ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 166, 10 April 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

MUSICAL COMEDY, “PRIMROSE.” Something quite out of the ordinary in musical comedy is promised by the J. C. Williamson directors in the coming production of "Primrose.” What is really an exceptional cast is announced'. Margery 'Hicklin, a famous London comedienne, will make her first appearance in Wellington. Dorothy Lena, so excellent in "Leave it. to Jane,” has a fine part in "Pinkie Peach.” George Cleo will make a welcome reappearance, also strongly cast is Jack Cannot. The critic of the Melbourne "Argus” writes of the interpretation of the play as follows“As for the company it is very happily cast. Miss Margery Hicklin plays ‘Joan’ to the life—she is the central figure in the whole picture, a winsome and finished actress. Miss Dorothy Lena has another chance to prove herself a ■ thorough comedienne, and as the very selfpossessed Pinkie Peach she. makes a splendid foil to Mr. George Gee, whose part is full of ’meat, and who with his excellent fooling carries the greater part of the play on his shoulders. H e is ably supported by Mr. Hugh Steyne and Jack Cannot, whose distinctive sty les of humour blend well with the atmosphere of the play. Mr. Leyland Hodgson sings well and acts charmingly as the novelist to whom ail and sundry bring their troubles. One of the outstanding features of ‘Primrose’ is its dancing. Miss Reita Nugent and Mr. Fred McKay more than live up to their reputation as a ‘whirlwind team, and in their 'eat and moi.se’ number they combine exceptional talent with a true sense of the dressing and lighting required for spectacular effect. . Others in a long cast who do yeoman service are Messrs. Jack Testro, Harry Wotton, Rosie le Varde, John Stuart, Winnie Tate, Ivy Parker, Connie Courtney, Gracie Fraser.” The box plans will bo opened at the Bristol on Friday next. The season is for six nights only.

“THE SKIN GAME” “The Skin Game” to be produced at the Grand Opera House to-night for the first time in Wellington, is a slice of English, really two slices. The gentility of old England, with all its snobbishness and its gracionsness, is sharply contrasted with the newei England of the self-made man, hard, domineering, and with his usual fairmindedness, the author, John Galsworthy, holds the balance even. Throughout the play many tenso scenes are met with, and of Mr. Frank Harvey who plays the part of "Hornblower” an Australian critic says: Of the many big part that Mr. Harvey has boon scon in, it is without doubt that, his “Ilornblower” is his greatest success, and that says a groat deal. Supporting Mr. Harvey is a company that has been carefully selected to fill the various types of characters, a matter that is most essential to ensure the success of a play of the type of "The Skin Game,” and the cast will, include Miss Remy Carpen who plays load opposite Mr. Harvey. Miss Gwen Burroughs, Mr. Marion Marcus Clark, 'Miss Mildred Cottell who has come oyer from Australia specially to appear in "The Skin Game,” .Miss Nancy Stewart, Messrs. Herbert Leigh, Mayne Lynton, John Fernside, Vivian Edwards, Geo. Blunt., John Bedouin, Fred Conyngham, Hedge Carey, and Alfred Jenkins. “The Skin Game,” has been one of the outstanding successes of the English stage, and it is anticipated that the Wellington season will also bo a big success. Only five performances can bo given in Wellington. The box plans are at the Bristol this morning, and during the afternoon wi'l be on view at the GrandOpera House confectionery. EMPRESS THEATRE, "Hot Water,” the star attraction featuring the famous Harold Lloyd, which was projected before a great house toi the first time at the Empress Theatre last night, is one of the funniest pictures Wellington has seen for years. Mere words cannot express the extent of the outburst that greeted the spectacled comedian’s latest triumph. The audience shrieked with laughter all the time. As usual, Lloyd’s side-splitting situations are very original and not at all like anything that he has done before. The story opens showing Harold Lloyd as a happy-go-lucky bachelor. It is not long before Nemesis appears on the scene in the person of little. Jobynn Ralston, ol the dreamy eyes. Events, take their natural course and he is later seen trying, unsuccessfully, to prove that two can live as cheaply ns one. And, to add to his many troubles, his wife’s family are continually offering a lot of unsolicited advice as to how he should manage his personal affairs. Ono of the most hilarious sequences in the picture occurs when the proud husband takes them all out foi a ride in his new car. They eventually manage to get home, but not until alter the ear has been wrecked and the driver has several summonses in his pocket. There is no douot that "Hot Water” is one of the greatest, funniest, and most unique pictures yet produced. The supporting attraction, "A Son of His Father,” is a' magnificent Western picture taken from the pen of that celebrated author, Harold Bell Wright. It is full of actien from beginning to end, several sensational incidents leading up to a most exciting climax. Bessie Love, Warner Baxter and Raymond Hatton, ail popular stars, are the principal players in the cast. A fine orchestra adds further interest to the entertainment, making this week's programme one of the best.

llltj MAJESTY’S THEATRE. , Clean, genuine humour is tho keynote, of the nicely-varied programme running at His Majesty's Theatre this week. The vaudeville section is particularly meritorious. The Rev. Frank Gorman, “tho singing parson,” is a tenor to whom at all times it is a pleasure to listen. Like all Irishmen, he has "a way wid’ him,” and puts his numbers across in most appealing fashion. Lesley Elliott, “the girl at the piano,” is piquant and vastly entertaining, while Wee Willie Lancet is without question the cleverest child impersonator this country has seen Tho Carthy Brothers, as a couple of jolly Jack Tars, sing, dance, and gag in merry vein. “Sweethearts,” the rollicking revue which tlio Phil. Smith Company* aro at present submitting, is one of the breeziest productions this talented band of players has yet appeared in. Tho musical numbers are tuneful and catchy, there is much sprightly dancing, and the dia logue is bright and snappy. There will be a matinee -performance at 2.30 this afternoon. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Richard Barthelmess returned to fav. our at the Paramount Theatre last night in the First National picture, “Shore Leave.” The public has seen him in strong -dramatic roles, and as a hero of romance, but in this laughable picture Barthe. mess shows his capacity as a comedian in the role of an ordinary American Jack Tar by the name of Smith. The story tells cf Bilge Smith, who on shore leave meets Connie Martin, a pretty dressmaker of a fishing village occasionally visited byAmerican warships. Connie falls in love with tile handsome sailor hoy immediately, and lays her plans to entrap him in marriage, though Bilge’s ideafl are remote from being as serious aa Connie would like. Bilge mentimis to her that the great ambition of his life is to command a vessel of bis own, so Connie sets abput salvaging her r.ld father’s vessel, which bad foundered in a river in India, and when Bilge returns after a long c'uise, it is to fnd Connie and her ship waiting for him, but to her sorrov she finds that tho sailor had never given her a second thought, and act nailv does not even recognise her when he sees her (in which there ma * be a moral for many a girl in Now 'Zealand). However, a series of exquisite comedy nccnes lend to n very satisfactory ending, which promises a continuation of tho inexhaustible Smith’ family. Richard Barthelmess cuts a very attractive figure as Bib'e Smith, and is the American “gob” tn the lift, besides displaying a talent, for comedy that was as surprising as it was unexpected. Dorothy Mnckaill wns very sweet and whole some as “the Insr who loved n sailor.” Tim programme also includes the latest Gaumont Grapl ic, “Hodge Podge.” and a “Felix” cartoon. The Paramount orchestra provides n programme of (he latest and liveliest music.

DE LUXE THEATRE. , \ brilliant adaptation of Rex Beach s fascinating mystery story, "The Goose Woman,” excellently produced from the Universal Jewel studios, formed the outstanding feature in the new pro<’rinime submitted at the De Luxe Iheiitre last night. The central figure in this unusual drama is a famous operatic singer. Marie de Nardi, who, heartbroken” at losing her glorious voice, drowns her sorrows in wine, and ekes out an existence, as the proprietress of a goose farm. Her son, a manly young fellow, falls in love with Hazel Wood, a pretty actress, playing in a theatre owned by Amos Etheridge, a man who possesses more dollars than morals. The iniHioiiairc is found murdered, and through the drunken babbling of the "Goose Woman” nor son is accused of the crime. Nobody realises to what frightful lengths a star of faded glory wifi go for the privilege oi returning for a moment to her pedestal jf the shining past until they have witnessed fids picture. Thrill follows thrill as the story rushes through to a dramatic hut happv ending. Louise Dresser makes "The Goose Woman” one of the most superb roles of her career. She wives a most sympathetic study of the broken, degraded, once popular opera singer. . Two other notable parts are admirably portrayed by Jack Pickford and Constance Bennett. Not least in the cast are Hie trained geese who appear and do some remarkable acting. An Internatipnal News and a sparkling comedy also appeared on the new programme. Outstanding numbers by the orchestra were the overture, a selection from "The’ Mikado” (Sullivan), and “Covatcna” (Rail), played as an entr’acte. There will be a full orchestral matinee at 2.30 this afternoon. STRAND THEATRE. Reginald Denny becomes the "1925 pioneer” of the open road in "California Straight Ahead,” his latest Universal Jewel feature, which was shown last night for the'first time at the Strand Theatre before a large and appreciative audience. In this picture, one ot the “star’s” best, Denny sets forth for a motor trip across tlie continent in an elaborately constructed trailer. The trailer had been built for his honeymoon, but the honeymoon did not come off. That starts Denny oft' on a tour Kicked full of strange situations, mishaps, adventures, thrills, heartaches and laughs, all of which go. to make “California Straight Ahead” one of the funniest light comedies of the season. "Ono Glorious Night,” the supporting attraction, has J'jlaine llammerstein in the leading role. It is the story of a young girl who has to give up her child lieoause, with the true noble spirit of a great woman, he does not want the one she loves to suffer poverty with her. Besides these two pictures there are other attractions, including an ex> ceil ent orchestra. KING’S THEATRE. All those who had the pleasure of witnessing the stage representation of “.Lightnin’ ” with John 1). O’Hara in the title role, some four years ago, will be pleased with the opportunity afforded to renew their acquaintance with that amusing comedy in screen form, now being shown at the King’s Theatre. The plot involves a double issue—the efforts of Everett Hammond and Raymond Thomas to* obtain from John Marvin a block of forest land which they know is needed by a railroad company, .and the mixed and muddled affairs of Lightnin' Bill Jones, whose wife owns an hotel right on the border of California and Nevada. Its position is wonderfully adapted to good business from those, seeking divorce, as by staying in one half or tho other half of the hotel they can prove '‘residence” in the. State in which they intend suing for divorce. The whole of the comedy is veined with the richest of comedy, "Lightnin’ ” Bill Jones being one of the quaintest of dry humourists the American stage . has given us. The role is most effectively acted by Jay Hunt, whilst there could scaicely be better exponents than Madge Bellamy and Wallace MacDonald as Millie Buckley and John Marvin. The story was transferred to the screen under the personal supervision of John Golder, and under the direction of John Ford, of “Iron Horse” fame. The usual supports were good, and the orchestra, under Mr. A. H. Jerome, provided ,an excellent programme of music. QUEEN’S THEATRE. An insight into the intricacies of a Royal marriage is offered those who visit the Queen’s Theatre this week, where "Confessions of a Queen,” a Metro-Goldwyn production, attracted a large audience last night. Telling of a Royal marriage which nearly ended in disaster because it was brought about by a political intrigue, nnd not by real love, it also shows how the disaster of Red Revolution prevented another calamity. Alice Terry, beautiful and regal, is the Queen, whose loyalty to her creed made her marry a King “whose heart was greater than his realm,” and who consequently forgot that crowns and dignity are inseparable. Lewis Stone, as the King, is magnificent. Sophisticated and worldly to the utmost, he, at the same time, manages to throw warmth and feeling into his role, and at tho end one is more than glad that things turn out as they do. Victor Seastrom directed tins imposing drama, in which John Bowers, Helen d’Algy, Joseph Dowling, and other fine players appear. In addition to this picture there is a nplondid supporting programme, comprising a gazette, a scenic, a cartoon,' and some remarkable screen snapshots. Under Miss E. Dennehy, the orchestra supplies special incidental music. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Romance and thrills abound in "The Fighting Cub,” the star feature this evening, starring Pat O’Malley, Mary Carr, Wesley Barry, and Mildred Harris. The picture provides a wealth of excitement, with the story woven around the exploits of a young reporter who discovers and captures a band of gem thieves after the latter had eluded the police for many months. Two good comedies and an interesting “News,” are also shown. James Haydock’s entr'acte, "Alice,” is a specially pleasing musical offering. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr Bernard F. Page, City Organist, will give his weekly organ recital at the Town Hall to-morrow evening, and tho programme has been arranged as fol--IOWS—Melody by Gl'uck-I’nge; Andante in F major bv Beethoven-Page: Fantasia in C (Op. 16). by Cesar Franck; Pastorale from "Suite’ (Op. 14), by P. de Maliengreau; Elegiac Romance by John Ireland; Prelude (Act I.), “Tristan and Isolde,” bv Wagner. A TALENTED TRIO. Of special interest should prove the announcement that ti trio evening is to be given by Ava Symons, George Ellwood and Gordon Short on Tuesday, April’ 27. This is a form of chamber music seldom heard in public, nnd the capabilities, of the performers, which arc well known, is sufficient to guarantee a mnsicianly and artistic rendering of the music of Bach, Brahms, and Arensky. ORPHEUS MUSICAL SOCIETY. When Hie Orpheus Musical Society’s second concert takes dace on Tuesday April 20, for the first time in New Zealand will be given an ode specially written by Henry Hadley, a foremost American composer, to commemorate the memory of the soldiers who fell durin'’ the Great War. . This work is particularly appropriate to the Anzac season. It is modern in composition and is full of wonderful harmonies and beautiful melodies. Sterndale Bennett’s “The May Queen” will take up the first pari of the programme. The soloists are Mrs. Glen Grange, Miss Hilda Rob-

orts and Messrs. Samuel Duncan and Ray ■R Kemp. At the pianos will be Misses Gwen wing and Rae Sigall with Mr. Alex Mil'- L.A.8., at the organ Mr. Ben Barnes has a choir of sixty voices under his baton. The plan is at tho Bristol'