THE THEATRE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 June 1925, Page 9

THE THEATRE

PEOPLE, PLAYS, AND PICTURES

Lillian Gish, whom many consider the greatest actress of the screen, na.s neen sigiu-u up by the MetroGold wyii Film Company.

“Tiie Ten Commandments, ' to be screened here shortly' is a stupendous production. Its success in other centres inis been phenomenal, records having been broken everywhere.

Bob Greig and his vVife, Beatrice Holoway. are in London, but their plans are not known.

The result of M. Paderewski’s recitals iii England has been to add £5500 to Lord Haig’s British Legion Fund.

Mr. Shnyle Gardner, the Auckbmder, was, when the last mail left, appearing in two productions in London—in “Hamlet,” with John Barrymore, and in “St. Joan,” with Sybil Thorndike. 'This was made possible by the fact that he was on only in the earlier scenes in ‘Hamlet.” Mr. Gardner is to appear i u the musical play, “Cleopatra,” which is to be produced by Mr. Oscar Asche at Daly's Theatre. Miss Evelyn Lave wi'i take the title role.

The jubilee of “Trial By Jury.”’ thfe first of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, has just been ce'ebrated. At its first production. “Trial By Jury” ran for I*2B performances. The judge was played by Mr. Frederick Sullivan. Sir Arthur’s brother, and for a portion of the run the part of the foreman of the jury was taken by a player to gain celebrity on his own account —W. S. Penle.v, of “Private Secretary” fame.

Somerset Maugham’s “Rain” has been produced in London. C. itic-s do not agree with Australian condemnations of the play. The Daily Mail says that it is neither shocking nor thrilling, hut merely me odrania : while the Daily News says that it cannot be classed among the “shockers.”

Marc McDermott, picture star, lias been arrested on a charge of bigamy. A most amazing plea has been put forth by McDermott’s counsel. His client, lie says: “Married Reba Lawrence whilst he was in a state oi’ amnesia, and the woman’s beauty dazzled him.” McDermott already has a wife and baby.

Heifetz has started upon a two years’ wor'cl tour, that will include Australia. He is just making a beginning in London and Paris. Later he will tom- Britain. Germany, and Scandinavia. The beginning of 1926 will be devoted to 'France, .Italy, Spain. Then will foMbw Northern Africa. .Japan, and China, and, finally, Australia and New Zealand, via India.

Metro-Goldwyn plans to make four pictures a year with Ix»n Chaney, who has signed a .long-term contract wit'i the company.

Gladys Brockweii is working ; u two big pictures at the same time at First Nationals New York studios. She is playing in “Chickie” and “The Necessary Evil.” which are being filmed by the Earl Hudson units, and she is kept .busy rushing from one to the other.

Herbert Brenon lias gone to Bermuda to shoot exteriors for “The Little French Girl.” Alice Joyce. Esther Ralston. Nei| Hamilton and Anthony Jowett are among the players.

Olive Hasbrouek has been loaned to Jack Hoxie for “The Border Sheriff,” a new Blue Streak Western picture, which is being directed by William North Bradbury, with A 1 Jennings, Gilbert H.nme. Tom Lingham. Frank R ice and Buck Moulton in the cast.

Maurice Moscovitcli, the great Rus-sian-Jewish actor, whose attainments have so impressed' Melbourne and Sydney audiences . during the past five months, opened his,New Zealand tour in Wellington in “The Outsider." This drama deals with the achievements of Anton Ragatzv, a bone-setter, who, despised by the Roya! College of Surgeons, makes them dubious about their attitude towards him wlie n he heals their leader’s daughter, a cripple. Mr. Moscovitcli is supported by a company of English, American, and Australian artists.

The musical comedy. “The- Honeymoon Gi 1.” at the Grand Gpera House, S.vdney, is .unusually atnactive (says a Sydney writer). Many hands have made light work of it, three writers being responsible for the music, two for the book, and one for the lyrics. The honeymoon supplies its own honey. Some of the musical items are really musical,’ and there is abundance of fun of the unexpected kind that makes the grumpy old theatregoer laugh in spile of himse'f. Miss Mamie Watson, .Miss May Beatty, and Mr. Mark Daly are largely responsible for the success achieved.

. Miss Emilie Polini ‘presented her own play, ‘‘The Flaw,” under the title of “Obsession," in New York recently. In the cast were Harry PJinuner, Reynolds Dennistoun, and Harry Mowbray (Harry Sweeney), all we! -known in this part of the world. “The Flaw” was done in Australia by Miss Poliiij and Frank Harvey a couple of years ago. . ;

The .T. Cb Williamson Musical Comedy Company, after a remarkably good season in Wellington, opened at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, in “W'ildHower.” When this delightful production was staged in Wellington the star Miss Marie Burk?; scored an instant success, and this success was repeated in Ohritchurch. The company plays in Hawera on Tuesday, July S.