Plays-Players-Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 23

Plays-Players-Pictures

■■' ■"■"■:' THE SHOWS. • ■:':'... Town Haiiw-"-'!-•■-.""-•"■■-. ;;:.-.: ■'■••;. - • ' Ori;an.,nedtal l every Sunday,; 5.30 p.m. Opera Mouse— " " ', ■ ■'■'■'■ ' . ■ Midnight Frolics, commences to-night. Allan Wllkie, Shakespearian ConlniUiy, SOtli January. ■ His Majesty*— Kevuc. Regent—Vaudeville and i'lcturcs. He Luie Theatre—Pictures. Paramount Theatre—Pictures. King's Thefttre^Pictures. Artrr*ft Theatre—Pictures. . Our Theatre'— Piatufea. .' ■- .-•■'■"'. " Shortt's Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Pictures. .. - . . Britannia Theatre—Picture*: -■■■:■'';':■■ ■ ■■■■'■ Queen's Tlieatro—l'lc'tufes. .' .. ' : '„'..•..'*■■. ,-.■,. Princess Theatra^PiOfufes.. ■ '"" ',■'" " '"' Kllbirnle Klnema—Pictures... .. !■'.»., - .'■

Nicolai the magician, has returned to Australia- after sevi years' absence, *nd haa opened a season in Melbourne. Georges Carpentier, tho former boxing- Champion, has an English dancing partner, Noel CardCw, in his act in Vaudeville. "The Desert Song," with the New Zealander, Lance Fairfax, in the lead, is a tremendous success in Melbourne, where it is in its eighteenth wee"k. After' the Wellington season, which opens on 26th January, the Allan Willcie Shakespearean Company will probably tour the South Island before going nerth. "The White Eagle," a musical version of "The Squaw Man," was produced in England last month, with Derek Oldham and Winnie Melville in the leads. "Up in Mabel's Uoom" is being piorluced in Sydiiey by Frank Neil. The cotnpany includes 55am Clinton, Ivy RaJ'e, Nellie Hull, Grace Quiner, Joe Eoi, William O'Hanlon, .Frank Daniels, and Tom Barton, ' In the "Family Upstairs," the new Anjeriean farce-coniedy in Sydiiey, six Americans—Loona Hogarth, Leonard Doyle 1, Wyrlic Birch, Evelyn Wado, Elizaboth Moars, Raymond Van Sicklo —head the cast, assisted by Mary Curtaijn and Ethel Saker. Manuel Hyiiian has been appearing at -the Crystal Palace, Christehureh. Francis Lister, who created something of a sensation by withdrawing hurriedly from the Margaret Bannerman Company in Sydney and returning to England, is 1 supporting Senee Kelly in "The Lovelorn Lady" in England. Humphrey Bishop is doing good business at tho open-air Gardon Theatre in Adelaide. Still with the show are Walter Kingsley, "Seratcher". Boss, Mane Landon, Elaine Maye, Alan Kitson, Thelma Trott, John Montfort, and Arthur Helmsley. The last nights of "The Vagabond ivnig, starring". James Liddy, Strella WiJsoii, and Arthur Stigant, are announced in Sydiiey. Thecompany will govto Melbourne, "The Patsy," with irejle Homer.in tho lead, ia also in its last;weeks there. This simple little Coiftedy has been a tremendous success in Australia. It comes to New Zealand; shortly. ■ ; Lieutenant-Commander John Philip fcousa, who is now on his fiftieth anniversary tour of America/ was made an honorary citizen of Milwaukee when ftd*isitea that city last month. Sousa's tour .this season is his fiftieth as a conductor, and also the thlrtysixth annual tour of his own band. Although he is m^nia seventy-fifth year, tho present •our, which began in July, has taken him-from coast to coast, and is one of the most strenuous ho has ever undertaken.

It is said that the takings for eight performances'.of Mi". Charles B. Coellniil's "This Year of Grace" in New \oik amounted to about £8140. This is stated t6be-«'i record for' tho United States. Mr. Mark Hambourg, the pianist, appeared on the stage of the Central Hall, | Bristol, in a wheeled chair to give a long-promised recital, for which there was;a gathering of about 2000 people, It appeared that lie- had suffered a knee injury, and luul to be carried into the hall,; _ The audience gave him a great reception. ' ■■■..■■ ■';■■ M. .Vladimir de Pachmann did & handsome sol-vice to the cause of opera in .London by giving a Ohopin recital at tho Coliseum-in aid of the funds of tho Imperial League of Opera. The veteran pianist-Hie is 80—-was in good spirits, and with the section of the audiene'e who were seated on the stage he discussed freely concerning the pieces he played. To begin With, the lights were not right for him, and he made picturesque representations to the attendants in the wings. The audience weie charmed by his delicate playing. The programme included the rarelyheard Scherzo in B. Semarkable scenes occurred at the close of Paderewski's Chopin piano re-cit|l*^-his'last jin London this season— at Jtho' Albert Hall. The programrno laAtod for two and a quarter hours, with only a three-minutes interval. But the Audience clamoured for more. Pade^ reTfgki returned and played three pieces Without stopping. . This so excited the audience that people gathered around the platform shouting out their favourite; pieces, and Padei'owski came back again, and again, giving in all nine encores,;-..' The crowd then tried to get on to..the platform, find Paderewski had t6 bo protected by a fireman, who stood: behind him and kept people back from the piano.l". • Eventually, the piano '.Was. closed, and the people loft the hall. The extra recital lasted for three-quarters of an hour.

Mr. Andre Skalski, who conducted the' New South Wales State Orchestra at ;6Jio stage of its career after the departure of Mr. Verbrugghen for America, and who is known in New Zealand as a pianist, has settled in Chicago, where he has established the Skalski Orchestra of 70 members.

The committee of the Wangfinni Atnateur'Operatic Society submitted its ropdrt as follows:—"The two productions urideV review are 'The Naughty Wife,' a comedy produced by Mr. S\ O. Bridgemaft, in Wanganui and also in Hawera; and the musical farce 'High Jinks,' produced for six night 3by Mr. Harison Cook. The four-night season of 'The Naughty Wife 1 resulted in a loss to the society of £66 approximately. The committee then accepted the invitation of the Hawera Society to play two nights there and sharo on basis of CO per cent, for us and 40 per cent, for Hawera. Owhig to lack of any support from the Hatt'tira Society, this also resulted in 8, less. The committee in August last produced 'High Jinks.' The takings, hdweVer, did not come up to expectations—entertainments of any kind were not drawing big, houses, and a further loss resulted, but was reduced by £100 by hire of scenery to Hamilton and Mastflrtoh Societies. The balance-sheet shows a total loss, including general ex-penses,-for the year of £2G2 5s lOd, and places the finances of the society in an unsatisfactory, position. The accumulated fund now stands at £309 14s lOd. Sundry creditors to date of balance amount to £107 3s lid, a,s against cash in'bank and Post Office— £56 18s 9a." .-■■--

A new musical farce, "Lucky Girl," has met with an excellent reception, alike, from critics and public, and one gees good leason to anticipate a long run fOr this new and very clever musical farce in which catchy vocal numbers abound. Many of the songs and duets should be. heard .outside the theatre. The* story is from the pen of Captain Begrnald Berkeley', who now hasjiuito a lojig.'Jist M good plays to his credit. Messrs. By A. <Meyer and B. J. Carroll aro-associated in the management. An American critic finds fault with Kreisler: "Chief among local recitals

were two given by Elman and Kreisler. The latter,,gave;one of v the programmes he has "mudbi familiar; .'through several; years of public- appearances, satisfactory,; to.t.liosb"!addicted, to musical titbits";, i-jlinan, ph. the other .■.hancljivag a- reyela-:-ti'oii) a now■Elmaii, one;who now controls His fiery temperament, who ..has gained immeasurably in poise and in the intel-. lcctiiah apprehension of-the 1 music he plays,, without losing' Other great.qualifications: of technique and brilliance.' ' MisS,Boris :Sytoes' "'liasV returned: to Wangaiiui from Sydney, whore she has been studying; Singing.; Those,who have hoat'rl the ■' Waiiganui contralto .since' her 1-oturn speak enthusiastically of the development of her voice* particularly in the''lower register. • Miss . Symes's Ultimate objective is London.

The Fullers have secured ihe lights in Australia of "Billy," a George M. Cohan musical play. Mr. John Tait has announced that Madame Anna Pavlova, the famous dancer,-will again visit Australia, opening in Sydney about Eastei. He met Madame Galli-Curci on the occasion of her recent New York recital at Carnogie Hall "She is singing ns well as ever," he says, "and is thinking of revisiting Australia in 1930." I see by an Art m'agazino that Mr. Arthur Hirst, F.R.S.A., is to lecture in New Zealand in March next, writes "C Sharp'/ in the "Wanganui Chronicle." I first met Mr. Hirst nearly thirty years ago, when we were members of sister dopaitments in the Government service, and used to meet regularly in the discharges of our duties. Even in those days Arthur Hirst was an enthusiastic pianoforte student and had ambitions to go abroad. I lost sight of him for some years, and then met him in the London offlco of tho Bank of New Zealand, the staff of which he was just leaving to proceed to Paris for the purpose of studying under Harold Bauer. Returning to England in 1920, I learned incidentally through one of the large music houses that the New Zealand pianist was meeting with considerable success throughout England as a musical lecturer, illustrating his addresses with performances upon the piano. I do not think Mr. Hirst has , visited his native land since his departure twenty years ago or more, and I hope that his tour of the Dominion will be a great success. Mr. Hirst is a brother of Mr. J. W. Hirst, of Okoia.

Miss Polly M'Laren was the principal danseuse in the pantomime, "Beauty and the Beast," produced by Fullers' Theatres, Ltd., at the Mel-bourne.-Palace over the Christmas time. Donations of two important orchestral" scores were acknowledge at a committee meeting of the Christchureh Orchestral Society. .The president of the society (Mr. R. A. Horhe) presented the complete, score of Rossini's MLa Boutique Fantastique," aitd a-sub-scriber (Mr,, W; C. Collins) the overture to "William Tell" by the same composer. The society has only a small library of'its Own, most of the works pel-formed being borrowed from other centres in the Dominion. This is the case with most musical organisations in the Dominion, and the cost of hiring i music amounts to a considerable sum each season. Gifts such as those recorded above come as a welcome contribution to the library of any society, and j they go a long way in encouraging those concerned to persevere in the good work they ; are endeavouring to do. They constitute also a very practical expression of appreciation of that work. "Olla Podrida" offers -congratulations to the 1 Christehureh society in its good fortune and hopes the example set may be-emulated in other centres by those who could in such a way assist musical societies. . .'••".

The Dave Meredith 1 Jazzßand,' which finished with. the Ward'Be vud Company in Wellington, has now rejoined it again in Brisbane.

Mr. Alfred isunee, comedian, and Miss Ruth Nugeiit, whose engagement for Australia has already been announced in the eaVjle : messages, are to leave: America for this part of the World in time to begin their tour in January in the comedy "Pigs," which has had a run of more than a year in New York. Their repertory also includes "Laff That Off* and "Little Accident," Mr. Tait speaks highly of th" American' Revolutionary - play, ''Dearest Enemy. >> Miss 'Helen Ford, Who achieved great success in the New York production as Betsy Burke, is to play the title-role in the Williamson production of "The Patsy," in London in a few weeks' time. '

Mr. John Tait, of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., who recently arrived by the Niagara from' a tour abroad, announces a number of theatrical attractions which have been acquired by that organisation for' Australia and New Zealand. These include. "The Show Boat," now prosperously running in London, at Drury Lane, and in New York, at the Ziegiield Thositi'e; "The New Moon," one of the hits of the new : season in New York; '<Virginia," in which Messrs. beorge Gee and John Kirby and Miss Emma Haigh have won so much popularity by their cpmedy: in the London production ■at the. Palace; "Mr. Cinders," another musical play; "Lady Mary," the Daly's musical comedy, for which Messrs. Frederick Lonsdale. and J. Hastings Turner hayb collaborated in the' "book," to the music by Albert Sirmay; "A Damsel in Distress," the play adapted by lan Hay and P. G. Wodehouse from the latter 's novel, and now successfully running in London at the New Theatre, with Miss Clarice Hardwieke prominent in a comedy fole; "The Squeaker," another of Mr. Edgar Wallace's mystery plays; "Plunder," the now Ben Trevors piece, and Mr. John .van Dreten's piny "Young I Woodley*" . .

Itichard Barthelmess is so consistent' ly .g66d an actor that one should no longer be. surprised at his versatility, In "Scarlet Seas" ho appears as a hardened, youngster sailing the Pacific in the crudest brand of "hell-ship." The story sweeps swiftly back from life aboard'ship .to the hectic gaiety of dance halls, and back again to the climax, a mutiny that is realism personified. Betty Compson as a dancer who yearns for better things—and finds them—acts with her usual verve and finish. : ■ Dorothy Mackaill and Milton Sills have finished-."His-Captive Woman," which has, been adapted from Dorm Byrne's fine novel "Changeling." Thelma .Todd, Chester Cdnklin, and Barbara Bedford are the principal players responsible for most of the suspense in the.ihystery-melodraina, "The Haunted House. '•* .All; the eeriness and creepiness of every other mystery picture seem ■to have been gathered into this one. ' Margaret Livingstone played the most difficult role of her career in "The Beleamy Trial," which opens in Wellington shortly. . Miss Livingstone enacted the part of tho murdered woman, some of tho scenes demanding that she remain hunched up on the floor for more than half an hour. Leatrico Joy appears in the leading role, atid the elaborate supporting .* cast includes Betty Bronson, George' Berraud, Kenneth Thompson, Margaret Seddon, Eddie Nugent, Polly Moran, and Kalla Pasha.

Four years ago in the "Thief of Bagdad" we got a glimpse of a little actress, Anna May Wong. She had only a small part then —a Mongolian slave. For years little has been heard 6\£ the Americafl-bdrn Ghincso 'girl, "a Small part here, another there, "types" mainly calling for little 01 no acting,

and now suddenly with no more warning than an invitation to a ■ private view, Anna May Wong hasblazed into a star of the first'magnitude in "Show Liie>" a, British picture which will be scon shortly in Now •Zealand. '

A notable feature of the modern picture industry at the beginning of the year vtas the" d/aspicUourl success made by British pictures at Wellington, Auckland, and Dunedin. At Wellington, "Sailors Don't Care," "The Battles of Coroner and Falkland Islands," and Anthony Asquith's "Shooting Stars' 1' attractejl large and enthusiastic audiences; at Auckland, "The Eoses of Picardy," played to capacity houses, while at Dunedin "The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant "was splendidly lVjeivedl. These pictures were all released by British Dominions Films, Ltd., and if the same excellent standard can be "maintained-'in" "future releases, the success.of British films in New Zealand will be assured. .

The Maidi Gras sequence in "Name the Woman", is a replica of the celebration in New Orleans. It shows one of the balls in full swing with hundleds of extras in gorgeous costumes.: Their costumes, were especially design-, ed for tho occasion and represent some of the creations worn at the elaborate celebrations which took place during the Elizabethan and Louis XIV. periods. Anita Stewart wears n mask which, is a work of art, and Oaston Glass, Iluiltly Gordon, Chappell Dosscti,. Julianne Johnston, and Jed Prouly havu important roles in the production ' "His House in Order," adapted from the famous stage play by Sir Arthur Pinero, will bo released in Wellington shortly. Sir Arthur Pinero, the master craftsman of the British stage, has put his best work into this story. Ilia brilliancy in plot construction and dramatic situations is tellingly reflected in the picture, which, is absorbing throughout. The cast is headed by Tallulah Bankihead, who is now generally acclaimed as the greatest actress on the British stage. Though only twenty-five years of age, Miss Bankhead has an individuality, a piquance, and o style all her own. All the delightful comedy usually associated with Colleen Moore's pictures combined with excitement, magnificent spectacles, and tense romance, all these are present in "Love Never Dies." With its entrancing locale, a French village whore British airmen are billeted, this gieatest of all Colleen Moore's pictures holds the interest from beginning to end. Miss Moore ia ideal asi the little French girl "Jeanine," while Gary Cooper leaves nothing to be desired as the hero, a British'ace.

"The Exploits of the Ernden" is 'soon to be released in New Zealand. "The Emdcn "'shows something of the perils of the sea and the horror of those four years" of war. The values are never strained, while the story has plenty of variety that enhances*the interest. The actual battle between the Emden and H.M.A.S. Sydney is a marvellous bit of realism, while the exploits depicted as leading up to it are indeed absorbing. Here is a magnificent liner, the passengers disporting them' selves gaily in the luxurious 1 Swimming baths, or lounging about the magnificence of ita r saloons, when i news !is brought that the raider Emderi'is sighted, .; Those were panic-filled days when a foe, so small, yet.so ruinous, Spread consternation through Allied countries. "T)ie Emden" deals with unusually interesting material ,in an iniusually interesting manner,"

If all the penitentiaries were run like the one Karl Dane and George K. Arthur were in during the filming of "Brotherly Love/ which opens iti Wellington shortly, there Would be very little congestion in' criminal Courts. For all the convicts would plead guilty at every iipportunity so they migilt enjoy the collegiate gaol such as shown in the new comedy feature.

Laura La Plante's third picture following "Show Boat,'.' -has' bcjjn chose^ 'It .is "The Compromise," I>y rEdward <J. Montague. It will be released undei 1 the title of I "That Blonde.'! "'Snow Boat" has been completed, with the exception of the extensive sound features which Will, accompany it. :'.. The cast of "The Pirate of Pananiit" j has been announced. Natalie Kingston, on: accbunt 'of'her success in "Tarzan" the Mighty" will have tho leading role, with Buffalo' Bill, juh. Others in the" cast include Al Ferguson, Geol-ge Cray, andrMay Suttcin. I;■> ; ' ■

"Poppies of Flinders," recently screened at tho Capitol in Sydney, will have,its New Zealand premioie shortly in Auckland, "Poppies of tflandcis" is not another war picture, it is a pitlure of a man's redemption and the power of a woman's influence, and it is a picture which brings home to all how easy it is to inisundeistand the character of a man, and how hard it is for him to reveal the good in him when ono slip has overshadowed his lift. Jameson Thomas, one of England's foremost screen artists, and Eve Gray, the noted Australian, play the principal parts.

"Not Quite a Lady" is a triumph for British productions that iiiust ■ sui'ely convince'tho inbst hardened anti-British, filni man and the public generally that the groat British.film is at last a reality. Mr. G. A. Atkinson, the.'well-known ihamatie critic of" tliti "Sunday ' Express," London, writes as .follows: — "After seeing 'Tommy Atkins' last evening, I aril bound to say. that Captain Walker has produced a spectacle 'of ii'i'esistiiy charm and buoyancy, a thorougtily- hearty display of populaV Sentiment so British as roast beef happens to be. • The military parades' organised 'by Captain Oak-joiles. ' director of Military Pageants for t'hV. War Office, are magnificent. TaVi Hay's" adaptation iis simply Stirring. British 'Ihternatioii: al Pictures have ever}' possible reason to be" proud of 'Tommy:-Atkins;'- am! like the* original flr'ama V" .is i> c.radit ■ to its native lano." A reproduction' of a vaudeville-; theatre was used in .a number-of important: sequences in "Mother Knows' Best." the I picturisation of £dna Ferbers-story, featuring Madge Bellamy, Louise Dresser, and Barry Norton. - ' ■ - ' "Fazil," featuring Greta IS'issen and Charies Fai'iell, is booked for an early release during the coming year. The picture is described as a romance Of Araby and the Paris boulevards, based on - the Continental stage .success, "L'lnsoumise," by Pierre, Frondaie. In his role of Arabian Prince, the story talced Farrell through Parisian night clubs, Venetian canals, and Oriental harerjfs. Greta Nissen portrays a Paris society girl, and the principal tliemo is the conflict of Oriental and Occidental standards of domestic moraljity. .■■. ■ ■■•■.-..■• •. . ' An important innovation in British production is" the Gaumont overseas news reel. The film,which is to be a weekly production will contain Motherland items which, are of ■ particular appeal to the , Antipodes. Both the Australian and New Zealand editions will contain coloured sections, and the first number Of both issues includes, among other subjects, the pictorial story of, the building of the new bridge across the Tyne at Newcastle; and the Boyal opening, the annual procession of Judges.in London, exclusive pictures of the non-stop run of the Royal Scot to Carlisle, and how Britain is boosting the light aeroplane clubs. The .coloured section in the first New Zealand edi-v tion contains pictures .of tli oidworld. village of Bibury. \ ' - , Scintillating, Witty, and. full of. brightness,.'■''Sh'6W,°;Girl.';»,..is ..an,' outstanding pifitilre; Alice Whitovappears aS the pi'ilicipal character, a chorus girl. •■ •.'"'■ „.'- ■■.'■': ,'