ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 May 1925, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE, TO-NIGHT

“BUTTERFLY.” Kathleen Norris’ famous novel, '‘Butterfly,’’ has been converted to the screen with remarkable fidelity in the Clarence Brown Universal-Jewel picturi Ration of the story, which will be screened at the Opera House to-night. Laura La Plante, R.uibh, Clifford and Norman Kerry have the leading roles. Although these three players carry,the weight' of the story, other members of, the eastb in. roleft of ldsser importance contribute greatly to the value of the picture by their excellent performance.

THE GRANT) TO-NIGHT. “A. WOMAN OF STONE.” Frank Stayton, . the well-known novelist, i.s responsible , for the story of “The Passionate Adventure,” picture title 'The Woman of Stone.” The plot is woven round the sincere and passionate love of Adrian St. Clair for his beautiful, but cold and unresponsive wife, Brasilia.. The action is quick, and passes rapidly from one tense episode to the next. The sets are frequently magnificent and always appropriate. OPERA HOUSE. WILLIAM HeUGHAN’S FAREWELL. Acceding to very numerous requests, Willia'm Heughan, the grbat singer and actor whose appearance here recently aroused such great enthusiasm, has decided to 1 give a farewell concert in the Opera House on Tuesday, 26th inst. Siiice his last -appearance here he has been adding further to his successes, and everywhere the press and public have been loud in his praise. As an interpretative artiste lie is undoubtedly unique, and . with great vocal ability and dramatic talent of the very highest order his interpretations are something to remember for all times. His numbers are indeed colourful pictures painted with thrilling tone and gesture, which leaves no doubt in th© minds of his hearers as to the true meaning of his songs. He has been acclaimed “a master of song,” and undoubtedly a master he' is, for he is capable of rendering alike operatic aria, classics, and folk songs of different countries in a manner only possible by a truly great artiste. His assisting artists are Hyman Lender, the young Australian violinist, and Gladys Sa,yer, who acts in the diia capacity of solo pianiste and accompaliiste. They undoubtedly form a trio such as are seldom, if ever, heard here. The. box plan opened this morning at Mrs' Cook’s Everybody’s Sweet Store. “SO THIS IS LONDON.” “So This Is London,” the big, bright and breezy, laughable three-act comedy, ridiculing the misunderstandings between the “Britisher” and the “Yarik,” -as they are respectively misnamed, whose prejudices arise from want of personal acquaintance, will he amusingly presented at the Opera. House, Hawera, next Thursday evening by the celebrated comedian, Mr Thurston Hall, and a supporting company. The big firm of J.. C. Williamson,’ Ltd., brought over Thurston Hall for the role of Hiram Draper, whose portrait he draws without exaggeration as a handsome; likeable, easytempered chap, who makes friends everywhere, and in doing so throws his prejudices overboard with a much better grace than his stiff-necked'British opponent. The American, Hiram Draper, goes to London, accompanied by his wife and son, who is called Junior. Draper wishes to buy a business, of which the principal Englishman in the story, Sir Percy Beauchamp, is the head. Junior has already fallen in love with Elinor Beauchamp, who has visited America, and returned with ideas that amazed her father, Sir Percy. The author achieves his aim in a clever story that ends in a manner of happy comedies, and in doing so utilises material that stimulates much hearty laughter throughout its three acts. The funniest scenes are said to be those that are introduced in the course of the description by the two fathers of the national characteristics of the people concerned. They arc burlesques of the most amusing kind, and give food for much fun. Mr Thurston Hall’s style of humour is refreshing, notably when he gives expression to his disproportioned views of London, which he sees for the first time, and the English character. The niece will he staged for one night only. The box plan will open at the theatre sweet shop next Tuesday morning. x