ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 June 1928, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE —TO-NIGHT. “STUDENT PRINCE.” To-night tiie J. C. Williamson Royai txmiic Opera Company' will produce at the Opera House “The Student .prince.” The management states that this is easily tne most costly, most elaborate and most palatial production over staged in the Dominion, it sots a, standard never before attempted in the colonies. Anotner strihing feature is the extensive company presenting this play. . Ine leading lady, Beppie de Vries is billed as the idol of Holland. In Australia she fias established herself as the most popular comic opera star tor many years. Her contracts call for her appearance in Europe to fulfil big en-irao-oments, but at considerable expense the firm induced this lady to visit the Dominion. Theatregoes are indeed in for a real musical treat. James Liddy, who plays • Prince Karl” in the “Student Prince, ba» appeared in the role over 1000 times in Europe. Artists with big European reputations are Iledley Hall and Frank Webster. Popular people revisiting us are Arthur Stigant, Vera Spaull, Adele Crane, Jonn Forde Millie Engler, Herbert Browne, and also a big feature with the show is the famous chorus, the 40 singing students. . • i “The Student Prince” is a musical version of the delightful dramatic romance “Old Heidelberg.” Probably the success of this comic opera everywhere is that the story is continuous, concrete and charming. The plot is not an excuse for a string of musical numbers, more or less apropos; it is the reason for them. The alert producer was not likely to miss such an attractive opportunity for the type of spectacular show with its romantic settings, its kings and courts with dazzling uniforms and pretty . ladies■ in gorgeous frocks that exercises an undimming domination. On this occasion he had something worth while to work upon, and the result, is a masterpiece of liis art-.

GRAND THEATRE TO-NIGHT

“THE RAWHIDE KID.”

Trials and woes of an Irish cowboy and a Jewish travelling tradesman are humorously depicted in the “Rawhide Kid,” the Universal Jewel starring Hoot Gibson, which will be finallyscreened at the Grand Theatre tonight. Gibson plays the part of an Irish cowboy, who introduces a resourceful Jewish business man into town, much to the disgust of the local know-it-all, who immediately takes an interest in the Hebrew’s attractive daughter. From here the story develops into all manner of excitement, replete with humorous situations, terminating in a happy climax. “The Rawhide Kid” was adapted from Peter B. Kyne’s story “The Lion and the Lamb” and directed by Del Andrews. The supporting cast includes Georgia Hale, Frank Hagney, ffm. H. Strauss, Harry Todd, and others. The supporting films include a comedy, “The Newlyweds’ Mistake,” British and International News reel.'

OPERA HOUSE

COMMENCING TO-MORROW

“MOTHER MACHREE.”

For over a score or years, no song has been able to bold the imagination and the hearts of the people like “Mother Machree.” The sheer beauty , of its compelling lyrics even haunted their author, Rida Jofmsou Young, until she was forced to write the story of “Mother Machree.” And now Fox Films has translated this epic of Irish mother love to the screen and it will commence its Hawera season to-morrow (Wednesday) evening. The story tells of an Irish mother, -but it might be any mother, who leaves her home in Ireland with her young orphan son ' Brian, played by the beautiful child Philippe De Lacey, and going to America tries to educate him. She fails to make a living for both of them, even with the kindly help of the Kilkenny Giant, played by Victor McLaglen, the Captain Flagg of “ What Price Glory.” Desperate, and thinking only of her son’s welfare, she allows him to be adopted by an aristocratic woman, Eulalie Jensen, so that he may receive the education she is unable to give him. The child is brought up by his foster mother in the belief that liis mother is dead. Through the years Mother Machree watches her son growing to manhood, achieving all she hoped for him and fulfilling all her dreams, while she is a servant in the home of the girl with whom her son is in love. Brian, as a young mantis played by Neil Hamilton, and some of the finest sequences are -where the mother _ and son meet each other, the one hiding her identity, the other wondering why he should "be so stirred every time he sees the little old woman. There is much to commend this beautiful picture. Superlative acting, fine directions, scenes filmed in Ireland, and_ a story vital with life. The cast includes such favourites of the screen, in addition to those already mentioned, as Ethel Clayton, Constance Howard, Ted McNamara in the fine part of the Harper of Wexford, Pat Somerset, and others. This is a picture you must see. Prior to the screening Miss Mary Barnes will sing “Mother Machree.” The box plan is now open at Miss Blake’s sweet shop.