oil in his 'plane. Amidst brea.thileas silence tho .hero, played by LocklMir, "the sky dare-devil,' trans fere himself from the pursuing machine to that of the villain, the heroine, played by churning h'rnnoelia BiUing'.on, having dropped the ladder in response to a wire-less telephone me as age from, the pursuing pilot. Away up in mid-air, with mountaiimis country below, this startling feat is accomplished. Tho large a.udiencea which filled the theatre to its capacity, at each session were eo carried away that hearty applause greete-J tho finish of the incident. A sensational descent, per parachute, is another remarkable feature of a truly remarkable film. Chapter five of the serial, "The I>ragon's Net," contains exciting incidents, and the comedy, "A Villain's Broken Heart," is most mirth-provok ing. Hdlle. Irma Cnion. at the -evening session, sang with exquisite effect, "No, No, jNo," and by special request followed with '.'La Marseillaise," giving a finished and spirited interpretation. The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Alfred Bunz, gave a finelyselected programme, the overture being Harold's "Zampa," and the entr'acte Mancinelli's "March Cleopatra." In addition there were played several classical and popular selec'tiona. At all sessions daily during the week "The Great Air Robbery" will be screened, and at 'ihe evening session Mdlle. Caron will sing, ar.'d .the Symphony Orchestra will contribute selections. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "BELOW THE SURFACE." "Whoever saw it v.'ill not soon forget "Behind the Door," the amazing and powerful, atory of the s-3u, in which Hobart Bosworth made a notable sucoers. At Everybody's Theatre yesterday another epic of sea life with the same star in the leading part was screened, and the big audiences who caw it pronounced it to be even a more vivid drama than was its predecessor. The title of the new picture is "Below the Surface.'" and it will be screened together with a fine 6up porting programme at Everybody's throughout this week. "Below the Surface" tells the story of an upright diver, whose son is induced by a scheming adventuress to dive for treasure in water so deep that to go down into it spells almost certain death. The anguish of the father «• he watches over his son after the terrible experience is depicted. with intense spectacular force. The whole picture, in fact, is wonderfully dramatic. There are thrilling moments, one of the most exciting being 'vhen the villains, of the piece are caught in the cabin of a sinking steamer, the terrific inrush of water through the door causing them to be caught like rats in a trap. The maker of "Below the Surface" is Thomas H. Inco, who has managed to secure in this Paramount-Art-craft masterpiece the salt atmosphere of the ocean with its powerful anpea-1 to all those who love the sea. Like all his productions, it bears the stamp of the master of his craft, and in every way deserves the titie of "screen classic." Hobart Bo3worth, the star, is ably supported by a strong cast, including such firm favourites as Grace Darmond and Lloyd Hughes. The programme at Everybody's is further strengthened by "The Ladder of Lies," an appealing story of a. girl who unselfishly lied away her own reputation in

order to save that of a, friend. The tangled wet>, which is woven by those who practise to deceive, almost enmeshes the heroine before fate steps in and sets matter® right. Ethel Clayton makes a convincing and very attractive heroine, and the supporting cast include® Clyde Fillmore and Charles _ Meredith. The supporting budget of scenic and topical subjects enhances a diverse and entertaining programme, while tho playing of Everybody's Select Orchestra, under the direction of Mr W. J. Bellingham, provides the audience with ft genuine jnusical treat. LIBERTY THEATRE. Large audiences last r.ight witnessed the good programme now showing at Liberty Theatre. It is headed by "The Gentleman Rider." <a ihrilling sporting picture, and Mr Riclmrd Maloney, baritone, sings a number of acceptable eonga. STRAND THEATRE. A powerful and unusual drama, 'Should a Husband Forgive'" i* attracting much attention lit the Strand Theatre this week. The programme also contains some excellent supports. QUEEN'S THEATRE. ' 0. Henry's fascinating story "The Garter Girl," loses nothing ir. picture form, as is testified by the success of the film version of the story, showing at the Queens Theatre this week. Mabel Normand in Upstairs, ia also on the bill. GRAND THEATRE. The current programme at the Grand Theatre, headed by William Faveraham.in "The Man Who Lost Himself, is P"> v > n Z deservedly popular end is an unusually fine I entertainment.