AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 10 September 1935, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House TO-NIGHT’S TWO FEATURES. “British Agent” featuring Leslie Howard and Kay Francis, together with Roger Pryor and Heather Angel in “Romance in the Rain” will be screened at the Opera House to-night. “THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET’’ In “The Barretts of Wimpole Street”, a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature starring Norma Shearer, Producer Irving Thalberg and Director Sidney Franklin have worked hand in hand and achieved the finest filmization of a famous stage piece ever to be recorded in celluloid. For “The Barretts of Wimpole Street” is a brilliant production —brilliantly conceived, written, acted, directed and framed. Norma Shearer and Eredric March do more than present a tender, poetic love story; they actually bring the invalided Elizabeth Barrett and the poet Browning to life. And as the grim, uncompromising father whose diabolical influence, motivates the drama, Charles Laughton turns in a performance which compares well with anything this wonderful actor has ever done. Besides such titans of the dramatic arts, there is also a long string of excellent support in-g players, each adding his able toucif to the glittering whole. They are: Maureen O’Sullivan, Ralph Forbes. Una O'Connor, Katharine Alexander, Marion Clayton, Leo. Carroll and Fcrlinand Munier. If you would see a great drama, which lost nothing in the transition from footlights to celluloid see “The Barretts of Wimpole Street” to be shown at the Opera House tomorrow (Wednesday), Thursday, Friday and matinee to-monw.

Regent Theatre •■THE LITTLE MINISTER" Very tine high class entertainment is provided by “The Little Minister” which will be finally screened at the Regent Theatre to-night. It provides an excellent love story and skilful characterisation. Katharine Hepburn does artistic work as the wild gypsy girl who becomes subdued under the influence of love. She is at all times a sympathetic character, because of her efforts to help the poor. The closing scenes are the most exciting. Comedy is provoked by Andy Clyde, as the village policeman and by the snooping townsfolk. The simplicity of the story and the background add to the picture’s charm. The plot was adapted from the novel by Sir James AL Barrie. In the cast, arc .Tohn Beal. Alan Hale, Donald Crisp, Lumsden Hare, Billy Watson, Forotby Stickney ami others.

TOXMORROW—‘ ‘ DISRAELI ’ ’ “Disraeli”, the George Arliss masterpiece of the talking screen commences at to-morrow’s matinee. ’‘Disraeli” is the picture which awakened people to the possibilities of the historical plot in talkies, and provided the inimitable Arliss with a perfect role. This is not a return of the old film, but a brand new print. MURIEL BRUNSKILL. ENGLAND’S LOVELIEST CONTRALTO. At the Town Hall on Tuesday and Thursday, September 17 and 19, Greymouth will have the honour of hearing Aladame Afuriel Brunskill, the young London contralto who is regardeci as the finest British contralto of the present time. Aladame Brunskill has only been before the public for the comparatively short space of 12 years, ami since the death of Aladame Kirkby Lunn five years ago, she has been recognised as the successor of that famous English artist. A pupil of Aladame Blanche Marchese (whose mother, Mathilde Marchesi, was Alelba’s teacher), Madame Brunskill made her first appearance in London as a very youthful student 12 years ago, and she was instantly acclaimed as a ”find”. Within the space of a few years Madame Brunskill (or Miss Brunskill as she was in those days) became the most soughtafter contralto in the British Isles, for she was equally successful in festival work, Oratorio, Grand Opera and recitals. Her fame soon spread to America and throughout Europe, and during the past few years Madame Brunskill has made four tours of tho United States—her engagements including that of soloist with the Cincinnati Festival and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—and has also made many appearances with the great European orchestras. She has given innumerable Lieder recitals not only in England, but also in the home of Lieder—Germany itself! She was the soloist selected by the British Broadcasting Commission for the great Elgar Festival, and during Elgar’s lifetime the great composer invariably sought ho services when ever he was personally to conduct a performance of his ‘Dream of Geronthius” or “Sea Pic hires. ” As Aladame Brunskill is due back in London early in December to sing in “The Alessiah” and other Christmastide performances, there cannot possibly be any extension of her New r Zealand tour, nor is it likely that this artist will ever again visit the Antipodes. Therefore music lovers will have their only ipportunities of hear ing this contralto who has been thrilling the Commonwealth’s music lovers during the past few months.

Band of the Blind Institute VISIT TO GREYMOUTH. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18. Something striking in musical accomplishment is to be anticipated when the Band and Concert Party of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind visits Greymouth on Friday, October 18. The majority of its 24 members are totally blind, but this has by no means affected their capacity as musicians. Indeed, because of their keen ear, memory training, and natural enjoyment, they have material advantages. Cheerful and interested in many things, they are a happy hand of young men who have conquered blindness and allow it to trouble them no more. It is seven years since the Band, 18 months after its formation, paid its first visit t to the South Island, hut this will be the members belong to the South Isits first visit to Greymouth. Four of land, but, as the Institute in Auckland is the only one in the Dominion, they attend there for training or employment. All are active workers at

the Institute, their occupations including basketware, cane and. seagrass furniture, mat making, piano tuning, joinery, professional music, teaching, while some are in senior school grades. The Band is a military combination, comprising six clarionets, one saxaphone, five cornets, three tenor cots, one baritone, one euphonium, two trombones, two basses and two drummers. A Dance Band combination of eight members is also included and it filled no fewer than 127 engagements last year. Several vocalists and instrumental soloists of high quality complete this versatile party. They are assured of a warm welcome at Greymouth. The organisation of the Greymouth visit is in the hands of the Mayor, Mr. W. Meldrum, and the Council. Sir Clutha N. Mackenzie, Director of the Institute will be with the narty.