ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 114, 7 February 1930, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

' REGENT THEATRE. Very wisely, in view of the tremendous interest it is creating, the Regent. Theatre management has decided to extend the season of “The Trespasser,” the Gloria Swanson success that has been drawing crowded houses for the past week. Not for a long time has there been shown a picture which is so strong on all points, story, distinctness of talking, logical sequence of the situations, brilliance of netting, and the lavishness of fashion. Great as she lias been on the silent screen, and much as she endeared herself to popular favour, Gloria Swanson, in this picture, touches the heights. To her dramatic acting she adds a voice strong, clear, and musical so that she is as much to the life as on the actual stage. In the most dramatic moments she is impressive and •gets all that there is to be got out of the situations without overdoing the part or going beyond the bounds of probability. It is notable that although the story is laid in Chicago, it has nothing whatever to do with racketeers, gunmen, or other figures ot crime—a refreshing departure from the succession of Chicago underworld themes. With the upper social strata of the great city for its background, the Him deals with the most pressing problems of modern life. In writing it, the author has worked out a new technique in talking pictures, lie tells his tale simply and naturally, hut packs it full of drama at every turn, with tlie result that the entire cast follow Miss Swanson’s example in giving noteworthy portrayals. There is not one dull momont in “The Trespasser.” which is one of the finest pictures of tiie many wonderful ones shown by the Regent Theatre. The supports are excellent and the programme is one that should not be missed. THE KING’S THEATRE. “The Broadway Melody,” Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer's tremendously successful alldialogue, singing and dancing production, undergoes a return season in Wellington, opening with to-day’s presentation at the King’s Theatre. There are matinees daily at 2.30. Musical comedv and vaudeville dancers, recruited from stage shows in New York and the Pae’fic Coast, have their innings in the first ailtalking, -all-singing, all-dancing musical comedy of the screen, “The Broadway Melody.” Ballets, song ensembles, and other brilliant acts figure in the theatre scenes in this vivid drama of back-stage life. Among the dancing stars are Alice Weaver, New York ilanseuse. Fletcher Norton, known on the stage as the world’s greatest soft-shoe dancer, and-' mainothers. Anita Pagb, Bessie Love, anil Charles King, former New York musical comedy star, head the cast in the new production, the first picture for which special music and lyrics were produced. Arthur Freed and Niicio Herb Brown, famous composers of “The Doll Dance.” worked wltli scenarists and dialogue writers to compose its brilliant “Broadway Melody,” “You Were Made for Me,” “Wedding of the Painted Doll,” and the . rest of the scintillating numbers. The latter was produced as a brilliant stage spectacle filmed in natural colours. ' The new picture is a vivid romance with Miss Page and Miss Love playing a “sister act” of the stage. Box plans arc available at the Bristol.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Elevon ’ o'clock ou Saturday morning will see the New Zealand premiere of the all-coloured talking picture, “On With.the Show,” which is one of ’Warner Bros.’ biggest Vitaphone attractions. Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller have secured this studio’s entire output for 1930, and these directors feel that they could offer . no better entertainment to the film fans of this town. “On With the Show” has other claims to success besides the distinction of being the first all natural colour talkie ever made, and a strong stellar cast is one of these. Betty Compson. Wm. Bakcwell. Sally O’Nell, Louise Fazenda and Joe Browu are quly a few of tlie bignamed artists who are crowded into the personnel of this picture. A huge chorus of some one hundred dainty girls forms i a gay and shifting and their nimble feet make joyous work of the many dancing numbers introduced into “The Phantom Lover,” a gorgeous musical comedy extravaganza, round the production of which the story ot “On With the Show” revolves. Actual scenes are Shown from this musical comedy, and in magnificence and beauty the screen version with its greater scope outvies anything of tlie like ever done ou the stage here. Box plans are now open ,at the Bristol Piano Company. « •■Tangerine)' There was a large audience present at His Majesty's Theatre last night to say good-bye to the popular Freildie Forbes Musical Comedy Company, which has been drawing large crowds to Fuller's for the last live weeks. At the end of the performance of "Tangerine” all the principal members of the company were loudly applauded ajid. many beautiful Howers and other presents were passed up on tlie stage. The company will leave to-uiglit for Nelson. > GRAND OPERA HOUSE. To-night will be the last opportunity of seeing the musical comedy "Whoopee,” which lias highly diverted theatre-goers nightly ever since its opening success last Saturday evening at the Grand Opera House. It is a comedy of quite outstanding merit, aud from tlie fact that it had a long and trcmeudously popular season after its premicro at the Ziegfeld Theatre, New York, local amusemeut-lovers may know that it is something special in the way of entertainment. Another pleasing feature is that it lias beeu produced ■ here reasonably soon after its first American , performance, aud lacks uo freshness in :

music, dancing, or anything else. The play follows the trail recently blazed in musictil comedy, inasmuch as it moves in the open air and wild spaces of the West, and Indians, six-shooters, alkali dust, slapstick comedy and romance get all mixed up in a very jolly manner, to the accompaniment of melodious music and amazingly original dances. Songs, scenery, and terpsichore are all of tile very first order, and the colourful production is as good as anything that has been here locally for a long time. This is undoubtedly a play that should not be missed. “LILAC TIME.” Commencing at the matinee to-morrow, also to-morrow evening and Monday, the company will present a revival of the exquisite, romantic opera “Lilac Time,” which, it is generally conceded, compares more favourably with the best operas ever staged during the past decade. Outstanding numbers in "Lilac Time’! are those which made Franz Schubert famous in the world of music. The play itself is the’ life story of Schubert, and in the role of the great master Mr. John Ralston was responsible for making “Lilac Time” one of the biggest theatrical successes known In Australia and New Zealand when it was originally staged about four years ago. ■ The music was arranged by 11. Berte and G. H. Clutsarn, and the libretto is by Dr. A. M. Willner and H. Reichert. The English version is by Adrian Ross, who also wrote the lyrics. Australian critics have declared that Miss Lilian Crisp plays the part of Lili to the life, and that her delightful soprano voice is heard to the fullest advantage in the charming musical numbers allotted Io this character. The quaint and clever comedy scenes are said to be artistically handled by Mr. Don Nicol, who proved himself In “Whoopee.” a comedian much above the average. Mr. William Perryman lias splendid opportunities as Baron Schober to distinguish himself as an actor and singer. John Ralston will be seen in his original character as Franz Schubert. On Tuesday evening next "The Maid of tlie Mountains” will be presented for one night only, and for the last two nights of the season, commencing with a matinee on Thursday next. “The Student Prince” will be staged. The box plans for the entire season are now open at the Bristol. ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS. At the Town Hall Concert Chamber tomorrow night, Mr. Alexander Watson will commence his sixtli and final tour of the Dominion. The programme chosen for the recital Includes selections from Sir J. M. Barrie’s famous story, “The Little Minister,” with its quaint characterisation laughable Incidents, and stirring events, was one of the outstanding features of Mr Watson’s last tour. The second part of the recital is-devoted to works new to Mr Watson’s audiences, including “The Listeners” (Walter do la Mare). "Tlie World Workers” (“'The Millionaire” and “Tlie Actor"). I>y Harry Graham; "Latighiiia Ann (A. P. Herbert), and new selections from A. A. Milne’s delightful books “Now We Are Six” and “When We Were Ver.i Young.” On Monday night Mr. Watson will revive Ills sensational rendering of John Masefield's thrilling narrative poem. “Tlie Everlasting Mercy.” which created such an extraordinary impression when hr gave it on an earlier tour. The popular entertainer recalls how lie first gave it al the Little Theatre in London. “There Is no doubt that a great many people were startled, nnd some were shocked, at the realism and the violent language of tlie poem,” says Mr. Wntson. "but to my mind there is nothing shocking in II exccpt-thai ( it is true to like, and that such a form of life docs exist. 1 believe that John Mase | field lias done a groat service to our niodcre civilisation be calling attention to It. nnd Ilic possibility of reformation for mon like Saul Kano."’ The first four programmes may lie obtained nt the Bristol. Box plans at the Bristol.