ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 184, 30 April 1920, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

"LIGHTNINV A Rood play and a sound company are not such every day combinations on the New Zealand circuit as to escape notice. Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have however, been fortunate in securing a most ingenious and amusing comedy _in "Lightnin'," and have strengthened the attraction with a company of good even strength, headed by a player in Mr. John D. O'Hara, who presents a winning personality, and whoso quiet methods, revealing expression and magnetism, make the general impression a deep ono. Even-body likes "Bill" Jones whilst 'they"laugh quietly at him, and the. ono surprise of the play is Mrs. Jones s attempt to divorce Lightmn," and it w the one thing in his life that really hurt. The facile evasion of the truth by Lightnin,' his play with the whisky flask, his jugglery with the big trunk on the stairs, and his cheery conduct of his own case in the divorce court have to be seen to be appreciated. .Mibs Diana Wilson as' Mrs. Davis who is divorced and married within the hour (m, Eeno). is one of the high lights in the comedy, and her costumes make a told splash' of colour in every scene. Other fine performers are Mr. liobert loms, Mr. Inn Maclaren, Miss Lizette Parkes, and Miss Marion Marcus Clarke.

KING'S THEATRE. "The Cry of the Weal;," starring Fannie Ward, was screened for tho last lime at the King's Theatre last evening before a large audience, 10-mglit U JDennis's famous novel "The Sentimental Bloke" will bo shown for one night omy. To-morrow (Saturday) another complete champ is advertised, when Human Desire," featuring Anita Stewart, will be the Gtar item. The' story deals with a quaint, unconquerable mother instinct of a girl who is the inmate of a convent, to fondle, love, and press to her heart a little lambino. _ She trudges barefoot from the convent m Italy. Forceful and compelling, tho picture hits a note that is different, and. besides |«rjusU»ng a splendid role for the lovely htt e star, it has an undoubted human appeal to all lovers of children. The King's Orchestra piny as an entr'acte Norwegian Brinal Procession (Grcig) and March from laiiuhniw (Wagner). Mr. Leo Buckendge (baritone) will make his first appearance at the King's. There will be a full orchestral matinee on Saturday. Tho plan is at the Bristol.

EMPRESS THEATRE. Tho latest New 'World film drama, "The Rough Neck," featuring Mon.aguo Lovp'. will be screened nptm -to-i>ght. Montague Love in this production puts up a very willing fight against great odds, and after a powerful struggle succeeds in Retting the best of the gang of crooks. Another special picture of .£e orrrral of the Prince in Auckland will show the demonstration by the school children in the Domain, in a grand spectacular event representing "The Living Flag. rho thrilling and sensational serial Ine Man of" Might," featuring the dare-devil of the screen. William Duncan, will be continued with the ninth episode, entitled "Tho Crashing Horror.'

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Tho While Heather" wilt to! shown at Everybody's Theatre to-day. This international attraction was produced by Maurice Tournour, awl is adapted from the Drurv Lane melodrama. Iho action centres around the recovery of a marriage record from the hulk of a destroyed wM'clm "The White Heather." The bin scene of the melodrama takes place at the bottom of tho sea, where the hero and the villain, |P 1 t l ie J we t , , rd 5 0s !l ,mes 4 ? f deep-sea divers, fight to the death. Another edition of the Princes visit to Auckland will bo shown, when tho demonstration of the school children in ho Domain will be shown, representing the Living Flag.

"TH.E LIGHT." In'"The Light,"'the new Theda Bara «uper-i>roductlon now showing at the Quwn s Theatre, it is a blind man who tenches a seeing woman how to see. 'Iho heroine, portrayed by Theda Bara, is kiiown as tho most infamous woman m Pari* until the blind man.shows her whero to find tho light. Wliilo all Paris toils to relieve a host of sufferers this woman revels and dances with her lovers. She plans to elope with a dancer from the underworld. But the. sight of the blinded man, a sculptor, groping helplessly, arouses her keen compassion. She nlinridons her dancer lover and floes to Kolihide with the sightless one, to whom she devotes her lifts and love. Tom Mix is showing in a new role in "The Coming of tho Law," n story based ,on the book of Charles Alden Seltzer. .'lt is full of exciting adventure of the West, and has romance that is refreshing. Good sapports aro also on tho bill.