ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 191, 9 May 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

“MARAMA.” The performance of the New Zealand comedy opera, “Marnnia,” drew another largo audience to the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening. 'The story mainly concerns a Maori maiden, Manama, who, iii her endeavours to sei cure a mere, causes Lord Aucklington, then visiting New Zealand, to marry her. There are many highly amusing situations. The vocal numbers, with which “Mamma” abouitjs, are very tuneful, and, in addition, some attractive dances, both by pakehas and Maoris, arc successsfully introduced. Frank Byrue, Leon Fail, Harry Poppelwoll, Noel Mien, Marian Bainbridge, B'rtha Manson, and l Mere Amohau interpret the main roles. “Marama" will be repeated to-night and following nights. KING’S THEATRE. "Alt’s Button,” the head-liner at. the King's Theatre this week, is a great picture. "The Better ’Ole” was a picture in a class by itself in style, in humour, and general popularity,’ but "Alt’s Button” is in some respects a better picture; certainly it is a far more laugnoble one. It is a story of Aladdin brought up to date, for Alf discovers when cleaning up his buttons in camp on the very muddy plains of Flanders that the second to top button has all the powers of Aladdin’s lamp. He is astounded, but recovers and calls in his pal Bert, and th? fun ’-axes fast and furious. As a .prelude to the film Miss Kathleen O'Brien dances cleverly. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “The Whisper Market," featuring Connno Griffith, which is screened at Everybody’s Theatre this wbek, is a mystery and adventure story with a new twist. While the narrative is gripping and dramatic, all of the events are well within the bounds of possibility. There is an excellent supporting programme. EMPRESS THEATRE. Tn "Darling Mine,” screened at the Empress Theatre this week, Olive Thoma? makes a charming Irish "colleen." The picturesque scenes of Ireland furnish an atmosphere of peace that is in startling contrast with the hustle and bustle of America, whence "Darling Mine” goe.l to her relations. Perhaps the fact that Olive Thomas is Irish herself accounted for the fact that this charming Harrison Fisher girl does some of her best work in the rola of an Irish colleen. Tn addition to the big picture there are others chosen with a view of interesting all. QUEEN’S THEATRE. There are two photoplays of outstanding merit at th? Queen’s Theatre this week. "The Girl and the Man” features an actor who has not been seen by New Zealand picture patrons previously, Charles Campana. It is the story of the plan of a girl to stir up an admirer to something more than mere admiration. "Fair and Warmer,”. featuring May Allison, is a comedy of a quieter type, and concerns all young married men with a leaning towards clubs. The supporting films are good. STRAND THEATRE. “The Betrayer,” which has been drawing big business at, the Strand Theatre, has had a remarkable run in Wellington. Those who have not seen this attraction will have ft final opporuniy to-day and to-night. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist) entertained a, restricted audience at the Town Hall on Saturday evening, when ho gave his weqkly recital. The programme included Mendelssohn's "Sonata in A Major,” Saint-Saan’s "Fantaisie," Gouvy’s "Serenade,” and the Glazounov "Prelude and Fugue in D Major” (Opus 93). Mr. Pago also played once more Cesar Franck’s "Psyche," a symphonic poem for orchestra and choir, which was very beautifully adapted for the organ, and whets the appetite for the work in its original form—for choir and orchestra. At the best the grand -rgan, however well played, is only a substitute for the orchestra, noble instrument as it is.