ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 253, 9 July 1926, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

I’ARAMOLa J THEATRE.

‘Tteue,' wuicli Uus nad such a re-mui-Kuuiy successiul run at the l-'ara-juuuut J-uealre, will bo shown there JOi uuotuvr wook. I‘herc will bo an entirely new sujipoi'tiug progtauiuiu, while me ueaulliui irelie pioiuyue, staged uy the pupils of Julss Kathleen O'Brien, will have iresh dances added to it ioi tins ween, miss aioore nils the role oi au Irish girl, sparklmgly witty, and, xavoured wnh me vaiuuuie possession oi a eliaruiiiig aud irresistible smile. It is this smile which is one ot her greatest assets m lite, ano by its aid she takes to herself a youthful husband, who is not unknown to wealth. i\ot i»ily on account ot the story which it umoius is the picture a good one. but it uas also the eharm—al any rate Horn ihe lominine viewpoint—oi being enhanced by a wondcriul lashion show, staged in natural colours, at what is said to have been a prodigious cost. The fashion year umolds itself as the screen, all the whims of fashion and all me caprices of feminine taste being shown to the audience. lu this fashion show there are included some sixty of the most beautiful inodel actresses, and some exceedingly attractive and massive settings. In a great garden, several hundred feet iu wiuth, tm*. fashion show is filmed, the girls appearing from an imposing marble staircase. Apparel suitable for each of the lour seasons of the year is depicted by the various dresses worn. it has a great star, a famous title, a wonderful cast, a splendid story, and, to cap all, a fashion show in technicolour that surpasses anything of its kind so far placed on the. shadow stage- The chiel masculine role is very well filled by Lloyd Hughes, while George K. Arthur, Charles Murray, and Kate Price are also in the cast. All the popular melodies of this musical comedy' are well rendered by the Paramount orchestra. The prologue will be included in a spei.ial orchestral matinee to-morraw.

“LILAC TIME.” The next attraction at the Grand Opera House, commencing to-morrow evening at 7.50 sharp, is the beautiful “Lilac Time,” presented by J. C. Williamson’s Royal Comic Opera Company. A Sydney critic says: “‘Lilac Time’ is just the delicate, fragrant thing the title suggests. A crowded audience at Her Majesty’s Theatre declared it to bo the most entrancing musical play ever presented on the Australian stage.” “Lilac Time” has a universal appeal. It is not only for the high-brow. Its unique theme, its familiar, yet unusual, melodies, give it a new interest, while the love story, as simple as it is sweet, threads its way through the plot with all the daintiness of a lilac ribbon. Music-lovers will delight in hearing the score of this delightful play.. Some of Schubert’s best-known melodies have been introduced such as “Hark, Hark, the Lark,” “Yours Is My Heart,” and the famous “Serenade,” while the final duet at the conclusion of fho third act, entitled “When the Lilac Blossom Uncloses,” is adapted from the overture of Schubert’s little-known opera, “Rosamunde.” Throughout the play one recognises phrases from most of the, musician's well-known compositions. The Dance of the Children,” in the second act, for instance, is from “Moment Musicale.” A while later one recognises a bar or two from a string quartet. Although these points are only of interest to the musical, the general ensemble possesses indisputable fascination for the average playgoer. The Viennese courtyard, the old-fashioned dresses, the unaccompanied songs sung by Schubert’s jolly comrades; in fact, the whole production is “a thing of beauty and a lov forever.” A great cast includes Claude Flemming, John Ralston, Herbert Browne, Harry Ratcliffe, Sydney Stirling, Eileen Dunne, Beryl Walkely, Adele Crane, Edmund Sherras, Herbert WalK>n, Colin Bell, Kate Towers, Rene Caffyn, Frank Leighton, Molly Tyrell, Linda Foy, and William Perryman. Both the London and Australian productions were staged by Dion Boucicault. The box plans are open for the season at the Bristol.

THE COSSACKS’ RETURN SEASON. Tho Don Cossack Choir are duo to return from their tour of the South Island, with honours thick upon them, on T hursday next, and Mr. E. J. Carroll announces that he has been able to arrange for this famous choir to give two farewell concerts in the Town Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings prior to their departure from Wellington for London by the Ruahine on the following dav. No male choir quite like the Den Cossacks has ever been heard in New Zealand before, and it is unlikely that they will bo matched for many years to come. Musical folk and particularly those who were unable to gain admittance to the previous concerts will appreciate and take advantage of tne two final opportunities afforded. Special programmes are now being prepared by the conductor, M. Serge Jaroft, who will also include a limited number of request items for recalls. Applications for special numbers should be addressed to the manager, the Bristol, where the box plans for both concerts are now on view. The management has fixed the prices as heretofore.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Tod Browning’s master crook film, **The Unholy Three/' a Metro-Goldwyn-Maver production, interpreted by an allstar cast, is the feature which is to commence to-night at the De Luxe> Theatre. The storv is a film adaptation from C. A. Robbins’ work, and was prepared for the screen by Waldemar Young, former police reporter, who is familiar with the life of the underworld. The all-star cast includes: Mae Busch, Lo Chaney. Matt Moore, Victor MacLaglen. Harry Earles, Mathew Betz and several Others. Miss Busch has the featured role, and Chaney, who is consideied a master of the art of making-up, plays a dual role that will not be soon. Th® story has to do with the adventures of three freaks ti'om a museum who organises a band of crooks and operate under the cover of a bn it and animal store. A special score oi music by the De Luxe Orchestra is promised.

EMPRESS THEATRE. “The Ancient Highway.” produced for the screen by Irvin Milhit from the storv by James Oliver Curwood, is the principal feature of the programme which commences to day at the Empress Theatre. Jack Bolt, Billie Dove, and Montagu Love are featured in the leading rotes of the picture. The story is a romance of high hearts and open roads -an outdoor picture of the most virile type. The picture gets its name from the fact that most of the action takes place on a famous stream flotving through the quaint regions of Quebec. Marie Prevost, Monte Blue. Clara Bow, John Roche, and Willard Louis are th® five starring players who enact Kiss Me Again.” the Parisian comedy, ot a voun"- married couple who seek romance, which is the supporting feature. A gazette and screen snapshots will also bo shown.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The programme now being presented at His Majesty’s Theatre is an all-vau-deville bill. Something fresh aptly describes the bright and novel programme by the Taylor-Carlton Pierrots. who occupy the first half. Heralded by a vocal prologue by Mr. J. Aspden. the pierrots sing merrily, dance a little, piav a while, and conclude with a farce grand opera finale. In the second halt Neva Carr-Glynn, a dainty soubrette, sings sweetly, and captivates the audience with her charming smile. Percy McKay, a baritone, is heard in "Shipmates o’ Mine.” "The Imperial Three provide eccentric dances, and Charles Sherman keeps his audience laughing, and finishes with a. humorous parody on the “Shooting of Dan McGrew.” Elton Black nnd his Highland lassie present a turn which goes with a swing, while ■Toni Rees is heard in a fresh series of Irish songs and jokes.

KING - THEATRE. „ , One of the most noted and finely ba’anced casts that has appeared in any recent motion picture is presented in “The Circle,” which is to be shown to-night at the King’s Theatre. The production was directed by Frank Borzage for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Following closely the original play by W. Somerset Mane-ham, the screen version is said to be filled with humorous situations. With a sexiona subject for its basis it

has been treated in a satirical and ironic manner. Alec B. Francis, George Fawcett, Eugenie Besserer, Ma.colm McGregor, and Cheighton Hale are names which appear in the cast. A carefully chosen supporting programme and tuneful musical items by Mr. A. H. Jeromes orchestra will accompany the principal attraction. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The Dixie Merchant”—a Fox Films production, directed by trank Borzage and featuring J. Farrell MacDonald in the title role, with Madge Bellamy and Jack Mulhall, will be shown at the Queen’s Theatre to-day. Into this absorbing story of the South are woven thrills, romance, comedy, and pathos all the ingredients of a successful Picture—entwined in such a way as to hold the interest from start to finish. Added to this the cast fits exceptionally well into the respective parts, and the p ot is devoid of complicating kinks. Claiie McDowell, Edward Martindale Harvey Clark Frank Beal, Evelyn Arden and Onest Conly support » in the picture is cast Cheny-blossom, the fast little racing mare, playing th® part of Marseillaise Excellent music and supports are additional features. ARTCRAFT THEATRE Sir James M. Barries delightful nlav “Peter Pan," which has been the ov‘ ’of the five continents and every stage where civilisation has penetrated, will be screened for the first time at the Artcraft Theatre to-night, also again at to-morrow’s matinee. It is ten reels in length, and the overture by James Haydock commences, at 7.45 p.m. sharp. “A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT.” . The National Repertory Theatre Society, which had John Galsworthy’s “Strife" in rehearsal, has been compelled, owing to the ravages of influenza, to postpone the production of this play, which calls for a cast of twentyfive characters. However, a very satisfactory substitute in Clemence Dane’s “A Bill of Divorcement” is now in active rehearsal, and will bo presented in the Concert Chamber on August 21 23, and 24. The cast will include Mrs. John Hannah, Miss Irene Mason, Miss Mollie Plimmer, and Mrs. Hunter, and Messrs. Waucbop, Greer, Broad, Burden, and McCaw. Mr. Lso dxy Ctiatca® will nrodoco th* nlax.