ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 224, 9 June 1923, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE LIE” TO-NIGHT. The final performance of “My Lady’s Dress” was given by the Emelio Pplini Company, before a large and appreciative audience last night. Tonight at 8 o’clock J. C. Williamson Ltd. will present this gifted and popular artist in “The Lie,” a fine emotional play in four acts by Henry Arthur Jones. In; this compelling drama, Miss Polini will be seen as Elinor Shalo, a part, it is said, in which, for subtle artistry, she has no peer in her many splendid delineations. According to the critio of the Auckland “Herald,” it is a case of a rarely gifted artist in a remarkable piece. Instead of the old argument of tho married woman, the husband) and the tertium quid, the author has presented his drama per medium of two girls, sisters, one of whom is good and womanly, the other utterly selfish and bad. The man in the case is victimised by the shallow-natured girl, believes the lie she tells about her sister, and marries her, almost, but not quite, breaking the heart of the girl he should have believed in, and who loves him. “The Lie,” in which the crisis in the lives of the characters turn, is rendered doubly base by reason of the fact that she who utters it is guilty of the shame she fastens on her sister, who has sacrificed her own interests to shield the real sinner. Mr. Frank Harvey will be seen as Noll Dibdin,” the hero of the play. This popular actor is said to be exceptionally well suited in a particularly exacting j.art. Also appearing to distinct advantage are: Messrs. Gerald Kay Souper, Bichard . Hatteras, Herbert Leigh, and Misses Nancy Stewart, Katie Towers, Veronica Raymond, Letty Paxton. “The Lie” will bo played for five nights, and will be followed on Friday next by “French Leave,” a new and brilliant English comedy. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The acting of George Arliss in “Tile Silent Voice,” the special attraction in the new programme at the 'Empress Theatre, provides one of those cases where the audience come away with George Arliss first and foremost in their minds, with the picture as a pleasing background. “The Silent Voice” is based on the story of a play, “The Man Who Played G ; od,” by Jules Eckert Goodman. Arliss takes the role of a famous American pianist,. John Arden, and the first scene is the interior of a Parisian theatre, with Arden ’ receiving a flattering ovaiiou from a brilliant Parisian audience. Romance enters the life of the virtuoso, and he marries. Before leaving France for New York ho consents to perform before a European. monarch. Tragedy ensues, for just aa Arden is about to play, a bomb is thrown and deafness follows. Interest now centres around Arden’s home in New York. Once kindly-hearted and a lover of Nature, his affliction makes him a misanthrope, a destroyer . of beauty, and, cruellest of ail, oblivious of the love of his "wife. Suicide .at first suggests itself, but later he discovers that others have life tragedies greater than his own. He has learned to lip read, and with the aid of glasses is able to interpret the petty dramas, enacted in a neighbouring park. Unknown to his wife, Arden thenceforward devotes his time to helping these derelicts. How Arden recovers Ms hearing, and the ever-widening gulf between husband and wife is closed, is wonderfully well portrayed in a fitting finale. As a public idol, a lover, a cynic, and, lastly, a benefactor, George Arliss, by his powerful and yet subtle acting, stands pre-eminent. Tho supporting cast is very capable, and the interior and exterior scenery presents everything that is beautiful and artistic. A comedy, “Put and Take,” depicting the hold that the film man imagines the game could have, provides thirty minutes of laughter. The Empress orchestra increases the merit of a programme that should appeal to everyone. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Beautiful Katherine McDonald is seen at her best in the absorbing film “Curtain,” released at the popular Everybody’s Theatre last night. The role is that of a young actress whosA beauty brought her so many admirers that she did cot value their genuine love until she bad found out what it was to suffer. Fresh and winning in her theatrical launching, she was irresistible to an. embarassing number of young men; in fact, the queues of suitors became a nuisance, and, lulled to a false sense of her power by the appreciation /of successive audiences, she decided to marry for money, regarding love as a myth. Her husband is a man of many affairs in more senses than one, and she discovers that he is utterly devoid of principlo in the matter of relations with the other sex. To give him a lesson, she returns to the footlights, and stages a play dealing with marital infidelity. Her acting in the character of the injured wife so plays on the husband’s feelings that he returns to her in a chastened frame of mind- The scenes “behind’ tho scenes” of a big theatre are very instructive to all who have thought of this means of earning a livelihood, and the dressing and general production of the film are lavish and spectacular. A Christie comedy, “Hickory Hick,” and a gazette are supports. The music by the orchestra is one of the pleasures of the programme. A special feature has been arranged for Friday next, when the Paramount masterpiece, “The Old Homestead,” with Theodore Roberts in the lead, will be screened. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “To Have and to Hold” is the title of the new Paramount super production which commences at the Queen’s Theatre to-day. The distinction of bging the greatest romance picture ever made is claimed for this George Fitzmaurice picturisation of Mary Johnston’s famous novel. Heading the cast are Betty Compson and Bert Lytell. the featured players, while Raymond Hatton and Theodore Kobloff have the roles of King James I. of England and Lord Carnal, the King's favourite, respectively. The realism in the picture is sensational, pirates being thrown headlong from towering decks; sword fights while cannon boom; and a thrilling swing for lifc> across and over the deck of a rakish corsair craft, are some of the thrilling features of the picture. Even tho pirate guns are real. Director Fitzmaurice required the colourful scene showing the belching smoke of a broadside, hence cannon were made of the per,cd of 1620, weighing 15 tons, and capable of being fired with recoil, ramrods, powder monkeys and everything complete. Sixty dressmakers worked a month to prepare the costumes, while the settings and scenes throughout are described sa magnificent. A superb prologue of the buccaneer days, with Mr. Frank Walsh baritone, as the pirate hero,, is a feature of the programme. Mr.’ Walsh will sing “To Have, To Hold, To Love.” Special scenic and lighting effects have been arranged. The Queen’s grand orchestra, under the direction of Mr. A. H. Jerome, which now numbers eleven instrumentalists. will render a programme of speciaTiy selected music. There will alio be screened the new series of “'Hie feather Pushers,” starring Reginald Denny, and the latest In- i ternational News. The box plan is at the Bristol. j

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT. The story of Dolores de Lisa, a girl who dared to display her beauty in the most dangerous of the hectic resorts of Madrid, was presented at the Paramount and Artcraft _ Theatres last night to an appreciative audience in “Fascination.” The daughter of a well-to-do Spaniard, living in America, devoting her time to purposeless indulgence of the dancing craze, is for ever seeking new pleasures. The visit of a Spanish relative results in the girl being sent to Spain for discipline, the American manners thoroughly shocking the Spanish ideas- of propriety. There, at Carnival time, she dangerously mixes her American freedom and her acquired knowledge of the centre of Spanish fashion, and, for the gratification of a whim that would have been quite safe in New York, she goes away with a famed bullfighter, to whom women are accustomed to be delighted toys. It is here that her adventures begin, and the sequel is intensely exciting. The picture is a scathing commentary on the customs which bind society, both in Spain and America, and her father, brother, and American fiance are involved in a whirlwind sequence of events. An actual bull fight, a carnival, and Mae Murray’s exquisite dancing and acting in an entrancing tale form an unsual film. The Spanish customs are new to New Zealand people, but the story tells with unmistakable emphasis that one must conform to the habits of the country in which one lives for the time being. As tho impulsive daughter of an American-Spanish marriage, Miss . Murray creates a character new to 'the screen, and gives a story which, for sheer intensity, would be hard to surpass. The dance 'n which, at a cabaret, she gives expression to the dangers- and emotions of the bull in a struggle for life, alone save her temporarily from the passions of the bullfighter with whom her indiscretions have involved her. ‘/Fascination” is an unusual but striking p:ece of imaginative production, with the local colour of two nations in startling contrast. Special music will be screened typical” of the throbbing Moorish cadences which permeate Spanish music, and there is a prologue of merit, in which Mr. F. Hewitt is the vocalist and Miss Phyllis Tanner the dancer. STRAND THEATRE. “Robin Hood” commenced a season’s screening at the Strand Theatre last night. This brilliant Douglas Fairbanks picture is a triumph to the imaginative genius of the producer. The story opens with the grand banquet prior to the leaving of Coeur-de-Lion for the crusades, and even then the jealousies of Prince John are shown in his hatred of his manly warrior brother. The enmity of Guy of Gisbourne, the Prince’s satellite, for Huntingdon, the King’s favourite, and the champion of .the tournament, are early apparent in the story, and it is easily seen that Lady Marian, the betrothed < f the successful knight, will be persecuted during hie absence. The massive walls of the castle enclose a hive of intrigue, which breaks out in open oppression of Richard’s people as soon as his back in turned. Huntingdon risks the wrath .of his King to return to England on receipt of a message from Marian,’ and once landed becomes a thorn in iho side of the usurper. As the well-known figure of romance and history, “Robin Hood, ’ he takes charge of all the true men driven to the woods by the cruelties and injustices of John, and is already proving too strong for the Prince’s men to deal-, with, when Richard returns. in time to take part in an attack on the castle where John has Marian ipipfTsoned; To fully appreciate the fimensb amount of money spent on this film, it is necessary only to see : It. The castle scenes are marvellously ■ beautiful, the interior vistas magnificently perspectived, while the tourneys, massed troops on yhe march, the Palestine encampments, :and tho gorgeous dressing of tho ladies of the court, the free license of the forest band, and tfio remarkable achievements of Fairbanks in the title role make the picture one to remember. Humour abounds in the story, which has a pretty, love interest, and amidst all the armoured characters the human interest is sustained as closely as though the tale were of to-day, giving a reality to the presentation seldom acliieved by historical films. PRINCESS THEATRE.

“Heart of the North,” a striking Selznick picture, was released for the first time at the Princess Theatre last night. To those weary of the tales of the artificial life most of us live, the stark rawneut of life in. the wild comes as a welcome change as the subject for a picture, and when, the arctic scenes Hie not merely the familiar outlines of some well-known estate in their winter garb, but the reality of the stern North, actually filmed ‘.‘north of sixty,” the release has a peculiar appeal.' Roy Stewart and liouise Lovely present the. thrilling action of an excellent study of human passions and sufferings in the .really dangerous country of “the Circle. ' Louise is an Australian girl who han an ideal personality for outdoor pictures, and as the girl who sets brother against brother, and sees them fight out their claims to her without interfering, not wishing the man she loves to be thought the weaker of the two, she insensibly expresses the harsh code by which manhood is judged in the North. “How Ladies Live” is the Becond feature of the programme. In it Betty Compson wears some charming gowns, and the sLory tells how womens arts are used to help, them to keep pace with the demands of society for appearances. A Paramount comedy of excellence, “Gee Whiz,” and “Buffalo Bill” are supports. SHORTT’S THEATRE. ' The story of a good woman misjudged Is admirably presented in “Tho Impossible Mrs. Bellew,” screened at Shortt’s Theatre last night. Gloria Swanson, whose versatility is as remarkable as her beauty, does the part full justice, in a dazzling fashion-show and a heart-drama of irresistible appeal. Conrad Nagel and June Elvidge are members of a strong supporting cast. It is a mother story with unusual features. She would have done anything for her son, and enlisted the services of a very fine fellow to help her, but her husband, who had his own shortcomings, could not see her motive, and ostracised her in her world by shooting the only man who understood her, leaving her no option but to run away to Europa. Her reputation is blasted, and follows her in the new life she has taken up. Persecuted by all kinds of undesirable acquaintances, her lot is a most unhappy one, but through all the gay scones of Monte Carlo, and in the midst of triumphs which make her shudder, she carries the image of her son in her heart, and eventually, by the help of a man who reads beneath the surface, she finds happiness, and is reunited to the boy who is her all in all. As the flashing, flirting beauty with a heartache, Gloria Swanson is superb, and the glittering scenes of Continental life are faithfully filmed. Alice Brady, in “Hush Money,” is the second attraction at Shortt s, and the supports are excellent.

MISS FERNANDOS’S RECITAL. In the Concert Chamber on Juno 21, Miss Ferdandos. contralto, will give a recital, among the items of which will bo selections by Rossini, Muratin, Debussv. Charminado Saint Saens, etc; also the great Jewish lament with violin obbligato, new to Wellington. Mr. De Mauny, violinist will nlav a ballade in C minor, by Coleridge Taylor, now in Wellington. Mr. Harold Whittle is tho accompanist, ’The box plan is at the Bristol.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Begone dull care is the order sounded by the current programme at His Majesty’s Theatre. There is something to pleasq all tastes, and tho programme has been arranged with such nicety that there is just enough shadow to temper the glare of tho sun. Marvel and Daring continue to thrill everyone with their balancing stunts, while Jack Birchlety amazes all hands by his ability to tie himself up into knots. Marie La Varre, in her quick changes of costume and topical songs, has established herself as a very warm fayourite, while the gtagpooles are in great demand for their tuneful ditties and bright patter. Hunt and Kearns, with their vivacious dances and their clever burlesques, come in for recalls,. while . Harry North continues to charm with his Enghsh.concertina. Peggy Fay is a delightful ballad singer, while Nash and Anderson do some clever fooling. The Grand Opera Singers provide quite an entertainment in themsglves. Frank Crowther’s orchestra provides excellent music. This bright bill will be repeated this afternoon—and again this evening. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. The D. W. Griffith production “Judith of Bethulia.” heads the bill at the Grand to-day and to-night. On the same bill are a fine two-reel comedy, “Tough Luck,” Gazette, travel and interest films. Monday’s change will present the picturisation of William McLeod Raine’s well read book, “Man’s Size.” the featured artist being William Russell. Al St. John also appears in his latest comedy, “Out of Place.” On Wednesday and Thursday “A Tale of Two World’s,” an Eastern mystery play, with an all. star cast is the chief attraction, while the super-special for next Friday and Saturday is “Dangerous Curves Ahead. C.T. CHOIR CONCERT. In the Concert Chamber this evening, the C.T.A. Choir will be heard in another of their popular concerts. Some of the items will be:-—“The Lee Shore” (Cyril Jenkins), “VikingSong’ (Julius Harrison), a vocal combat (Dudley Buck), and the eves popular “Annie Laurie.” Miss Myra Sawyer, the young Wellington sopra.no, ia tho Indy vocalist, and other soloists are Fred Laycock, Thomas Jenkins, Gteorge Bosher, Sydney Allwright, and Hugh Wright. Mr. Harold Whittle will be at the piano. The Aeolian Quartet party will be heard in “Doan You Cry Ma Honey” and “When Evening’* Twilight Gathers Round ” The plan ia at the Bristol. COLOSSEUM RINK. The revival in roller skating showe that the pastime, which has been aptly /described as the poetry of motion, is as popular as ever it was. Many of the old skaters are to be seen on thg floor of the Colosseum Rink nightly, while the number of people who have takpn on the pasttime this season is quite remarkable. The floor was crowded last night, when a most enjoyable time was spent. The rink will be open for the usual four sessions to-day.

HIBERNIAN PIPE BAND CONCERT

It is about three years since the Hibernian was founded in this city. The band has made steady progress, and has already appeared several times in public, but to fully equip the band it is necessary for the ? layers to have appropriate uniforms: o assist the band to attain this object, several of the city’s leading artists have offered their services for a concert which will bo held at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on M nday evening. A first-class programme has been arranged, and the musical public will have an opportunity of enjoying a concert of exceptional merit, contributed to ly the following: —Mrs. 0. V. Ellis, Misses Mary McKeowen, 0. Berry, A. McDavitt, and M. Glavin, Messrs. H. Gregory, L. Loftus, Claude Tucker, H. J. Simpson, J. F. Carr, L. W. Hanlon, Charles Hickmott, and A. J. Fogarty. The danciqg pupils of Miss Kathleen O’Brien will also assist. THE AMBASSADOR CABARET. The Ambassador Cabaret is atill the favourite resort of Wellington dancing enthusiasts. The band of the cabaret is one of the finest possible, and .the floor is excellent. Patrons are advised to book early for to-day’s sessions. PIANOFORTE RECITAL. Miss Janet Ross Hector will give a pianoforte recital in the art Gallery on Monday evening. The orchestral accompaniment will be played on the second niano bv Mr. C. W. Kerry.