ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18087, 11 May 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"BABES IN THE WOOD." The pantomime, "Babes in the Wood," which is to be staged at His Majesty's Theatre by the J. C. Williamson Company thi3 evening at 8 o'clock, comes to Auckland with high praise from Australian critics. The piece is staged under the direction of Mr. Charles Wenman, and a strong cast has been secured. The principal boy is Nora Delany (Lady Maxwell), who was described by the critic of the Sydney Sun as one of the most brilliant pantomime iirtists seen in Australia, while her personality made her a general favourite. Mr. Jack Williams is the dame, and he is said to be really humorous without a suspicion of coarseness. Mr. W. S. Percy, the well-known comedian, appears as "Baron Bazouker." further comedy is supplied by Naughton and Gold, whose work is said to be exceptionally droll. Miss Floie Allen is the principal girl, and she is said to give a charming interpretation of her partvfiss Mollis Fisher and Miss Nellie Barnes are the two babes. In the dancing department, the management have a gifted artist in Miss Josio Melville, her partner being Mr. Frederick Maekay. • Amongst the other artists are the Amery sisters, dance specialists, Audrey Thacker as "Littlejohn," and Charles Howard. The critic continues, "the production *s notable for the number of its good and new jokes and topical songs- The scenic department is rich in colour and device, ■ the ballets are specially fetching, and ensembles arc most brilliant-" Mr. C Downing is the musical director and Mr. J. C. Whitfield is the stage .director. The season will last for nine nights and three matinees. The box plans for the first six nights and two matinees are at Lewis B. Eady and Son, Ltd. The first matinee : - will be given on Saturday.

BOYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. The first concert of the season of the Boyal Auckland Choir will be given in the Town Hall this evening. The soloists are Miss Lois Evans, Mr. Robert Romani and Mr. Harold Baxter.

STRAND THEATRE. The final screenings at the Strand Theatre of " The Kid," featuring Charles Chaplin and little Jackie Coogan, and of " Scrambled Wives," starring Marguerite Clark, will be given to-day and this evening. For the change of programme tomorrow the First National picture, " Tol'able David," has been selected as the principal offering. The leading role will be played by Richard Barthelmess, the hero of " Way Down East." The story of this film shows how love and • adoration on the part of a care-free moun.-. tain youth for his big brother lift him from boyhood to manhood in a single day, and cause him to scale insnrmount-: able heights in that brother's cause. The play is said to be replete with thrilling - adventures. It is Bet in the mountain country of Virginia, where a heart-stirring story of simple family life is unfolded. Barthelmess in the title-rola is said to reach the hearts of the spectators through his appeal for sympathy for the ideals of the romantic country boy, and to thrill them with his revelation of indomitable courage and tenacity of purpose, at the risk of his own life, in defending these ideals. A new born babe, who is said. to pull at the very heart-strings of the onlookers with the message he carries into the world s.t his entrance* is among the characters- David's dog, his courageous father, his tender mother, his piti- . ful sister-in-law, whose life is blighted by the tragedy which befalls his hero brother, all carry the same message. The touching love theme which runs through ' the story, being the basis for many a delightful romantic scene, not untouched | by comedy at times, is said to famish a. beautiful background. One scene of ,' vivid suspense and dramatic intensity is ' that in which David fights an adversary 1 almost twice his size. There is._alsoYsaid \ to be a touching appeal in the. motherlove interest which permeates the story. Supporting films on the new programme ' to-morrow and for the ensuing week willinclude the Mack Sennett comedy, " Hard Knocks and Love Taps," a Topical Gazette, and a Pathe Review.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The final praentations at the Princess Theatre of " Her Social Value," featuring the beautiful American actress, ~ Katherine Mac Donald, will be given to-day and this evening. It tells in a tense and interesting manner of the self-sacrifice "that a loving girl is prepared to make in.the interest of her husband. To-morrow,-and for the ensuing week there-' wiD> be screened a J. Stuart Blackton-Paihe feature film, "The House of the Tolling Bell," which will be the chief attraction on a varied bill. This picture has been adapted from the novel of the same name by Edith S. Tupper. It is a picturesque tale of -.the South, a story of the influence of superstition and the conquering power of love. May McAvoy, little and sweet, plays the leading role, supported by Bruce Gordon. Other prominent people in the cast include Morgan Thorpe. William R. Dunn, Edward Elkss, and : Eulalie Jensen. The story deals-.with,;a . contested will. In the struggle for possession of the house of the tolling bell, there is a clash between intelligence and the ignorance and superstitions of the natives of Louisiana. The interest centres upon a beautiful young girl whoso honour and future depend upon the issue. -. The struggle is ended by a (surprising climax. . Special music by the Princess orchestra will accompany the screenings.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. The final opportunities oE witnessing the Italian film, "Death's Circus," and the Charles Chaplin comedy, " Tuning His Ivories," at the Queen's Theatre, will be afforded to picture-goers today and this evening. The dramatic and scenic ex-. cellence of the former, and the humour, of the latter make the combined bill a very entertaining one. The new programme to b e screened to-morrow and for the following week will be headed by a Selznick feature, " The Dangerous Paradise," in which Louise Huff and Harry Benham play the chief roles. This is tho story of a girl who hires a husband in the belief that married life will mean an extension of freedom for hen discovers that married " freedom,' however, is net all she supposed. The theme is unfolded in very amusing fashion, and the appeal of the picture is said to be irresistible for those m search of light enjovment. Admirable photography and beauty of stacie sets are said to enhance tho general good quality of the feature. There will be a good supporting programme, and first-class music at each session. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE, The last few screenings of " The. Silver Horde," the interesting Rex Beach film;,, at Everybody's Theatre, are. now an-, nouneed." This virile " outdoor " picture, with its enthralling romance, has many" points of excellence. The" scenery of Alaska is in itself an attraction, and the snow scenes are very vivid and realistic. ■Instructive, too, are the portions of.the film in which are shown vhe salmon fishing industry, from tho netting of the silver horde to the cannery. There are good supporting pictures and first-class music DIXrELAND. The dansant at the Dixieland Cabaret is becoming an increasingly popular afternoon function. Among the many innovations at this social rendezvous is to be a masquerade ball, which will be held on Wednesday, May 24. Reservations may now be made at Messrs. Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., or at the cabaret.