ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16670, 15 October 1917, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PATRIOTIC .DANCE RECITAL. • The second performance of the dance recital by Miss Cecil Hall and her pupils at His Majesty's Theatre was singularly successful, the many artistic dances and 1 tableaux. completely captivating a very ! large audience. The entertainment was ' composed principally of graceful and oriI ginal fcerpsichorean efforts by many of i i Auckland's leading artists, additional i charm being lent by the rendition of , several musical numbers. The costuming and settings were on a lavish scale, added to which were some very pretty lighting ' effects. The voluntary orchestra, under 1 the conductorship of Mr. S. Green, and i the hon. pianist, Miss Marian Aitkin, i rendered, valuable assistance, while the i stage management was capably carried out by Mr. A. McElwain. 'ihe unqualified' succesß of the carnival— very large number of would-be patrons were unable to gain admission on Saturday night—has i induced the management to give a final {iresentation on a date to be announced ater. All the proceeds were in aid of the Returned Soldiers' Association. "THE GIRL WHO KNEW A BIT." " The Girl Who Knew a Bit," the latest production of tfle Brandon Dra- ' matic Company, is a iour-aci drama of the sensational typo, and quite up to the best standard of mat class of entertainment. I It attracted a very large attendance to toe i King's Theatre on baturday night, and I there is little doubt that the drama was thoroughly enjoyed, a fact amply evidenced by the lrequent outbursts of applause. Tno story, which must not be taken too seriously, does not dirfor from that peculiar to melodrama, but it is singularly well connected, and the dialogue is good. < Miss Kathleen Arnold's portrayal of " the ■girl" was an effective study and entirely to the satisfaction of the audience The parts of the Hon. Marcus Blaithwaite, " a vulture," and his sister, were in the capable hands of Mr. Kenneth Carlisle and Miss Mabel Hardinge, their efforts at villainy being calculated to satisfy the most fastidious. As Raymond Beaumorrjs, Mr. Maurice Tuohy was a manly figure. His portrayal of the impetuous young lover! was very well done. Miss Biddio Haw-: tborne extracted a fund of wholesome I comedy from the part of a laundress, while Miss Alice Rede, as "the woman of the cellars," was responsible for an exceedingly good character study. As usual,' one of the most popular figures of the company was Mr. Frank Neil, who appeared as a "fish oh." His gags and the manrler in which he spoko his humorous lines were well worth while. Misses Eilleen Dalgleish and Stella Gray, and Messrs. Edga Kenna and Frank Reis were other capable exponents of their respective parts. Presented on a lavish scale, the drama is distinguished by a number of effective scene?, : one of the best of which is a fire score .in the final act. "The Girl Who Knew a Bit" will be presented throughout the week. OPERA House. ' A number of new items are announced for presentation at the Opera House this week. The Walter Johnson Revue Company will stage, its fourth production, "The Manleßs Isle," a Chinese phantasy, said to be a clever musical burlesque. Charlene and Charlene will appear in fur-

ther juggling turns. The new items will be those provided by the Royal Trio, dancing specialists, and by Rose and Dell, American acrobats and cyclists. ORGAN RECITAL. N A large audience was present' at the ("Town Hall on Saturday evening when Mr, Maughan Barnett gave the weekly 1 organ recital. The opening item was i Peace's "Concert Fantasia," a brilliant 'composition, particularly well suited to • the instrument. "Meditation," by St. • Clair, received delicate treatment, and ; Daviess "Solemn Melody was impres- ' ■ sive. One of the most pleasing items was • the overture to "Raymond." Miss Laura > Stone was encored for her solos. "The ■ Glory of the Sea" and "Soul of Mine." 1 The accompaniments were played by 1 Miss Thelma Gallagher. ■ ') TTVOLI THEATRE. The first screening at the Tivoli Theatre 1 of a delightful Famous Players photo- ' Play, "Sweet Kitty Bellairs/' attracted large and enthusiastic audiences on 1 Saturday. The cast includes a num- ' ber of America's foremost film actors and actresses, many of whom already [ have won high places in the " profession." First in the cast is Mae .Murray, who is known to Auckland theatre-goers for her admirable per- ; Bonification of "The Plough Girl," and her capable acting in a earlier play "On Record.'*. '.'Sweet Kitty Bellairs" gives I this little actress many opportunities for displaying her great versatility as an ' emotional actress, as she takes the lead- , ing part in what is perhaps the most 'pathetic drama with which Auckland 'natrons of picture entertainment are familiar. Tom Forman, who gives a wellacted interpretation of the part of Lieutenant Verney, has also become i known in New Zealand for his natural .stage manner. The story has to do with i the adventures of Mistress Kitty Bellairs, the reigning beauty of the city of Bath, the Monte Carlo of the eighteenth certtury, where the fairest flowers of London society went with their trains of followers, to regain their freshness after the stress of the London "season." LYRIC THEATRE. The cinematographer is daily seeking fresh avenues, in order to provide photoplays to appeal to the public taste. Classical literature provides excellent grounds for the production of films, and that famous story " Tom Brown's Schooldays, which will ljve lonpj in British classical literature, is one of the latest and most successful adaptations. "Tom Brown's Schooldavs" is not. th« at*™ n

. _„„.. „ uvuuujuttja is uoi we siory oi ono individual, nor is it the story of a group of men, but rather the history of ' British manhood in the making. Public * school life in England, with its high code of moral and its love for all that is noble in the British character, is a story that has an appeal to all Englishmen in every part of the globe. The ' t life of Tom Brown is depicted in a manner j that seals the production as one of the best of the kind that has ever been seen • on the screen. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Mary Miles Minter acts convincingly in what is perhaps one of the best dramatic plays seen at Everybody's Theatre for some time. " Periwinkle " is a tale of the I lives of simple fishcrfolk in an American j coastal village. The heroine is a girl cast up from a wreck and cared for by Ann 9 Scudder, a woman wno has always longed f for some child to protect. Thb girl grows • up and is the means of uplifting Tangdon, i a drifting American, who arrives in the • village. Ann Schaefer is excellent as the 1 devoted mother, and the character of • Langdon is well,acted by George Fisher. 5 GRAND THEATRE. • Douglas Fairbanks's latest Triangle J play, "His Picture in the Papers," was i shown for the first time at the Grand i Theatre on Saturday. It is a clever 1 comedy-drama, and" shows the popular • comedian in a congenial role. He plays ! the part of a boy who will be given a • share of the interest in his fathers busii ness if he succeeds in having his photo. ; printed in the papers. By dint of fights, , imprisonment and other escapades he ! finally succeeds. One of the supporting . pictures gives several excellent studies of . bird life. A clever cartoon, "Mutt and Jeff," is also shown. STRAND THEATRE. Olive Thomas, who appeared for the first j time at the Strand Theatre on Saturday in the comedy, "Madcap Madge," is an . actress of no mean ability. Her work is j bright and clever, and she is possessed of I a winsome personality. Certainly "Mad- [ cap Madge' does not offer many oppor- . tunibiea for dramatic work, but thero is i ample scope for Mrs. Thomas'|to exercise her ability for comedy portrayal. , The story contains several highly-diverting scenes, those showing the pranks of the i girls at a boarding-school being especially ■ good. ' There is one very amusing scene, in which the pretty heroine gives a party in her bedroom to tho other girls. As a finale to the revels of the pyiama-clad beauties there is, a surprisingly funny : corned,' interlude. Miss Thomas reveals 1 ma.-; of those fascinating mannerisms [which make for popularity, and in the i

I later episodes of the picture she « equally ! as attractive as in the romping rtpm^boy ■>. incidents. The staging of the film is a feature, the scenes at Palm Beach being most lavish. Also the supporting cast is strong, all the artists fitting well into their l parts. "Madcap Madge" has, furthermore, the quality of wholesomeness— its fun may be entered into and thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike. The supporting films include the Pathe Gazette, and a comedy, "Taking Honey Out of I Honeymooning." PRINCESS THEATRE. A five-act Metro drama, "The Secret of Eve," drew crowded audiences at the Princess Theatre on Saturday. The play is remarkable in many ways. The story is uncommon, the acting of Olga Petrova is of a high standard, and the scenery, which shows life in a gipsy camp, is original. Hatrar, the gipsy, determined that her child Eve shall have a happy life, leaves her on the doorstep of a house in which live the Fothergills, a' Quaker family. The simple life palls upon Eve, and she goes to the city. The numerous sensational incidents which come to ' pass in the city form material for a striking photo-play. " The Secret of Eve " demonstrates in a telling manner the selfsacrifice and nobler-spirit that exist among the poorer classes of a great city. In support of Olga Perova. a number of leading American actors appear. The role of i Robert Blair is played by William Hinckley, who is one of the'best of the younger screen actors. Edward Roseman, an unI usually versatile actor, is convincing as Fothergill, the Quaker. , | QUEEN'S THEATRE. 1 Robert Louis Stevenson is remarkable for his vivid writing anc' powers of character delineation. "The Bottle Imp," one of his most original and interesting stories, is shown on the screen at the Queen's ( Theatre this week. The picture is no:ed on account of the acting of Sessue Havaknwa and the clever work of the otliev players, who, with one exception, are nil natives of Hiwaii. The uncanny nature of the Hawaiian myths and the beautiful scenery of the island are admirably conveyed. Other films are shown in support. 'GLOBE THEATRE. A thrilling detective story, " The Phantom Crook," with Frank Keenan in' the ! chief role, in the principal picture at the j Globe Theatre. "The Masked Rider," and a Keystone comedy, " Bubbles of Troubles," are also screened. , WEST END THEATRE. "The Martyrdom of Philin Strong," a story adapted from the novel of the Rev. " C M. Sheldon, is being screened at the West End Theatre this week. It is described as a tense story of spiritual struggle. Robert Connors and Mabel Trunnelle appear in the production. ' ROYAL ALBERT HALL. A popular variety entertainment will be held in the Royal Albert Hall this even- j ] . ing. Dances will be given by Ropa, the ' Samoan and Tongan dancer, and by ( Vivette. Joe O'Connell will be heard in * several humorous sketches, and the fol- ( lowing - singers will contribute items :— Elva Gilbert, Bassett, Florice Marie and Baby Soffee. POPULAR CONCERT. A concert, tendered to Mr. Ernest 'Drake, who is entering the musical profession, by the Italian tenor, Sienor .

11 Molinaxi, and his wife, Signora Molinari, }» will be held in the Town Hall concert '» chamber to-morrow evening. A programme of operatic and popular solos and duets has been arranged. Signor Molinari will be heard in the famous Pagliacci solo, e [ and also in selections irom " Cavalleria," n " Trovatore," "Tosca," and "Boheroe." y Signora Molinari will sing solos, and will s I also be heard in duets with her husband. t; Mr. Ernest Drake will sing some of his o most popular songs. 'A number of local <• at lists will assist. d . _