ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18131, 1 July 1922, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NELLIE BRAMLEY COMPANY.

Strong artistically, and in aspect of itu repertory, Miss Nellie Brantley's Dramatic Company will open a season at His Majesty's Theatre this evening in Bayard VeiUer'f? powerful play "Within the Law." Tba /iew company has been formed by Mr. William F. Russell for a Dominion tour, commencing in this city. By arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., the acting rights of some 40 of the best known and most popular dramas have been obtained. In ord>3r to appeal to a wide public high prices have been discarded in favour of charges reasonable enough to enable every class of patron to visit the theatre. "Within the Law " has been selected as the first production because of Miss Bramley'a remarkable capacity for the portrayal of powerful roles, such as that of Mary Turner, in this thrilling and emotional piece. The story of a shop girl wrongfully imprisoned, and in consequence fired with a desire for revenge on her enemies, this play is full of action intensely interesting. Miss Bramley will be supported by a cast chosen very carefully to ensure the best possible productions. Such well-known artists as Misses Ethel Bashfc;d, Nell Calvin, Kiore King, Biddy "Hawthorne, and Messrs. Arthur Cornell, Guy Hastings, Victor Fitzherbert, George Hewlett, Charles Lawrence, Richard Webster, and Leslie Wood will be members of the company. Few attractions offer the same wide appeal as does this season of stockdrama at popular prices. The novel idea of opening the theatre at 6.15 and having the orchestra play popular songs for the audience to sing will 'be greatly approciated by patrons used to waiting in tria cold for admission. The box plan is at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., and the booking is heavy.

ORGAN RECITAL. An attractive programme arranged for the municipal organ recital in the Town Hall this evening will include works by Bach and Wolstenholme and Lemmen's "Storm Fantasia." Xavier Lcroux'sfine song, " The Nile," will be sung by Mrs. Cyril Towsey, with violin obligate by Mr. Harold Baxter. ' BENEFIT CONCERT. A concert in aid of the funds of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Henderson, will be given in St. James' Hall, Wellington Street, on Thursday evening at Madame Bella Russell will be assisted by. the New Zealand Quartette. Dances will be given by Miss Birnice Sanford and pupils. Other items will be given by Misses N. Wright, V. Moore, Ailsa Scott, Dorothy Jeffs, Mrs. R. A. Scott, Messrs. J. McLaren, N. Fort, J. Matthews, W. Pierce, and M. Ballanee.

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The second concert of the season of the Bohemian Orchestra will be given in the Town Hall on Thursday evening, July 13. An attractive programme has been arranged. FAMINE FUND CONCERT. A musical evening, arranged by Miss Alice Rimmer in aid of the Russian Famine Fund, will be given in the "T.W.C.A hall next Friday evening. The artists include Miss Rimmer and pupils and Messrs. Barry 'Coney and Ernest Drake. . PAUL SALDAIGNE RECITAL. A recital will be given by Mr. Paul Saldaigne and some of his pupils is the Town Hall concert chamber on Thursday evening. Mr. Saldaigne, an operatic tenor, late of Boston and Antwerp, will be heard in a budget of songs, and the remainder of the programme will be supplied by his students. Miss England < will be the accompanist. The box plan is at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. PRINCESS THEATRE. There were large attendances at the Princess Theatre yesterday, when " The Turning Point," a film version of Robert W. Chambers' novel of the same name, was screened for the first time. The story is one with much dramatic power, and concerns two society girls, Diana and Silve'tto Tennant, who find themselves in a desperate financial position, owing to the failure of the Edgerton-Tennant Company. With what little money they have, the two girls fitted themselves out with an abundance of beautiful clothes, hoping, tiirough fine appearance and natural grace in Society to obtain work as professional hostesses. Shortly afterwards they meet James Edgertbn, and mutual explanations show that the sisters and he are practically on the game financial footing. A love affair between Diana and Edgerton develops. •Meanwhile, Colonel Gurmew is determined to place a stigma on Diana's name, and he spreads a rumour that she was concerned in a murder of a man some time previously. From this point in the story, further complications occur, but finally Diana's good name is cleared, and a satisfactory ending is reached. The well-knowp actresSj Katherine Mac Donald, gives a splendid interpretation of the part of Diana, who is haunted by an untrue rumour of fche past, in love with a society idler, and endeavouring to ward off the distasteful attentions of a wealthy man, who would willingly bring an unjust disgrace upon her. She has good chances for emotional acting, and the novel touches of comedy relief go to make the story a very interesting .one. Special attention has been given to the selection of localities for this picture, and some of the choicest spots of California serve as backgrounds for the many unusual situations that .develop during the course of the atory. A professional hostess of fashionable house parties is certainly an unusual occupation, but the picture shows it to be practical and well-suited to a woman of refinement, who is forced to earn her own, living. The principal picture is supported by a good programme, while the Princess Peerless Orchestra, gives its usual efficient service.

STRAND THEATRE. j Th« icy regions of the north, the hardy inhabitants of the wilds, and great fierce' pack-dogs are all prominent in a film version of James Oliver Garwood's wellknown ?joveL 1 "XaMa the Wolf Dog," which was screened yesterday at the Strand Theatre for fche first time. The picture is an unusual one, principally because of the important part played by dogs and wild animais, and more particularly by the savage wolf-dog, Kazan. Owing to the death of his master, Kazan is dangerous to everybody till his late master's sister, Joan Badisson, finds him and wins his friendship. Kazan joins a wolf-pack, and on a journey through the snowy wastes, all Joan's sledge dogs are lolled by wolves. Kazan, however, recognises his one human friend, and turns on the wolves and routs them. He .then pulls Joan's companion, a wounded and snow-blind man, to the cabin of Joan's father.. Joan is menaced by "Black" McCready en two occasions, but at both times, she is saved bv Kazan, who finally has his revenge on McCready, who was the murderer of Kazan's master. So-ne very fine work is done by the wolf dog who plays the part of Kazan the killer. In one scene, Kazan attacks a lynx, and a terrific battle results. Fighting fiercely, the dog and the lynx roll off the top of a rock into the snow, and there Kazan sinks his teeth into the throat of the lyux and kills it. Some fine scenic effects of the frozen stretches of country are obtained, while the acting is all that is to be desired. Jane Novak has the principal part and others in the cast are B>n peeky, William Ryno, Ben Eaggerty and

Edwin Wailock. There iu a good suppojiing programme, including a topical gazeMo, showing the naming of the Grand N&tif/oai Steeplechase. The race, in which only five horses out of 32 starters finished! im first round safely, is finely photogra.pl ted. Mr. Kenneth Impetfc sings two songs at the evening sessions. Ha is gifted with a pleasing baritone voice, and he was- wall received by the large audience last ev<!n< ing. QUEEN'S THEATRE. " The Night Horseman," & drama of the rancheii of America, was screened at the Queen's Theatre for the first time yesterday. The picture is based on Max Brand's novel, " Wild Geese," and Tom Mix takes the leading part, that of Whistling Dan. The story tells how Dan's fierce arid wild nature is finally tamed by the love of a woman. There are macv exciting situations, and admirers of Tom Mix will find this film well up to the standard of previous Mix pictures.