Plays – Players – Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 60, 12 March 1927, Page 25

Plays - Players - Pictures

THE SHOWS. Opera House— "Frasquita," to-nlglit. "Tho Best Pcoiilo" and "Meet the Wife," 16th March: "No No Nanette," 31st March to 14th April. "Abie's Irish Rose," lGth April to 30th April. His Majesty's—Fuller's Vaudeville. HeKcnt—Vaudeville and Pictures. Do Luxe Theatre—Pictures. King's Theatre—Pictures. Artcraft—Pictures. Our Theatre—Pictures. Empress Theatre—Pictures Shortt's Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Pictures. Brllaunla Theatre—Pictures. Queen's Theatre—Pictures. Princess Theatro—Pictures.

It is understood that Miss Ada Keovo will leave for England at the finish ofthe_ Melbourne seasou of the revue, I "Pius and Needles." For the opening night of "Rose Mario" in Melbourne the whole house was sold out within an hour of the opening of the plans. "Fun on the Bristol," the old musical farce so closely associated with the name of the late John E 1 Sheridan, has been revived in Melbourne, with Mr. Frank Neil as the Widow O'Brien (o'Brecon). Nat Phillips (better known, perhaps, as Stiffy, of the popular Stiffy and Mo combination) is due back in New Zealand shortly. His revue company will follow the Midnight Frolics at His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington. "Madame Pompadour" will bo produced in Adelaide shortly by a Williamson comic opera company, with Miss Beppy de Vries, a Continental artist, in the title role. It will be an Easter attraction at Melbourne. ■ Miss Isobel Wilford, daughter of Mr. T. M. Wilford, formerly Leader of the Opposition in the New Zealand House of Representatives, was a great success when playing at short noticj "second lead" in tho American comedy, "The Gold Diggers," by Avery Hopwood, and produced by Messrs. Clayton and Waller at tho Lyric Theatre, London. Miss Wilford has appeared in various minor parts in Australia and New Zealand, her last appearance having been with Mr. Guy Bates Post.

Much interest is being evinced in tho forthcoming production of "The Best People," the vivacious American comedy, which commences at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday next, under the direction of Mr. E. ,T. Carroll. This sparkling comedy, by Avery Hopwood, is said to be crammed with piquant situations, witty dialogue, and merry comedy action. It deals with the cataclysmic sensations suffered by a most exclusively aristocratic Now York family on account of tho romantic adventures of the son and daughter of tho house. The carefully-educated daughter falls in lovo with ler father's own chauffeur, and the son and heir succumbs to tho spell of a Broadway show girl siren. When father and uncle attempt a diplomatic intrigue of interference, the situation develops along hilnrous lines, and comedy's sway sets in with a will. Mr. E, J. Carroll has succeeded in engaging "en bloc" tho identical cast that made such a furore of the productions recently in America. "Tho Best People," played by this company, ran for over twelve months at the Lyric Theatre, London. Tho complete dates for the Now Zealand tour of "Abie's Irish Bosc," tho wonderfully successful comedy, have now been arranged. This recordbreaker (which is being presented by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., under arrangement with Sir Benjamin and Mr. John'Fullor) will open at Auckland on 2!Hh March, tho soason extending to 13th April. A stop will be nuulo at Hamilton, after which tho company will go right on to Wellington, whero tho season will open on 16th April and finish on 30th April. A complete tour of tho South Island follows. On 4th Juno this combination of selected American artists will return to tho North Island, when a rapid tour, embracing Paimerston North, Hawora, Now Plymouth, Wanganui, Napier, Gisborno, Hastings, Dannovirke, and Mastcrton, will be made—ono of the most extensive ever planned for n first-class company.

Tho plans have been prepared for the now picture theatre and cabaret to bo built under tho one roof in the Ota<*on Dunodin. It is claimed that the building will bo ahead of anything of tho kind in Now Zealand. " The seatin" capacity of tho thcatro will approach 2000 porsons, and tho contour of tho property gives to every seat a perfect sight-lino to. tho screen. A stage is also part of tho plnn.

A correspondent in Now York writes by last mail:—"Kveu tho Gilbert and Sullivan operas nre boing.jazzed up. I saw 'Tho Pirates of Pc'nzance' lust week, nnd I kept looking at my programme to sco if I hadn't wandered into another theatre by mistakel" Tlie newly-formed Wellington Amateur Operatic. Society ia to launch out with a production of "FJonidorn" shortly. Mr. Harrison Coolc will act us producer.

Tho dramatic company headed by Miss Muriel Starr is jn Brisbane. "Tho Farmer's Wife," which hud run for three yours in London ciuno off on 29th Jammry. Tho mystery play, "The Ghost Train,' has been drawing capacity houses in Melbourno since tho opening night.

Owing to the multiplicity o£ attractions to appear in Now Zealand under llio .T. C. Williamson regime some of the dates of coming productions have been rearranged. "No, No, Nanette," tho groat London and Australian success (to bo produced by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., under arrangement with Sir J?en-' jamin and Mr. Jolin Fuller), in which Mlsic Prince, Charlton Morton, Jimmy Goddon, and Olive Grant will appear in Now Zealand, will definitely open at tlio Grand Opera House, Wellington, on olst March and run for fourteen days. Tho Auckland season will now open on 14th April and closo on 30th April. A comprehensive tour of Now Zealand is boing arranged, but Mr. Bert Boyle (Now Zealand representative of ,T 0 Williamson, Ltd.) has not yet completed details. Cables are daily passing between Now Zealand and Australia, and as showing the intensive ramifications of tho firm no loss than twenty cable messages dealing with the tours of No, No, Nanette," and "Abie's Irish Boao" wore dispatched in two days. Musical Notes.

Tho Beethoven centenary, which falls on 26th March, is to be celebrated in almost every country in the world. In Germany, tho native land of Beethoven, there is to bo a great musical festival, and leading musicians tho world over have been invited to attend and participate in tho production of somo of Beethoven's immortal works. Important, if less imposing, celebrations will be hold in all lauds. In Wellington Siguor Lucien Ccsaroni is arranging a festival in conjunction with Messrs. Chas. Begg and Co., Ltd., at his concert studio (262, Lainbton quay), and it will be spread ovor three nights, 22nd, 23rd, and 26th March. It is intended to purchase a bust of the great composer and to present it to the Art Gallery as- a fitting way of marking this great occasion. Those who would give to tho project a larger help that will be constituted by their attendance at tho festival are invited to send their contributions to Signor Ccsaroni. The Chrisfchurch Orchestral Society,

proposes to commemorate the Beethoven Geiitenary with an all-Beethoven programme at its nest concert. Three big items, the No. 2 "Leonora" Overture, the "Eroica" Symphony, and the Jiinperor" Pianoforto Concerto, will IUI up the two hours' programme. With such a Beethoven-lover as Mr. AngUß Gunter at the conductor's desk, tho performance should be 3 notable one. -the piano on which Chopin composed Ins Funeral March, on which he played Ins last concert in Paris in 1848, and on which the Countess Potocka played to him as he lay dying, has . been brought to America, to be shown on a tour for the benefit of the unfortunate French musicians wounded in the World War. This is probably the only occasion on which it ever will leave France. Saving the musical instruments in historic churches has grown almost into a crusade in Europe, and especially in France. Retaining the fine old timbre, with improved action and modern delicate nuances added, has been the aim; and among those recently restored is that in the Church of Saint-Gervais at Falaise, built in 1872, and one of the earliest of the larger type. Pietro Mazzini, a prodigy composer of eight years old, and hailed as a second Mozart, has been received in special audience by Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, the "young master" having written an oratorio for the event. His one thousandth appearance as Mcphistopheleo in "Faust" was celebrated by Marcel Journet, the French basso, recently, when he interpreted this role in a performance of Gounod's work with the San Francisco Opera Company. The Pictures.

With her knowledge of studio conditions throughout America, Miss Eva Novak, world famous American star, introduced in mako-up and general screen techniquo numerous new angles, which will, no doubt, tenefit not only Australia's greatest production to date, "For the Term of his Natural Life," a Master picture, to bo released at au early date, but will have a noticeablo effect on all future productions. Miss Novak as Sylvia Vickers' reveals a new aspect of acting. "Prowlers of the Night" is a Universal Western, in which Barbara Kent makes her first appearance on the silver screen. Unliko many less fortunate, Miss Kent was not compelled to go through the grind of extra -.york to roach her goal. A beauty contest in Hollywpod, a screen test, and she was a leading woman. Her talent, howover, was unmistakable from the first, and the test was all that was needed to reveal her capabilities. Pola Negri will be seen next in Paramount's "Hotel Imperial." It gathers its name from tho hotel at which Pola is a servant and which during tho early.' | days of the war is a maelstrom of hectic life. Pola Ncgri has James Hall as her leading man in tho role of an Austrian cavalry officer, while George Soigmann plays the role of a Russian general. "Tho Auctioneer" is one of the latest productions to bo completed at tho Fox studios. Tho action of tho film shifts from Now York's east sido to Biversido Drive, as tho auctioneer climbs on the social ladder, but when tho crash comes his hoart remains tho same, and his trust in his loved ones is unshattcred. Blasco Ibauez's best selling novel, "Mario Nostrum," with its captivating story of tho seduction from loyalty and duty of a Spanish sea captain by a boautiful German female spy, lias scored an unusual success as a motion picture. Directed by Box Ingram, producer of "Tho Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, '' for .Metro-Gold wyn-Mayor, "Mnrie Nostrum" ran for seven and a half months at the Criterion Theatre on Broadway. Antonio Moreon and Alice Terry are tho stars. "Mademoisello Prom Armontieres," (lie Gaumout-British picture, roleascd by Mastor Pictures, happily described as a soldier's story of tho Great War, is a now British film which, in sentiment and sincerity, glorifies the fictitious littlo French heroiuo, and makes her ono of tho most loved characters over seen on the screen. This mythical hcroi'uo of tho war, played by Kstollo Brody, is hero shown to have been a secret servico agent of first-class importance, but tho story hardly matters when compared with the humour and pathos of its unfolding. Tho dramatic applications of soldiers' songs to many incidents is one oi' tho finest illustrations of film art seen for many a day. For the benefit of thoso who have never vend Gertrudo Atherlon's powerful jiov.<), "The Perch of tho Devil,"' King Bnggot, Universal director of tho film version, explains that tho atrango title is taken from tho name of a mine which figures prominently in the story, llio mythical mino is located in Buttc Montana, where most of tho story takes place. Mao Busch and Pat O'Mallev pliiycd the featured roles in tho pic", tiiro. Ford Sterling, a Paramount player, started Ins acting caroor aboard a show boat upon tho Mississippi. Ho plays a featured rolo in Marshall Neilan's picture, "Everybody's Acting," with Butty Bronson, Louiso Dresser, :unl Henry Wnlthall. Bessie Lovo makes a welcome -return to tho screen in "Going Crooked," a J'ox picture which will shortly bo soon here. For a year and a half sho has been away from tho camera. Her last Fox picture was "Gentle Julia," made some four years ago. Miss Love appears as the female member of a gang of jewel thieves who are outwitted by tho man she loves. Many were tho misadventures and happenings, some serious, others ludicrous, that occurred during th weeks that it took to bring tho Master picture "Don Juan" to completion. The Barry more in the rolo of "Don Juan" finished production which is duo for early release, amply repays all the effort that went into its making. John Barrymoro in the rolo of "Don Juan," acquits himself splendidly, and he is supported by Estollo Taylor, Holeiio Costello, Phyllis Haver, and Helen Lee Worthing. Adolphe Menjou is a dispenser of luxury m Mario Corelli's "Sorrows of Satan," which D. W. Griffith has produced for Paramount. As Satan ho feasts the eyes of Geoffrey Tempest played by Bicardo Cortcz, on scenes of splondour. Others in the cast are Carol Dempster and Lye do Puttf. Fox Films have adapted James Oliver Curwood's romance, "Tho Country Beyond," to the screen, and tho pictured vorsion of this adventure story will shortly bo released here. Olive Borden, Balph Graves, and J. Farrell MacDonaid play the leading roles.