ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" TEA FOR THREE." "Tea for Three," produced by the Marie Tempest company at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, begins with comedy and ends with flippancy, bub consists mainly of drama that is well-nigh tragedy. It is indeed difficult to know what to call it. It is pleasant for the audience to learn just at,the finish that everyone is alive and understood and happy, but there is really nothing to suggest that the jealous man and the doctor were not seri-' oua when they drew lota to decide whioh one> should kill himself within 24 hours; there was no reason to suppose that the newspaper announcement that the doctor had paid the debt of honour by committing suicide was a " gross exaggeration," and folk who have the capacity for forgetting the stage in their interest in the, characters, clothing them with the garments of reality, had much reason for feeling a shock when the man, believed to be dead, entered to take tea with the two other people of the triangle. Real comedy cannot well go to such lengths—it almost takes advantage of the audience. The final laugh is too short and too late. An imagined corpse and two brokenhearted people are not the best elements in a comedy. But however one may quarrel with the writer of the play, there oan be no question about the quality of the acting. Miss Marie Tempest in the role of the wife who loved her husband, but saw no reason why she should drop her old friend, even though he still liked to be romantic over their love affair of earlier days, demonstrated the wonderful breadth of her art. She showed how she can make laughter as well as tears. It would be a poor drama, indeed, in which she failed to keep the audience hanging on her words and her actions. Whatever may be the faults in the construction of the play its dialogue was full of clever passages, which Miss Tempest and the other two principal characters used to the greatest advantage. Mr. Graham Browno took the part of the young doctor, and the gay abandon of that somewhat irresponsible philosopher was thoroughly portrayed. Mr Ashton Jarry was seen in the role of the jealous husband, and he was a thoroughly jealous husband. The minor roles were excellently taken. The piece will he repeated this afternoon and evening and on Monday and Tuesday even ings.

QUALITY PERFORMERS. The phenomenal success of the entertainments given by Southwood's,Quality Performers in the Town Hall concert chamber was again demonstrated last evening, when this talented combination, introduced their final programme of the present season, which will be given for the last time this evening. The items were selected from the extensive repertoire of the company, the majority being those which had met with keen approval by earlier audiences, although many new numbers were introduced. Features of the programme were the music by the specially augmented jazz band, and the special engagement of Mr. Roy Brinsden, who contributed much tuneful melody with his modern jazz in struments. A special matinee is to be given this afternoon, and the concluding performance will be given this evening. The company commences its country tour at Hamilton on Monday.

ELLA SHIELDS.

Arrangements have been made with Mr. Harry G. Musgrove for a tour of New Zealand of Miss EUa Shields, an English male impersonator, who will appear for the first time in the Dominion at His Majesty's Theatre, on Monday, March 6. Miss Shields has won high favour in London- and the Australian centres. Her specialty consists in impersonating various types of men, and one of her most successful efforts is the rep. resentation of "Burlington Bertie, of Bow." In this piece of work, she is said to reach a very high standard of artistry. The two other types impersonated are those of a swaggering naval officer and a millionaire "hobo." The texture of tho artist's voice has met with widespread approval from overseas critics, while her dancing is described as extremely |rrace ful. Miss Shields is supportod by her own company of vaudeville artists. Tho Auckland season will last for six night* only. The box plans will open on Thursday morning at Lewis R. Eady and Son. Limited

ORATORIO "ST. PAUL."

Mendelssohn's oratorio "St. Paul" wifl be given by a large- combined choir in the Town Hnll to-nieht in connection with the Centenary Methodist Conference. The soloists will he Madam Chambers, Miss Laura Stone, Mr. Ernest Drako, and Mr. Arthur Colledge. The Ml orchestra will be led by Miss Edith Whitelaw, the conductor being Mi'/ E. J: Gatland. Tickets may 'be obtained and scats reserved up till noon to-day at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd.

GRAND THEATRE.

New Zealanders should be proud of the New Zealand picture, Lady of the Cave." It sets a standard in photography, technique, lighting, and production generally which places it on equal terms with the imported film. In so successfully adapting for the screen this story of old New Zealand, which recently concluded its serial run in the New Zealand Herald supplement, Mr. Rudall Hayward, the young director and producer, has .mown rare enterprise and ability which deserve the, recognition they will assuredly obtain from the public. The arrangement of the various scenes is such that continuity of theme has been secured without _ any sign of tedious or unnecessary detail. The whole thread of the fascinating love story has been transferred ■ to the silver-sheet m interesting sequence, and appropriate action. The crowds of patrons who thronged to the Grand Theatre at all sessions yesterday to witness' the first of this really fine film found no need to exercise tolerance toward a local effort. On the contrary they were very soon, made aware.that here was a picture- which redounded to the credit of all concerned in its making. Of chief importance in any such venture, the photographic effects instantly commanded admiration. The beautiful land and seascapes of the Bay of Plenty, with occasional glimpses of glorious native bush, showed admirable taste in selection of locale and good judgment in the matter of lighting. Some of the closeups and double exposures and other matters of technique were even better than can ordinarily be seen in American films. Furthermore, it was at once apparent that Mr. Hayward Jad chosen his cast well. Particularly striking was the natural acting of Mr. Gordon Campbell in the role of the young man who fell overboard from a scow and was thrown up on the island where he found his lady of the cave. This young Auckland actor proved to have most of the attributes fitting him for such roles. Miss Hazel West, also of Auckland, in the title-role, and the remaining performers, including a number of Maoris, revealed a remarkable talent, developed under skilled direction. The production is undoubtedly the best local effort to da,te. The story is refreshingly wholesome, the scenic gems are a delight to view, and the New Zealand atmosphere is faithfully retained. The film will be at the Grand for a limited season.

STRAND THEATRE. The judicious blending of drama, comedy, and instructive entertainment, which picture-goers have become accustomed to enjoying at the Strand Theatre, are onco more in evidence there this week. The piece de resistance in the new programme presented for the first time yesterday is "Charge It," with Clara Kimball;Young in the star role. It is an interesting story of an extravagant wife, and incidentally is a strong indictment of the credit system. It shows how an over-fondness for dress may lead .to endless trouble, the wife in the photo-nlsy having eventually tc earn her own living.

Miss Young wears several' very handsomo gowns, and as usual gives a highly artistic performance. By way of a prologue a "Vanity. Fair" inset is shown, in which some of the latest London _ and Continental autumn fashions in women's _ attire arc exhibited. In the supporting bill is a new Larry Semon comedy, "The Stage Hand," in which this gloom-dispelling comedian is screemingly funny in an invasion of stageland. The film is even more diverting than previous ones in which Larry Semon has figured. Educative, topical, and travel subjects are also screened, and the musio is a feature.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. ."Thunderclap," a Fox feature film, will be the principal attrition at the Hippodrome Theatre for the week commencing next Friday. It is described as a thrilling mdodramatio picture _ with a laugh every minute, and a thrill every thirty seconds. An all-star cast cleverly depicts an absorbing story of love, intrigue, romance, and, last but not least, a horse race yet unequalled on the screen. The colourful tale takes the spectator into scenes of gambling, a world of gilt, flushed checks, and trembling excitement. In this environment is unfolded the experience of a girl of the convent, ignorant of the ways of the wily, but strong of character and purpose. Special efforts are being made to present this strong film attraction to the accompaniment of choice and appropriate music by the Hippodrome's skilled orchestra. The current programme is headed by Tom Mix in "The Night Horsemen," a most enthralling film.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

This week's principal film at Everybody's Theatre is the Goldwyn production, "The Cup of Fury," a picture version of Rupert Hughes' story. It is a vivid and enthralling photo-drama dealing with the adventures of a music-hall actress and social butterfly, who casts aside a life of luxury and pleasure in order to help in the alleviation of the sufferings of less fortunate humanity. > In the leading role Helen Chadwick presents many phases of character" —the discontented village girl, the runaway, the actress, the adopted daughter of wealth, the stenographer, and the ship-builder. It is a realistic story of America to-day, moving swiftly in a succession of dramatic situations. There are good supportng films.

WIRTHS' CTRCTJS. . Mr. G. L. Petersen, advance manager for Wirth Bros.' Circus, has arrived in Auckland to make arrangements for their Auckland season, opening on Saturday, March 18. BAND CONCERTS. A pTogramrne of band musio will be given by the Ponsoriby Boys' Brass Band (No. 1, city group, senior cadet band), at the' Domain Gardens to-morrow • afternoon, at three o'olock. Special selections will be given by the band, which is under the conductorship of Mr. P. G. Lawn. A recital of band music will be given to-morrow afternoon at the E"lerslie Pacecourse by the Auckland Military Band, under the conductorship of Limit. Whalley Stewart. The performance will commence at three o'clock. The First Battalion orchestra will play in the Albert Park to-morrow afternoon, at three o'clock. Lieut. Lighton is the conductor.