DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 972, 13 March 1919, Page 7

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

By

MISS ESTHER FISHER, the accomplished Wellington girl, who made such a brilliant debut as a solo pianist last year, will give a recital devoted entirely to the works of Chopin this (Thursday) evening, loth. March, at the Wellington Town Hall. Miss Fisher, at her last recital, disclosed a rare versatility of style in her playing, and she has chosen tor her next recital a programme with boundless possibilities and one that few pianistes would dare so much as even attempt except Pa-ckmann, e greatest of Chopin players. * * * The geographical isolation of New Zealand makes it almost impossible for us to have the frequent hearing oi good music, therefore, the re-appear-ance of Miss Fisher, with her masterly technique and characteristic naturalness of expression, will be looked toriward -fco with great interest not only among those in whose recollection the memory of her last recital is still very fresh, but among those lovers of music, who through lack of space, wer ® able to gain admittance to the conceit chamber. # * * A very pleasant love theme ruris through the Vitagraph drama The Girl in His House," next Saturday s new feature at the Empress. Beautiful Grace Darmond is the. heroine ana handsome Earle Williams the hero. The story tells of a young man ot wealth who left home and spent a number of years in foreign countries, and when he returned was surprised to find his house occupied by a charming young girl. The solving of this unexpected state of affairs affords some very exciting situations. It would perhaps spoil the plot to say how the young lady came to occupy the house, but a marriage of the two claimants for it makes a decidedly satisfactory finish. * ' * * * An unusual love interest is the chief characteristic of the latest Select feature, in which Alice Brady is thestar player. It is entitled "The Whirlpool " and will be the special attraction of next Saturday's new programme at the King's. The story deals with the struggles of a young girl brought up amid the temptations of a gambling house. One of the habitues of the house is accused of murder, and she sets out to find evidence to free him. but she encounters the judge, who is to try the accused. A genuine love attachment grows between the judge and herself, and they get married. Then the judge learns of the girl's past, and he believes she has married him to influence his decision in favour of the man_ who had been her lover of the gambling house. The dramatic situations are said to be very strong. * * * * Doroty Dalton, a screen star popular with movie patrons, insists that Hun propagandists are only to be equalled by someone who has been spreading the report that she is shortly to take the marriage vow. "Please deny this report," says Miss Dalton, "and make it emphatic that I am not going to be married. Positively no! I am wedded to my art, and that little boy Cupid is not going to edge in on my career." *. * «■ * Gloria Swanson has a fine role in "You Can't Believe Everything," the prime attraction of next ' Saturday's change of programme at Everybody's. It is a story of ultra-smart society. Patria [Reynolds is a society belle. It is rumoured - that Patria .will marry Arthur Kirby. Jim Wheeler loves her. He has been injured by a fall from a polo pony and is a cripple. He conceals his love. Kirby takes Patria for a spin in his motor-car and proposes to her. She rejects him. She flees leaving her cloak in his Kirby invites Amelia Powellson to his house and wraps Patria's cloak about her. Nasty things are then said about Patria. Jim Wheeler, despairing of a cure, hurls himself over a cliff and Patria jumps into the water and saves him. Amongst the many fine scenes is one of an extravagant "Neptune" party given on a floating barge, all the guests wearing the most extravagant bathing suits. ■2* ■* * . » Darwin's theory of evolution in print has been the subject of much controversy but it has for the National Exhibitors of America to successfully picturise this important pro-

blem. "Tarzan of the Apes" is described as eight reels of amazingly interesting adventure and romance. Some very thrilling and realistic scenes are found in "Tarzan," including a fight between sailors and officers aboard the vessel,' Tarzan's struggles with a lion, as well as his fight with a native negro. * * * •* Tarzar, as readers of the story will remember, is the son of Lord Greystoke, who went) to Africa on a secret mission for the British Government. The sailors mutiny, slay their brutal officers in fair fight and then leave Lord Greystoke and his wife. A boy is born in the jungle. The mother dies and the baby is carried off by a mother ape, who has just lost her young. The film traces the growth of the boy, halfape, half-human till his twentieth year. "Tarzan of the Apes" will be screened for a short season in Wellington at the Grand Opera House, commencing next Saturday, 15th instant. *■ * * «■ Two special red-letter attractions are announced by the management of the Paramount and Artcraft Theatres for their next week's double change of programme. For the first half of the week (Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, 15th, 17th and 18th) the star attraction at both theatres will be the irrepressible Douglas Fairbanks in his latest big success, "Mr Fix-It." -In this exciting picture Doug, introduces his wonderful Artcraft Kids. Doug, and the Kids make a picture that is brimming over with merriment and action. * «• * The long-awaited "Fatty" Arbuckle in "The Crook," his latest scream, is the piece de resistance for the second half of next week .(Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) at the Artcraft and Paramount theatres. In this rib-tick-ling picture "Fatty" is the heavyweight cook in a- beach cafe and,- like the waiter, he loves the pretty cashier. They are rivals until No 3 arrives on the. scene. Then the fun becomes fast and furious, including a hilarious fishing trip made by "Fatty" and his dog, and the subsequent chase in which the third aspirant for the hand of the cashier is the pursued. The performance of ".Luke," the dog, is said to be a most/remarkable one. * * * Of great interest are the official moving pictures showing the surrender of the German Fleet, which are being screened at the Town Hall under the direction of Messrs J. and N. Tait. The cinematographer had no. light task in filming this, perhaps the greatest of all historical events, but nevertheless he has accomplished it most realistically. The pictures bear the seal of the British Admiralty and' special facilities were granted him to secure for all time a complete; and true picturisation of "Der Tag." First of all are shown the surrender of the Hun submarines, of which there are some very close views. Then follow several views of the German battleships, steaming out of the mist to deliver themselves up to their victors. There are innumerable other views, including some fine ones of H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth and other British battleships, < etc. Everyone should see these pictures; * * * « Signor Lucien Cesaroni's recitals in Wellington last week were billed "under the direction of Mr Harold Whittle." Whoever was responsible for them,' thereby gave to music-lovers such a • treat, contributed solely by talent resident in the Dominion, as is seldom experienced in Wellington. It is indeed a pleasant change to hear the good, solid operatic numbers in

these days when there is a surfeit of the flimsy ballad airs. Even though the original language is adhered to the music is still there, and the audiences who have patronised Cesaroni's concerts have proved that a large proportion of pleasure-seekers in Wellington thoroughly appreciate selections from world-famous operas. * * * * Signor Cesaroni, who supported Cappelli in his concert tour last year, need have no hesitation in starring a programme himself: Hei is big enough in physique, voice and temperament to endure a strenuous programme, and hold his hearers' attention throughout. His repertoire included selections from Meyerbeer, Verdi, Wagner, and Gounod, and he seemed as at home with one as with the other. Mr Harold Whittle's accompaniments, of course, added greatly to the singer's success, and Wellington is fortunate to have such. an artist. Miss Teresa McEnroe sings with remarkable clarity and intelligence, and her items were greatly appreciated. Miss Bignell, of Wanganui, shows considerable promise for one so young, and judging by the quality of her interpretations, has the making of a first-rate pianiste. Mr H. F. _ Wood completed a very palatable bill of fare. He was in good voice, and was accorded a splendid reception as usual. Both concerts were well patronised. * * * * Whispered that Miss Helen Gard'ner the clever young Dunedinite who has frequently taken a leading part in local amateur operatics, intends taking up her residence in Wellington towards the end of the year. * . ■ * * * Irene Browne, who visited New land with various J. C. Williamson dramatic companies, has died in Paris of the 'flu according to a private cable received in Australia. Tall and graceful, she was one of the most picturesque leading ladies who have visited Australasia. She had copper-coloured hair, a very pretty face, and generally wore clinging gowns which set off her willowy figure. She was leading lady with Julius Knight for some time. Her best part, though not her biggest, was. that of Emily, in "Milestones." *'**«• Muriel Starr, who, when the influenza epidemic in Melbourne is over, will appear in_ the Western drama, '/ The Great Divide," has been spending portion of her enforced holiday at Portsea. One morning Miss Stangave a fascinating display of aquaplaning, the latest and most popular water pastime. Standing on the board drawn at great_ speed by a crack motor racing boat, Miss Starr showed an expert knowledge of the art of balancing, to the admiration and astonishment of the onlookers. It appears that Miss Starr went in for aquaplaning at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, and became exceedingly proficient in the sport. #. - * ■» * Here is the best press story about Mae Marsh. > Mae has a pet lady, bug named Cecilia. Cecelia lives among the geraniums in the Riverside Drive apartment, and she flies on Mae's finger when she. calls. Won't some kind picture "star" adopt a baby elephant P * * «. * The success of the just-concluded season in Dunedin by the J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company, is (so states "Loiterer" in the "Star"), another convincing rebuttal of the mouldy quirk that Dunedin is the "actors' grave." Mr W. P. Russell, one of the best-known of the J. C: Wil-

liamson managers, has not found it so. He states, says ''Loiterer," that not only was the musical! comedy season above referred to a record financially, but thai his 19 visits to 3>une» in in charge of " the firm's" attractions have but twice involved him in the necessity of cabling for money. The remaining 17 visits have all been profitable. * * -* * Fred Niblo is said to have recently refused an offer from J. C. Williamson Ltd., to return to the Australian stage. He prefers to remain with his wife, Enid Bennett, in pictures for a time-. * * * * Douglas Fairbanks is going over to France to do a series of pictures. ** * , Miss Maie Baird, an attractive and pretty dancer of one of the JVC. Williamson companies, has promised to wed Mr John Junior in the near future. The engagement i s just announced, and congratulations are crowding in on the popular pair. Mr John Junior appeared in New Zealand in the Tait production, '' Turn to the Right." * * * * There are many enquiries amongst theatregoers why it is that Maud Fane is not included in the J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company at present touring the Dominion. The fact is her contract has just expired, and she is following the example of other Australian favourites in, seeking recognition abroad, probably in the States. *.* ' * * Four members of the Gonsalez Opera Company—Count Filipini (just married to a Sydney girl), and Signors Balboni, Caccialli, and Lois—have been appearing recently at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne,* in " Cavalleria," " Pagliacci," and " Rigoletto," under Frank Rigo's direction. They .- have been supported by Australian singers—Leah Meyers (Santuzza) and Nellie Leach (Nedda), while Gustav Slapoffski (musical director) controlled an orchestra of 40 and a chorus of 60. * * * * Pathe is preparing a six-reel feature, called " Infatuation." The surprise will come in when there appears in it Gaby Deslys, the French actress, whose beauty! is said to have been the reason King Manuel left his throne in Portugal,., and became a private citizen.