ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 51, 27 January 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

DAME SYBIL THORNDIKE. IN “SAINT JOAN.” “Saint Joan,” which Damo Sybil Thorndike and her special London company will present for one night only at tjho Opera House, on Thursday next, under the J. C. Williamson management, is considered to be the greatest play ever written by George Bernard Shaw. It is certainly the most provocative, as it runs counter to many studies of the Maid of Orleans because of the originality and directness' of its treatment. Shaw has made her very human, even though inspired. In most brilliant dialogue, mordant wit, and considerable humour, Shaw makes of Joan a girl who goes forward unfaltering, even though laughed to scorn by her own countrymen. The way she wins the people and those in authority to her side is subtly done. They, with defeat staring them, in the face at the hands of the English, in desperation let her take the lead. She saved France from being a mere appendage of England. Her success cost her her life at the stake, but she gave to the world a' new conception of the part women were to play. Dame Sybil Thorndike is the ideal actress for Bernard Shaw’s presentation of his own ideas of the French, maid. When tho company was in Australia the, critics unanimously acclaimed Dame Sybil’s acting in this masterpiece as among the finest ever seen in the Commonwealth. Special attention was drawn also to the magnificent and historically correct settings. They were tho work of her husband, Mr Lewis Casson, recognised as one of the outstanding producers of plays in the world. Ho is also an actor of distinction, and his portrayal of the Bishop in “Saint Joan” was more than favourably commented upon in Australia. It was noted also that, there was not a 'single weak character in the company. Tho musical interludes are described as beautiful and a distinct aid to the historical character of the play. The box plan for the one Palmerston North performance will be opened next Monday at the Central Booking Office. Other particulars are advertised. PICTURE THEATRES. At the Regent Theatre, “Love Mo Tonight.” ‘ Back from the cinematic trips of his recent pictures and the actual round-the-world trip by ship and ’plane, Will Rogers retncjis to his native Oklahoma in liio latest comedy, “Down To Earth,” which opens at the Palace Theatre to-morrow afternoon. Irene Rich, Dorothy Jordan, Matty Kemp, Theodore Lodi and Mary Carlisle have the principal supporting roles. Playing a cowboy who loves a fight but never gets over hating the fellow. who doesn’t fight fair, Tim McCoy hats a riding, fighting, shooting role in “Daring Danger” that keeps events moving swiftly and thrillingly.. Fists are flying furiously in the first scene. This fight ends in an unfair gun duel after which Tim’s one aim is to even up for the trick played against him. Plenty of excitement follows while a romance is interwoven in the story, Alberta Vaughn playing “the lady.”