ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18019, 18 February 1922, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MR. PIM PASSES BY." At His Majesty's Theatre this evening, Miss Marie Tempest and Mr. Graham Browne, supported by their special company, under the J. C. Williamson direction, will make a welcome reappearance. Of "Mr. Pim Passes By," a prominent critic remarks: "Playgoers should be immeasurably thankful for the ! return of Miss Marie Tempest and Mr. Graham B.owno with brand new English I plays. They found Mr. Milne's "Mr. : Pirn Passes By" a oharming and typically j British comedy, wittily written and i capitally acted. Miss Tempest's wonI derful artistry is otice more in evidence in tho very congenial role of Olivia '] Marden, and in the second act she makes a g.eat impression by her handling of the dramatic climax Mr. Graham Browne lis splendidly suited in the character of I tieorge Marden, and the actor gives, as I always, much care and polish to his ! interpretation. Miss Marie Ney has an exce lout chance as Dinah Maiden, and makes the most of it. Another artist whose work is most effective is Mr. Ashton Jarry. His Carroway Pim (played in London' by Mr. Dion Boucicault) is a very fine character sketch." A noteworthy item in connection with the programme is the return of the one.-act play, "The Dumb and the Blind." which will be staged before the main play, and is said to give Mr. Graham Browne his opportunity to show another s.de of his wiried talent as Joe Henderson, the rough bargee. A feature of the production is said to be a series of i'aiisian costumes worn by Miss Tempest ns Olivia i Maiden. The box plans are at Lowis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. QUALITY PERFORMERS. Another delightful programme of melody and comedy was presented at the Town Hal! concert chamber last evening by Southwood's English Quality Peri formers. The popularity of this talented , combination was again demonstrated by the fact that the concert chamber was well filled. Tho programme submitted , was of the ti-ual high-class order, the concerted numbers in particular bein*; well selected and excellently rendered. " Recipes," a nonsensical quartette byMessrs. Sharralt, Webster, Scott, and Morris, caused much laughter, and Messrs. Sharratt and Webster were equally amusing in a comedy interlude. The 1 quartette, " Where My Caravan Has ' Rested," by pisses Hazel Fuller and Rase Fitzgerald and Messrs. Morris and Webster, was warmly applauded, as was the ensemble, " Come to Dixie," by the company. " Fairy Pipers," by Miss Fuller, "My Mammy," by Miss Fitzgerald, and a solo by Mr. Aneurin Morris, were quite up to the standard set by the company, and " The Barcarolle.", sung bv spe.-ial request by Misses Fuller and Fitzgerald, were warmly received. Mr. Leonard Nelson, with his songs and stories, maintained his reputation as an entertainer. The second part of the programme was devoted to a musical comedietta, in which the whole company took part. This programme will be repeated this evening and four evenings next week, and on Friday and Saturday next a special programme, selected from the company s wide repertoire, will mark the conclusion of the present season. A matinee will be given this afternoon. STRAND THEATRE.

The reputation enjoyed by the Strand Theatre lor the quality of its pictures and the variety of ite weekly programmes will be greatly enhanced by the bill now being offered for the delectation of patrons. The fust screenings yesterday afternoon and evening of "iVoily 0", the lew Mack Sennett film, intrnduring Mabel Normand in one 01 ner nest siuaiej in dramatic comedy, created a mosi favourable impression, and this feature should prove a strong draw throughout the remainder of its run. It is supported by other excellent pictures, both topical and diverting, the whole being presented to the accompaniment of new and enticing music by the Strand orchestra. "Molly 0" bubbles over with comedy, yet is replete also with romance, pathos, and glimpses of human nature at its best. It is a highly spectacular film, some of the main scenes being remarkable for the lavishness of their staging and the completeness of detail. Those who remember the story of "Cinderella"—and who does not?—wil! find in this new Mack Sennett production quit* a family resemblance, with the difference that here the Kene is a modern one, and there is no fairy godmother, but just Molly O's own native wit and spirit of determination to help her along to happiness. She is a child of the slums, but she rises to her rightful place in society and becomes a happy wife. The part calb for the display of a good deal of mischievous gaiety and •esource, for pathos, and for tenderness. n each phase Mabel Normand is conlincing to the point of impressiveness. She appears to really live the role while the action is in progress, and, in so doing, the art of her performance is submerged, as it we,re, by personality. There are several clever artists in the supportme cast, including Jack Mulhall as the handsome hero, George Nichols as Tim O'Dair, Molly O's father, and Eddie Gribbon in a strong character part. An outstandintr feature of the entire production is the ripe experience of performers and director. This factor makes for a presentation which has no flaws—a picture worth going a long way to see. This week's prologue is a most attractively danced ravotte in a special stage setting. This pretty item is presented by Misses Settina Edwards and Doreen O'Sullivan, jupils of Miss Cecil Hall.

TTVOLI THEATRE. j A crowded house witnessed the first' production at the Tivoli Theatre last I evening of the stirrnig proto-dranu, I "The Hell Diggers," in which the star ' role is portrayed by Wallace Reid. The picture, which will run for a week, is 1 a virile romance of California—a romance | of gold, of fighting men, and of love. I The story is replete with sensational incidents and hair-breadth escapes. Its iocale is entirely new to picture-goers, the scenes being set in the gold-dredg-ing fields, where one of the dredgermen plays the role of a hero under the most enthralling cu-cumstances. He has | to fight a lone battle with scheming op- | ponents who are utterly unscrupulous in ; ' their methods, but he wins out, and in ! the end takes to his heart the fascinat- ' ing heroine, a part played with exquisite I grace and feeling by Lois Wilson. In I the supporting programme is a fine Bur- j I ton Holmes travel picture, " Celestial j 1 Contrasts," and other interesting sub- | i jects. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. j According to Charles Reade, the novo-1 list, there are just three rules for writing a successful story, namely, to make people laugh, to make them cry, and to make them wait. These rules might al- ' most be said to have been made to describe the effect of " Life's Darn Funny," which is the chief attraction for the current week at Everybody's I Theatre. At its first screenings yester- ' dav were to be discerned the almost constant gurgle of mirth that swelled con- ! Ugiously through the audiences, the heart-tug that drew tears to the eyes j of the spectators, and the intense susi pense as they waited to see what would I happen next. The film has a powerful I emotional appeal, in which Viola Dana Ii s the delightful star.