INTERTAINMENT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 219, 10 June 1921, Page 3

INTERTAINMENT

"HUMPTY-DUMPTY." Another very large audience was dogB,ht»q by the Williamson pantomime, rflunipty-Dumpty," at the Grand Opera / Souee lost night. This pantomimo has alj the elements of popularity, and it wcoeeds by following the lines that have always been successful. It has capable potaodians, pretty girls, gay frocks, and lolly muelo in abundance, and the etag}n? is lavish. It is intended to produce Jaughs, and it does this iwith apparently ‘ unfailing regularity. The,, children for whom entertainments of this kind were originally designed, are never in doubt fibout "Humpty-Dumpty," and their deight last night was an enjoyable part of tho programme to every rightly-con-stituted adult. The personalities and performances that go to the making of this pantomime are many and various. Mies Josie Melville is the most graceful and brilliant solo dancer seen in Wellington for a long time, and fortunately she has a good deal to do. Mr. A. Le Fro is a very effective "dame," and Miss Beatrice Allen and. Miss Mario Fanchonetti, as the priiicipal boy and principal girl respectively, are both gifted with charm of person and real ability. Mr. H. St. Clair, ns Humpty, gives a truly original performance of a most laughable kind. The two Locardo Brothers have a particularly clever "stunt" to their credit. Pf course there are gay and brilliant scenes, some of them of great beauty. The chorus is strong and all the incidental effects are thoroughly well presented. In fact, "HumptyDumpty” is a thoroughly good pantomime. which should not be missed. There will be a matinee on Saturday. KING’S THEATRE. It is asserted that Allan Dawn, a member of that capable group of producer's kaown as First National, has done no better work than he has in "The Scoffer," which will head the new bill at tire King’s Theatre to-night. Certainly, if strength of story, suitability of cast and settings, find metriculous caro from the producer’s side count for anything, the picture should be up to the highest standard set at the King’s. “The 1 Scoffer" concerns Stannard Wayne, a physician whoso faith in humanity is unbounded; but when he is imprisoned for his friend’s crime, and when, further, his wife plays him false, hie faith naturally is shattered, and he develops into * hardened cynic, known among his associates ns "the scoffer." Years later, nt an almost God-forsaken trading port in Alaska, Wayne vent* his fury on hia false friend and faithless wife. The picture, however, does not end on the note of tragedy, there Is threaded through the sterner happenings a romance, that completely cures the cynic, and brings out all the best that is in him. Mary Thurman, James Kirkwood, and Rhea Mitchell, in the chief characters, rre credited with particularly good work. In addition the King’s Orchestra will render items in keeping with its fine reputaton. EMPRESS THEATRE. “The Lamb and the Lion," Billie Rhodes's latest production, to be shown at’ the Empress Theatre to-day, is described as a sort of modernised "Oliver Twist,” with a girl instead of a boy the centra of a series of adventures which lead her through the mazes of the un- ' derworld of thioves z into the environment of high society, and entangle her in the ■villainous schemes of an unscrupulous woman fashion. As "Boots," the heroine, Billie Rhodes, is a diminutive and charming comedienne. There is the tang of adventure, the thrill of mystery. and dramatic situations—and also some hilarious humour in this picture. Episode 4 of "The Silent Avenger," a Boenic, and latest topicals form the supporting items. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. "The Prey," an Alice Joyco special Vitagraph production, will be screened at Everybody’s Theatre to-day. It is saTd to give thu popular star many excellent opportunities for the display of hei' tiftent, her charm, and her power to portray emotion. Mies Joyce first appears as a joyous maid, who marries a financier. She is later awakened to a great network of deceit about her, and how she breaks up a combination of crookedness and corruption makes an interesting story. It ie claimed that Miss Joyce has never had a more appealing rolo than that of Helen Reardon, while Harry Benham, in tha character of her lovor, is said to be seen at his best. The supporting items include o Christie opecial comedy, “Fatma," a Post nature •conic, and tho latest Pathe Gazette. "CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA.” Visits of grand opera companies are »o few and far between that lovers of operatic music will welcome the performance of "Cavalleria Rusticana" by the Choral Union' to-night and to-mor-row night at the Town Hall. This is Mascagni’s most popular work, and the society Ts sparing no expense to make It an artistic success. The best cast of soloists obtainable in tho Dominion has been engaged, and is as follows: — • Santuzza, Miss Teresa M’Enroe; Turiddu, Mr. Mubert Carter, of Auckland; Lucia, Mrs. Lance Mnysmor; Alfio, Mr. Hamilton Hodges; Lola, Mrs. R. W. Alexander. The first rehearsal took place last night under tho baton of Mr. Temple White with a chorus and orches&’a of over 250 performers. Their regard to tho finer points of music showed that Mr. White’s coaching has given them an prtistic conception of -Mascagni’s masterpiece, and the conductor expressed satisfaction at the excellence of the rehearsal. A supply of 2s. ti :kets will be available to-day at the box office, where Gs. and 4s. Beats can also be reserved. The doors will open at 7.15, and the opera will •onclude about 10 o’clock. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Another double-feature programme is to be presented at the Queen’s Theatre to-day, "The Castle of Dreams," a British actor’s photo-play, is a story of a May and December union, in which May pays more attention to December’s cheque-book than -she does to the details of her household and her daughter’s welfare. Her husband confronts her with nn accusation of neglect, and this causes a qvirrel and a separation. Tho child is brought up by tho father in a small villa, and one day, while out riding, she discovered her castle of dreams—the residence of a rather wild family. A young dissolute member of the household meets her end proposes marriage, and a visit to tho big city which she has never seen. The idea appeals to the girl, but her mother, who fs residing in tho castle, learns of the plot and goes to tlie husband she deserted as a last means of saving her daughter. The film is- said to bo full of pathetic and intensely dramatic situations. The second attraction, "The. Spender,” is a Metro production, . with mi original plot. The film is said to bo full of humon- and many side-split-ting situations and much wholesome romance.