ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17338, 9 December 1919, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

— —« h MURIEL STARR SEASON. The final presentation of " The Man Who Cams Back," which has had such a 1 successful season in Auckland, •will be a given to-night by Miss Muriel Starr and supporting company at His Majesty's- . Theatre. The company will stage to-rnor- g row evening for the first time in New E Zealand the picturesque, romantic drama \ of the South Pacific, entitled " The Bird < of Paradise." Th story tells of the ro- £ mantic happenings of Princess Luana. ( She meets, loves at first sight, and then marries a young American doctor, who is on his way to the leper island. Afterwards the doctor tires of the young , Hawaiian maiden, and when she ascertains , this the princess decides to offer herself ' as a sacrifice for her people. It is 1 ordained by the priests that when Mount Pele is in eruption some great . sacrifice should respect this event, and\the ■ princess volunteers her own life. The ( superstitious South Sea Island natives , have already informed her that the priest " of Pele has spoken her death prayer, so •* she says she may as well die by throwing j herself into the crater as in any other fashion. " The Bird of Paradise " will introduce to local playgoers for the first time the young American actor, Mr. } Harry <_'. Power, who was specially en- ( gaged for the part < f the Doctor. The ( plans for the four representations of "The ' Bird of Paradise " are now open at Wild- i man and Arey's. OPERA HOUSE. Lovers of vaudeville are well catered for < at the Opera House this week. In the - first half of the programme submitted for { the first time yesterday afternoon and 1 evening five interesting acts were pre- j ' sen ted. Frank, Lank, and Alice were \ seen in a fast exchange of clubs in an amazing routine, the comedy member of the trio causing great amusement. The three Corellis, violinists and harpist, provided a meritorious and artistic pro- • gramme. Opening with a selection of miscellaneous airs, they followed with the famous " Intermezzo " from " Oavalleria Rusticana," which met with instant approval from the large audiences. A medley of rag-timd tunes was then played, and for an encore the clever trio of instrumentalists gave "La Poloma." Th Correllis have now firmly established themselves in popularity. " The aerial Delsos ' were seen in an entirely new act, in which : their daring and skill was again exem- ] plified. Eddie Montrose, billed as , America's foremost laugh-maker, earned , his title in a brilliant succession of side and front somersaults and comedy falls. His astounding dexterity and his amusing ! " business " made the turn highly popular. Bryant and Bryant repeated their ' effective electrical act." In the second half [ Mr. Walter George's Company staged " The Pearl of Persia," a musical trifle ! full of merit and very diverting. It told ' of an Eastern potentate who coveted an ' English maid for a wife, and the mysteri- : ous disappearance of a pearl of fabulous price. The honours of the production fell to Mr. George (who afflicted a make-up ] made familiar by Mr. Oscar Asche) as the amorous Rajah, and Mr. George Storey ■ as an English "nondescript with a penchant for getting himself into trouble, and then getting himself out again. He had a good comedy number in the item, "My Old Woman." This was given in the characteristic Storey style, and earned applause from all parts of the house. Miss Polly McLaren was seen to advantage in a dance of the East supported by a bevy of graceful maidens attired in the typical harem dress. Miss Hylda Shannon sang several numbers artistically, chief among them being a song set to the music of the popular waltz air, " Destiny." Miss May Geary was excellent as the Rajah's first wife, in which part she gave ,a very bright performance. Misses Georgie Martin, Dulcie Milner, Messrs. Frank Haining, Barry Hitchings, and Reg Hawthorne were all in congenial roles. Miss Vera Murray, a recent recruit from the ballet, showed great promise in the musical number, "Jairy Moon." The programme will be presented throughout th week. On Monday next the first performance on any stage will be given of a tabloid musical comedy, " The Bandits." MUSICAL RECITAL. A recital of instrumental and vocal music arranged by Miss Evelyn Wyman was given at Messrs. Lewis R." Eady and Sons' showroom last evening. The programme included pianoforte solos and duets by pupils of Miss Wyman, vocal solos by Mr. Barry Coney, and a violin solo by Mr. Harold Baxter. The programme was an excellent one, and was highly appreciated by the audience. DANCE RECITAL. The annual dance recital of the pupils of Miss Aileen Beresford will be given in the Town Hall concert chamber on December 15 and 16. The pupils will present a ballet entitled "The Nymphs," the principal solo of which will be danced by Miss Aileen Beresford. A striking combination of colours will be introduced in a pyjama ballet by the pupils. Two clever dancers, Miss Mavis Morgan and Miss JJell Dawson, take the solo parts in an original ballet of ambition and love. A Kewpie song will be given by small folk in costume. The programme also includes the latest songs and novelties in ragtime. The box plan is at Wildman and Arey's. STRAND THEATRE. " The .Sentimental Bloke" is proving a great attraction at the Strand Theatre, where patrons are unanimous in their verdict as to the irresistible appeal and excellent production of the poem by C. J. Dennis. The "Sentimental Bloke" is a unique picture in that its appeal is absolutely universal to the human '. emotions, and the acting is so natural that the screen is forgotten and the audience realise the sterling qualities of manhood possessed by the rough hero. He is a character of many parts, the good-natured rough member of the gambling school, who, when the house is raided by the police, is captured and serves a term in gaol. Upon his release , he resolves to lead a respectable life. He falls in love with Doreen, and their love story forms a delightful romance, which at times touches the heights of humour, and at others stirs the depths of the heart with pathetic incidents. TIVOLI THEATRE. " The Girl Who Stayed ■ at Home" is a powerful war-time drama, now showing at the Tivoli Theatre. It is one of D. W. Griffith's productions, and reflects the artistic and original features of all his achievements. The oast includes Richard Barthelmess, Robert Harron, George Fawcett, Adolphe Lestina 4 S. de Conde. Carol Dempster, Tully Marshall, and Frances Park. Clarine Seymour, who is seen as "Cutie Beautiful," makes her first appearance as a picture artiste. The strong supporting programme includes the latest Gazette and a practical exhibition of physical exercises for women, entitled. '•'The Key to Beauty." An excellent musical programme is rendered by the Tivoli Orchestra. LYRIC THEATRE. " The Claw," which is one of the features in the programme at the Lyric Theatre, presents Clara Kimball Young in a role in which she is completely successful. The story is from a novel of African life, by Cynthia Stockley, and produces some exciting situations. Episode six, of " The Lightning Raider," reveals some sensational scenes. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Elsie Ferguson takes the leading role in " His Parisian Wife" at Everybody's Theatre. The picture is an adaptation from a play by Sir Arthur Pinoro. The theme is daring, and, skilfully handled by an excellent cast makes a sensational story. GLOBE THEATRE "False Evidence," at the Globe Theatre, presents Viola Dana, the fascinatiifg • young Metro star, in a role particularly , suited to the rare combination of whimsical and dramatic ability which she possesses. She is seen as Madelon, a i girl of the west, who lives in a remote [village amidst the towering redwoods. It

is one of the primitive customs of the inhabitants to, betroth their, daughters at birth, and so, grown to beautiful womanhood, Madelon finds herself engaged to one man and in love with another. PRINCESS THEATRE. Dorothy Gish appears at the Princess Theatre in " Boots."- This popular little actress scored a pronounced success as "The Little Disturber," in " Hearts •of the World." She now appears-as an imaginative, emotional, impulsive servant* at a London inn. She is employ shine the boots of the boarders, among whom is Everett -White, though " Boots" does not know that he is attached to the Secret Service and is tracking a band of conspirators, who are intent on doing damage to the aounfcry. NATIONAL THEATRE. Tom Mix, the daring horseman, provides some thrilling scenes in "Treat 'Em Rough," which is being shown at the National Theatre. He rides down a steep hill in an empty waggon to wreck the bandit's hut, and performs one of the most exciting deeds of his career, that of throwing the leading steer in a stamped- ' ing herd, just as the cattle are about to trample on his sweetheart. Naturally you would think the girl would express gratitude, but she calls him a coward. There is a real and gripping reason for her behaviour. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A double programme is the offering at the Queen's Theatre to-day. It includes the William Fo - leading actress, Miss Gladys BrockweL. in the dramatic play, "The Scarlet Road," and Peggy Hyland in the delightful comedy. " Caught in the Act." ' • GRAND THEATRE. Alice Joyce takes the leading role in "That. Winchester Woism," the chief attraction at the Grand Theatre. Episode 5 of " The Lightning Raiders," is even more exciting than the last chapter. *' The Cure" is a comedy with Charlie Chaplin in the leading role.