ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 76, 22 December 1924, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

‘TB V. O’BRIEN GIRL." As the time draws near for the production of "The O’Brien Bill” at His Majesty’s Theatre at the matinee on Boxing Bay, by' the Hugh J. Wards company of comedians, the interest grows apace, and the box office i? reported to have been inundated with applications from people desirous of becoming first nighters. . This is hardly surprising, when j t _js_-borne in mind that owing to "The O’Brien Girl” running for two hundred, and two performances at the New Princess Theatre, its tame has" spread. AcfdC tional interest attaches to this new company of comedians, for, with two exceptions, ’the company is entirely new to New Zealand. Miss Mamie Watson is a delightful "lead,” who is said to be a first-rate musical comedy- artist. To Mr. Mark Daly falls the comedy, and as the henpecked husband, he gets a laugh with practically every line. Miss May Beatty, who makes a welcome reappearance after an absence of many years, will doubtless be accorded a hearty reception. Miss June Ro’berts, another prominent member of the company, is said to be an accomplished dancer. Other notable personalities will be Mr. Ireland Cutter, a light comedian, late of the Prince of Wales Theatre, Maudie Vera, Ryland Hodgson, Lou Vernon, Hazel Harris, Dorothy Roberts, and others. There is, so it is said, a welldefined plot, which leads to many novel and very funny situations. The work of the principals will be enhanced by a ballot and chorus of 18, whose warrfrobe is reported as being exquisite, while haunting melodies, exhilarating dancing, and settings of rare beauty, should make "The O’Brien Girl” an ideal attraction for the Christmas and Near Year holidays, A full orchestra has been engaged (many of the players being engaged from the Grand Opera. t House, Sydney), which will be under the direction of Mr. Willy Redstone, an eminent English conductor, from the Gaiety Theatre, London. The curtain will rise at 8 sharp nightly, when, os the interest of the play commences, from the rising of the curtain, patrons are requested to occupy their seats. Matinees will be given on Boxing Day and Saturday. December 27. "The O’Brien Girl” will be followed by "Little Nelly Kelly" and "Tangerine.” The box plan is now open at the Bristol. ■ EMPRESS THEATRE. An Australian_production -of exceptional merit, "Hello, Marmaduke,” a picture produced by the Beaumont Smith studios, and enacted by weU-known players on the legitimate stage, is now showing at the Empress Theatre. Claude Dam pi or in the title role proves a charming. "silly ass” as an English remittance man who has been sent out to Australia, where he meets Mary Morton and her charming daughter. Two crooks of the Australian variety join a vessel on which Marmaduke is travelling and soon separate him from his money. The plot is cleverly worked out, the settings are exceptionally good, and the picture generally is quite up to the most approved American standards. The Empress orchestra, under the baton of Mr. M. Dixon, provides an excellent programme of musical items.

DE LUXE THEATRE. A stirring story of New York s social world, "For Sale,” is the big attraction now showing at the -o®. Luxe Theatre. The talented Claire Windsor takes the part of. Eleanor Bates, a beautiful society girl in love with a poor man, which is an "affair of the heart” in contrast to the “well arranged matches" of her friends. On the night that the young couple declare their love, she saves her father from taking l>'s own life, on account of financial troubles, and to save the family from bankruptcy, reluctantly consents to moray a wealthy suitor. The story ends in a satisfactory manner after many 'stirring d-evelopments. Ihere is an excellent supporting programme, and the orchestral selections are, as usual, of a very high standard.

"THE SEA HAWK.” It is said that never in the history of motion picture presentation in New Zealand have preparations been so elaboiato as those being made for the forthcoming screening here of "The Sea Hawk." The De Luxe Theatre management announce that they are about to give to their audiences the most pretentious prologue in connection with this fourteeu-recl adaptation of Sabatini s story of pirate love and adventure thQt has ever been attempted in Australasia. The very costumes that were used in the actual production of "The Sea Hawk’ have been specially brought over from America* The stage prologue is interpreted by eighteen people, and special scenery is being built, The importance o£ tho attraction is such that the box plans have been thrown open eyen at this early date. The preferential system will prevail. "The Sea Hawk” is said to take in the whole gamut of the emotions. Milton Sills and Enid Bennett head an imposing array of film scare and in addition there are over three thousand supporting people. It is reported that the thing about “The Sea Hawk" that has most impressed those who have seen it is that although it is in fourteen reels not one foot of film could have been left out without sacrificing some of tho picture’s gripping interest.

MURIEL STARR. 1N "EAST OF SUEZ," Miss Muriel Starr, who will make her reappearance here at the Grand Opera House, under the direction of J. C. Williamson. Ltd., on boxing Night in the sensational dramatie success, “East of Suez/' makes no secret of the fact that she has always been keen to portray the character of the half-caste Chinese girl, and it gave her great satisfaction when she was approached by the management to again visit Australia and New Zealand to impersonate the heroine in Somerset Maugham's masterwork. Sho admits that the role attracted her immensely, and she has spent a good deal of her leisure in endeavouring to sec, as it were, into Daisy's soul, and get a clue to her behaviour. In ‘this she has been immensely assisted by some advice from the author, Somerset Maugham, who stated, “Something, more than your own shrewd understanding of your sex is required to comprehend Daisy. You have to remind yourself that she comes of a race that was already far gone in civilisation when we were sunk in compara tive barbarism, and that will. help, you to remember that sho is Chinese first and always." The part of the Eurasian is Miss Starr’s favourite, and critics in Australia are unanimous in declaring that in “East of Suez” she eclipses her magnificent efforts in “Within the Law." Frank Harvey is always good in any part he undertakes, and as Harry Conway he receives splendid opportunities for the display of his dramatic genius. Arthur Styan, who jiro. sented on his last visit to New Zea. land, a splendid characterisation of the name part in “Chu Chin Chow," has achieved one of his best successes in “East of Suez,” as also has Miss Eily Malyon. One of the big features in "East of Suez” is the appropriate music which was specially composed for Somerset Maugham’s drama by Eugene Goossens. It will be performed by an operatic orchestra. Spectacularly “East of Suez” is said to be one of the most picturesque plays staged in Australasia. Only a limited number of performances of “East of Suez" can bo staged, ns during the season, “The Garden of Allah” and “Bought and Paid For” will also be produced. The box pUns for “East of Suez." will be opened at the Bristol Piano Company this morning. KING’S THEATRE. The King’s Theatre was too small to accommodate the many would-be patrons on Saturdoy r/ght, the “house full” sign being displayed well before 8 b’clock. The star attraction is a film version of Zane Grey’s famous story of the West, "The Last of the Duanes.” Tom Alix, with Tony, his horse, appears in the leading role, and is well supported by such well-known players ns Marian ' Nixon, Brindsley Shaw. Frank Nelson, Lucy Beaumont, and Harry Lonsdale. A splendid supporting programme includes a side-splitting comedy and Gazette. A specially-select-ed musical programme is rendered by the King’s select orchestra, under the baton of Mr. A. 11. Jerome. . Special matinee; will be bz-jd every af.ar.uoqn, except on Christina.’ Dc\> when, m tJie

evening, a film representation of ’ Les Miserables,” the famous story from the pen of Victor Hugo, will be screened.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The new programme of vaudeville and revue to bo produced by Messrs. Fullers at llis Majesty’s Theatre to-night promises to lie more than usually strong, and to be of even a higher standard than the fine shows recently given at this popular house. The last nights or the Storey Revue Co. are announced, and for the final performances a new revue entitled “Spanish Love" has been selected. Tho new piece is stated to be well up to the standard ■ of previous productions, being one of the liveliest and most cheerful of tho company s ciforts. Sancho Duez (Frank, llaining) is .m innkeeper whose attractive daughter (Mabellc Morgan) is in love with a

toreador (Fred Monument), and about this position tho slender story is built. Tho company is particularly strong in vocal talent, and some delightfully catchy solos and concerted numbers will bo interpolated. New dances will bo contributed by the Delectable Six, whose resplendent costumes are stated to be a prominent feature. Now scenery has been specially painted, and some novel lighting schemes are promised. In the vaudeville prelude a strong collection of artists havo been engaged to appear. Prominent among these will be Steppin and Seen, a pair of American novelty artists. Another item of moment will be Mr. Alec Regan, the popular light comedian, who will present some new and entertaining sketches, in which he will be assisted by Sir. Ronald Stafford. Tho supplementing artists, will be. Mr. Waller Vernon, ventriloquist; Armitage and Hine, core.ody duo; and Cecile and Frank Eldred- Tho season of vaude-

ville will conclude on Wednesday, Decembo,' 24, this being occasioned by the Hugh J. Ward Co. having leased‘the theatre for their Company of Comedians and the Seymour Hicks Comedy Co. Messrs. Fullers announce that their vaudeville entertainment will be resumed early in February' with an entirely new combination. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Tho Thomas Ince production, "Those Who Dance," is the leading feature of the new programme now showing at the Paramount Theatre. It takes as its theme the depths of a sister's love to eave her brother from the underworld, but instead of the usual types, bootleggers hold tho centre of this dramatic' picture. “Romrmce Ranch.” a quick-moving drama of the West, a comedy, and Gazette, comploto tne programme. '