ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 234, 29 June 1922, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE. Jackie Coogan loses nothing of his charm in “Peck’s Bad Boy,” now being shown at the King’s Theatre, and his wonderfully realistic pranks are amusing very large audiences with unfailing regularity. 1 A film picture has the advantage over the ordinary production of showing the actors at their best, whereas if one attends several performances of a play produced in the ordinary way, unevenness, of production js frequently palpable. The youngster who take the name-part in this production is at his best throughout, and those who see the picture appreciate its faithfulness to life. “Ready for Service,” a Chester comedy, with Snooky, the chimpanzee in the principal part,. provides a number of his new stunts, and the two scenic gazettes, with the orchestra’s delightful music, is a programme to' satisfy the most critical. THEATRE. In the Pathe Gazette now being' shown at Everybody’s Theatre are several charming pictures of. Lord Allenby and. his pet stork, as well as skating scenes in England, and som< bewtdu Parisian costumes in colour. These iki-' elude a sleeveless frock in velvet, a dainty frock in blue and shimmery silver and blue, a lovely frock with wing sleeves, and a black evening frock. The drama, “Broken Blossoms,” preceded by a prologue of some wonderful scenes in China, is still a big draw. The Pathe Review is another attrac-' tive number, and the Mack Sennett comedy assists to provide a very full entertainment, brightened by the music of the orchestra. EMPRESS THEATRE. 1 The groat sea-story, “Moran of the Lady Letty.” is now showing at the Empress Tneatre. ;with iit, stirring romance, admirable sea scenes, tragic chapters of stirring events, and delightful love story. Those who have not yet seen this big attraction should not miss it. The fights with mutinous sailors and Chinese smugglers on the waterfront of San Francisco is reality itself, and serve as a good setting for the great Moran girl, who is the king-pin of the production., The supporting programme, with its comics and scetiics, is worthy of the romance, and the orchestra keeps the audience in good humour throughout. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The puzzle as to how the lady escapes being sawn in two remains an unsolved problem at His Majesty s Theatre. ' The audience is just as mystified as on the first night, and it looks as if solution will remain a mystery as long as the clever 'impersonator keeps her counsel. It is a clever act, do serving of . a tribute to the skill those taking part in it have shown. The other items in the vaudeville show are all good, i and quite up to the best form shown at Fuller’s. Miss Etta Field, the New Zealand soprano, earns hearty plaudits'for her performance as a sweet songstress: Miss Gladys Victor sings delightfully ; Beresford. and Rennie continue to gaily contribute their musical comedy duo; the Harem Scarum Girls revel in their revels; Sam and Elise Goldie contribute a clever sketch, “After the Show” ; Pogden and Stanley provide new songs and amusing patter; and Hughes, a Scottish comedian, adds to the general hilarity. The are tastefully played, and the orchestra contributes some delightful QUEEN’S THEATRE. Commencing at the Queen’s Theatre to-morrow. Jacques Jaccard’s famous Canadian Northwoods ' story “Under Northern Lights” will be screened. Th.e story is a dramatic one, and is laid in the great out-doors —the vast spaces of Northern Canada. The story treats -of a member of the Royal North-West Mounted Police, whose duty compels him to imprison the brother of the girl ho loves. It is a story of the eternal struggle between' love and duty, and between the forces of lawlessness and order. Gladys Waßon, in “Playing With Fire,” which is the supporting feature, is said to give a fine interpretation of a flapper of a rather smart type. The little star’s delineation of the character of a girl who craves to switch from cheap music store to society atmosphere is described as decidedly sympathetic. Also included in the' programme is tho latest International News Century comedy, and Winners of the West. A delightful selection of musical numbers by the Queen’s Orchestra, under the conductorship ot Mr. A. H. Jerome, will complete the programme. The box .plan is at the theatre.

“THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS.” On Saturday at the Grand 9Pf ra House at 7.45 will be presented the much-anticipated comio opera, Hie Maid of the Mountains, under the J. C. Williamson direction. The box plans for the first six nights are open at the Bristol. This musical comedy comes • after a very successful season of 16 nionths in Australia. Ihe piece ran at Daly’s Theatre London for 1320 nights, which is the longest run for any comio opera in London or elsewhere. In England. the two chief musical parts were taken by Miss Jose Collins and Mr. Thorpe Bates. It is claimed that these parts as playea by Miss Gladys Moncrieff and Mr. Robert Chisholm in Australia compare more than favourably with the originals. There are ”22 musical numbers in the piece, each of which has particular reference to the story, which concerns a band of brigands who have a retreat in, the mountain fastnesses. The girl Teresa, who helps them, is captured at a time' when the brigands are about to break up the band. She is held hy the Governor -if Santo, who endeavours to make her betray the man she loves, tho brigand Baldasarre. 'Hie theme is well worked out with elements of jealousy and revenge. Ihe music is described as the most melodious of any comic opera within years, and the staging and costuming as superb. An exceptionally cue cast will interpret the play, including Gladys Moncrieff. Phil Smith Arthur Stigant Robert Chisholm, Leslie Holland. Prod Coape, Anew McMaster, Johnl'ordO, Edmund Sherras, Mione Stewart, Nellie Payne, Vida Edwards, and Hazel Stewart. The first matineO will be given on Wednesday rtext. ■