ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16674, 19 October 1917, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

AUCKLAND MALE ■ CHOIR. ■,-

TriE third concert of the season by the Auckland Male Choir, under Dr. ; W. E. Thomas, was given in'the Town Hall last evening/There was a largo attendance. Neither in v the choico of • items, nor in the executive finish; of 'the'; society's '.work,.! did the' programme reach the standard of the previous ■ concert, though .there was much to s ' commend. : The outstanding . part-song was Maurider's " Song of 'the; Northmen," a selection which, by 1 the very nature of its- harmonic treatment: and :thb. style of its melodic phrases, ' practically . compels the best effort.- The piece, with its vigorous opening phrases, went remarkably well throughout, 1 and some striking tone contrasts .were secured. Much subtle, treatment was accorded De Rille's characteristic "Evening Song," while a "specially pleasing rendering was given of Reichardt's "Imago of the Rose," with Mr. W. .Walter as the'' tenor 1 soloist; -Smart's "Queen of'the Night" was expressively given, and the humorous effects in" Gongs are Beating"( Otto), '■: found ready favour. Rossini's "A Border Raid," Jacked somewhat in spontaneity. The, remaining male chorus was Leslie's "Four Jolly Smiths," given in spirited manner. Madamo Johnston-Topliss, dramatic soprano, was first heard in Meyerbeer's beautiful cava'tina, "Roberto a tu cho Adoro, " from the opera " Roberto il Diavolo," and in this Bho was specially well suited, tho modulated tones of her cultivated voice suggesting the more expressive features of the aria in an. artistic manner.' Her ensuing vocalisation of Gounod's'light. and airy '"Waltz Song" from "Romeo and Juliet" was brilliant, • though scarcely so well suited to tho timbre of tho voice. Madame Johnston-Topliss was warmly received, and contributed as extras Clark's miniature, "You, Dear, and I," and Sullivan's "My Dearest Heart." Miss Ava-Symons, violinist, was compelled to appear again after her successful solos, tho intricate "Caprice Vicnnois," Kroisler, and Bach's finely-resonant air for the G string. Mr. T, C. Seaton's bass solos were encored. There was a lack of " grip " about his rendering of Sanderson's " Shipmates o' Mine,'! ; and he appeared to ho belter suited in Aylward's " Song' of tho Bow,", Mr. L. G. Whittaker was yan excellent accompanist., : ' v

OPERA* HOUSE. - < ' , The Manless Isle," the fourth production of the Walter Johnson Revue, Company, continues to prove a popular attraction at the Opera House. The comedy is clever and bright, and gives opportunities to the members :of the company. The revue is preceded by sovoral good variety turns. ' ■ ■•■.; :;: - y»i s? ; f *:■"■..■ ■'.■■ ;. ■ , '".;• KING'S THEATRE. ''•'";•,,. . Tho melodrama, "The Girl Who Knew a Bit," will bo staged for the lasi time at the King's • Theatre ' this evening. 'At the matinoo to-morrow another sensational play, "After-Dark," will bo produced. .'

r- ', . 'TIVOLI THEATRE. << : /.'!. A " Sweet Kitty Bellairs," which is being shown at the Tivoli • Theatre this week,' is a. charming tale i ; dealing with court life in y the eighteenth century. Kitty ; was a coquette, with a. reputation for her power of Waking .hearts., Yet she was really a wild Irish girl, ■ simple in character, and over ready ; with vice. > Lady Julia,! a court beauty, ;is heartbroken over the infatuation ;of her husband, Sir Jasper,; for Lady Barbara Flyte. \ Kitty advises Lady Julia, to make her husband jealous '. and; to this end, gives her ■'a: ringlet of hair and a love-letter she has lately received. Another plot is constructed by Lady -Barbara, , who -is ; jealous of '■ Kitty's' beauty. She tells Captain Spicer that she will marry ' him if he can 'create ': a scandal about Mistress Kitty. ? K ' The first scheme is entirely successful, but tho "'second is foiled by Kitty, herself \ just at, the conclusion jof the play.y; The; picture ? will ;bo \ screened for,the; last time to-night. ..A sensational Paramount play;," The Voice in the Fog," will be presented to-morrow,y.;:-Donald Brian and Ada Gleason will appear in the production. .&';<Another ''■ important film to bo shown ... to-morrow is . an Arbuckle comedy, " A Rough House." : This is the' third of the Paramount Arbucklo J plays, and it is said to rival "The Butcher Boy," which recently j proved Biich a popular attraction at the - Tivoli Theatre. ■,

." QUEEN'S THEATRE. .; An ' adaptation of Robert Louis Steven, son's dramatic tale, of Hawaii,. "The Bottle Imp," is shown.';at;' the ;;, Queen's Theatre this week! , Tho play is ' remarkable for its originality of plot and magnificent scenic effects. y The story; His of : a poor fisherman, who, .by' the. power of t'lb magic ;f bottle, '.' is changed' into 'a: ' : :ig. Tho cast' is almost s entirely composed of Hawaiian natives. Two \ important pictures are to be shown for) the? first time . to-morrow. ;'.'■ The : first is entitled "Heleno of the North," a play in which Marguerite i Clarke vl will; appear. -v; Tho Becoridpickro is the latest Paramount film, " The Prison Without Walls," described as an intensely dramatic ,' play showing ■ the ■.■ power of ■ a dominating mind. Vlt is said that -Wallace Reid, who plays in tho leading role, has never before had such an opportunity for exercising ". his.< dramatic ability. ; Myrtle Stedman will also appear.in the production.:,/■'•.■'".'''•'. ."/• \ ; ,\-C: '■■■-[ t :*v •'.'.-

PRINCESS THEATRE. s The' final. screoning of .. tho Metro play, " The Secret of Eve, will bo made at tho Princess Theatre' this' evening.' Tho story is of an allegorical nature and shows how a woman discovers the secret of real happiness. ..One ;• of the supporting, films. shows ■ a .number of interesting views \of wild animal life in Central America. : ' '£ '.;''•

■;-"y "THE C HIDDEN.'.' SPRING." • p#\ .-"The Hidden Spring,", described as ono of the most remarkable productions of tho Metro Company, will bo; shown at .'tho Princess Theatre to-morrow.''." The;: writer of tho story has taken as his central idea the supposition that there exists .in every man a hidden spring, which, when touched, releases his will power. -i This idea is carried out in tho play, which concerns.the life of Donald Keeth, a young lawyer who goes, to a small , Western city to make his fortune. He finds that the town is controlled by Quartuß Hembly, a rogue, 'who lias fraudulently gained;the ownership of the .mines and smolting works. :Though Donald disapproves, ho does not,interfere. Later, however, he' sees • Hembly • kicking his dog and maltreating an old man. '* The "hidden spring" is touched, . and Dona'd decides to drive Hembly from tho town. Ho is assisted by- Thorn : Erickson, but discovers that her father is as guilty as Hembly., Tho means he employs to solvo the problem forms a striking conclusion to the play. The role of Keeth will be played I by Harold Lockwood, who will bo remembered by his : work in "Tho .'Haunted I Pyjamas/'- a comedy, shown recently.' at tl\c Princess Theatre, ;• In addition to "Tho I ] Hidden Spring " a foiihor soction o! Hex

. ' STRAND THEATRE. The . excellent. ,comedy,, . "Madcap Madge," will bo screened (or the last time at the Strand Theatre tin's evening. The, chief picture of tho new programme tomorrow will bo' "Pride," the second of the " Seven Deadly Sins"; series. This picture tells the story of a girl who considers herself superior to her lover. ; She is . sought by a count, .and also by, a banker. ,She elopes with the former, and is followed by..tho banker and tho. first Jover. . They meet,:and tho girl is forced to realise tho i baseness of her pride. Although one of.a series, "Pride" is a complete story. % ' Holbrook Blinri ', is ' cas* in tho role of D'Arcy,. the banker. -The settings of tho piece are; a feature. Another picture of interest will bo the first part .or a thrilling serial, entitled,". The Secret•; Kingdom.' p-' Dorothy Kelly and Charles = Itichman '■ will appear in the production. • i -...«•■

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.;

M". Periwinkle," the pretty story '.that: is being shown at Everybody's Theatre"' for thov;last time ;this^..'evening,'-;,' gives. '/an, opportunity, for aeoing, Mary ; Miles Minter in one of her most successful dramatic roles. '•; To-morrow, . a.'. World \ drama,';' entitled " The Web of Desire," will be presented.' •,- It is ;.tbo. story [of a', woman who, owing t to r tho ' ■neglect ? of > her ,< husband^

seeks friends among' tho inhabitants of I tho underworld of New York. ■; Ethel Clayton, who recently appeared in "The Crimson Dove," will bo .the chief actress in this play.\ A v ;. clover ; s child £ actress, Madgo Evans, will also appear.

GRAND THEATRE ; : The . final - screening ;of the - : Fairbanks comedy, "His Picture in the Papers,''.; will be,made; at the Grand Theatre this evening. .' To-morrow a lengthy programme will bo presented. The leading attraction will bo " Plain Jane," a comedy' in which Charles Ray and Bessio Barriscale will; be associated in tho leading roles. "The story tolls of a boardinghouse " assistant," who wins a prize in a beauty competition. The first chapter of a new serial,' " The Secret of tho Submarino," will also 'bo;, shown.' i ,;'•. LYRIC THEATRE. .;•' A fine adaptation of tho Rugby classic, "Tom Brown's Schooldays," is being pre--jented at tho. Lyric Theatre this week. The incidents of the original story have been closely adhered to, and the atmosphere of the period has been conveyed by means of the dresses and scenery. A matinee will he given this afternoon, and tho picture will bo shown for the last time this evening. •

WEST END THEATRE.' "Tho Martrydom of Philip Strong," a powerful play, in which Rohert Conners and Mabel Trunnelle appear, will be screened for the last time at the -West End Theatre to-night.

• 'GLOBE THEATRE. '-' " The two pictures to bo shown at the Globe Theatre to-morrow are '"The Scarlet Woman," with Olga Petrova in the leading role, and "Tho Rink," a comedy in which Charlie Chaplin appears.

•-* ,■ ALEXANDRA THEATRE. ,'; 'A r powerful ,drama, "The > Lash, of Destiny,",will ho the principal attraction at the Alexandra Theatro this evening. The chief actress will be Gertrude McCoy. A number of other films will- be screened in support. '