ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 101, 24 January 1927, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

MARIE BURKE IN “KATJA.” To-night at S o’clock the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management will present Miss -Marie Burke, Mr. It. Barrett Lennard, Cecil Kellaway, and a brilliant company of specially selected comic opera and musical comedy artists, numbering over 76 people, tn n luagnilicent production, for the first time here, of the latest London comic opera triumph, “Katja, ’’ which Ims proved tho most successful musical play staged by the. Williamson management during the past fifteen years rTlic scenery and effects for “Katja” arrived some days ago, and Ute company reached Wellington on Saturday night by a special train from Wanganui. Although tile booking is excellent there are still a large number of available seats in the dress circle and reserved stalls which may be reserved from f) o’clock this morning nt the Bristol, or they may be procured at the theatre this evening. Tickets for the enrly door stalls and gallery may be purchased at the Grund Opera House confectionery shop. Miss Burke is endowed with an uncommonly attractive stage presence and a gracious, persuasive personality. Miss Burke is also a brilliant actress, and she possesses a soprano voice of exceptional quality and range. Critics of Australia and Auckland were unanimous in declaring that she has scorred her best triumph ns Katja, which is a part that may have been written for this talented artist, 'The noted young London comedian. Mr. Barrett Lennard will make his first appearance here this evening in the role of Leander lillldroff, in which he has scored an outstanding success. He is a light comedian, and his burlesque dancing is one of the features of the production. That sterling character-comedian, Mr. Cecil Kellaway, who will be remembered for his splendid work in “The Cabaret Girl” and "A Night Out," is said to be most entertaining and amusing as Count Orpiteh. “Katja" is brimming over with pretty melodies, beautiful musical numbers, it unfolds a romantic and thrilling love story and the magnificent stage settlings and the gorgeous frocking are special features of tl’fe production, which was produced by Mr. Charles A. Wcnmiin. A. full operatic orchestra and chorus are under the direction of Mr. Harry Burton and Mr. H. C. Nightingale is the stage manager. Altogether there arc over 80 people concerned in the production of “Katja.” REGENT THEATRE. The thrill and lure of life back-stago is portrayed in all its realism in "Tlio Marriage Clause," now screening at the Regent Theatre The picture concerns the career o Sylvia Jordan, an inexperienced gir) who is given an opportunity by Barry Townsend, a famous stage director. As he develops her career, he finds that lie is falling in love with her. Unknown to him she reciprocates his affection, but he believes that her heart is given to Ravenal, the producer. Gradually heb star rises, and with her rjso Townsend descends lower and lower in the social and theatrical scale. He begins to feel that she needs him no longer, and he becomes full of despair w»lh his separation from the firm. Sylvj.’s big night arrives, when she is to make her premier In a new play without Barry’s guidance. She is unable to appear owing to the absence of her beloved Townsend, lint Ravenal deceives her into thinking that the manager is present. Stimulated, she makes her appearance, and achieves an outstatnding triumph, nknown to both, Townsend is in the audience, and his heart becomes hitter to think that she is able to make her success without him. From then on the story takes a most original twist, and the audience is kept in suspense until the final foot of the last reoh A brilliant east delineates the various roles, with Biliie Bove and Francis X. Bushman in • the leading parts. Warner Gland is the producer in the photoplay, and Grace Barmont is a jealous actress. Other members include Henri LaGarde, Caroline Snowden, Oscar .Smith, Andre Cheron, Robert Hadley. Charles Mcakin. Henry Victor, and Robert tjeiter. _ "The. Marriage Clause" is an interesting example of tlie "woman’s angle" in pictures, being directed by a woman. Aside from the picture’s real, outstanding worth, this point alone should be one of marked interest to the playgoer. The supporting films include a gazette, scenic, and comedy, while quality was the keynote of the vaudevilo turn .provided by the Aerial Smiths. These clever artists perform on thei trapezes with outstanding elegance and daring, while an entertaining programme of incidental music is provided by the Regent orchestra, under the baton of Mr. 11. Hixon. THE MIDNIGHT FROLICS. The Midnight Frolics have scored another success in their fourth programme, and vaudeville patrons are getting a class of entertainment that is eminently satisfying. Their fifth presentation, which will commence to-night, promises to be in every way equally as varied and brilliantly distinctive as all their offerings to date. Indeed, it seems that they cannot do things in a mediocre fashion, and from Hie very beginning have set themselves n very high standard, which to them, is easily maintained as the weeks go by. Atmosphere, or at least 75 per cent, of it, is necessary in any successful business ot today. This applies in a greater degree to tlie theatrical profession, and flint is tile reason for tlio continued success of tlie Midnight Frolics at His Majesty’s Theatre. They have created tin atmosphere ot tlie most friendly and intimate type that it is possible to imagine. From the rise to tlie fall ot of tlie curtain, this is apmirent to tlio most casual observer. The comedy is clean, and of the brightest and most laughable nature, and tn Clem Dawe Wellington has one of the very best, if not, tlio best, comedian who bits ever performed o”. tlie vaudeville stage. The musical standard of th show is one that is rarely peen, likewise in Miss Phyllis Amery and tlie Dick-Dorothy Trio tlio company has some exceptionally brilliant dancers. Sous items’, too, are of good ’ Quality, and some very fine vocalists add to ths success ot the show. The settings also arc always of a most attractive nature and this week when, by arrangement with Hugh -T. Wa d Theatres. Ltd. the Midnight Frolics will oresent excerpts from that very successful London revue. "Rockets.” the drossing and mounting will ba on a very lavish wale—being the exact scenery, wardrobe, and affects. that were used at the Palladium Theatre. London As those who have been fortunate enough to see “Rockets" before aver it is elaborately staged ami extremely funny, and patrons can expect a high y tiiwina prosramrnn th fa week, and one which ?t is , anticipated will make tlie Mmnieht 1 ro- • lies more popular than ever. Bookings are very heavy for every performance. , and it is advisable to make early aiulication for seats. • DE LUXE THEATRE. “The Big Parade.” the Metro-Goldwyn-Maver film’ now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. is not a war story, though it has frequently been described ns such. It is true that the world conflict docs enter into it. but first and foremost rt is an enthralling story of youth, love, and devotion, sharply outlined ngninst the flaming horizon of battle. Jelling one cf the virulent and most appealing love stories ever brought to the screen, “The His Parade” deals not with nations or with armies, but with individuals who. in the midst of life and laughter, tiro suddenly brought face to face with the tragedy o war. The story is of the hrin-ring toeether of three bojti from widely differinti walks of life. John Gilbert.. Renee Adoreo. Karl Dane, and Tom O’Brien arc the four plavers who make tins one cf the rrentest of pictures. Special matinees tpke" place daily, at which an added attraction is the presence ot the r.relirsTra. At the evening performances a further attraction will he the presentation of the dramatic sccna. with lighting /"whs. “The Drcnm bf tlio .Big Parade, by Mr. Thomas C. Wood. the eminent baritone.’ “MOON OF ISRAEL.” “Moon of Israel." the picture from the pen of one of the greatest of English writers Sir Rider Haggard, will commence screening at the De Luxe theatre on Friday night next with a matinee, on Saturday at 2 30 n.m. Sir iltder Haggard’s famous novel is faithfully translated to tlie screen, titled by the great novelist himself, and interpreted by a cast of international artists, namely Arlette Mrrclial. Addotii Mil’ar. and Moria Corda. with over 20,000 people in tlie big scenes. A tragedy of history—a revenge far centuries of wrong doing—is hroimht to the screen in the crossing of the Bed

Sea and the destruction of .he hosts of Phataoh in this romance of ancient Egypt. No author is more familiar with the background tnilised in the story than Sir Rider Haggard, who has already endeared himself to lovers of deep and interesting fiction. Arlette Marchal, the noted French beauty and actress, is seen with Maria Corda and Adelqui Millar m the leading roles, whilst an enormous cast, the eciual of which has not been seen on the screen in years is necessitated bv the nature of tlie story. It is claimed that “Moon of Israel" lias been produced on a scale that lias never lice.i attained h-fore and can hardly lie expected to be ■urpassed in the future A bcautifu musical programme lias been promised With excellent supports. , The box plans arc at tlie Bristol. Aitken s book aicade oi eeats may be reserved at tho theatre, ’phone 23-CBO.

KING’S THEATRE. . All those in search <n something ’V, pictures should see lascinating a Paramount production now ’creening to crowded houses at the King s * Teddv Ward, wealthy society idlci. tails ,n love with Jeanne King a W r ee.iwi<li Village sketch artist, much to Irts h.tl.ci m annoyance, who Has his heart C e on gnn’e marrying a society uni. 1,1 order to make good, accepts a PO: 1 , 110 " as manager of Mountain Inn. a mutei I - sort hotel that has always failed to make money. With tht* of 'us Greenwich Village friends. Ward starts a whirlwind advertising campaign, the main lea Jure of which is an offer of a 10.000 prize to tc winner ol a 100 mue boat race His brother refuses to sanction his sensational advertising ideas and also stops payment on tlie check. In desperation. Rogers hits upon tlie idea to unite a croup of well-known movie sturs to the carnival. The fact that ins lather has stopped payment on the cheque does not worry tlie young hotel proprietor for his friend and'crack ice-boat racer Randy Furness has promised to enter, win it and then refuse the prize but at toe last moment the world's champion iceboat racer arrives and upsets this plan, t’his is onlv the beginning of tlie young man’s troubles which happily end "as vou like it.” There is an excellent supporting programme while pleasant musical selections arc provided by the Kings orchestra. “THE MAN WITH A LOAD OF MISCHIEF.” Tlio National Repertory Theatre Society will produce at the Concert Chamber on Suturdav next and on the following Monday and Tuesday for tlie first, time in New Zealand Ashley Duke’s period comedy in three acts “The Man IVitii a Load of Mischief." m which Miss Mollie I’limnicr. tlie clever young Wellington amateur, will make her last appearance before her departure for London to pursue her dramatic studies. Miss TTimnicr will have, in association Miss Rosalind Atkinson, Miss Louise Hall. Mr. W. S. Wattchop. Mr. Robert Charlton and Mr. E. S. Baldwin under the direction of Mr, Leo du Chateau. This enchanting comedy of tlie Regency was first produced by the London Stage Society and had immediate and sustained success. No fewer than three, leading ladies exhausted their contracts during the engagement. ’The Man With a Load of Mischief.’’ is tlio talc of My Lady, tlio Prince’s mistress, who while flying from the roue meets with a coach accident and is res,•tied by a nobleman of tlie court and ids lackey. During an enforced adjourn at a wayside inn, the lady finds by experience that the lackey is more worthy of iter lovo than hia master. The exquisite language the witty dialogue, the very pleasing period costumes and seeing of tlie comedy arc said to make it a delight to tlie eye and to the car. QUEEN’S THEATRE. A treat is in store for those who have not seen the programme at tlie. Queen’s Theatre where Fox Films’ latest production. “No Man’s 'Gold.” adapted from J. Allan Dunn’s widely read novel of tho V/cst. is now showing. The producers have done well by Tom Mix In providing him with a real story, rich in drama and incident, and with many opportunities for the versatile star to perform eonie feats of daredevil riding, scaling the faces of perpendicular cliffs aided by Tony, ,ntid other equally hair-raising tricks. But these feats of skill and daring arc a part of a logically developed story and are a necessary part of tho plot. “No Man’s Gold” deals with the discovery of a fabulously rich niine, the map showing how it was to be ’ound, a man, a, gM and tho orphaned son of the discoverer of the mine. Mix is he cowpuncher. Eva Novak, as Jane Rogers, tlie rodeo star, is back with Mix in one of tho best of her many famous roles. Four other screen favourites give splendid portrayals of their roles. The supports include a gazette, scenic and a comedy with a special score of music by the orchestra.