THE THEATRES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 243, 27 September 1922, Page 6

THE THEATRES.

. THE NELLIE BRAMLEY DRAMATIC COMPANY. ‘ THE THIRD DEGREE. r The Nellie Bramley Dramatic Com- . pany will play a two-nights’ season r here on Atom lay and Tuesday, 2nd and 3rd October, on which occasion , j they will stage two plays, “The Third Degree” and “Sunday.” The company ’ is under the direction of -Mr. William F. Russell and is headed by Aliss i Nellie Bramley the charming young Australian actress. Seasons have al--3 ready been played in Auckland, Wellington. and Christchurch. Air. Russell has made arrangements with > Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to pre- • sent in New Zealand over 50 of their P best plays. New scenery has been specially painted for the productions, and a scenic artist is carried with the come pany who is continually painting and t renewing the scenery. The wardrobe - is all from the extensive stock in Syd- _ noy, and the dresses worn by Miss Bramley in the productions are said to be “gems of the dressmakers’ art.” Supiporting Alias Bramley are such well I known artists as Arthur Cornall, Guy t ’ Hastings, George Hewlett. Victor Fitzherbert, Charles Lawrence, Leslie , Woods, John AlcGowan, George I Broad, Richard AVebster. AVm. Alct Gowan, Etliel Bashford, Nellie Calvin, - Biddy Hawthorne, Evadne Roylq, and P others. The story of “The Third Degree” is of a young man who is forced e into a confession of the murder of an t unscrupulous dealer through the inquisitorial methods of the New York e police. Howard Jefferies, junior, having married the daughter of a saloon keeper, was cut off from the family fl fortunes and ostracised by his own sei. 1_ AVeak and easily led, and under the ins fluence of drink, he became an easy obe ject to extort a conlession from, b though innocent. Things looked black l_ indeed lor hini. but through the indomitable will and energies of his wile the best counsel in New York was se- ( cured, and satisfactory proof was obP tained that the aforesaid dealer had ' shot himself. The progress of the play ( is punctuated with strong dialogue • that keeps the audience at tense presk sure. The box plans for the two nights season will be open at Riddells’ on Frir day morning, September 29. e Al AORI ENTERTA IN Al ENT. s Rev. F. A. Bennett and those who e worked with him in the organisation e of the Alaori entertainment put on in v the Hastings Alunicipal Theatre last j] night should feel exceedingly gratiI- fied at the greeting extended the pern formers by the large audience asseinbled to witness the production, j The programme was most interesting, [_ even to those already more or less familiar with the native customs, in that several pois and hakas, as well as many quaint practices now fast dying out, were revived and presented con- >- viiicingiy in a thorougluy native set- ’• ting, lhe opening scene, showing a b tribal welcome to visitors from anI’ other tribe x and their entertainment, introduced Alaori songjs, warriors, hai- kas, and the cooking of loot! in pits, fl all shown with a quick, intimate detail, in which every movement xvas c natural, was warmly received. The II poi movements were also a feature, l ' especially a canoe poi, in which girls n sitting on the ground swung their lithe young bodies to the rythm of the s stroke, until one could almost feel the fl lift of the craft as the simultaneous '» touch of tlie pois on the stage recorded ■' the dip of the paddles as they gripped the waters. lhe women’s action 1 songs were prettily sung, and the wa1 hines’ haka was iouuiy applauded. Robin gave a fine exhibition of intricate figures rapidly woven by expert 0 fingers from a circle of string, which s he manipulated in all kinds oi complex s and artistic lines, angles, squares, ami circles, embodied in a single figure. s A South Island Maori. He Haka Timi, who most certainly must have had ' some association with the great American eagle, was introduced as the t “Alaori Harry louder.” and he sus- _ tained the comic element admirably. ? He sang “Rob Roy .Mclntyre,” but he ' was more at home in the Yankee at- ? mosphere of the comic songs “The Ohio Farm” and “Abe,” as well as a ? humourous recitation, “When Are , ion (ioing Away?” in each of which , he made a decided hit with the house. . Rev. F. A. Bennett introduced each . item, explaining its signification, and altogether the programme was very en- . tertaining, as well as instructive. At the conclusion Rev. Bennett thanked the audience and all who assisted, saying the Waipatu church fund would benefit materially. THE PICTURE HOUSES. MUNICIPAL. “CARNIVAL.” Harry Knowles’ magnificent English production, “Carnival,” commences screening this evening at the Hastings Alunicipal Theatre. It is a. different picture to what the picture-going public have been accustomed to. It is a modern drama of carnival time in Venice—actually filmed in Italy on the mysterious, romantic old Venetian canals—beautifully, superbly produced; a scintillating gem of screen art, and a sensational dramatic achievement, and the triumph of the British producer. The starring artists are all new to the screen, but it can safely be said that they will show something wonderful in their interpretation. Besides this big production there will bo another magnificent picture entitled “For the Soul of Rafael.” and Clara Kimball Young has the leading role. The picture is rich in scenic backgrounds and appropriate settings. The orchestra has arranged special musical scores for both productions, so a most enjoyable evening can be expected. COSY DE LUXE. A big Thomas H. Ince production ] has pride of place on the programme > to be presented at the Cosy this evening. The title of the picture is “Hail the Woman,” and the artists taking the leading roles are Florence Vidor and Theodore Roberts, with an exceptionally strong supporting cast. The plav is charged with tense situations, while the powerful moral of the story is one that will be heeded bv all. The popular chapter play, “Stanley in Africa.” will lx? advanced a further stage, and sensational happenings will be recorded. Lloyd Hamilton, who is always good in comedy work, will be seen in “April Fool.” and for supports 1 there will be the usual gazettes and 1 the orchestra.