ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 283, 3 November 1925, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE. COMIC OPERA SEASON. Last night the Palmerston North Operatic Society held a final full dress rehearsal in the Opera House and those who were privileged to look on are satisfied that the society will on this occasion equal any work previously presented. There can bo no doubt that as a spectacle “Les Cloches de Cornoville” will more than realise the good opinions previously held of it. The wardrobe from Sydney is particularly fine and the stage pictures worked out by Mrs Hulmo will place the opera on a very high plane. The scenery, specially painted by Mr Beck, of Wellington, is well up to the standard of this clover artist’s previous work for the society; only on this occasion he has had a free hand with new canvases and the result is fully warranted. The orchestra was never individually stronger, the best local talent having been secured and under the capable leadership of Mr Naumann can be relied on to do its part. The music is superior to that of musical comedy and the society in returning to comic opera have shown a wise discretion. The principals are all well cast, particularly so in the case of Miss Whalley as “Serpolette” and Miss Ashworth as “Germaine,” Mr Jacobs as “Gaspard,” Mr Bowater as “Gobo,” Mr McKegg as “Marquis,” Mr Hubble as “Grenicheux” and Mr Moore as “Bailie.” The stage committee comprises Messrs Remington, Cousins and McGrath and they are the right men in the right place. The whole production is to be staged under the direction of Mrs Huime, of Christchurch, and the musical director is Mr A. J. Graham. The public are strongly recommended to book their seats for at least one night of the season at the box office at Mr C. G. Swallow’s.

FAMOUS LADIES’ BAND. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE, TO-MORROW NIGHT. The story of the pipes of Lucknow is too well known to need recapitulation—how Jessie, fever-stricken, heard far off, in her delirium, the swelling music of the bagpipes as Sir Colin Compbell swept on to the relief of the besieged city. Jessie’s rofrajn was “Dinna ye hear it, dinna ye hear?” Ono may ask Jessie’s question in Jessie’s words to-day, for down the breeze come the stirring strains of the pipes, played not by buirdly Highlanders, but by the bonniest band of sweet-faced lassies that ever gladdened the heart of man. For this is tho Australian Ladies’ Pipo Band, tho first of its kind in the world that, under the direction of DrumMajor Darwin, F.R.G.S., is making a tour of tho world, and is taking Now Zealand on tho way. It has already had a most successful tour from Auckland to Bluff, and has mot with the most unqualified praise wherever it has gone. The kilted lassies aro certain of a groat welcome back again when they appear to-morrow with all their old charm and daintiness in an entirely now programme in Everybody’s Theatre. The box plan is at Oates’ music stores. PALACE THEATRE “QUO VADIS.” Some idea of the greatness of tho production of “Quo Vadis” may be gained when it is known that the King of Italy himself thought it worth his while tio attend the filming of some of the big scenes. This new gigantic version of the Sienkicwicz classic was produced in Romo amid the actual backgrounds of the story. Bo interested was the Italian Government in the production that they agreed to allow certain temporary reconstructions to be made to the ancient ruins so that scenes might bo filmed in them and the true atmosphere gained. The picture, which is a First National one, will be shown at the Paluco ' Theatre to-night. KOSY. A 5-reel comedy-drama, “Anything Once,” is now being shown at the Kosy with a comedy, cartoon and news. In tho featured picture, “Arko,” a clever police dog, is the star, while Gladys Walton, Tully Marshall, Francis McDonald and Harold Austin play the principal human roles. This is a story of a bogus nobleman, in which intrigue and romance both have their place—but we have seen better at this theatre. PARAMOUNT. “THE SPANIARD.” The Raoul Walsh-Paramount production, “Tho Spaniard,” adapted from Juanita Savage’s novel of that name and featuring lticardio Cortex, Jetta Goudal Noah Beery is the feature now showing at the Paramount Theatre. As Don Pedro De Barrcgo, Cortex while visiting in London falls in love with pretty Dolores Anneslcy (Miss Goudal), a notorious heartbreaker. Tho action then whirls ono along to the grand climax where the Spaniard comes to the rescue of Dolores from a bandit gang, all differences are patched up and everything ends happily enough for all concerned.