ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 195, 15 May 1922, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

“POLLYANNA” AT EVERYBODY’S. Tho lesson taught in “Pollyanna,” the delightful picturisation of Eleanor H. Porter’s charming story, which is at present having such a popular run at Everybody’s Theatre, is that no matter how badly off you think you are, no matter how horribly your troubles pile up against yon, be glad’ that things are not any worse. Pollyanna, the little cripple girl, who preaches the gospel of gladness in spite of heavy odds, is a character which everyone should see, particularly as Mary Pickford takes the name part. It is a sparkling story, full of quaint, odd humour, with a tender romance running through it like a silveb ribbon. This attraction will hold the screen for the rest of the week. The special incidental music by an augmented orchestra, under the baton of Mr. L. D. Austin, lends charm to the glad subject. The supporting films are all worth seeing. KING’S THEATRE. Few farcical comedies which have appeared in modern times have contained the world of humour possessed by George M. Cohen’s world-renowned “Get Rich Quick Wallingford,” which is now starring in film version at the King’s Theatre. The story of the two slick crooks who descend upon Battleborough with the intention of cleaning out the town only to find that their bogus company has succeeded beyond the dreams of avarice, is deliciously humorous, and the theatre fairly resounded with laughter at the performances on Saturday. Appropriate incidental music by the orchestra, under Mr. M. Dixon, helps the film along. The strong drawing- card will run for the remainder of the week. EMPRESS THEATRE. It is _ not often that two such big productions as “Stardust” and “Bonnie Briar Bush” are seen on the one programme, but that such enterprise brings its own reward has been proved by the crowded houses which have patronised the Empress Theatre. The orchestra accompanies the “Bonnio Briar Bush” with some delightful Scottish selections. This big double bill will be continued for the rest of tho week. ORGAN RECITAL. The recital given by Mr. Bernard F. Page, city organist, at the Town

Hall last evening afforded keen pleasure to the audience present. The outstanding number was Pastorale, Op. 19 (Cesar Franck). The beautiful and harmonious composition, which takes the hearer to the .very threshold of some mistic world, was artistically interpreted by the organist. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Dorian) was another very acceptable number. The flowing theme, with which the Toccata opens, was treated in masterly style, while the bold subject of the Fugue, with its highly technical character and final massive chords, was another triumph for the organist. Other items on the programme included: Overture, “Corilan,” Op. 62 (Beethoven), Elegie (Claussmann), and Caprice in G Minor (Crackel). CHORAL UNION. “Maritana!” How the name recalls the melodious airs and tuneful choruses of this most popular opera — ‘‘Alas, Those Chimes so Sweetly Stealing,” “In Happy Moments Day By Day,” “Yes! Let Me Like a Soldier Fall,” “Scenes That Are Brightest”— to quote three or four of the solos only. The Royal Wellington Choral Union is presenting this work as its first performance of the 1922 season on Saturday, May 20, with its chorus of 300 voices and grand opera orchestra of 60 members under Mr. H. Temple White. Such is the popularity of this melodious opera and such a particularly strong cast of artists has been engaged that tho committee confidentally anticipate that there will be no vacant seats in the Town Hall on the evening of the performance._ The box plan will open at the Bristol this morning at 9 o’clock.