ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 170, 6 April 1923, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Allen Doone susit.alius his well-do-served popularity with “Lucky O'Shea,” now .well towards the end of its season at the Grand Opera House. The drama exactly suits his style of acting, particularly in those parts where he has most scope for the display of his rare gift of humour. The whole cast is an excellent one, which makes the most of a good romantic drama. Tho orchestra adds materially to the attractions of the niece. The next production will be '‘Molly Bawn,” which is to be staged on Saturday night. EMPRESS THEATRE. The new programme at the Empress Theatre to-dav includes “One of the Blood.” in which Doimlnq Fairbanks and Marjorie Daw are supported by a strong cast. Young Billy Brooks started life under the handicap of not knowing who were his parents, where his ample supply of money came from or who paid for his education. IT? wanted a real homo and longed for a real mother. In the absence cf these he l-'vofl a life of constant excitement to stifle the natural longings of a normal youth. Every parade, riot, and celebration that stirred New York Citv had Billy for its central figure. He was the pal of the politicians, the pet -F the police, the friend of t’’e men, and had a fire alarm, and police call in his bedroom. One night, awakened by the fire alarm, ho runs to a .blazing tenement and rescues an entire family. The same night lie aids the police in a raid on a notorious lair d've. Six months later, owing to his efforts. New York City has become so orderly that there is no longer any excitement to be found. So Billy goes to Mexico, vanquishes a band of bandits, .and releases a number of American prisoners. In a small kingdom in Europe a revolution starts. The only hope is to find the missing heir to the throne, who was sent to America as a child to be educated, and was lost. While in Mexico Billy.receives /' cablegram saying, “Come to Alaine and learn something of your mother.” He goes there to find the little kingdom, in an uproar. The people are expecting an agent of a neighbouring principality. Billv is mistaken for this agent, and the documents revealing the plot fall into his hands. He finds that the regent ,-f the kingdom for whom he lias been fighting is his mother. He also learns that the little countess whom ho loves is willing to say “Yes ’’ Tlie Empress Nows and “Endurance’ are also on the programme. The Empress Orchestra‘’provides specially good musical selections.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Manslaughter.” the film drama wh’cli comes with a great reputation, will he shown at Everybody's Theatre to-day. It is a. ten-reel Paramount production, and it is said that in luxury in setting and cost of. preparation there hns been nothing richer. Her-, aided as the most lavishly mounted picture of 1923, Thomas Meighan appears in a magnificent role as the attorney who- sent to prison a woman that he might save her soul from the end to which' a world of mad society was sending her. Then there is the ultimate lesson that the picture teaches--the lesson of a world tottering in the throes of the pleasure craze and the intermittent reversion to the. times of the Romans who, steeped in licentiousness and pleasures, pared the way.for the Goths and the Huns, who waited outside to plunder the city. One of the greatest scenes shows the. hordes of Huns ami Goths breakin" in upon the courts of the Romans, plundering, ravishing and pillaging among a people who, having conoiiered the world, wer" now too busy with pleasure +o‘ mifirrt the'r prestige as masters. Wonderful scenes of the orgies of early Roman dnvo are shown, and are produced with Cecil de Mille’s usual genius for spectacle. Thomns Meiahnii and Beatrice Joy are the two leading cl’nr"'’ters. A wonderful characterisation is also bv Lo's Wilson ns one of t’m victims' of modern society’s craze tor sensation. There is a, special musical score of -great beauty.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. T,overs of vaudeville, will find great drii-rht in the entertainment- nf! Hi’ Majesty’s Theatre. Nell mid Braddoy Shaw are becoming prime favourites with their vocalisation, and his eccentric acts. Lane and Howard ye burntcork banieists and singers. Sam Stern is still hi"h in popular retard. .Russell mid Frost are versatile danbea# The Reeco Sisters sing and dmme agreeably, and Conwav and are cheerful humorists. Doddy Hurl and his Sunbeam Companv provide a r»viio full of amusing items, wife cheerful comedv. clever dancing, and songs galore. The orchestral selections are well played.

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT THEATRES. “Broadway Rose,” to be shown nt Hie Paramount mid Artcraft Theatre* to-dav, is a lavish production of the brilliant photo-play of Edmund Gouging. It is the drama of n dancer who knew the most dangerous street in the world intimately. The cast include* Rosalie Lawrence and Mae Murray It is the story of a country girl who has become a Broadway favourite, won fame as a dancer, and finds her hop» of happiness in the love of Hugh Thompson, whose parents are wealthy and of the social elect. Rosalie dm covers, however, that the passage from Broadway to Fifth Avenue is not ea# ily accomplished. The Thompsons havn other plans for their son, and marriage with a Broadway dancer is not included in their social code, and so Rosalie consents to a secret marriage The results of this step involve Rosalie in a series of stirring incident* which threaten her with disaster, but she eveiitual.lv finds happiness. Jh<scenes are elaborate, representing the playgrounds of the idle rich and th" gilded haunts of New York’s night life. There are several fine supports, ana tiie orchestras at both theatres worthy of the great picture-

PRINCESS THEATRE. To-dby’s complete changld of pro gramme at the Princess Theatre is Headed by a big Paramount specmj entitled “Moran of the Lady Letty, featuring those popular artists Dorothy Dalton and Rudolph Valentino. It' is described as the best sea story since Jack London'a famous pieturisaeion of “The Sea Wolf.” The story, crowded with thrilling incidents, deals with the adventure of a. young man, who found his life’s mate in a girl he rescued from al burning hul'k, and then he had to defend her against a ehip of pirates. Rudolph Valentino, as the hero, suits the exacting part be undertakes. The lighter side of the programme has been specially selected, and the famous parody on “Blood and Sand” will bo ocreened. Featuring, Rhubarb Vastelino, “Mud and Sand,” is a- three-part comedy produced by the famous Metro Company, and is rich in humour, and laugh-raising incidents. Rhubarb, as a bull-fighter, compels laughter, and entertains the whole time he is on the screen. An added attraction is “The Village Smithy,” featuring Chester Conklin and Louise Fazenda, being a two-reel Mack Sennett comedy. The usual Topical Budget and scenic complete a programme full of interest and variety. The reduced prices, together with the complete change of programme twice weekly, is meeting with popular support.

STRAND THEATRE. Constance Talmadge’s first big drama “East is West” is the chief attraction on the new programme at tho .Strand Theatre this morning. As. a beautiful white girl, Who escaped wife •slavery in China, Miss Talmadge offers the most original and brightest role of her career. The star is seen in a role that, if lacking in her usual comedy “tyle, is rich in dramatic situations and orginality. The play sweeps from China to San Francisco’s Chinatown in its broad sweep of action, and it will prove a most delightful attraction to those who are looking for “something Oriental.” The second feature is “Love, Honour, and Behave,” a fivepart Mack Sennett comedy, from tho. First National Studios, starring the popular Sennett team, Charles Murray, Phyllis Haver, Ford Sterling, Marie Provost, Eddie Gribbon, and others. This feature is a legitimate story from which arises many comedy situations, such as Mack Sennett can only make. The producer has avoided the monotony of mirth by the ejection of legitimate appeal, human interest and thrills. In addition a speciallyselected supporting progranin'- will be screened.

' SONATA RECITAL. Miss Ava. Symons (violin) and Mr. Bernard F. Page (piano) will givp u. sonata recital on Friday evening, April 13, in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. These two musicians have already become known to Wellington by their recitals' together last year, and their efforts on behalf of chamber music in this city deserve tho support of all who profess any love for music. A series of the recitals during the coming season may be given if tho recitql on April 13 is received as it is expected it will be. The sonatas to be performed are the Handel in D Major, Elgar in E Minor, and the Lekeu in G Major. The box plan is open at the Bristol, whero tickets can be reserved for 3s. 3d., including tax. VIOLIN AND PIANO RECITAL. The recital to be given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Wednesday, April 11, by Misses Frances and Eudora Henry is expected to prove of more than ordinary interest. The principal items to be performed are the Mozart Violin Concerto in D, with beautiful and elaborate cadenzas by Ferdinand David, and Grieg’s Piano and Violin Sonata - in G. Groups of shorter pieces include Ballade No. 1, (Brahms) and Jeux d’Eau (Ravel), for piano solo; “Chant du N° r d” (Chaminade), Dragonflies (Zsolt), Mazjirka (Zarzycki), and others for violin —altogether a most enjoyable programme. Tho box, plan is now open at the Bristol, where tickets may be obtained.

EKETAIIUNA PICTURES. At the Public Hall, Eketahuna, on Saturday, Frank Mayo will appear in the rousing drama “Go Straight,” a story of a man who had the courage of his convictions, and whoso ready fists won love and brought law and order. An attractive supporting bill is promised.